Permanence
Entering the workshops, Martel was greeted by a welco sight. Last Manday, he had enchanted a lightstone as usual, infusing a glowing spark into the otherwise dull sphere that Master Jero had given him. As he stepped inside the small laboratory, the stone t him with a sparkling light, as strong as when he had left it.
This was the first ti that his light enchantnt had held a full fiveday; not only that, the spell seed to have plenty of life left before it would fade, though such was difficult to asure. It was still not long enough to be of much practical value; no point giving away a lightstone that after ten days just beca an expensive rock. He was not done yet practising this skill, but the constant signs of improvent were encouraging.
Martel wondered if it was possible to weave an enchantnt so strong, the effect beca permanent. He assud so, at least for other schools of magic. Sindhian potions did not lose their potency over ti, from what Mistress Rana had told him; the Archean wards still protected the Lyceum centuries after being inscribed. Did Asterian wizards possess the sa power in terms of enchantnt? He would have to ask Master Jero or maybe Master Alastair.
For now, it was ti to practise his own skill. He was presented with a small issue; if he renewed the enchantnt on the lightstone, he would not know how long it could currently last. This made it harder to keep track of his progress. But the laboratory still had the big rock he had first practised on, turning it into a heating stone. It lay cold, as he had not made use of it in a long ti. Martel could simply switch between the two kinds of enchantnt. Satisfied with this, he moved his stool over to the prospective heating stone and began weaving a spell into it.
***
His question still fresh in his mind, Martel did not waste ti once he reached the Hall of Elents for his only class of the day. "Master Alastair, is it possible for an Asterian mage to enchant sothing permanently?"
The Master of Elents scratched his stubbles. "The short answer is yes, at least as far as we can asure. None of us live forever, after all, but we do have enchantnts that seem as strong now as when they were cast a century ago. If that's what you're aiming for, however, you may want to lower your ambitions."
"But it can be done?"
"Yes, by master enchanters who have dedicated their lives to the craft. Even though I have years of experience, I can't do it," Master Alastair admitted. "Most wizards can probably learn so basic enchanting that'll be good for a few fivedays or months. But sothing that'll outlast you, that requires daily practice with a focus on little else."
"Alright. I was just curious. Wondering how long I can make mine last."
"How often do you practise?"
"Right now, just once a fiveday. Every Manday morning, in fact."
"I see. Well, if you continue that until you graduate, my guess would be a few months. You can keep practising, of course, but I doubt you'll have the ti to dedicate yourself once at your posting."
"Of course. I'm not really thinking of making this my future." In general, Martel did not think about his future beyond the remainder of the year. "I was just hoping to make a few good enchantnts to give as presents before I leave."
Master Alastair nodded, smiling with closed lips. "That's thoughtful of you. While you're in my class, though, let's focus on what you're here to learn."
"Yes, master." Martel extended his hands and summoned the elents. In the air between his fingers, sparks crackled as fire turned to lightning.
***
After class, Martel returned to his room and counted out his wealth. As he no longer paid for Julia's room, nor spent money on alchemical supplies, it had steadily accumulated thanks to his salary from Mistress Rana. He had intended to spend so of it on buying spheres from Master Jero to turn them into lightstones, but that would have to wait.
He needed more ti to get better at enchanting regardless, and it also made more sense to delay making such gifts until winter. If his enchantnts only lasted a few months, the lightstones would be most useful during the darkest days of the year.
Martel also wanted to make a heating stone for the children in the copper lanes, to help them get through the cold of the winter, but that could likewise wait; no sense doing that this early either. Hopefully, Master Jero could help with that as well, as Martel had no idea what kind of rocks were suitable to enchant for heating.
Keeping a handful of coins for himself, Martel counted out forty-four silver pieces. That should be enough to buy just about anything his family might need. Fabric to make clothes or blankets, salt to cure food, tools or tal for his brother to work with; this would cover it all and more.
Not that Martel assud they needed it; presumably, his brother's work as a smith earned them enough. But his siblings were growing up, and they might need a handful of coins to help them get settled elsewhere, like if John had to leave ho to take up apprenticeship as a scribe elsewhere; Engby's agre demands for writing were generally satisfied by Father Julius.
Martel felt himself getting lost in thoughts of ho; it was already late in the day, and the office of the Imperial post would not stay open much longer. Best to get this all sent, rather than his family delaying the wedding day after day in the vain hope that Martel was making his way towards them to participate. Best they knew sooner rather than later to forget about him.
Once he had gathered everything he needed, Martel set out from his room; for so reason, this simple task of mailing a letter felt heavy to do, reflected in his steps.
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