The Other Apprentice

7-1 | Apprentices

One Month Later

I can't believe I'm still here. Quinn grumbled under her breath. She dug her trowel into the hardened earth, digging up another weed by the root. And to think I actually used to wish I was a farmer. Beside her, Madrigal's banded ferret bounded up to the basket of root vegetables and herbs she'd pulled, stuck his nose in, and then turned it away, unimpressed. "I can't say I blame you, Widdershanks. I hope I never see another carrot."

She got up, brushed the dirt off of her trousers and grabbed the basket of vegetables. So far, her apprenticeship had not been what she expected. Not that she really knew what to expect, but certainly not this. For the last month, gardening, washing, cooking and sword training with Valryk had filled most of her days.

Tenet had been dealing with much the same regiment. She glanced over to where the young scholar was currently chopping firewood with a hatchet. She had to admit the exercise had done him good. He was filling out, developing muscles he had barely realized he'd had. He made much lighter work of the chopping than he had when he'd first started. Though it was clear from the pained look on his face that he resented it.

Quinn walked over beside him and punched him in the arm. "Chin up, wizard-to-be. It's not that bad."

Tenet sighed and dropped the hatchet, kicking it. "I just don't get the point of all of this."

Quinn shrugged in response. "You know what Madrigal would say. Obedience. Regiment. Discipline."

"Sounds like being in the military," Tenet answered.

Quinn thought back to the lecherous corporal in the dungeons below Lytgard and shuddered. "No. Definitely nothing like being in the military."

"But when are we going to learn something about actual magic?"

"When you're ready to learn." Madrigal's speech took Tenet by surprise as he turned about. Quinn kept her back to the wizard, staring instead at a rather uninteresting tree.

"Sir, of course." Tenet snatched up the hatchet and stood up straight. "Forgive me. I should not question your lessons. I am here to learn."

Madrigal appraised the stack of firewood and nodded. "Never be afraid to question what others accept as truth, Tenet. The greatest strides are made by those who question what others meekly accept. Oh, and it has certainly led to occasional ruin, as well. But failure is nothing more than a valuable lesson. You have done well with the firewood."

"Thank you, sir."

Madrigal nodded, "I will require a wheel of cheese and a loaf of bread from the inn." He placed some coins in Tenet's hand. "See to it. And you may have the rest of the evening off from your duties."

Tenet nodded and placed the coins in his belt pouch. "Right away, sir." And he was off.

Quinn had slowly been trying to walk away while they were talking, but with no luck. "Quinn," the wizard spoke, "I wish to have a word with you."

Quinn sighed and turned to face the wizard but said nothing. Speaking to the wizard always made her uncomfortable.

"Are you of the same opinion as young Tenet that you should learn more of magic?"

"You know that I'm not. I don't want any of your magic."

"I don't think any wizard has ever had two such challenging students. One curious yet idealistic; the other distrustful and apathetic. If only I could have a student with his curiosity and your skepticism, my job should be much easier."

"If it's so difficult, why bother?" Quinn didn't look him in the eyes. She watched Widdershanks play in the garden, rolling around in the dirt. "Why even train more wizards? What need does the world have for wizards?"