Chapter 516: Red Emerald
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Chapter 516: Red Emerald
Red Emerald
The waves made the Red Emerald constantly roll back and forth, like a punishment from Sol. So far, Martel had avoided emptying the contents of his stomach, but it had been a close call more than once over the course of the last several days at sea. When the movement was at its worst, he watched with envy as the sailors confidently crossed the deck doing their tasks.
At least Martel was not the only passenger with this struggle; besides two mages and supplies for the front, the merchant vessel carried half a centuria of soldiers and their optio, and more than a few of them lacked their sea-legs as well. A little to Martel's annoyance, that number did not include Eleanor; the mageknight casually strolled around on the deck in her black tunic. Her armour and weapons lay along with Martel's equipment in the captain's cabin, which had been placed at her disposal; the captain had taken a bed in the crew's quarters, where Martel also slept or made attempts thereof.
"Still feeling queasy?" Eleanor arrived at his side with a smile, though she did not look at him directly.
"No," Martel claimed, getting on his feet. He resisted the urge to reach out and grab the ship's railing for support. "Just bored. All the times I dreamt about sailing away, I didn't think about how dull it would actually be, trapped on a ship."
"Still faster and easier than travelling on land," she countered. "We can spar?" came the suggestion. Eleanor had already trounced a handful of the legionaries aboard, even without using magic.
"I feel like I've done a lifetime of that at the Lyceum," Martel declared. He took a step to lean over the railing of the ship, pretending to admire the view. While starboard showed only the Emerald Sea, port showed the southern coast of Aster, as they followed it towards their destination of Esmouth and the Savena Delta.
"I shall allow you to be spared while we are at sea, but once we are settled in camp, expect daily training."
"Why? You're not my teacher," Martel protested. "We're not obligated to do that anymore."
"If I am going to be responsible for your life," she began to say with overbearing patience, "and go into battle by your side, you can bet your Stars that I will keep your fighting skills sharp."
He could not really argue with that. "Alright." A moment later, because he felt he had not said this often enough, Martel continued, "And thank you. For coming with me."
"You are welcome."
"Does your father know yet, do you think?"
"Probably. I imagine he found out almost as soon as we left. But if you are worried about interference, do not be. He does not have the reach to have me reassigned to another position or legion."
"I wasn't. I just hope he won't be angry with you."
As for Eleanor, she continued her daily sparring. Lacking other entertainment, the soldiers and sailors alike crowded to watch every time. Despite restricting herself from using magic, Eleanor bested every opponent; compared to a knight, the recruits stood little chance.
After another bout, Eleanor gave a bow and retreated to her cabin. The soldiers applauded and laughed, throwing in a few barbs at her victim of the day. "She only won because she got magic!" it burst from the sore loser, still rubbing his hand where Eleanor's sword had disarmed him.
"Nobody saw any sign of that," someone retorted.
"Well, you can't see magic, can you," came the biting reply. "No other way someone with a sword could beat a spear otherwise! Especially not a woman!"
Martel stalked over. Despite his mood, he kept control over his voice and his spells, staying quiet as his presence asserted itself. It took a moment for all the soldiers to notice him and the laughter to die down.
"If I hear another disparaging word about the lady, I will throw you overboard as a mercy after I've set you on fire." The wizard gave a piercing stare at the legionary, who lowered his eyes. Satisfied, Martel turned around and strode away, resuming his post by the starboard side, where he stared out at the cliffs. Behind him, conversation and hushed laughter resumed.
Shortly after, the greybeard from the other day joined Martel. "Permission to give unasked advice, sir?"
"Yes?"
"Best you refer to your protector by rank instead of title if you want the men to think of her as that. 'Sir Fontaine' rather than ladyship or anything like that."
Despite his poor mood, Martel saw the wisdom in his words. He exhaled, doing his best to ignore any annoyance clinging to him. "Thanks. What's your name?"
"Very good, sir." The greybeard gave a sly smile. "Show an interest in your men, and it'll take you far with them. I'm Marius."
"I'm Martel."
"Yes, sir."
Looking at his companion, the wizard figured that perhaps he should take the opportunity to learn more about the common soldiery when a cry went up to tear him from his thoughts.
"Ship in sight!" Standing by the bow, a sailor gestured frantically towards the east. Crew and legionaries alike ran towards him to confirm the message with their own eyes and more importantly, the allegiance of the vessel. Martel felt his heart sink as he saw the flag atop the mast. It was a Khivan galley.
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Chapter 516: Red Emerald
Red Emerald
The waves made the Red Emerald constantly roll back and forth, like a punishment from Sol. So far, Martel had avoided emptying the contents of his stomach, but it had been a close call more than once over the course of the last several days at sea. When the movement was at its worst, he watched with envy as the sailors confidently crossed the deck doing their tasks.
At least Martel was not the only passenger with this struggle; besides two mages and supplies for the front, the merchant vessel carried half a centuria of soldiers and their optio, and more than a few of them lacked their sea-legs as well. A little to Martel's annoyance, that number did not include Eleanor; the mageknight casually strolled around on the deck in her black tunic. Her armour and weapons lay along with Martel's equipment in the captain's cabin, which had been placed at her disposal; the captain had taken a bed in the crew's quarters, where Martel also slept or made attempts thereof.
"Still feeling queasy?" Eleanor arrived at his side with a smile, though she did not look at him directly.
"No," Martel claimed, getting on his feet. He resisted the urge to reach out and grab the ship's railing for support. "Just bored. All the times I dreamt about sailing away, I didn't think about how dull it would actually be, trapped on a ship."
"Still faster and easier than travelling on land," she countered. "We can spar?" came the suggestion. Eleanor had already trounced a handful of the legionaries aboard, even without using magic.
"I feel like I've done a lifetime of that at the Lyceum," Martel declared. He took a step to lean over the railing of the ship, pretending to admire the view. While starboard showed only the Emerald Sea, port showed the southern coast of Aster, as they followed it towards their destination of Esmouth and the Savena Delta.
"I shall allow you to be spared while we are at sea, but once we are settled in camp, expect daily training."
"Why? You're not my teacher," Martel protested. "We're not obligated to do that anymore."
"If I am going to be responsible for your life," she began to say with overbearing patience, "and go into battle by your side, you can bet your Stars that I will keep your fighting skills sharp."
He could not really argue with that. "Alright." A moment later, because he felt he had not said this often enough, Martel continued, "And thank you. For coming with me."
"You are welcome."
"Does your father know yet, do you think?"
"Probably. I imagine he found out almost as soon as we left. But if you are worried about interference, do not be. He does not have the reach to have me reassigned to another position or legion."
"I wasn't. I just hope he won't be angry with you."
As for Eleanor, she continued her daily sparring. Lacking other entertainment, the soldiers and sailors alike crowded to watch every time. Despite restricting herself from using magic, Eleanor bested every opponent; compared to a knight, the recruits stood little chance.
After another bout, Eleanor gave a bow and retreated to her cabin. The soldiers applauded and laughed, throwing in a few barbs at her victim of the day. "She only won because she got magic!" it burst from the sore loser, still rubbing his hand where Eleanor's sword had disarmed him.
"Nobody saw any sign of that," someone retorted.
"Well, you can't see magic, can you," came the biting reply. "No other way someone with a sword could beat a spear otherwise! Especially not a woman!"
Martel stalked over. Despite his mood, he kept control over his voice and his spells, staying quiet as his presence asserted itself. It took a moment for all the soldiers to notice him and the laughter to die down.
"If I hear another disparaging word about the lady, I will throw you overboard as a mercy after I've set you on fire." The wizard gave a piercing stare at the legionary, who lowered his eyes. Satisfied, Martel turned around and strode away, resuming his post by the starboard side, where he stared out at the cliffs. Behind him, conversation and hushed laughter resumed.
Shortly after, the greybeard from the other day joined Martel. "Permission to give unasked advice, sir?"
"Yes?"
"Best you refer to your protector by rank instead of title if you want the men to think of her as that. 'Sir Fontaine' rather than ladyship or anything like that."
Despite his poor mood, Martel saw the wisdom in his words. He exhaled, doing his best to ignore any annoyance clinging to him. "Thanks. What's your name?"
"Very good, sir." The greybeard gave a sly smile. "Show an interest in your men, and it'll take you far with them. I'm Marius."
"I'm Martel."
"Yes, sir."
Looking at his companion, the wizard figured that perhaps he should take the opportunity to learn more about the common soldiery when a cry went up to tear him from his thoughts.
"Ship in sight!" Standing by the bow, a sailor gestured frantically towards the east. Crew and legionaries alike ran towards him to confirm the message with their own eyes and more importantly, the allegiance of the vessel. Martel felt his heart sink as he saw the flag atop the mast. It was a Khivan galley.
Chapter 516: Red EmeraldRed EmeraldThe waves made the Red Emerald constantly roll back and forth, like a punishment from Sol. So far, Martel had avoided emptying the contents of his stomach, but it had been a close call more than once over the course of the last several days at sea. When the movement was at its worst, he watched with envy as the sailors confidently crossed the deck doing their tasks.At least Martel was not the only passenger with this struggle; besides two mages and supplies for the front, the merchant vessel carried half a centuria of soldiers and their optio, and more than a few of them lacked their sea-legs as well. A little to Martel's annoyance, that number did not include Eleanor; the mageknight casually strolled around on the deck in her black tunic. Her armour and weapons lay along with Martel's equipment in the captain's cabin, which had been placed at her disposal; the captain had taken a bed in the crew's quarters, where Martel also slept or made attempts thereof."Still feeling queasy?" Eleanor arrived at his side with a smile, though she did not look at him directly."No," Martel claimed, getting on his feet. He resisted the urge to reach out and grab the ship's railing for support. "Just bored. All the times I dreamt about sailing away, I didn't think about how dull it would actually be, trapped on a ship.""Still faster and easier than travelling on land," she countered. "We can spar?" came the suggestion. Eleanor had already trounced a handful of the legionaries aboard, even without using magic."I feel like I've done a lifetime of that at the Lyceum," Martel declared. He took a step to lean over the railing of the ship, pretending to admire the view. While starboard showed only the Emerald Sea, port showed the southern coast of Aster, as they followed it towards their destination of Esmouth and the Savena Delta."I shall allow you to be spared while we are at sea, but once we are settled in camp, expect daily training.""Why? You're not my teacher," Martel protested. "We're not obligated to do that anymore.""If I am going to be responsible for your life," she began to say with overbearing patience, "and go into battle by your side, you can bet your Stars that I will keep your fighting skills sharp."He could not really argue with that. "Alright." A moment later, because he felt he had not said this often enough, Martel continued, "And thank you. For coming with me.""You are welcome.""Does your father know yet, do you think?""Probably. I imagine he found out almost as soon as we left. But if you are worried about interference, do not be. He does not have the reach to have me reassigned to another position or legion.""I wasn't. I just hope he won't be angry with you."As for Eleanor, she continued her daily sparring. Lacking other entertainment, the soldiers and sailors alike crowded to watch every time. Despite restricting herself from using magic, Eleanor bested every opponent; compared to a knight, the recruits stood little chance.After another bout, Eleanor gave a bow and retreated to her cabin. The soldiers applauded and laughed, throwing in a few barbs at her victim of the day. "She only won because she got magic!" it burst from the sore loser, still rubbing his hand where Eleanor's sword had disarmed him."Nobody saw any sign of that," someone retorted."Well, you can't see magic, can you," came the biting reply. "No other way someone with a sword could beat a spear otherwise! Especially not a woman!"Martel stalked over. Despite his mood, he kept control over his voice and his spells, staying quiet as his presence asserted itself. It took a moment for all the soldiers to notice him and the laughter to die down."If I hear another disparaging word about the lady, I will throw you overboard as a mercy after I've set you on fire." The wizard gave a piercing stare at the legionary, who lowered his eyes. Satisfied, Martel turned around and strode away, resuming his post by the starboard side, where he stared out at the cliffs. Behind him, conversation and hushed laughter resumed.Shortly after, the greybeard from the other day joined Martel. "Permission to give unasked advice, sir?""Yes?""Best you refer to your protector by rank instead of title if you want the men to think of her as that. 'Sir Fontaine' rather than ladyship or anything like that."Despite his poor mood, Martel saw the wisdom in his words. He exhaled, doing his best to ignore any annoyance clinging to him. "Thanks. What's your name?""Very good, sir." The greybeard gave a sly smile. "Show an interest in your men, and it'll take you far with them. I'm Marius.""I'm Martel.""Yes, sir."Looking at his companion, the wizard figured that perhaps he should take the opportunity to learn more about the common soldiery when a cry went up to tear him from his thoughts."Ship in sight!" Standing by the bow, a sailor gestured frantically towards the east. Crew and legionaries alike ran towards him to confirm the message with their own eyes and more importantly, the allegiance of the vessel. Martel felt his heart sink as he saw the flag atop the mast. It was a Khivan galley.
