LITMIR.BIZ

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as wide. It looked like a table with a black cloth hanging over it and it moved on legs that resembled a crab’s. It also made an odd murmuring sound as it approached.

      As it passed, Nakor said, ‘Good morning,’ and the thing answered in a surprisingly normal-sounding female voice.

      After she had moved around the corner, Tad whispered, ‘What was that?’

      ‘A visitor,’ Nakor replied. He led them to a room where Pug sat waiting behind a desk.

      The short magician rose and motioned for them to sit in a pair of chairs that were opposite his own.

      They did so and Pug returned to his seat. Nakor stood by a window to Pug’s left. Looking at the two young men, Pug said, ‘We’re at something of a loss about what to do with you.’

      Tad’s face drained of colour and Zane flushed. He said, ‘What do you mean, “do with you”, sir?’

      Pug smiled. ‘No harm will come to you, if that’s what concerns you.’ He sat back and regarded the pair. ‘You may have already concluded that this community is unlike any others.’

      Zane just nodded, while Tad said, ‘Yes, sir.’

      Nakor laughed. ‘You seem to be handling it well.’

      Zane shrugged. ‘I’m not exactly sure what to think, but Caleb has always been good to our mother and to Tad and me, so if you’re his family, then I suppose … well, I think we’re safe here.’

      Pug sat back. ‘I don’t pry in the lives of my children, but tell me something about your mother.’

      Tad spoke up as Marie was his real mother, though she treated Zane as his equal. He started off with the usual praise – that she was a good cook and kept the poor hut that served as home as clean as could be – but after a moment it was clear to everyone that the boy not only loved his mother, but respected her too. ‘It was hard after Papa died.’ He glanced at Zane. ‘But she took Zane in because he was my best friend and had no one else, when others in town looked the other way. She made do, and kept us both out of trouble.’

      Zane added, ‘I’ve known her longer than I knew my real ma, so I suppose that makes her my real ma, if you understand, sir. She never took sides with Tad against me and she held me when I was a little boy. She loved me like I was her own.’

      Pug sighed. ‘Even without meeting her, I can understand why my son cares for your mother, boys, and I can see why he cares about you. You acted bravely going back to the wagon.’

      Nakor said, ‘Foolishly, from what you told me. Didn’t Caleb tell you to make your way to the village if you eluded the bandits?’

      ‘Yes,’ said Tad. ‘That’s true, but we had killed two of them already, and thought maybe Caleb could use some help. We had gained two swords by then.’

      Pug shook his head. ‘And I for one am glad you disobeyed, and admire your resolve, for had you not done so, I’d have lost my youngest child.’ His eyes grew unfocused for a minute as he looked away, seeing something in the distance, and he said, ‘It’s something I dread more than you can ever imagine.’ He then turned to face the boys again and asked, ‘So, then, what shall we do with you?’

      ‘Caleb was taking us to Kesh to become apprentices, or on to Krondor, for there’s no work at home,’ said Zane. ‘If you need any apprentices, we’re willing.’

      ‘Are you willing, Tad?’ asked Pug.

      ‘Yes, sir,’ he said, nodding his head.

      ‘We do have need for apprentices,’ said Pug. ‘But first we shall see if you’re up to such a calling.’

      Pug stood and so the boys did as well. He pointed to his friend and said, ‘Nakor shall see to your instruction for a few days while my son heals, then I have other work for him, and then we shall have others test you. Now, I have work to do, so be off with you.’

      They left, and Tad grinned at his friend. Their fears were now replaced with hope, for they had taken Nakor’s intimation that they might be killed for what they knew seriously.

      As they walked down the hallway, Tad asked, ‘Nakor, what trade are we going to apprentice to?’

      ‘That remains to be seen, my young friend,’ said Nakor. ‘I’m not sure we have a name for what you might do. Let’s say that you’ll be apprentice workers.’

      ‘What sort of work?’ asked Zane.

      ‘All manner and type. Things you cannot even imagine. For if you are to become workers for the Conclave of Shadows, it is more than just a trade.’ With a suddenly serious expression he said, ‘It’s a lifelong commitment.’

      Both boys were unsure what that meant, but Nakor’s expression told them they were not going to be happy about finding out.

       • CHAPTER SIX •

       Apprentices

      ZANE’S FACE WAS FLUSHED WITH ANGER.

      ‘I won’t do it!’ he said, defiance reverberating in his voice.

      Tad said, ‘You have to. If you don’t, you’ll get into more trouble than you can imagine.’

      ‘It’s stupid,’ Zane insisted. ‘If I haven’t learnt by now, I never will.’

      ‘You’ve lived on the shore of a lake for your entire life and you’ve never learnt to swim,’ said Tad, his voice rising in frustration. ‘That’s stupid!’ he shouted. ‘Now, Nakor says you have to learn how to swim.’

      The boys were standing near a tree at the edge of the courtyard lake. Other students were splashing in the shallows, and a few were swimming in the deeper water. Tad had always been a decent swimmer, but Zane had never learned. It took this recalcitrance to remind Tad that he had never seen his foster brother swim.

      Just then the six sisters of the Pithirendar came over the hill, speaking softly in their alien language. Both boys had become accustomed to the strange nature of many of those residing on what they now knew to be Sorcerer’s Island. While the inhabitants included a number of very strange aliens, the majority were human, including a few human girls with whom the boys had become friendly. But for some reason the six sisters caused a reaction in most of the young males on the island, Tad and Zane being no exception.

      Four of the girls were nude – as was their preference – while the other two wore simple white shifts, which they discarded when they reached the shore. The six of them slipped effortlessly into the water, as Tad said, ‘All right, then. Stay here if you want, but I’m going swimming!’

      Zane was on his feet saying, ‘Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s time to learn.’ He hurried after his foster brother and splashed into the water.

      Nakor and Caleb watched them from a short distance away. Caleb asked, ‘How are they doing?’

      Nakor shrugged. ‘They’re good lads, but if it hadn’t been for your unfortunate accident with the bandits, they never would have come here. They possess no special abilities, gifts, or talents that we can see.’

      ‘Except they are good lads,’ said Caleb.

      ‘We have good lads in abundance,’ said Nakor. ‘What we need are some ruthless bastards who will happily cut the heart out of their own mothers if need be.’ He started walking away from the lake shore as the boys splashed and were splashed in return by the Pithirendari girls. Caleb fell into step beside him. They began the long trek from the lakeshore to the villa.

      Caleb’s wounds had almost healed completely and he was now moving around with the only the minimum of discomfort. ‘You know, if my father wasn’t who he is, I would also

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