Firebrand

Chapter 223: Something Unexpected

Chapter 223: Something Unexpected

Something Unexpected

After talking with the Night Knives about his problem with Jasper, Martel felt better, especially as he now had a plan. Granted, the plan consisted of gathering information and nothing else, but he had people on his side now, at least. He went to sleep feeling a little reassured that things could be solved, and the feeling persisted when he woke the next morning on Pelday. He still had to be patient; Henry had told him that Jasper had Maldays off, which seemed the most likely opportunity to follow him and learn anything of use, so Martel would have to wait until tomorrow to learn what he could about the earth acolyte.

The sparring group met tonight, and Martel felt less apprehensive about attending compared to last time. If Jasper was present, he might glean something from seeing who the acolyte associated with; if absent, undertaking tasks with the Night Knives meant that training for combat was always valuable for Martel. But that would happen later; he had something else to handle beforehand.

***

Towards the end of fourth bell, when Maximilian could usually be found in his room, Martel made his way there carrying a box. As the mageknight opened his door, he stared at both Martel and the object in his hands. "What is that?"

"A present for you." Martel handed it over.

"Colour me curious." Maximilian retreated back into his room, placing the box on his desk. Martel followed, as always noticing how much more spacious this room was compared to his own, though the wardrobe and other furniture made good use of it. The mageknight removed the lid and retracted the clock, staring at it once he held it in his hands. "What manner of device is this?"

"You don't recognise it? Look at the face with the numbers and hands, like the one they built in the entrance hall."

"But that once is enormous. This is also a... time measurement contraption?"

"Yes, a clock. Now you don't have to listen for the bell strokes," Martel explained.

Maximilian carefully placed it on his desk. "It is certainly – interesting, but what convinced you to give this to me?"

"I have one myself. They are very useful," the novice claimed. "And good craftsmanship, made by Shadi's father."

The mageknight looked at his friend with a knowing smile. "Now I understand. Nordmark, you sly hound."

"I don't know what you mean."

Maximilian looked back at the clock. "When does it stop making that noise?"

***

In the evening, Jasper was present in the Chamber of Earth, though Martel kept his distance. It would not serve his purpose to interact with the acolyte; besides how distasteful that would be to Martel, it would also get in the way of observing Jasper and thereby hopefully glean knowledge.

To that aim, Martel did not intend to fight tonight, but simply watch. Last time had also been beneficial, watching another acolyte raising that wall during a duel. Martel still needed to figure out how that could be overcome; perhaps Flora had ideas, assuming she would share vulnerabilities about her own defensive spells. Given that on their first encounter, she and Martel had tried to kill each other, they might still be some distance away from such levels of trust.

"Martel. Willing to face me again?" Eleanor stood five paces away, sword and shield in hand. Her challenge caught the attention of those nearby.

Martel hesitated. Getting into a fight had not been his plan, though practising against a mageknight was good training for the kind of tasks he could expect with the Night Knives.

"You're not afraid of someone you've already beaten once, are you?" Henry leaned in towards him with a taunting smile, extending the staff in his hand.

Grabbing the weapon, Martel took position in front of Eleanor. "Give the signal."

"Go!"

This time, Martel was better prepared for Eleanor's empowered speed. As she crossed the distance within moments to strike the first blow, he had his staff raised. It took all his effort just to defend against her swift attacks, leaving him no opportunity to cast an offensive spell. He remembered last time, his usual direct attack with wind had not worked; he had been forced to get her off balance first. She probably expected that, but he could use the same move on her as he had done with Alain.

Summoning his shield to protect himself, he allowed one blow to get past his parries, using the moment to launch his retaliation. After Eleanor had struck his magical protection, he swiftly sent a gust of wind against her hand, sending her sword soaring away from her grip.

Eleanor responded instantly. Martel saw the shimmer of magic surround her sword before she pulled it back through the air to once more grasp the hilt. In a fluid motion, she brought her arm down to strike at Martel again. Taken by surprise, he raised his staff to parry the blow, only for her to bash her shield against his knuckles, and the pain made him drop his weapon. A moment later, the tip of her blade rested against his throat.

For the first time in these sparring matches, Martel was the one to speak. "I yield."

The mageknight gave a short bow, smiling as she stood up straight again before she joined her friend, Elaine or Clarissa; Martel had trouble telling them apart. A few people murmured in discussion of the fight, though already another was underway; Henry slapped him on the shoulder before joining the circle of students watching the other match.

Left on his own, Martel quickly evaluated the fight in his mind. There had been time to raise his magical shield and protect himself against the shield bash; he had simply been taken by surprise, thinking the fight was won when in fact Eleanor was about to retaliate. She, on the other hand, had known what to expect. She must have witnessed his fight against Alain and practised her countermove. Martel was a little impressed, and it reinforced what he already knew, what he tried to do against Jasper; using the best of one's tricks and spells might provide victory one evening, but defeat another.