Firebrand

Chapter 218: Playing at Defence

Chapter 218: Playing at Defence

Playing at Defence

Martel spent the remaining day in a daze. When he tried to think of something else, he found it impossible. Another person knew his secret, and unlike Maximilian, he could clearly not trust Jasper's intentions. He could tell someone about the earth acolyte, but to what end? Martel could not complain officially, as Jasper would surely retaliate by revealing what he knew. That would hurt Martel far more. He could tell Mistress Juliana or Master Alastair, but he might have to admit his involvement with the Night Knives, which could make things even worse for him.

Try as he might, Martel could think of no way out. He eventually gave up and went to sleep, though it took him hours before he found any rest.

***

As soon as he woke, Martel's troubles invaded his mind. He lay in his bed, trying to keep them from overwhelming him while formulating some kind of plan. What could he do? Today was Pelday when he was busiest. Two classes with Master Alastair, where he would have to pretend everything was fine. What of the sparring matches in the evening? Considering that was how Martel had revealed himself to Jasper, it seemed prudent to stay away.

On the other hand, it would provide Martel with some opportunities. Henry would most likely be there, giving Martel the chance to ask him about his fellow clerk. Maybe he could discover a weakness to exploit. Besides that, Martel would watch how the earth acolytes fought tonight. Just to prepare himself in case things turned ugly with Jasper.

***

Walking down the dark stairs towards the Chamber of Earth felt foreboding. Normally, Martel had no issue lighting a few flames to see in the dark, but now he felt self-conscious about it. Had anyone else guessed his secret? Were they suspicious? Would any further use of fire magic on his part make them see the truth?

Almost stumbling a few times, Martel managed to descend and enter the chamber with its flickering torchlight.

"Martel! Who is your victim tonight?"

Well, finding Henry was easy. "I'm taking a break tonight," the novice explained as Henry walked over to him. "Want to see how others do, learn what I can."

"Boring," the air acolyte complained. "Well, I'll definitely be in the thick of it tonight."

Before Henry could leave and find someone to spar with, Martel hurried to continue the conversation. "I've noticed that Jasper has started delivering my post. Have you guys changed something?"

"No, not really. It just usually works out that I sort the post, but for the past fiveday or so, he's wanted to do it. Change of pace, I guess."

That probably explained how Jasper had found out about Martel and the Night Knives. He read the messages from Flora and either knew who she was or figured it out. Maybe even followed Martel to his meetings with them. Bastard. "Yeah, makes sense." What else to ask about? "Does he take a lot of breaks, leave you to do all the work?" Letting him sneak away to follow others around, for instance.

"No, I wouldn't say that. He's got Maldays off, so I'm busy on that day, but I get Peldays off, so that evens out." Henry gave a shrug.

Martel was meeting the Night Knives on exactly Malday to catch the thief. He would have to keep watch to see if he was being followed.

Before Martel could think of another question, Henry wandered off, looking for someone to spar with. Left to his own thoughts, Martel considered what to do. He wished that he could stop working with the Night Knives, as if severing ties with them would help him get out of this mess. But he figured that Jasper's final words yesterday meant Martel was expected to keep working for them and keep paying the earth acolyte.

"Martel, a quick word."

The novice looked towards the voice to see Alain walking towards him. "Yes?" His response came a little more curtly than intended, born of his frustrations.

"We'll need more blood salve soon. If we get you some coin, will you make some?"

"Oh, sure." Other things were happening besides extortion, Martel belatedly remembered. "Yeah, that's no problem. I am going to market the day after tomorrow to buy some herbs anyway." He could not forget about his brother's health or the offering to Sol either. And if he was making one jar of balm, he might as well make two. "I'll have it ready for next time."

The mageknight beamed at him. "Excellent."

Their conversation at an end, Martel glanced around. Jasper was not present tonight, but other earth mages could be found. Martel looked at each of them in turn, waiting for the opportunity to study their magic in a fight.

***

Henry took position opposite the earth acolyte, and the match began. Both acted at once, one offensively, the other defensively. A powerful blast of wind pushed through the chamber, but before it could knock the other mage down, he raised a wall from the ground tall enough to cover himself. Raising his hands and stretching them out, Henry conjured a whirlwind and pushed it towards the improvised earthen defence.

Before it could arrive, the other acolyte sent chunks of the wall flying out in an attack. One of them struck Henry on the forehead, knocking him to the ground. His whirlwind dissipated. The fight was over, as swiftly as it began.

Several applauded and cheered for the earth acolyte, stepping out of his defence to help Henry back on his feet. Martel walked forward to study the earthen wall instead. It was a very good spell for this purpose. Nothing offensive could push through something this thick and dense, at least nothing at Martel's disposal. Not his spells with fire nor air, certainly not anything he could conjure with water. And he lacked the skill with earth to dismantle it.

It seemed an insurmountable defence, same as how Jasper protected himself with his knowledge, leaving no way for Martel to fight back. He would have to find a way around that.