The Other Apprentice

18-1 | One Step Forward

The sky was somber and overcast and a chill wind danced circles around the tower as Tenet sat out in the garden with Widdershanks in his lap, watching the pudgy ferret greedily gobble up chunks of apple. Quinn sat next to Tenet, reading the letter from Nissa, a tear in her eye.

It had been less than a week since the last time Tenet had seen Quinn, but the change in her was notable. She had returned to Stillbrook with a presence she had not left with. It wasn't smugness or arrogance; she had an aura of assurance and acceptance that had been lacking when she left. The Quinn he remembered seemed at odds with her present situation, struggling to hold on to a past that had been less than kind to her. The Quinn beside him now seemed to have found a balance between her dual natures.

Tenet sighed, wishing he felt the same confidence she exhibited. The mission to Lytgard had been a success, technically. He had put his best effort into seeing the miners freed quickly and efficiently. But there were particulars that Tenet could have handled better.

Madrigal had met that morning with both Atticus and Sarya to hear their accounts of his and Quinn's respective missions. They had since both left and Madrigal was now alone, considering their reports. Tenet suspected that Sarya's assessment of his performance was not a positive reflection.

Quinn set the letter down, tears in her eyes as she spoke. "She's thanking me for guiding her, being a big sister to her. Setting her on the right path." She turned to Tenet. "I don't know that I did any of those things. I had no control over my own life, let alone someone else's. She believed in me, Tenet. And so did you. I wouldn't even be here without you. I'd be maimed and starving in an alley back in Lytgard."

"You deserve better, Quinn. I knew it then and I know it even more now. For what it's worth, I think you're going to be an amazing wizard."

Quinn gave a half smile and let out a deep breath. "Quinn the wizard. Who would have thought that combination of words would ever be a thing? Tenet, I think you'll be a great wizard too. You've always wanted to help people. You even put yourself at risk for others. The world needs wizards like you."

Tenet fed another apple chunk to WIddershanks. "I hope Madrigal feels the same."

As if on cue, the door opened, and the wizard stepped out. He gave Tenet a meaningful look and then turned away, addressing Quinn directly. "I would like you to come with me, please."

Every fiber of Tenet's being told him that this was good news for her and bad news for him. He shared a glance with Quinn. She put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and stood up, walking toward the door. As she did, Widdershanks jumped out of Tenet's lap and followed her. Tenet sighed. Even the ferret was abandoning him.

As he watched the three of them enter the tower, Tenet felt the icy wind bite at him for a few more long minutes. Then he headed into the tower himself.

As Tenet closed the door to the foyer, Bickers harrumphed from his perch on the shelf. "Bad news for you then, boy. Perhaps you'll have better luck next time!"

His suspicions being confirmed, Tenet eyed the book. "What do you mean? What's happening?"

Bickers raised the wrinkles on his cover that passed for eyebrows. "You really don't know, do you? Madrigal's taken Quinn into the Embrance. He's bringing her to the Book of Llyr. Once she chooses a secret from the book, she's no longer your peer. She's about to become a wizard."

Tenet blinked as he took all this in, his gut sinking. "Perhaps he means to come back for me after."

Bickers laughed. "And make two trips into the Embrance? Madrigal hates entering the Embrance. He wouldn't make two trips in if one would do. You've been passed over, boy."