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

I was keeping an eye out for someone. The Mother provides.”
    “Have you traveled this route before?”
    “No, but I’ve spoken with many who have, and I have maps. Don’t worry, we won’t get lost. And don’t worry about the bandits either. We probably won’t encounter them.”
    Josiah nodded, suppressing a sigh. The journey would be exciting even if they never saw the bandits. But he couldn’t help hoping Elkan was wrong.
    Most of his family were finished eating. Mother let Tirza down to play around their feet. Benta rose and began clearing dirty plates from the table. Josiah joined his siblings cleaning up. Their many hands soon had the table cleared and dishes washed.
    His mother drew up chairs to the fireside and invited Elkan over. His father opened a bottle of wine and poured glasses. As one by one the children completed their tasks, they joined the others by the fire. Tirza, who Benta supervised in her one chore of gathering and washing the spoons, climbed into Jensine’s lap and tugged at her mother’s tunic. Jensine pushed it aside absently and Tirza began to nurse, squirming about at first, but soon settling into calm and drifting off to sleep.
    Hyam offered wine to the older ones: nearly a full glass to Benta, half a glass for Namir, and to Josiah’s surprise a finger-width in the bottom of a glass for him. He’d only ever been offered token sips before.
    His father smiled at him. “You’re old enough to be leaving us for a whole year. I think you’re old enough to join us in a drink.”
    Josiah nodded and ducked his head, his throat suddenly too tight to speak. He raised the glass to his lips and sipped the garnet liquid, sour and astringent to his unaccustomed palate, but with hints of complex flavors hidden within. It warmed his throat as he swallowed.
    The conversation flowed around him. Josiah stared into the fire and let his thoughts drift. He’d be gone for a whole year. By the time he got back, so much would have changed. Tirza wouldn’t be a baby anymore. Benta would be starting on her trialwork, preparing the series of pieces that would be presented to the Potters’ Guild and judged to see whether she was ready to advance to journeyman. Yered might finally propose to that journeyman sailor he hadn’t been able to stop talking about when he’d visited last autumn. They might even be married by then. Josiah blinked back the tears that dampened his eyelids and looked suspiciously at the bit of wine left in his glass. He didn’t think he liked it much, not if it made him so vulnerable to his emotions.
    Elkan rose. “I can’t thank you enough, Master Jensine, for your lovely hospitality. But I must head back to the Mother’s Hall before it gets any later. Poor Master Eleora has been fussing over me my whole visit; she’ll fret until I get back.” He turned to Josiah. “Josiah, do you want to come with me now, or spend the night with your family?”
    Josiah thought for a moment. He’d rather skip sharing a bed with Namir, but Eban would be disappointed, and this would be the last opportunity he had to be with his family for a very long time. “I’ll stay here, with your permission, Wizard Elkan.”
    “Of course. Come to the Mother’s Hall after breakfast.”
    “He’ll be there,” Jensine assured the wizard. “It’s been a great honor and pleasure to have you as a guest. Whenever you’re in Korisan, consider our home open to you. Josiah, see Wizard Elkan on his way, please.”
    Josiah stepped toward the door that led through the shop and out onto the street, but Elkan headed toward the back door and out into the kiln yard. Remembering the donkey, Josiah flushed at his error and hurried to catch up.
    Sar was drowsing, head down and one rear hoof cocked up. He huffed when Elkan stroked his neck and blinked his long lashes at the wizard before closing them again.
    “Come on, Sar, our room at the Hall is waiting for us. I know you’re awake.”
    The donkey huffed again, but