Firebrand

Chapter 215: Clean-up Job

Chapter 215: Clean-up Job

Clean-up Job

Martel's first lesson on Glunday went much like those on Pelday, with little to no progress. "I'm sorry, Master Alastair." Mostly because between spending time with the Night Knives or in the Chamber of Earth, he had barely practised these spells as he was supposed to.

"Don't be, my boy, you will learn however fast or slow you must. But maybe we shall try some other bits of advanced magic. The trouble is that water is far from your natural inclination, and coupled with another element, that's just beyond your control for the time being. Maybe I'll leave it to Mistress Vana, and for now, we'll focus on other ways of increasing your abilities."

"You know best, master." Any kind of magic had Martel's interest, regardless of whether he needed it to become a weathermage or seamage. Just learning basic apothecary lore had proven tremendously useful so far, even if Martel did not envision himself working as an apothecary.

His teacher gave a smile. "If only that were true in all cases. Alright, I hear the bell. See you next time."

***

After lunch, Martel stopped in the entrance hall to check for messages, remembering that Flora might have sent him something. He approached Henry, but before he could even ask, Jasper waved him over. "Letter for you," the acolyte said. "I noticed it and figured I'd make sure you got it."

Like yesterday, the conversation felt strange to Martel; after all, he assumed he would have received the message no matter who handled it. Jasper handed over the piece of parchment to the novice, who unfolded it. More a note rather than an actual letter, it read,

Master Martel,

Your presence is requested.

Please pay us a visit today.

Flora

Same wording as last time, brief and inconspicuous. Martel would have to show up to find out what the task was. He briefly considered his schedule for the day. He had about three hours until his second class with Master Alastair; if he were quick about it, he could make it to the insula and back again. Might as well get it over with. Also, Martel was curious both about the nature of the task and the payment.

Looking up, he realised that while Jasper had returned to his desk, the acolyte was watching him. Deciding to avoid the guy in the future, Martel went to his room. He grabbed his winter clothes and left; increasing his pace as he crossed the entrance hall to leave through the gate, he made sure to avoid eye contact with Jasper.

***

Following the same path as yesterday, Martel made his way to the insula. He did not attract any looks from the people on the street or in the building as he passed them by on his way to the Night Knives; either they recognised him by now, or they did not care.

Marcus let him in, and Martel took a seat, looking expectantly at Flora.

"Lady Pearl has graced us with her business again. Full pay is guaranteed this time too, since violence is also guaranteed." The earthmage returned Martel's look, perhaps gauging his reaction.

"Who are we fighting?" The novice could not help but feel apprehensive. He had sometimes been ready for a fight, but deliberately starting one, possibly with the result that people got killed, that still felt like an extra step in a direction he disliked.

"A gang of cutthroats have set up shop in the bridge district," Flora explained. "Southern part, close to where it meets the Khivan enclave. Off the main streets, among poorer people, probably hoping they can operate without drawing much attention. Unfortunately for them, they did."

"None of the Nine Lords accept competition in their own territory," Marcus added. "Our job is to persuade them to leave the bridge district, scatter them to the winds. Nobody dies, unless we are forced while defending ourselves. Bodies make the neighbourhood nervous and cause a headache with the city guard."

Martel preferred it that way as well. Engaging in violence with the specific aim of killing someone else – that was definitely a step too far for him. "They're cutthroats, you say?"

"Small-time thugs, basically." Flora shrugged. "Intimidating the locals, demanding money in exchange for leaving them in peace, that sort of thing. Probably former veterans, Morcaster is rotten with them. So they'll know how to fight, but with two mages I expect we’ll have them on the run easily."

Martel was immediately reminded of the Broken Blades. Hurting street children, forcing them to steal on their behalf. Kidnapping him with the intent of selling him overseas. Slapping gold on him like chains, brutally severing his connection to his magic. Martel was almost tempted to do this for free. Certainly most of his qualms about this fight had vanished. "What's the pay?"

"You'll earn eight pieces of the emperor's best silver," Flora told him with a smile. "There's six of them in total. Small number, but since they probably got experience with combat, I told the lady Pearl we deserved a bit more."

"I'm so bored, I'd do it for half that," Marcus mumbled. "Nah, not really." His fingers ran over the hilt of his dagger.

"They're holed up in some ramshackle house, you know the type. All over Morcaster in the lower districts. Two stories, made of wood. Looks ready to go up in flames. You should probably be careful where you fling your spells," Flora laughed. "I'll give it a good look over tonight, figure out the best approach. Between the three of us, I doubt we'll break a sweat." She gave Martel an inspecting look. "What do you think?"

Given that they had easily dealt with ten fighters on their first task, Martel shared her optimism. He could see why having a mage, let alone two, made such a difference. And eight eagles would go a long way to begin clearing his debts. "When do we meet up?"

"Tomorrow night. Best to hit them after it's dark and the streets are quiet," Flora said. "Be here at last bell."

"Understood."