Firebrand

Chapter 272: At Odds

Chapter 272: At Odds

At Odds

When Martel saw Moira enter the gymnasium at the beginning of Malday's second lesson, he sensed a repetition of last fiveday. True enough, Reynard sent the fire acolytes to stand on one end while this time, he selected eight mageknights as their opposition. Martel heard groans from some of his peers, facing twice their own number, but they all knew it was pointless to protest. On the stands, Moira watched them like a hawk; old age did not seem to hinder her sight.

Upon Reynard's signal, the mageknights rushed forward with weapons drawn. Repeating a strategy, Martel unleashed a fire ray. It struck his first target, taking her out, but as he turned the spell on the next, his opponent deflected with the shield and continued forward.

Forced into close combat, Martel defended with his staff while looking for the next opportunity. His opponent proved too skilled to give an opening away, so Martel had to make his own. Dropping his defences in his old feint, he raised his magical shield instead. The mageknight took the bait, stepping forward to strike at Martel's leg, only to be stopped by the shield. In a forward, precarious position, the swordsman was caught off-balance by Martel raising the wind, knocking him off his feet.

Looking towards the rest of the skirmish, Martel saw his allies beleaguered on both sides. Edward lay on the ground already; Harriet battled two, looking about ready to fall, and William struggled against one; Maximilian, Martel noticed. The mageknight who had defeated Edward turned to find a new target and settled on Harriet, making it three against one.

Waiting until they were occupied, battering at her from all sides, Martel unleashed another fire ray. His spell being unexpected, none of the targets dodged this time. Two of the mageknights fell, as did Harriet; something that did not trouble Martel.

Feeling triumphant, the fire acolyte shot a fire bolt at the third of Harriet's attackers. The warrior avoided the attack, charging. Martel stepped back, buying time as he continued his barrage of spells.

Something struck Martel in the back of his knees, felling him unceremoniously. He landed almost face first into the dirt. Next to him, he saw William. Rolling around, he looked up at Maximilian's grinning face.

"You are not the only one who can attack using guile," the mageknight declared with a broad smile. He reached down a hand, helping Martel to stand.

"Lick your wounds another time," Reynard barked. "We go again. Back to positions!"

The fire acolytes stretched their sore limbs, picked up their staves, and got ready.

"Attack!"

This time, Martel saved his fire ray; the mageknights had become wise to his tactics, so he decided to conserve his spellpower and use fire bolts instead. He managed to take down one attacker before two others came against him.

Pressed back, Martel swung his staff as best he could to parry. Attacked by two, it availed him little. The mageknights knew how to fight together; defending against one left Martel open against the other. He used his shield for a reprieve, buying time for an offensive spell, but under all this pressure, the fire bolt flew wide.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Harriet alone, a mageknight at her feet. Demonstrably, she turned around to join forces with Edward.

Furious at being abandoned, Martel went for another shield and fire bolt. Another miss. Before he could recover, a sword slammed into his stomach, another took his knee, and he went down again.

Soon after, the second bout was over. The fire acolytes looked at each other with different expressions. Edward seemed ashamed, William appeared frustrated; Martel looked with anger at Harriet.

"You could have helped me!" he said in accusation.

"Like you did first time around?" she retorted.

"I did! I took down two of those attacking you!"

"Yeah, after they had enough time to wail on me. Didn't bother you to see me take a hit, did it."

"Quiet down," Reynard commanded; the mageknights ceased their laughter as well. "Enough of this for now. It would seem the fire acolytes have a long way to go. We shall go back to pairs, train the usual way."

***

Martel sank into the waters of the bath chamber, closing his eyes. He still heard the chatter of the other boys, unable to shut his ears as well, but the warm water eased his aches and made him indifferent to the noise.

"We got you good today, Nordmark," Maximilian roared, splashing water at him. Martel made an acknowledging expression and accepted that today would be a short bath.

***

Once dry and clean, Martel returned to his room filled with anticipation. A letter had arrived from home, and he had left it unread until his lessons were done with, as a reward for himself. Lying down on his bed, pulling his blanket around him, Martel opened the envelope.

My dear boy,

We are all grateful for the money you sent. We got the elixir from the alchemist only yesterday, and it has already done wonders. John is breathing just fine, and there is colour in his cheeks again. He even had a little to eat, and he has been drinking water and ale. Everyone in Engby marvels at how fast it worked, and that you could send us such a sum straight away. They must really be treating you well in Morcaster, but I never had any doubt. You have always been a good boy, and they would be mad to see it otherwise. Father Julius agrees with me, he is nodding even now as he writes this down for me…

The letter continued with quick explanations on the doings of his siblings, a description of their winter solstice, and regrets that Martel could not have been present.

He read it twice before folding it again. He would have to write and tell them about his new robes, at some point. But Martel was not in a hurry; he doubted his mother would be pleased to hear that her son was to be a battlemage. Besides, he had no coin for sending letters. It would have to wait.