The Apprentice Read Online Free PDF

do not wish to impose or cause
you trouble.”
    “There
is little that we can do with the storm coming. If Petar wishes to show you the
kindness of leading you away from here, then he is welcome to do so,” Brennon
said.
    A glance
from Petar told Rowan exactly what his brother meant by speaking up.
    “I would
be willing to lead the knight.”
    All eyes
turned to Rowan.
    “I know
the land just as well and this will give me something to do. I do not mind the
weather. Perhaps I will gain a tale or two from the knight, hear of the outside
world.”
    Petar
shrugged, as if to say that he did not mind Rowan taking his place.
    “If you
wish to go, then go. But when you return, I do not wish to hear any more of the
lands beyond Corrinth.”
    Rowan
nodded. When he returned, if he returned, his father would hear little more
from him about the outside world. Rowan would convince the knight to stay and
take him along when he left. That was his plan. This was his final chance. When
he returned, it would only be to bid his home and his family farewell.
    “Let us
leave,” Rowan said.
    *           *           *
    Rowan led the way through the
forest. As much as he wished to speak, he could not seem to find the words.
This was in no small part because of the knight. Ever since they had left, the
man had not spoken so much as a single word to Rowan. He barely acknowledged
Rowan at all, focused instead on the nature surrounding them. They walked in
silence, Rowan leading and the knight following.
    Rowan
pushed aside a branch that blocked his path, holding it out of the way for the
knight. The ground was muddy beneath their feet and even though they were
sheltered under the trees, the rainwater still dripped down and made them wet.
The storm had returned.
    “Are you
certain that you wish to continue? This storm is only going to get worse.”
    “There
are places that I must be and things that I must do. I cannot linger.”
    Rowan
hesitated, the words still stuck in his throat. He knew the consequences of
speaking his wish, and he knew that once the words were spoken he could not
take them back.
    “If you
will not stay, may I come with you?”
    The
knight stopped, but did not turn to face Rowan.
    “What do
you mean by this? You wish to travel with me, to leave your home and live the
life that I live? You are naive, boy.”
    “I am
not a boy, and I will leave.”
    “Allow
me to make things clearer,” the knight said, turning to face Rowan. “I am
leaving, and you are not coming with me. I will not take you.”
    Rowan
recoiled as though physically struck. He tried to speak but the knight turned
and began to walk away.
    “I think
it would be best if I continued alone from this point. I thank you for the
guidance and the hospitality you and your family showed to me. Farewell.”
    Rowan
watched as the distance between them grew. The falling drops of rainwater that
made it through the trees had wet his face, and now they blurred his vision. He
wiped his eyes but it did not seem to help. He had to leave. He was not meant
to live out his life in Corrinth; he knew that he was meant for more. To be
told no was not something he could accept.
    “I will
follow you anyways. I will leave this place, I swear it. You may tell me no,
but you cannot stop me!”
    The
knight may have heard his shout or it may have been lost on the winds. Thunder
boomed overhead. The knight did not look back and he quickly vanished from
sight, leaving Rowan alone in the woods.
    Rowan
stood still and silent for a short while, numb to the world. His gut was tied
in knots and he did not know what to do. He wanted so desperately to follow the
knight, to continue onwards and ignore the consequences. It was what he had
claimed he would do. But when he tried to move forward, he instead found
himself turning around. He fought it, struggled against resigning himself to
defeat, cursed himself for his weakness as he began to walk back towards the
house and the