The Fuller's Apprentice (The Chronicles of Tevenar Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

Firstday.”
    Jensine’s head snapped around. “You’re going into the mountains?”
    “There are dozens of villages and holdings up there with no wizards to heal the sick, bless weddings and funerals, judge disputes, and all the other things we do.”
    “But… the mountains are full of bandits.” Jensine stared at Elkan. “We’ve been hearing reports about thieves breaking into barns and houses, stealing livestock and valuables. Supposedly there’s a whole band of them traveling from town to town, taking what they please and then disappearing into the wilderness. This winter’s been worse than ever. I heard they’ve killed people!”
    Elkan nodded gravely. “The Guildmaster has heard the same. She’s asked me to investigate how much truth there is to them. So far no deaths have been confirmed by the local watchers. If I find these bandits really do pose a significant threat, she’ll consider authorizing a joint effort by the Wizards’ Guild and the Watchers’ Guild to capture them.”
    “And you intend to take Josiah into the middle of that?” Jensine clenched her fists. “Maybe we should rethink this whole arrangement.”
    Josiah jumped to his feet. “Mother, you can’t—”
    Elkan put a hand on Josiah’s arm, drawing him back down into his chair. “Master Jensine, I would never expose an apprentice to any sort of risk. If we ever need to do more than use the Mother’s power to observe, I’ll be sure to leave Josiah somewhere safe first.”
    Josiah wanted to protest. Hunting down bandits and capturing them sounded like a thrilling adventure. He’d hate to be left out. But he knew his mother would never agree to let him go if she thought the wizard would let him participate, so he nodded earnestly.
    Jensine glowered from Elkan to Josiah and back again. “Josiah’s not likely to obey if you try to keep him away from something he considers exciting.”
    Josiah’s face burned. “I will, Mother, I swear!”
    Elkan’s hand tightened on Josiah’s arm. “I’ll keep that in mind. I take my responsibility for your son’s safety very seriously.”
    Jensine studied him for a long moment, then sat back in her chair, still scowling. “What if they attack when you don’t expect it?”
    “The Mother’s power will protect us from any harm they might attempt.” Elkan sounded very confident.
    Josiah gazed at his mother, putting all his desire into his eyes. She huffed and shook her head. “Maybe you’ll have better luck keeping him out of trouble than we ever have.”
    “So you’ll let me go?”
    “I don’t see that I have any grounds to refuse. Sef is your master. He has the right to loan you to the Wizards’ Guild if he wants. Our permission is just a courtesy.”
    She was right, of course, but Josiah knew that if she’d decided to object, Elkan would have listened to her. He got up and threw his arms around Jensine. “Thanks.”
    She returned his embrace. “Don’t you dare take any foolish risks. Though I suppose that’s like telling the sun not to rise.”
    “I’ll be careful.” He was always careful. Things just didn’t always go as he planned.
    She released him. “Your meal’s getting cold.”
    He returned to his seat and dug into the rich, hearty soup. After a few minutes, when he was sure his mother’s attention was fixed on cleaning up Tirza’s mess, he turned back to Elkan. “How often do wizards go on this circuit, anyway? Not very, I guess, if the bandits have been able to get away with it this long.”
    Elkan sighed. “They stay far away whenever a wizard comes through. The Guild does its best to send someone at least once a year. This year there are two of us traveling in opposite directions. Hadara and her apprentice Kalti left Elathir the same time I did and headed south. We’ll pass them somewhere around the middle of our route.”
    “They’ll be surprised to see me with you.” Josiah squirmed uncomfortably.
    “They knew Rodan wasn’t able to come, and that