RAYMONDE.FEIST

Magician

Dedication

Thisbookisdedicatedtothememoryofmyfather,

FelixE.Feist,Inallways,amagician

TableofContents

TitlePageDedicationForewordtotheRevisedEditionMaps

Book1:PugandTomasChapterOne:StormChapterTwo:ApprenticeChapterThree:Keep

ChapterFour:AssaultChapterFive:ShipwreckChapterSix:ElfcounselChapterSeven:

UnderstandingChapterEight:JourneyChapterNine:Mac

MordainCadalChapterTen:RescueChapterEleven:Sorcerers

IsleChapterTwelve:CouncilsChapterThirteen:Rillanon

ChapterFourteen:InvasionChapterFifteen:ConflictsChapterSixteen:RaidChapterSeventeen:AttackChapterEighteen:Siege

Book2:MilamberandtheValheruChapterNineteen:SlaveChapterTwenty:EstateChapterTwenty-One:

Changeling

ChapterTwenty-Two:TrainingChapterTwenty-Three:

VoyageChapterTwenty-Four:

KrondorChapterTwenty-Five:

EscapeChapterTwenty-Six:Great

OneChapterTwenty-Seven:

Fusion

ChapterTwenty-Eight:EmissaryChapterTwenty-Nine:

DecisionChapterThirty:UpheavalChapterThirty-One:

DeceptionsChapterThirty-Two:

BetrayalChapterThirty-Three:

LegacyChapterThirty-Four:

Renaissance

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementtotheRevisedEditionAbouttheAuthorBytheSameAuthorCopyrightAboutthePublisher

ForewordtotheRevisedEdition

Itiswithsomehesitationandagreatdealoftrepidationthatanauthorapproachesthetaskofrevisinganearliereditionoffiction.Thisisespeciallytrueifthebookwashisfirsteffort,judgedsuccessfulbymoststandards,and

continuouslyinprintforadecade.Magicianwasallthis,and

more.Inlate1977Idecidedtotrymyhandatwriting,part-time,whileIwasanemployeeoftheUniversityofCalifornia,SanDiego.Itisnowsomefifteenyearslater,andIhavebeenafull-timewriterforthelastfourteenyears,successfulinthiscraftbeyondmywildestdreams.

Magician,thefirstnovelinwhatbecameknownasTheRiftwarSaga,wasabookthatquicklytookonalifeofitsown.Ihesitatetoadmitthispublicly,butthetruthisthatpartofthesuccessofthebookwasmyignoranceofwhatmakesacommerciallysuccessfulnovel.Mywillingnesstoplungeblindlyforwardintoatalespanningtwodissimilarworlds,

coveringtwelveyearsinthelivesofseveralmajoranddozensofminorcharacters,breakingnumerousrulesofplottingalongtheway,seemedtofindkindredsoulsamongreaderstheworldover.Afteradecadeinprint,mybestjudgmentisthattheappealofthebookisbaseduponitsbeingwhatwasknownonceasarippingyarn.Ihadlittleambition

beyondspinningagoodstory,onethatsatisfiedmysenseofwonder,adventure,andwhimsy.ItturnedoutthatseveralmillionreadersmanyofwhomreadtranslationsinlanguagesIcantevenbegintocomprehendfounditonethatsatisfiedtheirtastesforsuchayarnaswell.Butinsofarasitwasafirst

effort,somepressuresofthe

marketplacedidmanifestthemselvesduringthecreationofthefinalbook.Magicianisbyanyonesmeasurealargebook.Whenthepenultimatemanuscriptversionsatuponmyeditorsdesk,Iwasinformedthatsomefiftythousandwordswouldhavetobecut.AndcutIdid.Mostlylinebyline,butafewsceneswereeithertruncatedorexcised.

WhileIcouldliveoutmylifewiththeoriginalmanuscriptaspublishedbeingtheonlyeditioneverread,Ihavealwaysfeltthatsomeofthematerialcutaddedacertainresonance,acounterpointifyouwill,tokeyelementsofthetale.Therelationshipsbetweencharacters,theadditionaldetailsofanalienworld,theminormomentsofreflection

andmirththatacttobalancethemorefreneticactivityofconflictandadventure,allthesethingswereclosebutnotquitewhatIhadinmind.Inanyevent,tocelebrate

thetenthanniversaryoftheoriginalpublicationofMagician,Ihavebeenpermittedtoreturntothiswork,toreconstructandchange,toaddandcutasIseefit,tobringforthwhatis

knowninpublishingastheAuthorsPreferredEditionofthework.So,withtheoldadmonition,Ifitaintbroke,dontfixit,ringinginmyears,IreturntothefirstworkIundertook,backwhenIhadnopretensionsofcraft,nostatureasabestsellingauthor,andbasicallynoideaofwhatIwasdoing.Mydesireistorestoresomeofthoseexcisedbits,someoftheminordetail

thatIfeltaddedtotheheftofthenarrative,aswellastheweightofthebook.Othermaterialwasmoredirectlyrelatedtothebooksthatfollow,settingsomeofthebackgroundforthemythicunderpinningoftheRiftwar.TheslightlylengthydiscussionoflorebetweenTullyandKulganinChapterThree,aswellassomeofthethingsrevealedtoPugonthe

TowerofTestingwereclearlyinthisarea.Myeditorwasntsoldontheideaofasequel,then,sosomeofthiswascut.Returningitmaybeself-indulgent,butasthiswasmaterialIfeltbelongedintheoriginalbook,ithasbeenrestored.Tothosereaderswhohave

alreadydiscoveredMagician,whowonderifitsintheirintereststopurchasethis

edition,Iwouldliketoreassurethemthatnothingprofoundhasbeenchanged.Nocharacterspreviouslydeadarenowalive,nobattleslostarenowwon,andtwoboysstillfindthesamedestiny.Iaskyoutofeelnocompulsiontoreadthisnewvolume,foryourmemoryoftheoriginalworkisasvalid,perhapsmoreso,thanmine.Butifyouwishtoreturnto

theworldofPugandTomas,torediscoveroldfriendsandforgottenadventure,thenconsiderthiseditionyouropportunitytoseeabitmorethanthelasttime.Andtothenewreader,welcome.Itrustyoullfindthisworktoyoursatisfaction.Itiswithprofound

gratitudeIwishtothankyouall,newreadersandoldacquaintances,forwithout

yoursupportandencouragement,tenyearsofrippingyarnscouldnothavebeenpossible.IfIhavetheopportunitytoprovideyouwithasmallpartofthepleasureIfeelinbeingabletosharemyfancifuladventureswithyou,weareequallyrewarded,forbyyourembracingmyworksyouhaveallowedmetofashionmore.Withoutyouthere

wouldhavebeennoSilverthorn,ADarknessatSethanon,FaerieTale,andnoEmpireTrilogy.Thelettersgetread,ifnotansweredeveniftheysometimestakemonthstoreachmeandthekindremarks,inpassingatpublicappearances,haveenrichedmebeyondmeasure.Butmostofall,yougavemethefreedomtopracticeacraft

thatwasbeguntoseeifIcoulddoit,whileworkingattheResidenceHallsofJohnMuirCollegeatUCSD.So,thankyou.IguessI

didit.Andwiththiswork,IhopeyoullagreethatthistimeIdiditalittlemoreelegantly,withalittlemorecolor,weight,andresonance.

RAYMONDE.FEISTSanDiego,California

August1991

BOOK1

PugandTomas

Aboyswillisthewindswill,Andthethoughtsofyoutharelong,long

thoughts.

LONGFELLOW,MyLostYouth

CHAPTERONE

Storm

THESTORMHADBROKEN.Pugdancedalongtheedge

oftherocks,hisfeetfindingscantpurchaseashemadehiswayamongthetidepools.Hisdarkeyesdartedaboutashepeeredintoeachpoolunderthecliffface,seekingthespinycreaturesdrivenintotheshallowsbytherecentlypassedstorm.Hisboyishmusclesbunchedunderhislightshirtashe

shiftedthesackofsandcrawlers,rockclaws,andcrabspluckedfromthiswatergarden.Theafternoonsunsent

sparklesthroughtheseasprayswirlingaroundhim,asthewestwindblewhissun-streakedbrownhairabout.Pugsethissackdown,checkedtomakesureitwassecurelytied,thensquattedonaclearpatchofsand.The

sackwasnotquitefull,butPugrelishedtheextrahourorsothathecouldrelax.Megarthecookwouldnttroublehimaboutthetimeaslongasthesackwasalmostfull.Restingwithhisbackagainstalargerock,Pugwassoondozinginthesunswarmth.Acoolwetspraywokehim

hourslater.Heopenedhiseyeswithastart,knowinghehadstayedmuchtoolong.

Westward,overthesea,darkthunderheadswereformingabovetheblackoutlineoftheSixSisters,thesmallislandsonthehorizon.Theroiling,surgingclouds,withraintrailingbelowlikesomesootyveil,heraldedanotherofthesuddenstormscommontothispartofthecoastinearlysummer.Tothesouth,thehighbluffsofSailorsGriefrearedupagainstthe

sky,aswavescrashedagainstthebaseofthatrockypinnacle.Whitecapsstartedtoformbehindthebreakers,asuresignthestormwouldquicklystrike.Pugknewhewasindanger,forthestormsofsummercoulddrownanyoneonthebeaches,orifsevereenough,onthelowgroundbeyond.Hepickeduphissackand

startednorth,towardthe

castle.Ashemovedamongthepools,hefeltthecoolnessinthewindturntoadeeper,wettercold.Thedaybegantobebrokenbyapatchworkofshadowsasthefirstcloudspassedbeforethesun,brightcolorsfadingtoshadesofgrey.Outtosea,lightningflashedagainsttheblacknessoftheclouds,andthedistantboomofthunderrodeoverthenoiseofthewaves.

Pugpickedupspeedwhenhecametothefirststretchofopenbeach.Thestormwascominginfasterthanhewouldhavethoughtpossible,drivingtherisingtidebeforeit.Bythetimehereachedthesecondstretchoftidepools,therewasbarelytenfeetofdrysandbetweenwatersedgeandcliffs.Pughurriedasfastaswas

safeacrosstherocks,twice

nearlycatchinghisfoot.Ashereachedthenextexpanseofsand,hemistimedhisjumpfromthelastrockandlandedpoorly.Hefelltothesand,graspinghisankle.Asifwaitingforthemishap,thetidesurgedforward,coveringhimforamoment.Hereachedoutblindlyandfelthissackcarriedaway.Franticallygrabbingatit,Puglungedforward,onlytohave

hisanklefail.Hewentunder,gulpingwater.Heraisedhishead,sputteringandcoughing.Hestartedtostandwhenasecondwave,higherthanthelast,hithiminthechest,knockinghimbackward.Pughadgrownupplayinginthewavesandwasanexperiencedswimmer,butthepainofhisankleandthebatteringofthewaveswerebringinghimtotheedgeof

panic.Hefoughtitoffandcameupforairasthewavereceded.Hehalfswam,halfscrambledtowardthecliffface,knowingthewaterwouldbeonlyinchesdeepthere.Pugreachedthecliffsand

leanedagainstthem,keepingasmuchweightofftheinjuredankleaspossible.Heinchedalongtherockwall,whileeachwavebroughtthe

waterhigher.WhenPugfinallyreachedaplacewherehecouldmakehiswayupward,waterwasswirlingathiswaist.Hehadtouseallhisstrengthtopullhimselfuptothepath.Helaypantingamoment,thenstartedtocrawlupthepathway,unwillingtotrusthisbalkyankleonthisrockyfooting.Thefirstdropsofrain

begantofallashescrambled

along,bruisingkneesandshinsontherocks,untilhereachedthegrassytopofthebluffs.Pugfellforwardexhausted,pantingfromtheexertionoftheclimb.Thescattereddropsgrewintoalightbutsteadyrain.Whenhehadcaughthis

breath,Pugsatupandexaminedtheswollenankle.Itwastendertothetouch,buthewasreassuredwhenhe

couldmoveit:itwasnotbroken.Hewouldhavetolimptheentirewayback,butwiththethreatofdrowningonthebeachbehindhim,hefeltrelativelybuoyant.Pugwouldbeadrenched,

chilledwretchwhenhereachedthetown.Hewouldhavetofindalodgingthere,forthegatesofthecastlewouldbeclosedforthenight,andwithhistenderanklehe

wouldnotattempttoclimbthewallbehindthestables.Besides,shouldhewaitandslipintothekeepthenextday,onlyMegarwouldhavewordsforhim,butifhewascaughtcomingoverthewall,SwordmasterFannonorHorsemasterAlgonwouldsurelyhavealotworseinstoreforhimthanwords.Whileherested,therain

tookonaninsistentquality

andtheskydarkenedasthelate-afternoonsunwascompletelyengulfedinstormclouds.Hismomentaryreliefwasreplacedwithangerathimselfforlosingthesackofsandcrawlers.Hisdispleasuredoubledwhenheconsideredhisfollyatfallingasleep.Hadheremainedawake,hewouldhavemadethereturntripunhurriedly,wouldnothavesprainedhisankle,andwould

havehadtimetoexplorethestreambedabovethebluffsforthesmoothstonesheprizedsodearlyforslinging.Nowtherewouldbenostones,anditwouldbeatleastanotherweekbeforehecouldreturn.IfMegardidntsendanotherboyinstead,whichwaslikelynowthathewasreturningempty-handed.Pugsattentionshiftedto

thediscomfortofsittingin

therain,andhedecideditwastimetomoveon.Hestoodandtestedhisankle.Itprotestedsuchtreatment,buthecouldgetalongonit.Helimpedoverthegrasstowherehehadlefthisbelongingsandpickeduphisrucksack,staff,andsling.Hesworeanoathhehadheardsoldiersatthekeepusewhenhefoundtherucksackrippedapartandhisbreadand

cheesemissing.Raccoons,orpossiblysandlizards,hethought.Hetossedthenowuselesssackasideandwonderedathismisfortune.Takingadeepbreath,he

leanedonhisstaffashestartedacrossthelowrollinghillsthatdividedthebluffsfromtheroad.Standsofsmalltreeswerescatteredoverthelandscape,andPugregrettedtherewasntmore

substantialshelternearby,fortherewasnoneuponthebluffs.Hewouldbenowetterfortrudgingtotownthanforstayingunderatree.Thewindpickedup,and

Pugfeltthefirstcoldbiteagainsthiswetback.Heshiveredandhurriedhispaceaswellashecould.Thesmalltreesstartedtobendbeforethewind,andPugfeltasifagreathandwerepushingat

hisback.Reachingtheroad,heturnednorth.Heheardtheeeriesoundofthegreatforestofftotheeast,thewindwhistlingthroughthebranchesoftheancientoaks,addingtoitsalreadyforebodingaspect.ThedarkgladesoftheforestwereprobablynomoreperilousthantheKingsroad,butrememberedtalesofoutlawsandother,lesshuman,

malefactorsstirredthehairsontheboysneck.CuttingacrosstheKings

road,Puggainedalittleshelterinthegullythatranalongsideit.Thewindintensifiedandrainstunghiseyes,bringingtearstoalreadywetcheeks.Agustcaughthim,andhestumbledoffbalanceforamoment.Waterwasgatheringintheroadsidegully,andhehadtostep

carefullytokeepfromlosinghisfootinginunexpectedlydeeppuddles.Fornearlyanhourhemade

hiswaythroughtheevergrowingstorm.Theroadturnednorthwest,bringinghimalmostfullfaceintothehowlingwind.Pugleanedintothewind,hisshirtwhippingoutbehindhim.Heswallowedhard,toforcedownthechokingpanic

risingwithinhim.Heknewhewasindangernow,forthestormwasgaininginfuryfarbeyondnormalforthistimeofyear.Greatraggedboltsoflightninglitthedarklandscape,brieflyoutliningthetreesandroadinharsh,brilliantwhiteandopaqueblack.Thedazzlingafterimages,blackandwhitereversed,stayedwithhimforamomenteachtime,

confusinghissenses.Enormousthunderpealssoundingoverheadfeltlikephysicalblows.Nowhisfearofthestormoutweighedhisfearofimaginedbrigandsandgoblins.Hedecidedtowalkamongthetreesneartheroad;thewindwouldbelessenedsomewhatbythebolesoftheoaks.AsPugcloseduponthe

forest,acrashingsound

broughthimtoahalt.Inthegloomofthestormhecouldbarelymakeouttheformofablackforestboarasitburstoutoftheundergrowth.Thepigtumbledfromthebrush,lostitsfooting,thenscrambledtoitsfeetafewyardsaway.Pugcouldseeitclearlyasitstoodthereregardinghim,swingingitsheadfromsidetoside.Twolargetusksseemedtoglowin

thedimlightastheydrippedrainwater.Fearmadeitseyeswide,anditpawedattheground.Theforestpigswerebad-temperedatbest,butnormallyavoidedhumans.Thisonewaspanic-strickenbythestorm,andPugknewifitchargedhecouldbebadlygored,evenkilled.Standingstock-still,Pug

madereadytoswinghisstaff,buthopedthepigwould

returntothewoods.Theboarsheadraised,testingtheboyssmellonthewind.Itspinkeyesseemedtoglowasittrembledwithindecision.Asoundmadeitturntowardthetreesforamoment,thenitdroppeditsheadandcharged.Pugswunghisstaff,

bringingitdowninaglancingblowtothesideofthepigshead,turningit.Thepigslidsidewaysinthemuddy

footing,hittingPuginthelegs.Hewentdownasthepigslippedpast.Lyingontheground,Pugsawtheboarskitteraboutasitturnedtochargeagain.Suddenlythepigwasuponhim,andPughadnotimetostand.Hethrustthestaffbeforehiminavainattempttoturntheanimalagain.TheboardodgedthestaffandPugtriedtorollaway,butaweightfell

acrosshisbody.Pugcoveredhisfacewithhishands,keepinghisarmsclosetohischest,expectingtobegored.Afteramomentherealized

thepigwasstill.Uncoveringhisface,hediscoveredthepiglyingacrosshislowerlegs,ablack-feathered,cloth-yardarrowprotrudingfromitsside.Puglookedtowardtheforest.Amangarbedinbrownleatherwasstanding

neartheedgeofthetrees,quicklywrappingayeomanslongbowwithanoilclothcover.Oncethevaluableweaponwasprotectedfromfurtherabusebytheweather,themancrossedtostandovertheboyandbeast.Hewascloakedand

hooded,hisfacehidden.HekneltnexttoPugandshoutedoverthesoundofthewind,Areyouright,boy?ashe

liftedthedeadboareasilyfromPugslegs.Bonesbroken?Idontthinkso,Pug

yelledback,takingaccountofhimself.Hisrightsidesmarted,andhislegsfeltequallybruised.Withhisanklestilltender,hewasfeelingill-usedtoday,butnothingseemedbrokenorpermanentlydamaged.

Large,meatyhandsliftedhimtohisfeet.Here,themancommanded,handinghimhisstaffandthebow.Pugtookthemwhilethestrangerquicklyguttedtheboarwithalargehuntersknife.HecompletedhisworkandturnedtoPug.Comewithme,boy.Youhadbestlodgewithmymasterandme.Itsnotfar,butwedbesthurry.Thisstormllgetworse

aforeitsover.Canyouwalk?Takinganunsteadystep,

Pugnodded.Withoutawordthemanshoulderedthepigandtookhisbow.Come,hesaid,asheturnedtowardtheforest.Hesetoffatabriskpace,whichPughadtoscrambletomatch.Theforestcutthefuryof

thestormsolittlethatconversationwasimpossible.

Alightningflashlitthesceneforamoment,andPugcaughtaglimpseofthemansface.Pugtriedtorememberifhehadseenthestrangerbefore.HehadthelookcommontothehuntersandforestersthatlivedintheforestofCrydee:large-shouldered,tall,andsolidlybuilt.Hehaddarkhairandbeardandtheraw,weather-beatenappearanceof

onewhospendsmostofhistimeoutdoors.Forafewfanciful

momentstheboywonderedifhemightbesomememberofanoutlawband,hidingintheheartoftheforest.Hegaveupthenotion,fornooutlawwouldtroublehimselfwithanobviouslypennilesskeepboy.Rememberingthemanhad

mentionedhavingamaster,Pugsuspectedhewasa

franklin,onewholivedontheestateofalandholder.Hewouldbeintheholdersservice,butnotboundtohimasabondsman.Thefranklinswerefreeborn,givingashareofcroporherdinexchangefortheuseofland.Hemustbefreeborn.Nobondsmanwouldbeallowedtocarryalongbow,fortheyweremuchtoovaluableanddangerous.Still,Pugcouldntremember

anylandholdingsintheforest.Itwasamysterytotheboy,butthetollofthedaysabuseswasquicklydrivingawayanycuriosity.

Afterwhatseemedtobehours,themanwalkedintoathicketoftrees.Pugnearlylosthiminthedarkness,forthesunhadsetsometimebefore,takingwithitwhatfaintlightthestormhad

allowed.Hefollowedthemanmorefromthesoundofhisfootfallsandanawarenessofhispresencethanfromsight.Pugsensedhewasonapaththroughthetrees,forhisfootstepsmetnoresistingbrushordetritus.Fromwheretheyhadbeenmomentsbefore,thepathwouldbedifficulttofindinthedaylight,impossibleatnight,unlessitwasalreadyknown.

Soontheyenteredaclearing,inthemidstofwhichsatasmallstonecottage.Lightshonethroughasinglewindow,andsmokerosefromthechimney.Theycrossedtheclearing,andPugwonderedatthestormsrelativemildnessinthisonespotintheforest.Oncebeforethedoor,the

manstoodtoonesideand

said,Yougoin,boy.Imustdressthepig.Noddingdumbly,Pug

pushedopenthewoodendoorandsteppedin.Closethatdoor,boy!

Youllgivemeachillandcausememydeath.Pugjumpedtoobey,

slammingthedoorharderthanheintended.Heturned,takinginthe

scenebeforehim.Theinterior

ofthecottagewasasmallsingleroom.Againstonewallwasthefireplace,withagood-sizehearthbeforeit.Abright,cheeryfireburned,castingawarmglow.Nexttothefireplaceatablesat,behindwhichaheavyset,yellow-robedfigurerestedonabench.Hisgreyhairandbeardnearlycoveredhisentirehead,exceptforapairofvividblueeyesthat

twinkledinthefirelight.Alongpipeemergedfromthebeard,producingheroiccloudsofpalesmoke.Pugknewtheman.

MasterKulgan,hebegan,forthemanwastheDukesmagicianandadviser,afamiliarfacearoundthecastlekeep.Kulganleveledagazeat

Pug,thensaidinadeepvoice,giventorichrolling

soundsandpowerfultones,Soyouknowme,then?Yes,sir.Fromthecastle.Whatisyourname,boy

fromthekeep?Pug,MasterKulgan.NowIrememberyou.

Themagicianabsentlywavedhishand.DonotcallmeMaster,PugthoughIamrightlycalledamasterofmyarts,hesaidwithamerrycrinklingaroundhiseyes.I

amhigher-bornthanyou,itistrue,butnotbymuch.Come,thereisablankethangingbythefire,andyouaredrenched.Hangyourclothestodry,thensitthere.Hepointedtoabenchoppositehim.Pugdidashewasbid,

keepinganeyeonthemagiciantheentiretime.HewasamemberoftheDukescourt,butstillamagician,an

objectofsuspicion,generallyheldinlowesteembythecommonfolk.Ifafarmerhadacowcalveamonster,orblightstrikethecrops,villagerswereapttoascribeittotheworkofsomemagicianlurkinginnearbyshadows.IntimesnottoofarpasttheywouldhavestonedKulganfromCrydeeaslikeasnot.HispositionwiththeDukeearnedhimthetoleranceof

thetownsfolknow,butoldfearsdiedslowly.Afterhisgarmentswere

hung,Pugsatdown.Hestartedwhenhesawapairofredeyesregardinghimfromjustbeyondthemagicianstable.Ascaledheadroseupabovethetabletopandstudiedtheboy.Kulganlaughedatthe

boysdiscomfort.Come,boy.Fantuswillnoteatyou.

Hedroppedhishandtotheheadofthecreature,whosatnexttohimonhisbench,andrubbedaboveitseyeridges.Itcloseditseyesandgaveforthasoftcrooningsound,notunlikethepurringofacat.Pugshuthismouth,which

hadpoppedopenwithsurprise,thenasked,Ishetrulyadragon,sir?Themagicianlaughed,a

rich,good-naturedsound.

Betimeshethinksheis,boy.Fantusisafiredrake,cousintothedragon,thoughofsmallerstature.Thecreatureopenedoneeyeandfasteneditonthemagician.Butofequalheart,Kulganquicklyadded,andthedrakeclosedhiseyeagain.Kulganspokesoftly,inconspiratorialtones.Heisveryclever,somindwhatyousaytohim.Heisa

creatureoffinelyfashionedsensibilities.Pugnoddedthathewould.

Canhebreathefire?heasked,eyeswidewithwonder.Toanyboyofthirteen,evenacousintoadragonwasworthyofawe.Whenthemoodsuitshim,

hecanbelchoutaflameortwo,thoughheseemsrarelyinthemood.IthinkitisduetotherichdietIsupplyhim

with,boy.Hehasnothadtohuntforyears,soheissomethingoutofpracticeinthewaysofdrakes.Intruth,Ispoilhimshamelessly.Pugfoundthenotion

somehowreassuring.Ifthemagiciancaredenoughtospoilthiscreature,nomatterhowoutlandish,thenheseemedsomehowmorehuman,lessmysterious.PugstudiedFantus,admiringhow

thefirebroughtgoldenhighlightstohisemeraldscales.Aboutthesizeofasmallhound,thedrakepossessedalong,sinuousneckatopwhichrestedanalligatorlikehead.Hiswingswerefoldedacrosshisback,andtwoclawedfeetextendedbeforehim,aimlesslypawingtheair,whileKulganscratchedbehindbonyeyeridges.Hislongtailswung

backandforth,inchesabovethefloor.Thedooropenedandthe

bigbowmanentered,holdingadressedandspittedloinofporkbeforehim.Withoutawordhecrossedtothefireplaceandsetthemeattocook.Fantusraisedhishead,usinghislongnecktogoodadvantagetopeekoverthetable.Withaflickofhisforkedtongue,thedrake

jumpeddownand,instatelyfashion,ambledovertothehearth.Heselectedawarmspotbeforethefireandcurleduptodozeawaythewaitbeforedinner.Thefranklinunfastenedhis

cloakandhungitonapegbythedoor.Stormwillpassaforedawn,Imthinking.Hereturnedtothefireandpreparedabastingofwineandherbsforthepig.Pug

wasstartledtoseealargescarthatrandowntheleftsideofthemansface,showingredandangryinthefirelight.Kulganwavedhispipein

thefranklinsdirection.Knowingmytightlippedmanhere,youllnothavemadehisproperacquaintance.Meecham,thisboyisPug,fromthekeepatCastleCrydee.Meecham

gaveabriefnod,thenreturnedtotendingtheroastingloin.Pugnoddedback,thougha

bitlateforMeechamtonotice.Ineverthoughttothankyouforsavingmefromtheboar.Meechamreplied,Theres

noneedforthanks,boy.HadInotstartledthebeast,itsunlikelyitwouldhavechargedyou.Heleftthe

hearthandcrossedovertoanotherpartoftheroom,tooksomebrowndoughfromacloth-coveredbucket,andstartedkneading.Well,sir,saidPugto

Kulgan,itwashisarrowthatkilledthepig.Itwasindeedfortunatethathewasfollowingtheanimal.Kulganlaughed.Thepoor

creature,whoisourmostwelcomeguestfordinner,

happenedtobeasmuchavictimofcircumstanceasyourself.Puglookedperplexed.I

dontfollow,sir.Kulganstoodandtook

downanobjectfromthetopmostshelfonhisbookcaseandplaceditonthetablebeforetheboy.Itwaswrappedinacoverofdarkbluevelvet,soPugknewatonceitmustbeaprizeof

greatvalueforsuchanexpensivematerialtobeusedforcovering.Kulganremovedthevelvet,revealinganorbofcrystalthatgleamedinthefirelight.Puggaveanahofpleasureatthebeautyofit,foritwaswithoutapparentflawandsplendidinitssimplicityofform.Kulganpointedtothe

sphereofglass.Thisdevicewasfashionedasagiftby

AlthafainofCarse,amostpuissantartificerofmagic,whothoughtmeworthyofsuchapresent,asIhavedonehimafavorortwointhepastbutthatisoflittlematter.HavingjustthisdayreturnedfromthecompanyofMasterAlthafain,Iwastestinghistoken.Lookdeepintotheorb,Pug.Pugfixedhiseyesonthe

ballandtriedtofollowthe

flickeroffirelightthatseemedtoplaydeepwithinitsstructure.Thereflectionsoftheroom,multipliedahundredfold,mergedanddancedashiseyestriedtofastenuponeachaspectwithintheorb.Theyflowedandblended,thengrewcloudyandobscure.Asoftwhiteglowatthecenteroftheballreplacedtheredoffirelight,andPugfelthisgaze

becometrappedbyitspleasingwarmth.Likethewarmthofthekitchenatthekeep,hethoughtabsently.Suddenlythemilkywhite

withintheballvanished,andPugcouldseeanimageofthekitchenbeforehiseyes.FatAlfanthecookwasmakingpastries,lickingthesweetcrumbsfromhisfingers.ThisbroughtthewrathofMegar,theheadcook,downuponhis

head,forMegarconsidereditadisgustinghabit.Puglaughedatthescene,onehehadwitnessedbeforemanytimes,anditvanished.Suddenlyhefelttired.Kulganwrappedtheorbin

theclothandputitaway.Youdidwell,boy,hesaidthoughtfully.Hestoodwatchingtheboyforamoment,asifconsideringsomething,thensatdown.I

wouldnothavesuspectedyouofbeingabletofashionsuchaclearimageinonetry,butyouseemtobemorethanyoufirstappeartobe.Sir?Nevermind,Pug.He

pausedforamoment,thensaid,Iwasusingthattoyforthefirsttime,judginghowfarIcouldsendmysight,whenIspiedyoumakingfortheroad.Fromyourlimpand

bruisedcondition,Ijudgedthatyouwouldneverreachthetown,soIsentMeechamtofetchyou.Puglookedembarrassedby

theunusualattention,colorrisingtohischeeks.Hesaid,withathirteen-year-oldshighestimationofhisownability,Youneednthavedonethat,sir.Iwouldhavereachedthetowninduetime.

Kulgansmiled.Perhaps,butthenagain,perhapsnot.Thestormisunseasonablysevereandperilousfortraveling.Puglistenedtothesoft

tattooofrainontheroofofthecottage.Thestormseemedtohaveslackened,andPugdoubtedthemagicianswords.Asifreadingtheboysthought,Kulgansaid,Doubtmenot,

Pug.Thisgladeisprotectedbymorethanthegreatboles.Shouldyoupassbeyondthecircleofoaksthatmarkstheedgeofmyholding,youwouldfeelthestormsfury.Meecham,howdoyougaugethiswind?Meechamputdownthe

breaddoughhewaskneadingandthoughtforamoment.Nearasbadasthestormthatbeachedsixshipsthreeyears

back.Hepausedforamoment,asifreconsideringtheestimate,thennoddedhisendorsement.Yes,nearlyasbad,thoughitwontblowsolong.Pugthoughtbackthree

yearstothestormthathadblownaQuegantradingfleetboundforCrydeeontotherocksofSailorsGrief.Atitsheight,theguardsonthecastlewallswereforcedto

stayinthetowers,lesttheybeblowndown.Ifthisstormwasthatsevere,thenKulgansmagicwasimpressive,foroutsidethecottageitsoundednoworsethanaspringrain.Kulgansatbackonthe

bench,occupiedwithtryingtolighthisextinguishedpipe.Asheproducedalargecloudofsweetwhitesmoke,Pugsattentionwanderedtoacase

ofbooksstandingbehindthemagician.Hislipsmovedsilentlyashetriedtodiscernwhatwaswrittenonthebindings,butcouldnot.Kulganliftedaneyebrow

andsaid,Soyoucanread,aye?Pugstarted,alarmedthat

hemighthaveoffendedthemagicianbyintrudingonhisdomain.Kulgan,sensinghisembarrassment,said,Itisall

right,boy.Itisnocrimetoknowletters.Pugfelthisdiscomfort

diminish.Icanreadalittle,sir.Megarthecookhasshownmehowtoreadthetalliesonthestoreslaidawayforthekitcheninthecellars.Iknowsomenumbers,aswell.Numbers,too,the

magicianexclaimedgood-naturedly.Well,youare

somethingofararebird.Hereachedbehindhimselfandpulledoutonevolume,boundinred-brownleather,fromtheshelf.Heopenedit,squintingatonepage,thenanother,andatlastfoundapagethatseemedtomeethisrequirements.HeturnedtheopenbookaroundandlayituponthetablebeforePug.Kulganpointedtoapageilluminatedbyamagnificent

designofsnakes,flowers,andtwiningvinesinacolorfuldesignaroundalargeletterintheupperleftcorner.Readthis,boy.Pughadneverseen

anythingremotelylikeit.HislessonshadbeenonplainparchmentwithlettersfashionedinMegarsbluntscript,usingacharcoalstick.Hesat,fascinatedbythedetailsofthework,then

realizedthemagicianwasstaringathim.Regaininghiswits,hebegantoread.Andthentherecamea

sumsummonsfromHelookedattheword,stumblingoverthecomplexcombinationsthatwerenewtohim.Zacara.Hepaused,lookingatKulgantoseeifhewascorrect.Themagiciannoddedforhimtocontinue.Forthenorthwas

tobeforgotforgotten,lesttheheartoftheempirelanlanguishandallbelost.AndthoughofBosaniafrombirth,thosesoldiersstillwereloyaltoGreatKeshintheirservice.Soforhergreatneed,theytookuptheirarmsandputontheirarmorandquitBosania,takingshiptothesouth,tosaveallfromdestruction.Kulgansaid,Thats

enough,andgentlyclosed

thecoverofthebook.Youarewellgiftedwithlettersforakeepboy.Thisbook,sir,whatisit?

askedPug,asKulgantookitfromhim.Ihaveneverseenanythinglikeit.KulganlookedatPugfora

moment,withagazethatmadehimuncomfortableagain,thensmiled,breakingthetension.Asheputthebookback,hesaid,Itisa

historyofthisland,boy.ItwasgivenasagiftbytheabbotofanIshapianmonastery.ItisatranslationofaKeshiantext,overahundredyearsold.Pugnoddedandsaid,It

allsoundedverystrange.Whatdoesittellof?Kulganoncemorelooked

atPugasiftryingtoseesomethinginsideoftheboy,thensaid,Alongtimeago,

Pug,alltheselands,fromtheEndlessSeaacrosstheGreyTowerMountainstotheBitterSea,werepartoftheEmpireofGreatKesh.Fartotheeastexistedasmallkingdom,ononesmallislandcalledRillanon.Itgrewtoengulfitsneighboringislandkingdoms,anditbecametheKingdomoftheIsles.Lateritexpandedagaintothemainland,andwhileitisstill

theKingdomofIsles,mostofussimplycallittheKingdom.We,wholiveinCrydee,arepartoftheKingdom,thoughweliveasfarfromthecapitalcityofRillanonasonecanandstillbewithinitsboundaries.Once,manylongyears

ago,theEmpireofGreatKeshabandonedtheselands,foritwasengagedinalongandbloodyconflictwithits

neighborstothesouth,theKeshianConfederacy.Pugwascaughtupinthe

grandeuroflostempires,buthungryenoughtonoticeMeechamwasputtingseveralsmallloavesofdarkbreadinhearthoven.Heturnedhisattentionbacktothemagician.WhoweretheKeshianCon?TheKeshian

Confederacy,Kulgan

finishedfortheboy.ItisagroupofsmallnationswhohadexistedastributariestoGreatKeshforcenturies.Adozenyearsbeforethatbookwaswritten,theyunitedagainsttheiroppressor.EachalonewasinsufficienttocontestwithGreatKesh,butunitedtheyproveditsmatch.Toocloseamatch,forthewardraggedonyearafteryear.TheEmpirewasforced

tostripitsnorthernprovincesoftheirlegionsandsendthemsouth,leavingthenorthopentotheadvancesofthenew,youngerKingdom.ItwasDukeBorrics

grandfather,youngestsonoftheKing,whobroughtthearmywestward,extendingtheWesternRealm.SincethenallofwhatwasoncetheoldimperialprovinceofBosania,exceptfortheFreeCitiesof

Natal,hasbeencalledtheDuchyofCrydee.Pugthoughtforamoment,

thensaid,IthinkIwouldliketotraveltothisGreatKeshsomeday.Meechamsnorted,

somethingclosetoalaugh.Andwhatwouldyoubetravelingas,afreebooter?Pugfelthisfaceflush.

Freebooterswerelandlessmen,mercenarieswhofought

forpay,andwhowereregardedasbeingonlyonecutaboveoutlaws.Kulgansaid,Perhapsyou

mightsomeday,Pug.Thewayislongandfullofperil,butitisnotunheardofforabraveandheartysoultosurvivethejourney.Strangerthingshavebeenknowntohappen.Thetalkatthetableturned

tomorecommontopics,for

themagicianhadbeenatthesouthernkeepatCarseforoveramonthandwantedthegossipofCrydee.Whenthebreadwasdonebaking,Meechamservedithot,carvedtheporkloin,andbroughtoutplatesofcheeseandgreens.Pughadnevereatensowellinhislife.Evenwhenhehadworkedinthekitchen,hispositionaskeepboyearnedhimonlymeager

fare.Twiceduringdinner,Pugfoundthemagicianregardinghimintently.Whenthemealwasover,

Meechamclearedthetable,thenbeganwashingthedisheswithcleansandandfreshwater,whileKulganandPugsattalking.Asinglescrapofmeatremainedonthetable,whichKulgantossedovertoFantus,wholaybeforethefire.Thedrake

openedoneeyetoregardthemorsel.Heponderedthechoicebetweenhiscomfortablerestingplaceandthejuicyscrapforamoment,thenmovedthenecessarysixinchestogulpdowntheprizeandclosedhiseyeagain.Kulganlithispipe,and

oncehewassatisfiedwithitsproductionofsmoke,hesaid,Whatareyourplanswhenyoureachmanhood,boy?

Pugwasfightingoffsleep,butKulgansquestionbroughthimalertagain.ThetimeofChoosing,whentheboysofthetownandkeepweretakenintoapprenticeship,wasclose,andPugbecameexcitedashesaid,ThisMidsummersDayIhopetotaketheDukesserviceunderSwordmasterFannon.

Kulganregardedhisslightguest.Iwouldhavethoughtyoustillayearortwoawayfromapprenticeship,Pug.Meechamgaveoutasound

somewherebetweenalaughandagrunt.Bitsmalltobeluggingaroundswordandshield,arentyou,boy?Pugflushed.Hewasthe

smallestboyofhisageinthecastle.MegarthecooksaidImaybelatecomingtomy

growth,hesaidwithafaintnoteofdefiance.Nooneknowswhomyparentswere,sotheyhavenonotionofwhattoexpect.Orphan,isit?asked

Meecham,raisingoneeyebrow,hismostexpressivegestureyet.Pugnodded.Iwasleft

withthePriestsofDala,inthemountainabbey,byawomanwhoclaimedshe

foundmeintheroad.Theybroughtmetothekeep,fortheyhadnowaytocareforme.Yes,injectedKulgan,I

rememberwhenthosewhoworshiptheShieldoftheWeakfirstbroughtyoutothecastle.Youwerenomorethanababyfreshfromtheteat.ItisonlythroughtheDukeskindnessthatyouareafreemantoday.Hefeltita

lessereviltofreeabondsmanssonthantobondafreemans.Withoutproof,itwashisrighttohaveyoudeclaredbondsman.Meechamsaidina

noncommittaltone,Agoodman,theDuke.Pughadheardthestoryof

hisoriginahundredtimesbeforefromMagyainthekitchenofthecastle.Hefeltcompletelywrungoutand

couldbarelykeephiseyesopen.KulgannoticedandsignaledMeecham.Thetallfranklintooksomeblanketsfromashelfandpreparedasleepingpallet.Bythetimehefinished,Pughadfallenasleepwithhisheadonthetable.Thelargemanshandsliftedhimgentlyfromthestoolandplacedhimontheblankets,thencoveredhim.

Fantusopenedhiseyesandregardedthesleepingboy.Withawolfishyawn,hescrambledovernexttoPugandsnuggledinclose.Pugshiftedhisweightinhissleepanddrapedonearmoverthedrakesneck.Thefiredrakegaveanapprovingrumble,deepinhisthroat,andclosedhiseyesagain.

CHAPTERTWO

Apprentice

THEFORESTWASQUIET.Theslightafternoonbreeze

stirredthetalloaksandcutthedaysheat,whilerustlingtheleavesonlyslightly.Birdswhowouldraisearaucouschorusatsunriseandsundownweremostlyquietatthistimeofmorning.Thefainttangofseasaltmixedwiththesweetsmellofflowersandpungencyofdecayingleaves.

PugandTomaswalkedslowlyalongthepath,withtheaimlessweavingstepsofboyswhohavenoparticularplacetogoandampletimetogetthere.Pugshiedasmallrockatanimaginedtarget,thenturnedtolookathiscompanion.Youdontthinkyourmotherwasmad,doyou?heasked.Tomassmiled.No,she

understandshowthingsare.

ShesseenotherboysthedayofChoosing.Andtruthfully,weweremoreofhindrancethanahelpinthekitchentoday.Pugnodded.Hehadspilled

apreciouspotofhoneyashecarriedittoAlfan,thepastrycook.Thenhehaddumpedanentiretrayoffreshbreadloavesashetookthemfromtheoven.Imade

somethingofafoolofmyselftoday,Tomas.Tomaslaughed.Hewasa

tallboy,withsandyhairandbrightblueeyes.Withhisquicksmile,hewaswelllikedinthekeep,inspiteofaboyishtendencytofindtrouble.HewasPugsclosestfriend,morebrotherthanfriend,andforthatreasonPugearnedsomemeasureofacceptancefromtheother

boys,fortheyallregardedTomasastheirunofficialleader.Tomassaid,Youwereno

morethefoolthanI.Atleastyoudidntforgettohangthebeefsideshigh.Puggrinned.Anyway,theDukeshoundsarehappy.Hesnickered,thenlaughed.Sheisangry,isntshe?Tomaslaughedalongwith

hisfriend.Shesmad.Still,

thedogsonlyatealittlebeforesheshooedthemoff.Besides,shesmostlymadatFather.SheclaimstheChoosingsonlyanexcuseforalltheCraftmasterstositaroundsmokingpipes,drinkingale,andswappingtalesallday.Shesaystheyalreadyknowwhowillchoosewhichboy.Pugsaid,Fromwhatthe

otherwomensay,shesnot

aloneinthatopinion.ThenhegrinnedatTomas.Probablynotwrong,either.Tomaslosthissmile.She

trulydoesntlikeitwhenhesnotinthekitchentooverseethings.Ithinksheknowsthis,whichiswhyshetossedusoutofthekeepforthemorning,soshewouldnttakeouthertemperonus.Oratleastyou,headdedwitha

questioningsmile.Iswearyoureherfavorite.Pugsgrinreturnedandhe

laughedagain.Well,Idocauselesstrouble.Withaplayfulpunchtothe

arm,Tomassaid,Youmeanyougetcaughtlessoften.Pugpulledhisslingout

fromwithinhisshirt.Ifwecamebackwithabraceofpartridgeorquail,shemight

regainsomeofhergoodtemper.Tomassmiled.She

might,heagreed,takingouthisownsling.Bothboyswereexcellentslingers,Tomasbeingundoubtedchampionamongtheboys,edgingPugbyonlyalittle.Itwasunlikelyeithercouldbringdownabirdonthewing,butshouldtheyfindoneatrest,therewasafair

chancetheymighthitit.Besides,itwouldgivethemsomethingtodotopassthehoursandperhapsforatimeforgettheChoosing.Withexaggeratedstealth

theycreptalong,playingthepartofhunters.Tomasledthewayastheyleftthefootpath,headingforthewateringpooltheyknewlaynottoofardistant.Itwasimprobabletheywouldspotgamethis

timeofthedayunlesstheysimplyblunderedacrossit,butifanyweretobefound,itmostlikelywouldbenearthepool.ThewoodstothenortheastofthetownofCrydeewerelessforbiddingthanthegreatforesttothesouth.Manyyearsofharvestingtreesforlumberhadgiventhegreengladesasunlitairinessnotfoundinthedeephauntsofthe

southernforest.Thekeepboyshadoftenplayedhereovertheyears.Withsmallimagination,thewoodsweretransformedintoawondrousplace,agreenworldofhighadventure.Someofthegreatestdeedsknownhadtakenplacehere.Daringescapes,dreadquests,andmightilycontestedbattleshadbeenwitnessedbythesilenttreesastheboysgaveventto

theiryouthfuldreamsofcomingmanhood.Foulcreatures,mightymonsters,andbaseoutlawshadallbeenfoughtandvanquished,oftenaccompaniedbythedeathofagreathero,withappropriatelastwordstohismourningcompanions,allmanagedwithjustenoughtimelefttoreturntothekeepforsupper.Tomasreachedasmallrise

thatoverlookedthepool,

screenedoffbyyoungbeechsaplings,andpulledasidesomebrushsotheycouldmountavigil.Hestopped,awed,andsoftlysaid,Pug,look!Standingattheedgeofthepoolwasastag,headheldhighashesoughtthesourceofsomethingthatdisturbedhisdrinking.Hewasanoldanimal,thehairaroundhismuzzlenearlyallwhite,and

hisheadcrownedbymagnificentantlers.Pugcountedquickly.He

hasfourteenpoints.Tomasnoddedagreement.

Hemustbetheoldestbuckintheforest.Thestagturnedhisattentionintheboysdirection,flickinganearnervously.Theyfroze,notwishingtofrightenoffsuchabeautifulcreature.Foralong,silentminutethestagstudied

therise,nostrilsflaring,thenslowlyloweredhisheadtothepoolanddrank.TomasgrippedPugs

shoulderandinclinedhisheadtooneside.PugfollowedTomassmotionandsawafigurewalkingsilentlyintotheclearing.Hewasatallmandressedinleatherclothing,dyedforestgreen.Acrosshisbackhungalongbowandathisbelta

huntersknife.Hisgreencloakshoodwasthrownback,andhewalkedtowardthestagwithasteady,evenstep.Tomassaid,ItsMartin.Pugalsorecognizedthe

DukesHuntmaster.AnorphanlikePug,MartinhadcometobeknownasLongbowbythoseinthecastle,ashehadfewequalswiththatweapon.Something

ofamystery,MartinLongbowwasstillwelllikedbytheboys,forwhilehewasaloofwiththeadultsinthecastle,hewasalwaysfriendlyandaccessibletotheboys.AsHuntmaster,hewasalsotheDukesForester.Hisdutiesabsentedhimfromthecastlefordays,evenweeksatatime,ashekepthistrackersbusylookingforsignsofpoaching,possiblefire

dangers,migratinggoblins,oroutlawscampinginthewoods.Butwhenhewasinthecastle,andnotorganizingahuntfortheDuke,healwayshadtimefortheboys.HisdarkeyeswerealwaysmerrywhentheypesteredhimwithquestionsofwoodloreorfortalesofthelandsneartheboundariesofCrydee.Heseemedtopossessunendingpatience,whichset

himapartfrommostoftheCraftmastersinthetownandkeep.Martincameuptothestag,

gentlyreachedout,andtouchedhisneck.Thegreatheadswungup,andthestagnuzzledMartinsarm.SoftlyMartinsaid,Ifyouwalkoutslowly,withoutspeaking,hemightletyouapproach.PugandTomasexchanged

startledglances,thenstepped

intotheclearing.Theywalkedslowlyaroundtheedgeofthepool,thestagfollowingtheirmovementswithhishead,tremblingslightly.Martinpattedhimreassuringlyandhequieted.TomasandPugcametostandbesidethehunter,andMartinsaid,Reachoutandtouchhim,slowlysoasnottofrightenhim.

Tomasreachedoutfirst,andthestagtrembledbeneathhisfingers.Pugbegantoreachout,andthestagretreatedastep.MartincroonedtothestaginalanguagePughadneverheardbefore,andtheanimalstoodstill.Pugtouchedhimandmarveledatthefeelofhiscoatsolikethecuredhideshehadtouchedbefore,yetsodifferentforthefeeloflife

pulsingunderhisfingertips.Suddenlythestagbacked

offandturned.Then,withasingleboundingleap,hewasgoneamongthetrees.MartinLongbowchuckledandsaid,Justaswell.Itwouldntdotohavehimbecometoofriendlywithmen.Thoseantlerswouldquicklyendupoversomepoachersfireplace.

Tomaswhispered,Hesbeautiful,Martin.Longbownodded,hiseyes

stillfasteneduponthespotwherethestaghadvanishedintothewoods.Thatheis,Tomas.Pugsaid,Ithoughtyou

huntedstags,Martin.HowMartinsaid,Old

WhitebeardandIhavesomethingofanunderstanding,Pug.Ihunt

onlybachelorstags,withoutdoes,ordoestoooldtocalve.WhenWhitebeardloseshisharemtosomeyoungerbucksomeday,Imaytakehim.Noweachleavestheothertohisownway.ThedaywillcomewhenIwilllookathimdowntheshaftofanarrow.Hesmiledattheboys.IwontknowuntilthenifIshalllettheshaftfly.PerhapsIwill,perhapsnot.Hefell

silentforatime,asifthethoughtofWhitebeardsbecomingoldwassaddening,thenasalightbreezerustledthebranchessaid,Now,whatbringstwosuchboldhuntersintotheDukeswoodsintheearlymorning?TheremustbeathousandthingsleftundonewiththeMidsummerfestivalthisafternoon.

Tomasanswered.Mymothertossedusoutofthekitchen.Weweremoretroublethannot.WiththeChoosingtodayHisvoicediedaway,andhefeltsuddenlyembarrassed.MuchofMartinsmysteriousreputationstemmedfromwhenhefirstcametoCrydee.AthistimefortheChoosing,hehadbeenplaceddirectlywiththeoldHuntmasterby

theDuke,ratherthanstandingbeforetheassembledCraftmasterswiththeotherboyshisage.Thisviolationofoneoftheoldesttraditionsknownhadoffendedmanypeopleintown,thoughnonewoulddareopenlyexpresssuchfeelingstoLordBorric.Aswasnatural,Martinbecametheobjectoftheirire,ratherthantheDuke.OvertheyearsMartinhadmore

thanjustifiedLordBorricsdecision,butstillmostpeopleweretroubledbytheDukesspecialtreatmentofhimthatoneday.EvenaftertwelveyearssomepeoplestillregardedMartinLongbowasbeingdifferentand,assuch,worthyofdistrust.Tomassaid,Imsorry,

Martin.Martinnoddedin

acknowledgment,butwithout

humor.Iunderstand,Tomas.Imaynothavehadtoendureyouruncertainty,butIhaveseenmanyotherswaitforthedayofChoosing.AndforfouryearsImyselfhavestoodwiththeotherMasters,soIknowalittleofyourworry.AthoughtstruckPugand

heblurted,ButyourenotwiththeotherCraftmasters.

Martinshookhishead,aruefulexpressionplayingacrosshisevenfeatures.Ihadthoughtthat,inlightofyourworry,youmightfailtoobservetheobvious.Butyouveasharpwitaboutyou,Pug.Tomasdidntunderstand

whattheyweresayingforamoment,thencomprehensiondawned.Thenyoullselectnoapprentices!

Martinraisedafingertohislips.Notaword,lad.No,withyoungGarretchosenlastyear,Iveafullcompanyoftrackers.Tomaswasdisappointed.

HewishedmorethananythingtotakeservicewithSwordmasterFannon,butshouldhenotbechosenasasoldier,thenhewouldpreferthelifeofaforester,underMartin.Nowhissecond

choicewasdeniedhim.Afteramomentofdarkbrooding,hebrightened:perhapsMartindidntchoosehimbecauseFannonalreadyhad.Seeinghisfriendenteringa

cycleofelationanddepressionasheconsideredallthepossibilities,Pugsaid,Youhaventbeeninthekeepfornearlyamonth,Martin.Heputawaytheslinghestillheldandasked,

Wherehaveyoukeptyourself?MartinlookedatPugasthe

boyinstantlyregrettedhisquestion.AsfriendlyasMartincouldbe,hewasstillHuntmaster,amemberoftheDukeshousehold,andkeepboysdidnotmakeahabitofquestioningthecomingsandgoingsoftheDukesstaff.MartinrelievedPugs

embarrassmentwithaslight

smile.IvebeentoElvandar.QueenAglarannahasendedhertwentyyearsofmourningthedeathofherhusband,theElfKing.Therewasagreatcelebration.Pugwassurprisedbythe

answer.Tohim,astomostpeopleinCrydee,theelveswerelittlemorethanlegend.ButMartinhadspenthisyouthneartheelvenforestsandwasoneofthefew

humanstocomeandgothroughthoseforeststothenorthatwill.ItwasanotherthingthatsetMartinLongbowapartfromothers.WhileMartinhadsharedelvishlorewiththeboysbefore,thiswasthefirsttimeinPugsmemoryhehadspokenofhisrelationshiptotheelves.Pugstammered,YoufeastedwiththeElfQueen?

Martinassumedaposeofmodestinconsequence.Well,Isatatthetablefarthestfromthethrone,butyes;Iwasthere.Seeingtheunaskedquestionsintheireyes,hecontinued.YouknowasaboyIwasraisedbythemonksofSilbansAbbey,neartheelvenforest.Iplayedwithelvenchildren,andbeforeIcamehere,Ihunted

withPrinceCalinandhiscousin,Galain.Tomasnearlyjumpedwith

excitement.Elveswereasubjectholdingparticularfascinationforhim.DidyouknowKingAidan?Martinsexpression

clouded,andhiseyesnarrowed,hismannersuddenlybecomingstiff.TomassawMartinsreaction

andsaid,Imsorry,Martin.DidIsaysomethingwrong?Martinwavedawaythe

apology.Nofaultofyours,Tomas,hesaid,hismannersofteningsomewhat.TheelvesdonotusethenamesofthosewhohavegonetotheBlessedIsles,especiallythosewhohavedieduntimely.Theybelievetodosorecallsthosespokenoffromtheirjourneythere,denyingthem

theirfinalrest.Irespecttheirbeliefs.Well,toansweryou,no,I

nevermethim.HewaskilledwhenIwasonlyasmallboy.ButIhaveheardthestoriesofhisdeeds,andhewasagoodandwiseKingbyallaccounts.Martinlookedabout.Itapproachesnoon.Weshouldreturntothekeep.

Hebegantowalktowardthepath,andtheboysfellinbesidehim.Whatwasthefeastlike,

Martin?askedTomas.Pugsighedasthehunter

begantospeakofthemarvelsofElvandar.Hewasalsofascinatedbytalesoftheelves,buttonowherenearthedegreeTomaswas.Tomascouldendurehoursoftalesofthepeopleoftheelven

forests,regardlessofthespeakerscredibility.Atleast,Pugconsidered,intheHuntmastertheyhadadependableeyewitness.Martinsvoicedronedon,andPugsattentionwandered,asheagainfoundhimselfponderingtheChoosing.Nomatterthathetoldhimselfworrywasuseless:heworried.Hefoundhewasfacingtheapproachingofthis

afternoonwithsomethingakintodread.

Theboysstoodinthecourtyard.ItwasMidsummer,thedaythatendedoneyearandmarkedthebeginningofanother.Todayeveryoneinthecastlewouldbecountedoneyearolder.Forthemillingboysthiswassignificant,fortodaywasthelastdayoftheir

boyhood.TodaywastheChoosing.Pugtuggedatthecollarof

hisnewtunic.Itwasntreallynew,beingoneofTomassoldones,butitwasthenewestPughadeverowned.Magya,Tomassmother,hadtakenitinforthesmallerboy,toensurehewaspresentablebeforetheDukeandhiscourt.Magyaandherhusband,Megarthecook,

wereasclosetobeingparentstotheorphanasanyoneinthekeep.Theytendedhisills,sawthathewasfed,andboxedhisearswhenhedeservedit.TheyalsolovedhimasifhewereTomassbrother.Puglookedaround.The

otherboysallworetheirbest,forthiswasoneofthemostimportantdaysoftheiryounglives.Eachwouldstand

beforetheassembledCraftmastersandmembersoftheDukesstaff,andeachwouldbeconsideredforanapprenticespost.Itwasaritual,itsoriginslostintime,forthechoiceshadalreadybeenmade.ThecraftersandtheDukesstaffhadspentmanyhoursdiscussingeachboysmeritswithoneanotherandknewwhichboystheywouldcall.

Thepracticeofhavingtheboysbetweeneightandthirteenyearsofageworkinthecraftsandserviceshadprovedawisecourseovertheyearsinfittingthebestsuitedtoeachcraft.Inaddition,itprovidedapoolofsemiskilledindividualsfortheothercraftsshouldtheneedarise.Thedrawbacktothesystemwasthatcertainboyswerenotchosenfora

craftorstaffposition.Occasionallytherewouldbetoomanyboysforasingleposition,ornoladjudgedfiteventhoughtherewasanopening.Evenwhenthenumberofboysandopeningsseemedwellmatched,asitdidthisyear,therewerenoguarantees.Forthosewhostoodindoubt,itwasananxioustime.

Pugscuffedhisbarefeetabsentlyinthedust.UnlikeTomas,whoseemedtodowellatanythinghetried,Pugwasoftenguiltyoftryingtoohardandbunglinghistasks.Helookedaroundandnoticedthatafewoftheotherboysalsoshowedsignsoftension.Somewerejokingroughly,pretendingnoconcernoverwhethertheywerechosenornot.OthersstoodlikePug,

lostintheirthoughts,tryingnottodwellonwhattheywoulddoshouldtheynotbechosen.Ifhewasnotchosen,Pug

liketheotherswouldbefreetoleaveCrydeetotrytofindacraftinanothertownorcity.Ifhestayed,hewouldhavetoeitherfarmtheDukeslandasafranklin,orworkoneofthetownsfishingboats.Bothprospects

wereequallyunattractive,buthecouldntimagineleavingCrydee.Pugrememberedwhat

Megarhadtoldhim,thenightbefore.TheoldcookhadcautionedhimaboutfrettingtoomuchovertheChoosing.Afterall,hehadpointedout,thereweremanyapprenticeswhoneveradvancedtotherankofjourneyman,andwhenallthingsweretaken

intoaccount,thereweremoremenwithoutcraftinCrydeethanwith.Megarhadglossedoverthefactthatmanyfishersandfarmerssonsforsookthechoosing,electingtofollowtheirfathers.PugwonderedifMegarwassoremovedfromhisownChoosinghecouldntrememberthattheboyswhowerenotchosenwouldstandbeforetheassembled

companyofCraftmasters,householders,andnewlychosenapprentices,undertheirgazeuntilthelastnamewascalledandtheyweredismissedinshame.Bitinghislowerlip,Pug

triedtohidehisnervousness.HewasnotthesorttojumpfromtheheightsofSailorsGriefshouldhenotbechosen,assomehaddoneinthepast,buthecouldntbear

theideaoffacingthosewhohadbeenchosen.Tomas,whostoodnextto

hisshorterfriend,threwPugasmile.HeknewPugwasfretting,butcouldnotfeelentirelysympatheticashisownexcitementmounted.HisfatherhadadmittedthathewouldbethefirstcalledbySwordmasterFannon.Moreover,theSwordmasterhadconfidedthatshould

Tomasdowellintraining,hemightbefoundaplaceintheDukespersonalguard.ItwouldbeasignalhonorandwouldimproveTomasschanceforadvancement,evenearninghimanofficersrankafterfifteenortwentyyearsintheguard.HepokedPugintheribs

withanelbow,fortheDukesheraldhadcomeoutuponthebalconyoverlookingthe

courtyard.Theheraldsignaledtoaguard,whoopenedthesmalldoorinthegreatgate,andtheCraftmastersentered.Theycrossedtostandatthefootofthebroadstairsofthekeep.Aswastraditional,theystoodwiththeirbackstotheboys,waitingupontheDuke.Thelargeoakendoorsof

thekeepbegantoswingoutponderously,andseveral

guardsintheDukesbrownandgolddartedthroughtotakeuptheirpositionsonthesteps.UponeachtabardwasemblazonedthegoldengullofCrydee,andabovethatasmallgoldencrown,markingtheDukeamemberoftheroyalfamily.Theheraldshouted,

Hearkentome!HisGrace,BorricconDoin,thirdDukeofCrydee,Princeofthe

Kingdom;LordofCrydee,Carse,andTulan;WardenoftheWest;Knight-GeneraloftheKingsArmies;heirpresumptivetothethroneofRillanon.TheDukestoodpatientlywhilethelistofofficeswascompleted,thensteppedforwardintothesunlight.Pastfifty,theDukeof

Crydeestillmovedwiththefluidgraceandpowerfulstep

ofabornwarrior.Exceptforthegreyatthetemplesofhisdarkbrownhair,helookedyoungerthanhisagebytwentyyears.Hewasdressedfromnecktobootinblack,ashehadbeenforthelastsevenyears,forhestillmournedthelossofhisbelovedwife,Catherine.Athissidehungablack-scabbardedswordwithasilverhilt,anduponhishandhisducalsignetring,the

onlyornamentationhepermittedhimself.Theheraldraisedhisvoice.

TheirRoyalHighnesses,thePrincesLyamconDoinandAruthaconDoin,heirstotheHouseofCrydee;Knight-CaptainsoftheKingsArmyoftheWest;PrincesoftheroyalhouseofRillanon.Bothsonssteppedforward

tostandbehindtheirfather.Thetwoyoungmenweresix

andfouryearsolderthantheapprentices,theDukehavingwedlate,butthedifferencebetweentheawkwardcandidatesforapprenticeshipandthesonsoftheDukewasmuchmorethanafewyearsinage.BothPrincesappearedcalmandself-possessed.Lyam,theolder,stoodon

hisfathersright,ablond,powerfullybuiltman.Hisopensmilewastheimageof

hismothers,andhelookedalwaysonthevergeoflaughter.Hewasdressedinabrightbluetunicandyellowleggingsandworeacloselytrimmedbeard,asblondashisshoulder-lengthhair.Aruthawastoshadowsand

nightasLyamwastolightandday.Hestoodnearlyastallashisbrotherandfather,butwhiletheywerepowerfullybuilt,hewas

rangytothepointofgauntness.Heworeabrowntunicandrussetleggings.Hishairwasdarkandhisfaceclean-shaven.EverythingaboutAruthagaveonethefeelingofquickness.Hisstrengthwasinhisspeed:speedwiththerapier,speedwithwit.Hishumorwasdryandoftensharp.WhileLyamwasopenlylovedbytheDukessubjects,Aruthawas

respectedandadmiredforhisability,butnotregardedwithwarmthbythepeople.Togetherthetwosons

seemedtocapturemostofthecomplexnatureoftheirsire,fortheDukewascapableofbothLyamsrobusthumorandAruthasdarkmoods.Theywerenearlyoppositesintemperament,butbothcapablemenwhowouldbenefittheDuchyand

Kingdominyearstocome.TheDukelovedbothhissons.Theheraldagainspoke.

ThePrincessCarline,daughteroftheroyalhouse.Theslimandgracefulgirl

whomadeherentrancewasthesameageastheboyswhostoodbelow,butalreadybeginningtoshowthepoiseandgraceofoneborntoruleandthebeautyofherlate

mother.Hersoftyellowgowncontrastedstrikinglywithhernearlyblackhair.HereyeswereLyamsblue,astheirmothershadbeen,andLyambeamedwhenhissistertooktheirfathersarm.EvenAruthaventuredoneofhisrarehalfsmiles,forhissisterwasdeartohimalso.Manyboysinthekeep

harboredasecretloveforthePrincess,afactsheoften

turnedtoheradvantagewhentherewasmischiefafoot.Butevenherpresencecouldnotdrivethedaysbusinessfromtheirminds.TheDukescourtthen

entered.PugandTomascouldseethatallthemembersoftheDukesstaffwerepresent,includingKulgan.Pughadglimpsedhiminthecastlefromtimetotimesincethenightofthe

storm,andtheyhadexchangedwordsonce,Kulganinquiringastohiswell-being,butmostlythemagicianwasabsentfromsight.Pugwasalittlesurprisedtoseethemagician,forhewasnotproperlyconsideredafullmemberoftheDukeshousehold,butratherasometimeadviser.MostofthetimeKulganwasensconcedinhistower,

hiddenfromviewashedidwhatevermagiciansdoinsuchplaces.Themagicianwasdeepin

conversationwithFatherTully,apriestofAstalontheBuilderandoneoftheDukesoldestaides.TullyhadbeenadvisertotheDukesfatherandhadseemedoldthen.HenowappearedancientatleasttoPugsyouthfulperspectivebuthiseyes

betrayednosignofsenility.Manyakeepboyhadbeenimpaleduponthepointedgazeofthosecleargreyeyes.Hiswitandtonguewereequallyyouthful,andmorethanonceakeepboyhadwishedforasessionwithHorsemasterAlgonsleatherstrapratherthanatongue-lashingfromFatherTully.Thewhite-hairedpriestcouldnearlystriptheskinfroma

miscreantsbackwithhiscausticwords.Nearbystoodonewhohad

experiencedTullyswrathuponoccasion,SquireRoland,sonofBaronTolburtofTulan,oneoftheDukesvassals.HewascompaniontobothPrinces,beingtheonlyotherboyofnoblebirthinthekeep.HisfatherhadsenthimtoCrydeetheyearbefore,tolearnsomethingofthe

managementoftheDuchyandthewaysoftheDukescourt.IntheratherroughfrontiercourtRolanddiscoveredahomeawayfromhome.Hewasalreadysomethingofaroguewhenhearrived,buthisinfectioussenseofhumorandreadywitofteneasedmuchoftheangerthatresultedfromhisprankishways.ItwasRoland,moreoftenthannot,whowas

PrincessCarlinesaccompliceinwhatevermischiefshewasembarkedupon.Withlightbrownhairandblueeyes,Rolandstoodtallforhisage.Hewasayearolderthanthegatheredboysandhadplayedoftenwiththemoverthelastyear,asLyamandAruthawerefrequentlybusywithcourtduties.Tomasandhehadbeenboyishrivalsatfirst,thenfastfriends,withPug

becominghisfriendbydefault,becausewhereTomaswas,Pugwascertaintobenearby.RolandsawPugfidgetingneartheedgeoftheassembledboysandgavehimaslightnodandwink.Puggrinnedbriefly,forwhilehewasasoftenthebuttofRolandsjokesasanyother,hestillfoundhimselflikingthewildyoungSquire.

Afterallhiscourtwasinattendance,theDukespoke.YesterdaywasthelastdayoftheeleventhyearofthereignofourLordKing,RodrictheFourth.TodayistheFestivalofBanapis.ThefollowingdaywillfindtheseboysgatheredherecountedamongthemenofCrydee,boysnolonger,butapprenticesandfreemen.Atthistimeitisproperformeto

inquireifanyamongyouwishestobereleasedfromservicetotheDuchy.Arethereanyamongyouwhosowish?Thequestionwasformalinnatureandnoresponsewasexpected,forfeweverwishedtoleaveCrydee.Butoneboydidstepforward.Theheraldasked,Who

seeksreleaseofhisservice?

Theboylookeddown,clearlynervous.Clearinghisthroat,hesaid,IamRobert,sonofHugen.Pugknewhim,butnotwell.Hewasanetmendersson,atownboy,andtheyrarelymixedwiththekeepboys.Pughadplayedwithhimuponafewoccasionsandhadasensetheladwaswellregarded.Itwasararethingtorefuseservice,andPugwasascuriousas

anytohearthereasons.TheDukespokekindly.

Whatisyourpurpose,Robert,sonofHugen?Yourgrace,myfatheris

unabletotakemeintohiscraft,formyfourbrothersarewellabletoascendtothecraftasjourneymenandmastersafterhim,asaremanyothernetmenderssons.Myeldestbrotherisnowmarriedandhasasonofhis

own,somyfamilynolongerhasroomformeinthehouse.IfImaynotstaywithmyfamilyandpracticemyfatherscraft,Ibegyourgracesleavetotakeserviceasasailor.TheDukeconsideredthe

matter.Robertwasnotthefirstvillageboytobecalledbythelureofthesea.Haveyoufoundamasterwillingtotakeyouintohiscompany?

Yes,YourGrace.CaptainGregson,masteroftheshipGreenDeepfromMargravesPortiswilling.Iknowthisman,saidthe

Duke.Smilingslightlyhesaid,Heisagoodandfairman.Irecommendyouintohisserviceandwishyouwellinyourtravels.YouwillbewelcomedatCrydeewheneveryoureturnwithyourship.

Robertbowed,alittlestiffly,andleftthecourtyard,hispartintheChoosingdone.PugwonderedatRobertsadventuresomechoice.Inlessthanaminutetheboyhadrenouncedhistieswithhisfamilyandhomeandwasnowacitizenofacityhehadneverseen.Itwascustomthatasailorwasconsideredtoowehisloyaltytothecitythatwashisshipshomeport.

MargravesPortwasoneoftheFreeCitiesofNatal,ontheBitterSea,andwasnowRobertshome.TheDukeindicatedthe

heraldshouldcontinue.Theheraldannouncedthe

firstoftheCraftmasters,SailmakerHolm,whocalledthenamesofthreeboys.Allthreetookservice,andnoneseemeddispleased.TheChoosingwentsmoothly,as

noboyrefusedservice.Eachboywenttostandnexttohisnewmaster.Astheafternoonworeon

andthenumberofboysdiminished,Pugbecamemoreandmoreuncomfortable.SoontherewereonlytwoboysbesidesPugandTomasstandinginthecenterofthecourt.AlltheCraftmastershadcalledtheirapprentices,andonlytwoof

theDukeshouseholdstaffbesidetheSwordmasterhadnotbeenheardfrom.Pugstudiedthegrouponthetopofthesteps,hisheartpoundingwithanxiety.ThetwoPrincesregardedtheboys,Lyamwithafriendlysmile,Aruthabroodingonsomethoughtoranother.ThePrincessCarlinewasboredbytheentireaffairandtooklittlepainstohidethefact,as

shewaswhisperingtoRoland.ThisbroughtadisapprovinglookfromLadyMarna,hergoverness.HorsemasterAlgoncame

forth,hisbrown-and-goldentabardbearingasmallhorseheadembroideredoverhisleftbreast.TheHorsemastercalledthenameofRulf,sonofDick,andthestockysonoftheDukesstablemanwalkedoverto

standbehindthemaster.Whenheturned,hesmiledcondescendinglyatPug.Thetwoboyshadnevergottenalong,thepock-scarredboyspendingmanyhourstauntingandtormentingPug.WhiletheybothworkedinthestableunderDick,thestablemanhadlookedtheotherwaywheneverhissonsprangatraponPug,andtheorphanwasalwaysheldresponsible

foranydifficultythatarose.IthadbeenaterribleperiodforPug,andtheboyhadvowedtorefuseserviceratherthanfacetheprospectofworkingnexttoRulftherestofhislife.HousecarlSamuelcalled

theotherboy,Geoffry,whowouldbecomeamemberofthecastlesservingstaff,leavingPugandTomasstandingalone.Swordmaster

Fannonthensteppedforward,andPugfelthisheartstandstillastheoldsoldiercalled,Tomas,sonofMegar.Therewasapause,and

Pugwaitedtohearhisownnamecalled,butFannonsteppedbackandTomascrossedovertostandalongsidehim.Pugfeltdwarfedbythegazeofalluponhim.Thecourtyardwasnowlargerthanhehadever

rememberedit,andhefeltillfashionedandpoorlydressed.HisheartsankinhischestasherealizedthattherewasnoCraftmasterorstaffmemberpresentwhohadnottakenanapprentice.Hewouldbetheonlyboyuncalled.Fightingbacktears,hewaitedfortheDuketodismissthecompany.AstheDukestartedto

speak,sympathyfortheboyshowingclearlyinhisface,

hewasinterruptedbyanothervoice.YourGrace,ifyouwouldbesokind.Alleyesturnedtosee

Kulganthemagicianstepforward.IhaveneedofanapprenticeandwouldcallPug,orphanofthekeep,toservice.Awaveofmurmuring

sweptthroughtheassembledCraftmasters.Afewvoicescouldbeheardsayingit

wasntproperforamagiciantoparticipateintheChoosing.TheDukesilencedthemwithasweepofhisgaze,hisfacestern.NoCraftmasterwouldchallengetheDukeofCrydee,thethird-rankingnobleintheKingdom,overthestandingofoneboy.Slowlyalleyesreturnedtoregardtheboy.TheDukesaid,AsKulgan

isarecognizedmasterofhis

craft,itishisrighttochoose.Pug,orphanofthekeep,willyoutakeservice?Pugstoodrigid.HehadimaginedhimselfleadingtheKingsarmyintobattleasaKnight-Lieutenant,ordiscoveringsomedayhewasthelostsonofnobility.Inhisboyishimaginingshehadsailedships,huntedgreatmonsters,andsavedthenation.Inquietermomentsofreflection

hehadwonderedifhewouldspendhislifebuildingships,makingpottery,orlearningthetradersskill,andspeculatedonhowwellhewoulddoineachofthosecrafts.Buttheonethingheneverthoughtof,theonedreamthathadnevercapturedhisfantasies,wasthatofbecomingamagician.Hesnappedoutofhis

shockedstate,awarethe

Dukepatientlyawaitedhisresponse.Helookedatthefacesofthosebeforehim.FatherTullygavehimoneofhisraresmiles,asdidPrinceArutha.PrinceLyamnoddedaslightyes,andKulganregardedhimintently.Thereweresignsofworryuponthemagiciansface,andsuddenlyPugdecided.Itmightnotbeanentirelypropercalling,butanycraft

wasbetterthannone.Hesteppedforwardandcaughthisownheelwithhisotherfoot,andlandedfacedowninthedust.Pickinghimselfup,hehalfscrambled,halfrantothemagiciansside.Themisstepbrokethetension,andtheDukesboominglaughterfilledthecourtyard.Flushingwithembarrassment,PugstoodbehindKulgan.Helookedaroundthebroadgirth

ofhisnewmasterandfoundtheDukewatching,hisexpressiontemperedbyakindnodattheblushingPug.TheDuketurnedbacktothosewhostoodwaitingfortheChoosingtoend.Ideclarethateachboy

presentisnowthechargeofhismaster,toobeyhiminallmatterswithinthelawsoftheKingdom,andeachshallbejudgedatrueandproperman

ofCrydee.Lettheapprenticesattendtheirmasters.Untilthefeasting,Ibidyouallgoodday.Heturnedandpresentedhisleftarmtohisdaughter.Sheplacedherhandlightlyuponitandtheypassedintothekeepbetweentheranksofthecourtiers,whodrewaside.ThetwoPrincesfollowed,andtheothersofthecourt.PugsawTomasleaveinthedirection

oftheguardbarracks,behindMasterFannon.Heturnedhisattention

backtoKulgan,whowasstandinglostinthought.Afteramomentthemagiciansaid,Itrustneitherofushasmadeamistakethisday.Sir?Pugasked,not

understandingthemagiciansmeaning.Kulganwavedonehandabsently,causinghispaleyellowrobetomovelike

wavesripplingoverthesea.Itisnomatter,boy.Whatsdoneisdone.Letusmakethebestofthings.Heplacedhishandonthe

boysshoulder.Come,letusretiretothetowerwhereIreside.Thereisasmallroombelowmyownthatshoulddoforyou.Ihadintendeditforsomeprojectoranother,buthavenevermanagedtofindthetimetoprepareit.

Pugstoodinawe.Aroomofmyown?Suchathingforanapprenticewasunheardof.Mostapprenticessleptintheworkroomsoftheirmaster,orprotectedherds,orthelike.Onlywhenanapprenticebecameajourneymanwasitusualforhimtotakeprivatequarters.Kulganarchedonebushy

eyebrow.Ofcourse.Canthaveyouunderfootallthe

time.Iwouldnevergetanythingdone.Besides,magicrequiressolitudeforcontemplation.YouwillneedtobeuntroubledasmuchasorperhapsmorethanIwill.Hetookouthislong,thinpipefromafoldofhisrobeandstartedtostuffitfulloftabacfromapouchthathadalsocomefromwithintherobe.

Letsnotbotherwithtoomuchdiscussionofdutiesandsuch,boy.Forintruth,Iamnotpreparedforyou.ButinshortorderIwillhavethingswellinhand.Untilthenwecanusethetimebybecomingacquaintedwithoneanother.Agreed?Pugwasstartled.Hehadlittlenotionofwhatamagicianwasabout,inspiteofthenightspentwithKulganweeksago,buthe

readilyknewwhatCraftmasterswerelike,andnonewouldhavethoughttoinquirewhetherornotanapprenticeagreedwithhisplans.Notknowingwhattosay,Pugjustnodded.Good,then,saidKulgan,

letusbeofftothetowertofindyousomenewclothes,andthenwewillspendthebalanceofthedayfeasting.Latertherewillbeampletime

tolearnhowtobemasterandapprentice.Withasmilefortheboy,thestoutmagicianturnedPugaroundandledhimaway.

Thelateafternoonwasclearandbright,withagentlebreezefromtheseacoolingthesummerheat.ThroughoutthekeepofCastleCrydee,andthetownbelow,

preparationsfortheFestivalofBanapiswereinprogress.Banapiswastheoldest

knownholiday,itsoriginslostinantiquity.ItwasheldeachMidsummersDay,adaybelongingtoneitherthepastnorthecomingyear.Banapis,knownbyothernamesinothernations,wascelebratedovertheentireworldofMidkemiaaccordingtolegend.Itwasbelievedby

somethatthefestivalwasborrowedfromtheelvesanddwarves,forthelong-livedracesweresaidtohavecelebratedthefeastofMidsummerasfarbackasthememoryofbothracescouldrecall.Mostauthoritiesdisputedthisallegation,citingnoreasonotherthantheunlikelihoodofhumansborrowinganythingfromtheelvenordwarvenfolk.Itwas

rumoredthateventhedenizensoftheNorthlands,thegoblintribesandtheclansoftheBrotherhoodoftheDarkPath,celebratedBanapis,thoughnoonehadeverreportedseeingsuchacelebration.Thecourtyardwasbusy.

Hugetableshadbeenerectedtoholdthemyriadvarietiesoffoodsthathadbeeninpreparationforoveraweek.

Giantbarrelsofdwarvenale,importedfromStoneMountain,hadbeenhauledoutofthecellarsandwererestingonprotesting,overburdenedwoodframes.Theworkmen,alarmedatthefragileappearanceofthebarrelricks,werequicklyemptyingsomeofthecontents.Megarcameoutofthekitchenandangrilyshooedthemaway.Leave

off,therewillbenoneleftfortheeveningmealatthisrate!Backtothekitchen,dolts!Thereismuchworktobedoneyet.Theworkerswentoff,

grumbling,andMegarfilledatankardtoensurethealewasatpropertemperature.Afterhedraineditdryandsatisfiedhimselfthatallwasasitshouldbe,hereturnedtothekitchen.

Therewasnoformalbeginningtothefeast.Traditionally,peopleandfood,wineandale,allaccumulateduntiltheyreachedacertaindensity,thenallatoncethefestivitieswouldbeinfullswing.Pugranfromthekitchen.

Hisroominthenorthmosttower,themagicianstowerasithadbecomeknown,providedhimwithashortcut

throughthekitchen,whichheusedratherthanthemaindoorsofthekeep.Hebeamedashespedacrossthecourtyardinhisnewtunicandtrousers.HehadneverwornsuchfineryandwasinahurrytoshowhisfriendTomas.HefoundTomasleaving

thesoldierscommons,nearlyasmuchinahurryasPug.

Whenthetwomet,theybothspokeatonce.Lookatthenewtunic

saidPug.Lookatmysoldiers

tabardsaidTomas.Bothstoppedandbroke

intolaughter.Tomasregainedhis

composurefirst.Thoseareveryfineclothes,Pug,hesaid,fingeringtheexpensive

materialofPugsredtunic.Andthecolorsuitsyou.Pugreturnedthe

compliment,forTomasdidcutastrikingfigureinhisbrown-and-goldtabard.Itwasoflittleconsequencethatheworehisregularhomespuntunicandtrouserunderneath.HewouldnotreceiveasoldiersuniformuntilMasterFannonwassatisfiedwithhisworthinessasaman-at-arms.

Thetwofriendswanderedfromoneheavilyladentabletoanother.Pugsmouthwateredfromtherichfragrancesintheair.Theycametoatableheapedwithmeatpies,steamrisingfromtheirhotcrusts,pungentcheeses,andhotbread.Atthetableayoungkitchenboywasstationedwithashoo-fly.Hisjobwastokeeppestsfromthefood,whetherofthe

insectvarietyorthechronicallyhungryapprenticevariety.Likemostothersituationsinvolvingboys,therelationshipbetweenthisguardianofthefeastandtheolderapprenticeswascloselyboundbytradition.Itwasconsideredill-manneredandinpoortastemerelytothreatenorbullythesmallerboyintopartingwithfoodbeforethestartofthefeast.

Butitwasconsideredfairtouseguile,stealth,orspeedingainingaprizefromthetable.PugandTomasobserved

withinterestastheboy,namedJon,deliveredawickedwhacktothehandofoneyoungapprenticeseekingtosnagalargepie.Withanodofhishead,TomassentPugtothefarsideofthetable.PugambledacrossJonsfieldofvision,andthe

boywatchedhimcarefully.Pugmovedabruptly,afeinttowardthetable,andJonleanedinhisdirection.ThensuddenlyTomassnatchedapuff-pastryfromthetableandwasgonebeforetheshoo-flylashbegantodescend.Astheyranfromthetable,PugandTomascouldhearthedistressedcriesoftheboywhosetabletheyhadplundered.

TomasgavePughalfthepiewhentheyweresafelyaway,andthesmallerapprenticelaughed.Yourethequickesthandinthecastle,Ibet.OryoungJonwasslowof

eyeforkeepingitonyou.Theysharedalaugh.Pug

poppedhishalfofthepieintohismouth.Itwasdelicatelyseasoned,andthecontrastbetweenthesaltyporkfilling

andthesweetpuff-pastrycrustwasdelicious.Thesoundofpipesand

drumscamefromthesidecourtyardastheDukesmusiciansapproachedthemaincourtyard.Bythetimetheyhademergedaroundthekeep,asilentmessageseemedtopassthroughthecrowd.Suddenlythekitchenboyswerebusyhandingoutwoodenplattersforthe

celebrantstoheapfoodupon,andmugsofaleandwinewerebeingdrawnfromthebarrels.Theboysdashedtoaplace

inlineatthefirsttable.PugandTomasusedtheirsizeandquicknesstogoodadvantage,dartingthroughthethrong,snaggingfoodofeverydescriptionandalargemugoffoamyaleeach.

Theyfoundarelativelyquietcornerandfelltowithravenoushunger.Pugtastedhisfirstdrinkofaleandwassurprisedattherobust,slightlybittertaste.Itseemedtowarmhimasitwentdown,andafteranotherexperimentaltastehedecidedthathelikedit.PugcouldseetheDuke

andhisfamilyminglingwiththecommonfolk.Other

membersofhiscourtcouldalsobeseenstandinginlinebeforethetables.Therewasnoceremony,ritual,orrankobservedthisafternoon.Eachwasservedashearrived,forMidsummersDaywasthetimewhenallwouldequallyshareinthebountiesoftheharvest.Pugcaughtaglimpseof

thePrincessandfelthischesttightenalittle.Shelooked

radiantasmanyoftheboysinthecourtyardcomplimentedheronherappearance.Sheworealovelygownofdeepblueandasimple,broad-brimmedhatofthesamecolor.Shethankedeachauthorofaflatteringremarkandusedherdarkeyelashesandbrightsmiletogoodadvantage,leavingawakeofinfatuatedboysbehind.

Jugglersandclownsmadetheirappearanceinthecourtyard,thefirstofmanygroupsoftravelingperformerswhowereinthetownforthefestival.Theactorsofanothercompanyhadsetupastageinthetownsquareandwouldgiveaperformanceintheevening.Untiltheearlyhoursofthenextmorningthefestivitieswouldcontinue.Pugknew

thatmanyoftheboystheyearbeforehadtobeexcuseddutythedayfollowingBanapis,fortheirheadsandstomachswereinnoconditionforhonestwork.Hewassurethatscenewouldberepeatedtomorrow.Puglookedforwardtothe

evening,foritwasthecustomfornewapprenticestovisitmanyofthehousesinthetown,receiving

congratulationsandmugsofale.Itwasalsoaripetimeformeetingthetowngirls.Whiledalliancewasnotunknown,itwasfrownedupon.ButmotherstendedtobelessvigilantduringBanapis.Nowthattheboyshadcrafts,theywereviewedlessasbothersomepestsandmoreaspotentialsons-in-law,andtherehadbeenmorethanonecaseofamotherlookingthe

otherwaywhileadaughterusedhernaturalgiftstosnareayounghusband.Pug,beingofsmallstatureandyouthfulappearance,gotlittlenoticefromthegirlsofthekeep.Tomas,however,wasmoreandmoretheobjectofgirlishflirtationashegrewinsizeandgoodlooks,andlatelyPughadbeguntobeawarethathisfriendwasbeingsizedupbyoneoranotherof

thecastlegirls.Pugwasstillyoungenoughtothinkthewholethingsilly,butoldenoughtobefascinatedbyit.Pugchewedanimprobable

mouthfulandlookedaround.Peoplefromthetownandkeeppassed,offeringcongratulationsontheboysapprenticeshipandwishingthemagoodnewyear.Pugfeltadeepsenseofrightnessabouteverything.Hewasan

apprentice,evenifKulganseemedcompletelyunsureofwhattodowithhim.Hewaswellfed,andonhiswaytobeingslightlyintoxicatedwhichcontributedtohissenseofwell-being.And,mostimportant,hewasamongfriends.Therecantbemuchmoretolifethanthis,hethought.

CHAPTERTHREE

Keep

PUGSATSULKINGONHISSLEEPINGPALLET.Fantusthefiredrakepushed

hisheadforward,invitingPugtoscratchhimbehindhiseyeridges.Seeingthathewouldgetlittlesatisfaction,thedrakemadehiswaytothetowerwindowandwithasnortofdispleasure,completewithasmallpuffofblacksmoke,launchedhimselfinflight.Pugdidntnoticethe

creaturesleaving,soengrossedwasheinhisownworldoftroubles.SincehehadtakenonthepositionofKulgansapprenticefourteenmonthsago,everythinghehaddoneseemedtogowrong.Helaybackonthepallet,

coveringhiseyeswithaforearm;hecouldsmellthesaltyseabreezethatblewinthroughhiswindowandfeel

thesunswarmthacrosshislegs.Everythinginhislifehadtakenaturnforthebettersincehisapprenticeship,exceptthesinglemostimportantthing,hisstudies.FormonthsKulganhad

beenlaboringtoteachhimthefundamentalsofthemagiciansarts,buttherewasalwayssomethingthatcausedhiseffortstogoawry.Inthetheoriesofspellcasting,Pug

wasaquickstudy,graspingthebasicconceptswell.Buteachtimeheattemptedtousehisknowledge,somethingseemedtoholdhimback.Itwasasifapartofhismindrefusedtofollowthroughwiththemagic,asifablockexistedthatpreventedhimfrompassingacertainpointinthespell.Eachtimehetriedhecouldfeelhimselfapproachthatpoint,andlike

ariderofabalkyhorse,hecouldntseemtoforcehimselfoverthehurdle.Kulgandismissedhis

worries,sayingthatitwouldallsortitselfoutintime.Thestoutmagicianwasalwayssympatheticwiththeboy,neverreprimandinghimfornotdoingbetter,forheknewtheboywastrying.Pugwasbroughtoutofhis

reveriebysomeonesopening

thedoor.Lookingup,hesawFatherTullyentering,alargebookunderhisarm.Theclericswhiterobesrustledasheclosedthedoor.Pugsatup.Pug,itstimeforyour

writinglessonHestoppedhimselfwhenhesawthedowncastexpressionoftheboy.Whatsthematter,lad?

PughadcometoliketheoldpriestofAstalon.Hewasastrictmaster,butafairone.Hewouldpraisetheboyforhissuccessasoftenasscoldhimforhisfailures.Hehadaquickmindandasenseofhumorandwasopentoquestions,nomatterhowstupidPugthoughttheymightsound.Comingtohisfeet,Pug

sighed.Idontknow,Father.

Itsjustthatthingsdontseemtobegoingright.EverythingItryImanagetomakeamessof.Pug,itcantbeallblack,

thepriestsaid,placingahandonPugsshoulder.Whydontyoutellmewhatistroublingyou,andwecanpracticewritingsomeothertime.Hemovedtoastoolbythewindowandadjustedhisrobesaroundhimashesat.

Asheplacedthelargebookathisfeet,hestudiedtheboy.Pughadgrownoverthe

lastyear,butwasstillsmall.Hisshoulderswerebeginningtobroadenabit,andhisfacewasshowingsignsofthemanhewouldsomedaybe.Hewasadejectedfigureinhishomespuntunicandtrousers,hismoodasgreyasthematerialhewore.Hisroom,whichwasusuallyneatand

orderly,wasamessofscrollsandbooks,reflectingthedisorderinhismind.Pugsatquietlyfora

moment,butwhenthepriestsaidnothing,startedtospeak.DoyouremembermytellingyouthatKulganwastryingtoteachmethethreebasiccantripstocalmthemind,sothattheworkingofspellscouldbepracticedwithoutstress?Well,thetruthisthatI

masteredthoseexercisesmonthsago.Icanbringmymindtoastateofcalminmomentsnow,withlittleeffort.Butthatisasfarasitgoes.Afterthat,everythingseemstofallapart.Whatdoyoumean?Thenextthingtolearnis

todisciplinethemindtodothingsthatarenotnaturalforit,suchasthinkononethingtotheexclusionofeverything

else,ornottothinkofsomething,whichisquitehardonceyouvebeentoldwhatitis.Icandothosethingsmostofthetime,butnowandagainIfeelliketherearesomeforcesinsidemyhead,crashingabout,demandingthatIdothingsinadifferentway.Itsliketherewassomethingelsehappeninginmyheadthan

whatKulgantoldmetoexpect.EachtimeItryoneofthe

simplespellsKulganhastaughtme,likemakinganobjectmove,orliftingmyselfofftheground,thesethingsinmyheadcomefloodinginonmyconcentration,andIlosemycontrol.Icantevenmasterthesimplestspell.Pugfelthimselftremble,forthiswasthefirstchancehe

hadhadtospeakaboutthistoanyonebesidesKulgan.Kulgansimplysaystokeepatitandnotworry.Nearingtears,hecontinued.Ihavetalent.Kulgansaidheknewitfromthefirsttimewemet,whenIusedthecrystal.YouvetoldmethatIhavetalent.ButIjustcantmakethespellsworkthewaytheyresupposedto.Igetsoconfusedbyitall.

Pug,saidthepriest,magichasmanyproperties,andweunderstandlittleofhowitworks,eventhoseofuswhopracticeit.Inthetempleswearetaughtthatmagicisagiftfromthegods,andweacceptthatonfaith.Wedonotunderstandhowthiscanbeso,butwedonotquestion.Eachorderhasitsownprovinceofmagic,withnotwoquitealike.Iam

capableofmagicthatthosewhofollowtheirordersarenot.Butnonecansaywhy.Magiciansdealina

differentsortofmagic,andtheirpracticesareverydifferentfromourpracticesinthetemples.Muchofwhattheydo,wecannot.Itistheywhostudytheartofmagic,seekingitsnatureandworkings,buteventheycannotexplainhowmagic

works.Theyonlyknowhowtoworkit,andpassthatknowledgealongtotheirstudents,asKulganisdoingwithyou.Tryingtodowithme,

Father.Ithinkhemayhavemisjudgedme.Ithinknot,Pug.Ihave

someknowledgeofthesethings,andsinceyouhavebecomeKulganspupil,Ihavefeltthepowergrowing

inyou.Perhapsyouwillcometoitlate,asothershave,butIamsureyouwillfindtheproperpath.Pugwasnotcomforted.He

didntquestionthepriestswisdomorhisopinion,buthedidfeelhecouldbemistaken.Ihopeyoureright.Father.Ijustdontunderstandwhatswrongwithme.IthinkIknowwhats

wrong,cameavoicefrom

thedoor.Startled,PugandFatherTullyturnedtoseeKulganstandinginthedoorway.Hisblueeyesweresetinlinesofconcern,andhisthickgreybrowsformedaVoverthebridgeofhisnose.NeitherPugnorTullyhadheardthedooropen.Kulganhikedhislonggreenrobeandsteppedintotheroom,leavingthedooropen.

Comehere,Pug,saidthemagicianwithasmallwaveofhishand.Pugwentovertothemagician,whoplacedbothhandsonhisshoulders.Boyswhositintheirroomsdayafterdayworryingaboutwhythingsdontworkmakethingsnotwork.Iamgivingyouthedayforyourself.AsitisSixthday,thereshouldbeplentyofotherboystohelpyouinwhateversortof

troubleboyscanfind.Hesmiled,andhispupilwasfilledwithrelief.Youneedarestfromstudy.Nowgo.Sosaying,hefetchedaplayfulcufftotheboyshead,sendinghimrunningdownthestairs.Crossingovertothepallet,Kulganloweredhisheavyframetoitandlookedatthepriest.Boys,saidKulgan,shakinghishead.Youholdafestival,give

themabadgeofcraft,andsuddenlytheyexpecttobemen.Buttheyrestillboys,andnomatterhowhardtheytry,theystillactlikeboys,notmen.Hetookouthispipeandbeganfillingit.Magiciansareconsideredyoungandinexperiencedatthirty,butinallothercraftsthirtywouldmarkamanajourneymanormaster,mostlikelyreadyinghisownson

fortheChoosing.HeputatapertothecoalsstillsmoulderinginPugsfirepotandlithispipe.Tullynodded.I

understand,Kulgan.Thepriesthoodalsoisanoldmanscalling.AtPugsageIstillhadthirteenyearsofbeinganacolytebeforeme.Theoldpriestleanedforward.Kulgan,whatoftheboysproblem?

Theboysright,youknow,Kulganstatedflatly.ThereisnoexplanationforwhyhecannotperformtheskillsIvetriedtoteach.Thethingshecandowithscrollsanddevicesamazeme.Theboyhassuchgiftsforthesethings,Iwouldhavewageredhehadthemakingsofamagicianofmightyarts.Butthisinabilitytousehisinnerpowers

Doyouthinkyoucanfindasolution?Ihopeso.Iwouldhateto

havetoreleasehimfromapprenticeship.ItwouldgoharderonhimthanhadIneverchosenhim.Hisfaceshowedhisgenuineconcern.Itisconfusing,Tully.Ithinkyoullagreehehasthepotentialforagreattalent.AssoonasIsawhimusethecrystalinmyhutthatnight,I

knewforthefirsttimeinyearsImighthaveatlastfoundmyapprentice.Whennomasterchosehim,Iknewfatehadsetourpathstocross.Butthereissomethingelseinsidethatboyshead,somethingIvenevermetbefore,somethingpowerful.Idontknowwhatitis,Tully,butitrejectsmyexercises,asiftheyweresomehownotcorrect,orillsuitedto

him.IdontknowifIcanexplainwhatIveencounteredwithPuganybetter.Thereisnosimpleexplanationforit.Haveyouthoughtabout

whattheboysaid?askedthepriest,alookofthoughtfulconcernonhisface.Youmeanaboutmy

havingbeenmistaken?Tullynodded.Kulgan

dismissedthequestionwitha

waveofhishand.Tully,youknowasmuchaboutthenatureofmagicasIdo,perhapsmore.YourgodisnotcalledtheGodWhoBroughtOrderfornothing.Yoursectunraveledmuchaboutwhatordersthisuniverse.Doyouforonemomentdoubttheboyhastalent?Talent,no.Buthisability

isthequestionforthe

moment.Wellput,asusual.Well,

then,haveyouanyideas?Shouldwemakeaclericoutoftheboy,perhaps?Tullysatback,a

disapprovingexpressionuponhisface.Youknowthepriesthoodisacalling,Kulgan,hesaidstiffly.Putyourbackdown,

Tully.Iwasmakingajoke.Hesighed.Still,ifhehasnt

thecallingofapriest,northeknackofamagicianscraft,whatcanwemakeofthisnaturalabilityofhis?Tullyponderedthe

questioninsilenceforamoment,thensaid,Haveyouthoughtofthelostart?Kulganseyeswidened.

Thatoldlegend?Tullynodded.Idoubtthereisamagicianalivewhoatonetimeoranotherhasnt

reflectedonthelegendofthelostart.Ifithadexisted,itwouldexplainawaymanyoftheshortcomingsofourcraft.ThenhefixedTullywithanarrowedeye,showinghisdisapproval.Butlegendsarecommonenough.Turnupanyrockonthebeachandyoullfindone.Iforoneprefertolookforrealanswerstoourshortcomings,not

blamethemonancientsuperstitions.Tullysexpressionbecame

sternandhistonescolding.Weofthetempledonotcountitlegend,Kulgan!Itisconsideredpartoftherevealedtruth,taughtbythegodstothefirstmen.NettledbyTullystone,

Kulgansnapped,Sowasthenotiontheworldwasflat,untilRolendirkamagician,

Illremindyousenthismagicsighthighenoughtodisclosethecurvatureofthehorizon,clearlydemonstratingtheworldtobeasphere!Itwasafactknownbyalmosteverysailorandfishermanwhodeverseenasailappearuponthehorizonbeforetherestoftheshipsincethebeginningoftime!Hisvoicerosetoanearshout.

SeeingTullywasstungbythereferencetoancientchurchcanonlongsinceabandoned,Kulgansoftenedhistone.Nodisrespecttoyou,Tully.Butdonttrytoteachanoldthieftosteal.Iknowyourorderchopslogicwiththebestofthem,andthathalfyourbrotherclericsfallintolaughingfitswhentheyhearthosedeadlyseriousyoungacolytesdebate

theologicalissuessetasideacenturyago.Besideswhich,isntthelegendofthelostartanIshapiandogma?NowitwasTullysturnto

fixKulganwithadisapprovingeye.Withatoneofamusedexasperation,hesaid,Youreducationinreligionisstilllacking,Kulgan,despiteasomewhatunforgivinginsightintotheinnerworkingsofmyorder.

Hesmiledalittle.Yourerightaboutthemootgospelcourts,though.Mostofusfindthemsoamusingbecausewerememberhowpainfullygrimwewereaboutthemwhenwewereacolytes.Thenturningserious,hesaid,ButIamseriouswhenIsayyoureducationislacking.TheIshapianshavesomestrangebeliefs,itstrue,andtheyareaninsulargroup,but

theyarealsotheoldestorderknownandarerecognizedastheseniorchurchinquestionspertainingtointerdenominationaldifferences.Religiouswars,you

mean,saidKulganwithanamusedsnort.Tullyignoredthe

comment.TheIshapiansarecaretakersfortheoldestloreandhistoryintheKingdom,

andtheyhavethemostextensivelibraryintheKingdom.IhavevisitedthelibraryattheirtempleinKrondor,anditismostimpressive.Kulgansmiledandwitha

slighttoneofcondescensionsaid,AshaveI,Tully,andIhavebrowsedtheshelvesattheAbbeyofSarth,whichistentimesaslarge.Whatsthepoint?

Leaningforward,Tullysaid,Thepointisthis:saywhatyouwillabouttheIshapians,butwhentheyputforthsomethingashistory,notlore,theycanusuallyproduceancienttomestosupporttheirclaims.No,saidKulgan,waving

asideTullyscommentswithadismissivewave.Idonotmakelightofyourbeliefs,oranyothermans,butIcannot

acceptthisnonsenseaboutlostarts.ImightbewillingtobelievePugcouldbesomehowmoreattunedtosomeaspectofmagicImignorantof,perhapssomethinginvolvingspiritconjurationorillusionareasIwillhappilyadmitIknowlittleaboutbutIcannotacceptthathewillneverlearntomasterhiscraftbecausethelong-vanishedgodofmagic

diedduringtheChaosWars!No,thatthereisunknownlore,Iaccept.Therearetoomanyshortcomingsinourcrafteventobegintothinkourunderstandingofmagicisremotelycomplete.ButifPugcantlearnmagic,itisonlybecauseIhavefailedasateacher.Tullynowglaredat

Kulgan,suddenlyawarethemagicianwasnotpondering

Pugspossibleshortcomingsbuthisown.Nowyouarebeingfoolish.Youareagiftedman,andwereItohavebeentheonetodiscoverPugstalent,Icouldnotimagineabetterteachertoplacehimwiththanyourself.Buttherecanbenofailingifyoudonotknowwhatheneedstobetaught.Kulganbegantosputteranobjection,butTullycuthimoff.No,let

mecontinue.Whatwelackisunderstanding.YouseemtoforgettherehavebeenotherslikePug,wildtalentswhocouldnotmastertheirgifts,otherswhofailedaspriestsandmagicians.Kulganpuffedonhispipe,

hisbrowknittedinconcentration.Suddenlyhebegantochuckle,thenlaugh.Tullylookedsharplyatthemagician.Kulganwaved

offhandedlywithhispipe.Iwasjuststruckbythethoughtthatshouldaswineherdfailtoteachhissonthefamilycalling,hecouldblameituponthedemiseofthegodsofpigs.Tullyseyeswentwideat

thenear-blasphemousthought,thenhetoolaughed,ashortbark.Thatsoneforthemootgospelcourts!Bothmenlaughedalong,tension-

releasinglaughatthat.Tullysighedandstoodup.Still,donotcloseyourmindentirelytowhatIvesaid,Kulgan.ItmaybePugisoneofthosewildtalents.Andyoumayhavetoreconcileyourselfforlettinghimgo.Kulganshookhishead

sadlyatthethought.Irefusetobelievethereisanysimpleexplanationforthoseotherfailures,Tully.OrforPugs

difficulties,aswell.Thefaultwasineachmanorwoman,notinthenatureoftheuniverse.IhaveoftenfeltwherewefailwithPugisinunderstandinghowtoreachhim.PerhapsIwouldbewelladvisedtoseekanothermasterforhim,placehimwithonebetterabletoharnesshisabilities.Tullysighed.Ihave

spokenmymindofthis

question,Kulgan.OtherthanwhatIvesaid,Icannotadviseyou.Still,astheysay,apoormastersbetterthannomasteratall.Howwouldtheboyhavefaredifnoonehadchosentoteachhim?Kulganbolteduprightfrom

hisseat.Whatdidyousay?Isaid,howwouldtheboy

havefaredifnoonehadchosentoteachhim?

Kulganseyesseemedtolosefocusashestaredintospace.Hebeganpuffingfuriouslyuponhispipe.Afterwatchingforamoment,Tullysaid,Whatisit,Kulgan?Kulgansaid,Imnotsure,

Tully,butyoumayhavegivenmeanidea.Whatsortofidea?Kulganwavedoffthe

question.Imnotentirelysure.Givemetimetoponder.

Butconsideryourquestion,andaskyourselfthis:howdidthefirstmagicianslearntousetheirpower?Tullysatbackdown,and

bothmenbegantoconsiderthequestioninsilence.Throughthewindowtheycouldhearthesoundofboysatplay,fillingthecourtyardofthekeep.

EverySixthday,theboysandgirlswhoworkedinthecastlewereallowedtospendtheafternoonastheysawfit.Theboys,apprenticeageandyounger,werealoudandboisterouslot.Thegirlsworkedintheserviceoftheladiesofthecastle,cleaningandsewing,aswellashelpinginthekitchen.Theyallgaveafullweekswork,dawntoduskandmore,each

day,butonthesixthdayoftheweektheygatheredinthecourtyardofthecastle,nearthePrincesssgarden.Mostoftheboysplayedaroughgameoftag,involvingthecaptureofaballofleather,stuffedhardwithrags,byoneside,amidshovesandshouts,kicksandoccasionalfistfights.Allworetheiroldestclothes,forrips,bloodstains,andmudstains

werecommon.Thegirlswouldsitalong

thelowwallbythePrincesssgarden,occupyingthemselveswithgossipabouttheladiesoftheDukescourt.Theynearlyalwaysputontheirbestskirtsandblouses,andtheirhairshonefromwashingandbrushing.Bothgroupsmadeagreatdisplayofignoringeachother,andbothwereequallyunconvincing.

Pugrantowherethegamewasinprogress.Aswasusual,Tomaswasinthethickofthefray,sandyhairflyinglikeabanner,shoutingandlaughingabovethenoise.Amidelbowsandkickshesoundedsavagelyjoyous,asiftheincidentalpainmadethecontestallthemoreworthwhile.Heranthroughthepack,kickingtheballhighintheair,tryingtoavoid

thefeetofthosewhosoughttotriphim.Noonewasquitesurehowthegamehadcomeintoexistence,orexactlywhattheruleswere,buttheboysplayedwithbattlefieldintensity,astheirfathershadyearsbefore.Pugranontothefieldand

placedafootbeforeRulfjustashewasabouttohitTomasfrombehind.Rulfwentdowninatangleofbodies,and

Tomasbrokefree.Herantowardthegoaland,droppingtheballinfrontofhimself,kickeditintoalargeoverturnedbarrel,scoringforhisside.Whileotherboysyelledincelebration,RulfleapedtohisfeetandpushedasideanotherboytoplacehimselfdirectlyinfrontofPug.Glaringoutfromunderthickbrows,hespatatPug,TrythatagainandIllbreak

yourlegs,sandsquint!Thesandsquintwasabirdofnotoriouslyfoulhabitsnottheleastofwhichwasleavingeggsinotherbirdsnestssothatitsoffspringwereraisedbyotherbirds.PugwasnotabouttoletanyinsultofRulfspassunchallenged.Withthefrustrationsofthelastfewmonthsonlyalittlebelowthesurface,Pugwas

feelingparticularlythin-skinnedthisday.Withaleapheflewat

Rulfshead,throwinghisleftarmaroundthestockierboysneck.HedrovehisrightfistintoRulfsfaceandcouldfeelRulfsnosesquashunderthefirstblow.Quicklybothboyswererollingontheground.Rulfsgreaterweightbegantotell,andsoonhesatastridePugschest,driving

hisfatfistsintothesmallerboysface.Tomasstoodbyhelpless,

forasmuchashewantedtoaidhisfriend,theboyscodeofhonorwasasstrictandinviolateasanynobles.Shouldheinterveneonhisfriendsbehalf,Pugwouldneverlivedowntheshame.Tomasju