The Unwilling Apprentice (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

bothers him so much. He has yet to see you in battle, nor can a knight vouch for your bravery," Ned replied.
    That still didn't make any sense to the boy. "What's that supposed to mean? Why am I supposed to prove something to him?"
    Ned sighed again. "The king has refused Pat's request to have you as her protector."
    Fred's jaw dropped open. "What? Why? I saved her at the bridge!" he reminded Ned.
    The old man held up a hand. "I know that, but he hardly believes such a tale. In fact, I even find him very unwilling to believe Canavar is as great a threat as I know him to be."
    Fred was confused and devastated. He'd come this far with them only to be turned away by a king of a jerk. "So what am I supposed to do now?"
    Ned pulled at his beard and a twinkle came to his eyes. "Well, the king did offer you a place in the kitchen as a server boy," he informed him.
    Fred's face fell and his eyes narrowed. "You're kidding, right?" Ned's eyes flitted away from Fred and he raised his eyebrows. "You're not kidding, are you?" Ned shook his head, and the boy leaned forward with his arms draped over his legs. He scowled at the floor. "This isn't fair. Why does he get to choose who protects her?"
    "The king has chosen himself as her guardian and lord, and so long as we remain here we must abide by his rules," Ned scolded the boy.
    Fred's eyes flitted over to Ned; that sounded too obedient for the old coot. "You've got something planned, don't you?"
    Ned pulled back and a fake shocked expression slipped onto his face. "What manner of accusation is this? Do you not believe my intentions are full of heart?"
    "They're full of something..." Fred muttered.
    Ned sniffed the air and stood up. "I was merely going to remind you that your skills as a castor are still untrained, and you would do well to find yourself a master as soon as possible," Ned reminded him.
    Fred raised an eyebrow. "And where am I going to find somebody like that?" he half-teased.
    Ned waved his hand around the room. "Oh, I'm sure this great city has one or two residing castor's who would take you on as an apprentice. Of course, you would be obliged to follow them wherever they would go, regardless of the orders of king or country." Ned gave a side-glance at the boy, who didn't miss the hint. The old man was inviting him to become his apprentice and remain in their group.
    Fred wasn't so sure about that much commitment. "I'll have to look into it..." he mumbled. He glanced out the window and saw that evening was coming on. The fireworks would start in an hour or two, and he had the piece of metal in his pocket. "But right now I need to do some stuff."
    Ned raised an eyebrow. "Stuff? Has any of this stuff to do with the fireworks display this evening?"
    Fred grinned nervously and slid past Ned to the door. "Um, maybe?" he squeaked.
    The old man followed the boy. "I see. Well, who am I to stop a young man from his fun? Be mindful that whatever you do you don't attract the attention of the king."
    Fred opened the door and slipped out all but his head. "I promise to try," he replied, and slipped away. He made his way to Pat's room and knocked on the door. He heard a scuffling of feet and some loud honking noises. "Come in," Pat called out to him. Her voice sounded nasally, and he found out why when he opened the door. Her face was red and her eyes puffy from crying, but she smiled at him. He thought even that looked sad. "I didn't expect you to come here. Is Ned with you?" She glanced behind him and answered her own question.
    Fred shook his head and shut the door behind himself. "No, it's just me."
    "Did you...did you see him?" she asked the boy. Fred nodded. "Then he told you-"
    "-that I can't guard you? Yeah, he told me." Fred walked over and sat down beside her.
    Pat hung her head. "I couldn't convince the king otherwise. He thought it best that experienced knights should guard me." She cast a side-glance at the boy. "Have you ever thought of becoming a knight?"
    He turned to her