The Other Apprentice

6-2 | All or None

Tenet and Quinn followed the wizard into his parlor. Madrigal waved his hands around. "Welcome to my humble abode. Come in. Come in. It's been so long since anyone's passed my test." He turned to face his new arrivals. "And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"

"I am Tenet Bariss. And this is— "

"Quinn." She said it sharply, never taking her eyes off of the wizard.

Madrigal stooped down to pick up the chubby ferret, Widdershanks, and settle him upon his own shoulder. "A pleasure to make both of your acquaintances. And over there is my silent and glum associate, Valryk."

Tenet hadn't even noticed the other man who stood leaning against the wall, motionless. He was tall and broad shouldered. It was hard to determine how old the man was, but he clearly had left his youth behind. His face was hard, and so were his eyes. He wore his hair and beard—dark brown with ash streaks—trimmed with military precision. He wore dark leathers and a sword. Tenet eyed the man with awe, silently wishing that the wizard looked more like him. The soldier returned a half nod.

Tenet returned his attention to Madrigal, took a deep breath and started reciting the speech he had waited years to deliver. "Madrigal, wizard of the council of Llyr. I am honored to stand in your presence. I humbly beseech to apprentice with you and learn the skills of magecraft. Per the ancient customs, I have— "

Tenet winced. The gift. He no longer had a gift for the wizard and had forgotten to amend his introduction. "Forgive me. I had intended to bring you a gift, but— "

Quinn cut him off, "but he was so excited, he left it behind. Don't worry, Tenet. I brought it." She handed the pouch she'd been carrying to the wizard.

Tenet tensed, suddenly wondering at the contents of the pouch, hoping that Quinn hadn't put something offensive in it.

The wizard opened the pouch, peered inside and took a long deep whiff before eyeing Tenet. "Sticky buns? I've never seen a Seeker bring me sticky buns before." He pulled one out and took a bite. "A shame, that. They're a favorite of mine." He offered a small morsel to Widdershanks who was leaning out for a bite. "An excellent choice of gift."

The wizard turned his attention to Quinn. "And you. I suppose you are also pleased to be standing in my presence."

Quinn narrowed her eyes, but never took her focus from the wizard. "I can't say that I am."

Tenet turned a panicked expression toward Quinn, shaking his head. She didn't seem to notice. The wizard raised an eyebrow. "And why would that be, young lady?"

"I hate wizards."

"Indeed? Well, I seem to be the only wizard in the room. So, do you hate me? We've only just met."

"Yes. I hate you."

"A bold claim. And yet you are here to learn magic from me?"

Tenet mentally wished Quinn would not answer the question but had no luck. "No. I don't wish to learn magic from you. Or anyone. I hate magic."

Madrigal scrutinized the young woman. "And why do you hate magic so?"

"Because magic has hurt too many people. It has too much potential to cause pain and suffering. More than it's helped anyone, it has destroyed lives. I don't think that much power is safe in anyone's hands."

Madrigal considered this for a moment and then he hiked up his robes and started dancing on the carpet, humming to himself, tapping his feet to his own melody.

Tenet stared at the antics of the wizard, questioning his sanity. He didn't know what to say. But Quinn did.

"What are you doing?"