Chapter 69: New Times
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
Chapter 69: New Times
New Times
For two fivedays, Martel's life was peaceful. His skills with air progressed to Master Alastair's satisfaction, paving the way to continue with more advanced studies. Even better, he had his last class in empowerment magic. Reynard allowed the occasion to pass without ceremony, and Martel was only happy to avoid any attention from his ill-spirited teacher.
His enthusiasm waned a little, as he learned he would instead have a class on healing to fill the slot on Maldays. Not that he thought the subject lacking in interest or importance; rather, the thought of spending two hours surrounded by sick people did not sit well with him. Even though by now, he had walked many times through the infirmary to reach the apothecary, he still felt uneasy at the sight, sound, and above all smell of disease. It immediately evoked the image of his father dying in his sickbed. At least he only had the one lesson a day instead of two, leaving his afternoons on Maldays open.
Regardless, his misgivings were of no consequence; all students at the Lyceum had to pass this course. Thus, when the second bell had rung, Martel and two other novices reported in the infirmary. He did not know them, as they had not attended the same classes as him; coincidence had made their progress align with his. But they were clearly several years younger than him and seemed even more uncertain of themselves in these surroundings.
A nurse appeared, dressed in their red-robed uniform. She crossed her arms, glancing at each of them. "You must be our fresh hands. I don't know what they teach you in those other classes, but here, expect purely practical. You will change sheets and chamber pots, clean and bandage wounds, help to feed the patients, and maybe learn a little about tending to the sick and injured."
Martel cautiously raised a hand.
"This ain't a classroom. Just spit it out," the nurse told him.
"What about magical healing?"
Martel observed the ongoing construction once more. From the looks of it, it would be twice the height of a man, with a large clockface visible from anywhere in the hall. Rather than showing a number of bells, it displayed time divided into twenty-four hours according to Khivan custom. More than that, he noticed various astronomical symbols, displaying such information like sunrise and sunset. It was a marvel to imagine.
"Now you got a reminder of me in your big, fancy school," Shadi remarked with a wry smile. "In case you need one." She bumped her shoulder against his.
Martel did not, but nearly a month had passed since he last saw her. It seemed every Solday, either he or she had been unable to meet. "Never hurts. School keeps me busy. You've not had much time to spare either, I take it."
"I haven't, but with this work complete, my dad won't need me around the workshop as much. For a while, at least. Hopefully, he will be busy again soon." A flash of concern passed over her face before it disappeared again. "What about you? Got time to meet on Solday?"
Martel felt he had been a good student for a long while now, doing well in his classes, whether elemental magic, or magical theory, or extra work like the apothecary. He deserved an afternoon with his friend, relaxing, laughing, and talking. "I do." He smiled. "Usual place?"
"You got yourself a deal."
"Now tell me about this clock your father's made." Martel looked towards the craftsmen carefully joining one piece after another under anxious supervision by Masters Jerome and Farhad. Built by careful machinery, it appeared to have every conceivable feature to not only count hours and minutes, but also many details about the sun, moon, stars, and more; and all of this clever ingenuity was surrounded by a wooden shell enchanted by Asterian magic.
"You magic lot like the moon, right?" Shadi began to explain. "Well, that hand right there, once it's attached, will tell you when it rises and sets, including its current phase..."
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 69: New Times
New Times
For two fivedays, Martel's life was peaceful. His skills with air progressed to Master Alastair's satisfaction, paving the way to continue with more advanced studies. Even better, he had his last class in empowerment magic. Reynard allowed the occasion to pass without ceremony, and Martel was only happy to avoid any attention from his ill-spirited teacher.
His enthusiasm waned a little, as he learned he would instead have a class on healing to fill the slot on Maldays. Not that he thought the subject lacking in interest or importance; rather, the thought of spending two hours surrounded by sick people did not sit well with him. Even though by now, he had walked many times through the infirmary to reach the apothecary, he still felt uneasy at the sight, sound, and above all smell of disease. It immediately evoked the image of his father dying in his sickbed. At least he only had the one lesson a day instead of two, leaving his afternoons on Maldays open.
Regardless, his misgivings were of no consequence; all students at the Lyceum had to pass this course. Thus, when the second bell had rung, Martel and two other novices reported in the infirmary. He did not know them, as they had not attended the same classes as him; coincidence had made their progress align with his. But they were clearly several years younger than him and seemed even more uncertain of themselves in these surroundings.
A nurse appeared, dressed in their red-robed uniform. She crossed her arms, glancing at each of them. "You must be our fresh hands. I don't know what they teach you in those other classes, but here, expect purely practical. You will change sheets and chamber pots, clean and bandage wounds, help to feed the patients, and maybe learn a little about tending to the sick and injured."
Martel cautiously raised a hand.
"This ain't a classroom. Just spit it out," the nurse told him.
"What about magical healing?"
Martel observed the ongoing construction once more. From the looks of it, it would be twice the height of a man, with a large clockface visible from anywhere in the hall. Rather than showing a number of bells, it displayed time divided into twenty-four hours according to Khivan custom. More than that, he noticed various astronomical symbols, displaying such information like sunrise and sunset. It was a marvel to imagine.
"Now you got a reminder of me in your big, fancy school," Shadi remarked with a wry smile. "In case you need one." She bumped her shoulder against his.
Martel did not, but nearly a month had passed since he last saw her. It seemed every Solday, either he or she had been unable to meet. "Never hurts. School keeps me busy. You've not had much time to spare either, I take it."
"I haven't, but with this work complete, my dad won't need me around the workshop as much. For a while, at least. Hopefully, he will be busy again soon." A flash of concern passed over her face before it disappeared again. "What about you? Got time to meet on Solday?"
Martel felt he had been a good student for a long while now, doing well in his classes, whether elemental magic, or magical theory, or extra work like the apothecary. He deserved an afternoon with his friend, relaxing, laughing, and talking. "I do." He smiled. "Usual place?"
"You got yourself a deal."
"Now tell me about this clock your father's made." Martel looked towards the craftsmen carefully joining one piece after another under anxious supervision by Masters Jerome and Farhad. Built by careful machinery, it appeared to have every conceivable feature to not only count hours and minutes, but also many details about the sun, moon, stars, and more; and all of this clever ingenuity was surrounded by a wooden shell enchanted by Asterian magic.
"You magic lot like the moon, right?" Shadi began to explain. "Well, that hand right there, once it's attached, will tell you when it rises and sets, including its current phase..."
Chapter 69: New TimesNew TimesFor two fivedays, Martel's life was peaceful. His skills with air progressed to Master Alastair's satisfaction, paving the way to continue with more advanced studies. Even better, he had his last class in empowerment magic. Reynard allowed the occasion to pass without ceremony, and Martel was only happy to avoid any attention from his ill-spirited teacher.His enthusiasm waned a little, as he learned he would instead have a class on healing to fill the slot on Maldays. Not that he thought the subject lacking in interest or importance; rather, the thought of spending two hours surrounded by sick people did not sit well with him. Even though by now, he had walked many times through the infirmary to reach the apothecary, he still felt uneasy at the sight, sound, and above all smell of disease. It immediately evoked the image of his father dying in his sickbed. At least he only had the one lesson a day instead of two, leaving his afternoons on Maldays open.Regardless, his misgivings were of no consequence; all students at the Lyceum had to pass this course. Thus, when the second bell had rung, Martel and two other novices reported in the infirmary. He did not know them, as they had not attended the same classes as him; coincidence had made their progress align with his. But they were clearly several years younger than him and seemed even more uncertain of themselves in these surroundings.A nurse appeared, dressed in their red-robed uniform. She crossed her arms, glancing at each of them. "You must be our fresh hands. I don't know what they teach you in those other classes, but here, expect purely practical. You will change sheets and chamber pots, clean and bandage wounds, help to feed the patients, and maybe learn a little about tending to the sick and injured."Martel cautiously raised a hand."This ain't a classroom. Just spit it out," the nurse told him."What about magical healing?"Martel observed the ongoing construction once more. From the looks of it, it would be twice the height of a man, with a large clockface visible from anywhere in the hall. Rather than showing a number of bells, it displayed time divided into twenty-four hours according to Khivan custom. More than that, he noticed various astronomical symbols, displaying such information like sunrise and sunset. It was a marvel to imagine."Now you got a reminder of me in your big, fancy school," Shadi remarked with a wry smile. "In case you need one." She bumped her shoulder against his.Martel did not, but nearly a month had passed since he last saw her. It seemed every Solday, either he or she had been unable to meet. "Never hurts. School keeps me busy. You've not had much time to spare either, I take it.""I haven't, but with this work complete, my dad won't need me around the workshop as much. For a while, at least. Hopefully, he will be busy again soon." A flash of concern passed over her face before it disappeared again. "What about you? Got time to meet on Solday?"Martel felt he had been a good student for a long while now, doing well in his classes, whether elemental magic, or magical theory, or extra work like the apothecary. He deserved an afternoon with his friend, relaxing, laughing, and talking. "I do." He smiled. "Usual place?""You got yourself a deal.""Now tell me about this clock your father's made." Martel looked towards the craftsmen carefully joining one piece after another under anxious supervision by Masters Jerome and Farhad. Built by careful machinery, it appeared to have every conceivable feature to not only count hours and minutes, but also many details about the sun, moon, stars, and more; and all of this clever ingenuity was surrounded by a wooden shell enchanted by Asterian magic."You magic lot like the moon, right?" Shadi began to explain. "Well, that hand right there, once it's attached, will tell you when it rises and sets, including its current phase..."
