Chapter 424: In the Meadow
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Chapter 424: In the Meadow
In the Meadow
As soon as first bell rang, Martel got out of bed. Yawning, he splashed water into his face and washed himself before changing from nightshirt into his acolyte robe. He tied his belt around the waist with his dagger in its sheath, wondering if he should bring anything else. Mistress Rana had not given him any instructions beyond simply appearing as early as possible; obeying this command, Martel made his way down to the entrance hall.
He ended up waiting a while, sitting down on the floor with his back against the wall while watching a handful of novices on their way to kitchen duty. At length, he saw Mistress Rana approach, visible to him through the doorway that separated the entrance hall from the dining counterpart. He scrambled to get on his feet and look alert.
"Good, you're ready. Follow me." She turned around, and he hurried to catch up to her as they crossed the castle. After passing through the infirmary, they left through its back entrance. Outside, a donkey stood tied to a ring with bags placed across its back. Mistress Rana untied the creature and set into motion, Martel walking on the opposite side.
***
They crossed through the nobles' quarter, eventually leaving the city through its gate. Martel wondered at the sight they made; the tall and gaunt Sindhian woman and the even taller fire acolyte on each side of the donkey. Mistress Rana did not speak, and Martel was unsure how she felt about questions at this hour, so neither did he.
Once outside the city walls, the alchemist led them down a dirt path going east towards the river. After a while, the trail disappeared, leaving nothing but marsh terrain beneath their feet. Martel appreciated his sturdy boots with each step, but he also understood why they had gone to this place; as far as his eye could see, the area was lush and wild with growth.
Finally, after hours of walking with only a few breaks, Mistress Rana stopped. She removed the harness from the donkey's head, allowing it to graze. "Follow me, boy."
After such a long silence, her words took Martel by surprise, but he gathered his wits and did as she said.
Martel looked around and found a small stream of water allowing him to do just that.
Meanwhile, Mistress Rana placed her harvested plant in as saddlebag and took out a few other items. "A list for you of what to look for, and a sickle to gather them with. Arm yourself with patience," she warned him. "You can never predict how awakening the magic will affect a plant. You may have to try many times. Go in that direction, and I shall go the other. When noon approaches, we'll eat and see how far we've progressed."
Armed with a sickle and parchment, Martel went gathering for herbs.
***
They spent both morning and afternoon working through Mistress Rana's list, with a few meals being the only interruptions. As evening beckoned, Martel handed over his sickle and harvest, and they began the journey back to Morcaster.
"Why a bronze sickle?"
"Steel can affect the herbs, as the metal is mixed with coal. A sickle of pure iron would work, but bronze draws upon both copper and tin. Two of the metals made by the primary stars. It yields the best result."
Martel chewed on this; he recalled dimly that Master Fenrick had once spoken on this, and how different metals might respond to various kinds of enchantment. Martel had hoped to learn more of this, waiting for the day he began studying enchantment; that had quickly become irrelevant, as he was only supposed to learn how to create fire pots. But he had managed to do this, more or less; perhaps he could continue learning more about all of this. Surely Master Jerome would teach him if possible.
With these and other thoughts to occupy him, Martel walked silently alongside the donkey, as the walls of Morcaster grew taller on the horizon.
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Chapter 424: In the Meadow
In the Meadow
As soon as first bell rang, Martel got out of bed. Yawning, he splashed water into his face and washed himself before changing from nightshirt into his acolyte robe. He tied his belt around the waist with his dagger in its sheath, wondering if he should bring anything else. Mistress Rana had not given him any instructions beyond simply appearing as early as possible; obeying this command, Martel made his way down to the entrance hall.
He ended up waiting a while, sitting down on the floor with his back against the wall while watching a handful of novices on their way to kitchen duty. At length, he saw Mistress Rana approach, visible to him through the doorway that separated the entrance hall from the dining counterpart. He scrambled to get on his feet and look alert.
"Good, you're ready. Follow me." She turned around, and he hurried to catch up to her as they crossed the castle. After passing through the infirmary, they left through its back entrance. Outside, a donkey stood tied to a ring with bags placed across its back. Mistress Rana untied the creature and set into motion, Martel walking on the opposite side.
***
They crossed through the nobles' quarter, eventually leaving the city through its gate. Martel wondered at the sight they made; the tall and gaunt Sindhian woman and the even taller fire acolyte on each side of the donkey. Mistress Rana did not speak, and Martel was unsure how she felt about questions at this hour, so neither did he.
Once outside the city walls, the alchemist led them down a dirt path going east towards the river. After a while, the trail disappeared, leaving nothing but marsh terrain beneath their feet. Martel appreciated his sturdy boots with each step, but he also understood why they had gone to this place; as far as his eye could see, the area was lush and wild with growth.
Finally, after hours of walking with only a few breaks, Mistress Rana stopped. She removed the harness from the donkey's head, allowing it to graze. "Follow me, boy."
After such a long silence, her words took Martel by surprise, but he gathered his wits and did as she said.
Martel looked around and found a small stream of water allowing him to do just that.
Meanwhile, Mistress Rana placed her harvested plant in as saddlebag and took out a few other items. "A list for you of what to look for, and a sickle to gather them with. Arm yourself with patience," she warned him. "You can never predict how awakening the magic will affect a plant. You may have to try many times. Go in that direction, and I shall go the other. When noon approaches, we'll eat and see how far we've progressed."
Armed with a sickle and parchment, Martel went gathering for herbs.
***
They spent both morning and afternoon working through Mistress Rana's list, with a few meals being the only interruptions. As evening beckoned, Martel handed over his sickle and harvest, and they began the journey back to Morcaster.
"Why a bronze sickle?"
"Steel can affect the herbs, as the metal is mixed with coal. A sickle of pure iron would work, but bronze draws upon both copper and tin. Two of the metals made by the primary stars. It yields the best result."
Martel chewed on this; he recalled dimly that Master Fenrick had once spoken on this, and how different metals might respond to various kinds of enchantment. Martel had hoped to learn more of this, waiting for the day he began studying enchantment; that had quickly become irrelevant, as he was only supposed to learn how to create fire pots. But he had managed to do this, more or less; perhaps he could continue learning more about all of this. Surely Master Jerome would teach him if possible.
With these and other thoughts to occupy him, Martel walked silently alongside the donkey, as the walls of Morcaster grew taller on the horizon.
Chapter 424: In the MeadowIn the MeadowAs soon as first bell rang, Martel got out of bed. Yawning, he splashed water into his face and washed himself before changing from nightshirt into his acolyte robe. He tied his belt around the waist with his dagger in its sheath, wondering if he should bring anything else. Mistress Rana had not given him any instructions beyond simply appearing as early as possible; obeying this command, Martel made his way down to the entrance hall.He ended up waiting a while, sitting down on the floor with his back against the wall while watching a handful of novices on their way to kitchen duty. At length, he saw Mistress Rana approach, visible to him through the doorway that separated the entrance hall from the dining counterpart. He scrambled to get on his feet and look alert."Good, you're ready. Follow me." She turned around, and he hurried to catch up to her as they crossed the castle. After passing through the infirmary, they left through its back entrance. Outside, a donkey stood tied to a ring with bags placed across its back. Mistress Rana untied the creature and set into motion, Martel walking on the opposite side.***They crossed through the nobles' quarter, eventually leaving the city through its gate. Martel wondered at the sight they made; the tall and gaunt Sindhian woman and the even taller fire acolyte on each side of the donkey. Mistress Rana did not speak, and Martel was unsure how she felt about questions at this hour, so neither did he.Once outside the city walls, the alchemist led them down a dirt path going east towards the river. After a while, the trail disappeared, leaving nothing but marsh terrain beneath their feet. Martel appreciated his sturdy boots with each step, but he also understood why they had gone to this place; as far as his eye could see, the area was lush and wild with growth.Finally, after hours of walking with only a few breaks, Mistress Rana stopped. She removed the harness from the donkey's head, allowing it to graze. "Follow me, boy."After such a long silence, her words took Martel by surprise, but he gathered his wits and did as she said.Martel looked around and found a small stream of water allowing him to do just that.Meanwhile, Mistress Rana placed her harvested plant in as saddlebag and took out a few other items. "A list for you of what to look for, and a sickle to gather them with. Arm yourself with patience," she warned him. "You can never predict how awakening the magic will affect a plant. You may have to try many times. Go in that direction, and I shall go the other. When noon approaches, we'll eat and see how far we've progressed."Armed with a sickle and parchment, Martel went gathering for herbs.***They spent both morning and afternoon working through Mistress Rana's list, with a few meals being the only interruptions. As evening beckoned, Martel handed over his sickle and harvest, and they began the journey back to Morcaster."Why a bronze sickle?""Steel can affect the herbs, as the metal is mixed with coal. A sickle of pure iron would work, but bronze draws upon both copper and tin. Two of the metals made by the primary stars. It yields the best result."Martel chewed on this; he recalled dimly that Master Fenrick had once spoken on this, and how different metals might respond to various kinds of enchantment. Martel had hoped to learn more of this, waiting for the day he began studying enchantment; that had quickly become irrelevant, as he was only supposed to learn how to create fire pots. But he had managed to do this, more or less; perhaps he could continue learning more about all of this. Surely Master Jerome would teach him if possible.With these and other thoughts to occupy him, Martel walked silently alongside the donkey, as the walls of Morcaster grew taller on the horizon.
