The Gateway (Book 1 of The Search)

Is Aidan your usual manic wizard's apprentice? His magic does go awry and he does end up accidentally bestowing his gift of magic on his friends. But was it because the Gods wanted him to? However, tragedy strikes on the voyage home in the largest sailing ship in the world, the Grim. The ship is attacked by a demon-created storm and is severely damaged. While making for safety on a nearby tropical island one of Aidan's friends is murdered. And then Aidan finds a boy lost in The Darkness, a weapon of the Gods, and he is pursued by the murderer who also has a secret. But Aidan also gives a voice to a giant albatross who in turn meets an elf in the Great Forest on his own mission.
Enjoy the laughter and the tears