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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