Firebrand

Chapter 334: Unexpected Spectre

Chapter 334: Unexpected Spectre

Unexpected Spectre

With Pelday keeping Martel busy, he managed to catch Master Fenrick just before fifth bell. "Master, I came across something curious, looking through books in the library last night."

"I'm not sure how it speaks to my confidence in my students that I am perennially surprised to hear any of them spent time in the library," the teacher replied, entering his classroom. "Well, go on."

Following him inside, Martel began his carefully constructed explanation. "I was reading descriptions of different creatures, just to learn more about the effects of magic. The book mentioned a strange spirit, appearing like smoke, but with red burning eyes. Weapons could not touch it, nor did magic seem to make much of a dent."

Master Fenrick nodded a little. "That is to expect with such apparitions. Well, spirits tend to exist for one of two reasons. Either born of human magic, such as ghosts, or arisen in nature for reasons unknown to us."

"This particular spirit was mentioned as protecting a wizard, which makes me assume the first," Martel elaborated.

"A reasonable assumption, but not necessarily correct," his teacher replied with the smile of someone in possession of superior knowledge. "Such spectres make for poor servants, after all. Rather, if this being was in servitude to a wizard, I would imagine they bound a spirit of nature through some manner of ritual."

Martel had not considered that; he had not even known such a thing was possible. Around them, novices began to filter into the classroom. "So, what kind of nature spirit might this be?"

"You're very keen on this," Master Fenrick remarked.

"I don't like unanswered questions."

"Well, I can relate to that. Though my knowledge of this is purely theoretical, you must understand, smoke and red eyes make me think of fire and air, which would fit how we understand the jinn."

"What's that?"

"A jinni is more properly a spirit of the desert, found in the great southwestern reaches. Now, my students look eager and ready, so it's time for you to be off." Master Fenrick made a gesture with his hand, waving Martel away. With a glance at the novices, a few of them yawning, the acolyte turned away and left.

***

Returning to the library, Martel read what he could find about the jinn. Knowledge was limited, as the creature belonged to the lore of the desert tribes, which the Asterian Empire had no direct contact with. Although they carried out trade over long distance, it went through the cities of Sindhu before reaching Aster, and it did not seem like any Asterians had ever spent time among them. Or if so, they had not recorded the knowledge of these tribes.

In the end, Martel found only reiterations of what Master Fenrick had told him. A jinni was a spirit of the desert, which held its own meaning to the local tribes; magic and creatures born of magic changed from place to place, after all. But to an Asterian, this could reasonably be interpreted as a being of air and fire. That explained why Martel's flame spells had done little. It was like trying to extinguish a blaze by adding more fuel. It could be that his water bolts had actually made an impact, then, being the opposite element; he had just not been able to tell because of the strange physiology of the spirit.

Still, Martel did not feel confident facing this creature, just because some of his spells might work. And asking Eleanor or Maximilian along seemed pointless. They were trained to fight soldiers with strength and steel; their powers would avail little here. He would just be endangering them needlessly.

Worst of all, if this jinni was enslaved by the maleficar, it meant he possessed far greater powers than Martel had assumed. And if he could not even defeat the dark wizard's servant, surely he stood no chance against the maleficar himself.

Although it might have been a conclusion Martel should have reached long ago, he finally had to admit the truth to himself: he could do nothing against this spectre that haunted Morcaster.

***

Despite acknowledging his limitations, Martel still left the Lyceum after supper. He would check Julia's room one more time, and if she was still absent, he would go back to the sewers. Not looking for a fight; the moment he felt the presence of the jinni, he would turn and flee. His only aim would be to find Julia or whichever unfortunate soul the maleficar had claimed as his latest victim.

Knocking quickly and briefly on Julia's door, Martel was astonished as it opened. On the other side stood the young girl, looking like she always did. He had half expected to find her bloody and bruised, shivering from dread, if he ever saw her alive again.

"Julia," he breathed, stepping inside. She closed the door behind him. "You're alright."

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"I've – I've been here a few nights now, and you were gone. And I just thought…" Martel began to laugh at himself, feeling silly.

"Well, yeah. If I need water or something, I don't go during the day. Too many people."

"Right. That makes sense. Though the neighbour's girl said she saw you going to the sewers."

An expression ran across Julia's face. "It's not polite to spy on people, my mum always said."

"Alright, true enough. But why would you do that?"

The girl shrugged. "Even inside this room, I can always hear other people, walking outside my door, or shouting through the walls. I just like going where there's nobody else."

It seemed a strange place to seek solitude, given the filth and stench, but she was obviously accustomed to it. "I see. Well, I'm just glad you're fine. I was worried."

"Don't be, silly head. I know how to take care of myself."

"I can see that. Oh, I meant to ask – did you try the sleeping potion I gave you?"

"Oh, I did. It worked great. I slept wonderfully."

Another surprise; Martel had figured she would hoard it. "That's good to hear. I'll see if I can learn the recipe and bring you more, if you want."

She gave one of her rare smiles. "I do."