The Other Apprentice

13-2 | Field Test

"I have a couple of missions that require urgent attention from the Ordo. And I'd like to hire your apprentices to assist in them, Madrigal."

Sarya stood perfectly poised, perfectly put together, in the tower's foyer. She had brought Tenet. At Madrigal's insistence, Quinn had come along. Widdershanks sat upon her shoulder, reaching out to brush his nose against Bickers, who was trying to use what limited room he had on his shelf to shuffle away.

Tenet spoke up. "I tried to tell her we are not for hire. We're wizarding apprentices, and she can't just recruit us whenever she pleases."

Madrigal addressed Tenet. "In point of fact, she can. Or to be more precise, she can recruit you whenever I please. In fact, Captain Sarya and I have already discussed the matter. I wish for you two to venture out on supervised missions. I left it to her purview, which missions would most benefit from your addition. You can think of it as field training. Or a test of what you have learned."

Quinn felt as surprised as Tenet looked, though her jaw wasn't gaping open like his was. She was unsurprised by the test itself, but by the timing. She and Tenet had only been training with the wizard for a bit more than a season. Though in the past few months, both she and Tenet had learned much in the use of magic and had much opportunity to refine their skills in manipulating it.

But Quinn knew how Madrigal thought. If he wished to test them, it was certain to be about more than their mere ability to pull at the fabric of the universe. He'd want to see if they had the wisdom to use—or possibly not use—magic to find the most appropriate solution.

Quinn still had a distaste for magic. She performed her lessons adequately and mastered the basics but had not mastered many of the advanced techniques that Tenet grasped quickly. She knew how to store energy and do simple energy conversions. But while she could effortlessly light a candle, Tenet could cause the same flame to leap visibly from one candle to another and back. Quinn was no longer repulsed by magic, but she would never get used to its flagrant exhibition.

She suspected that was why Madrigal had been less critical of her than of Tenet over the last couple of months. She knew he was still good-hearted and genuinely wanted to help, but he seemed unable to believe in the dangers of the weapon he had so effortlessly taken up.

If they were being sent on a field test, she was more worried for him than she was for herself. However, she reminded herself, Tenet delighted in tests and usually excelled at them. Was this a test he was prepared for?

Perhaps she could give him some guidance when they headed out. "What kind of mission are we being sent on?" she asked.

"Missions, actually. You will each be joining separate teams." That meant Tenet would be on his own. Quinn hoped he was ready. "I have just received a report via courier bird from one of our agents in Lytgard. He reports that there has been a mine collapse in Bradwyr. It's a remote village, and they don't have the resources to get the miners out quickly. I'll be taking Mason with me. Between his engineering skills and my medical expertise, we should be able to mount an effective rescue."

Quinn winced. Lytgard. She hoped Sarya wouldn't ask her to accompany that mission. She'd rather not tell Sarya about her banishment.

"Tenet will accompany us to provide whatever aid he can to allow Mason to work quickly and efficiently." Quinn breathed a sigh of relief.

Sarya turned to her. "Quinn, I have another job for you. There are reports of increased pirate activity in the trade isles. A new and very violent band has taken up residence and is hindering trade. Eliminating them is our task. Prepare to set sail. Your ship leaves from Pyrport to the south tomorrow. If you need any supplies, come with me to the compound and we'll get you what you need. I understand Trina also has something special for you she's been working on."