Gifted Apprentice

  "Certain?" asked Telic.

  "Very." Sallis was pleased that Elvallon did not once question anything he said. Considering he had never heard of this talent, the man's trust boosted the apprentice's confidence.

  Sallis hoped he deserved that trust.

  Another small wood, close to the edge of the plain, and Sallis led them straight to a small stone-built hut, its thatch badly needing replacement.

  "In there," he said.

  Moments later, the thief was under arrest again and tied across one of the horses.

  Sallis thought the man looked rather ordinary. He had always imagined that criminals would be marked in some way, that they might look mean or somehow stunted. But he might pass this man a hundred times and never remark him. He stretched out a hand, but the moment he touched the escapee, he no longer "saw" where the man had been. And that felt even worse than when he could.

  "How did you find me?" demanded the thief, twisting in his bonds. "Trackers?" He sneered at Elvallon and Sallis.

  Telic laughed. "You should know that the Guard have their ways of knowing everything," he replied.

  Iqan paused and inclined his head to Sallis. "Thank you," he said. He turned to Elvallon. "Keep this boy; we will need him again."

  "The boy is the tracker?" squeaked the thief, surprised. He stared at Sallis and the boy suspected the criminal had memorized his face.

  He and Elvallon watched the two men ride away with their captive.

  "I've never seen anything like that before," said the older man, looking at his apprentice with respect. He shook his head. "The Father constantly amazes. Never even knew such a thing was possible with the Gift."

  Sallis blinked a few times.

  "I'm going to be sick," he announced.

  ***

  Chapter 9 - Warning

  Sallis's illness lasted two days.

  "Too much too soon," said Elvallon, in one of the few moments when the weakened boy felt he dared ask a question. "It takes most of us months of practice to use so much at once. You will be very strong when you reach your full potential."

  Lyssan proved herself a gentle nurse, ensuring Sallis stayed cool; she fed and watered him, catering for his every need. Given her initial reaction to him, Sallis supposed he should be grateful. Or perhaps the incident with the thunderstorm had created a bond of sorts.

  Sallis knew it would not be the bond; sylphs only bonded with one owner at a time, and most strongly with their first owner. He dare not ask why Lyssan had been separated from her sister in the first place. He had no wish to reopen old wounds.

  "Can't you heal me?" he asked Elvallon.

  "Not this," replied his teacher. "It was brought on by using the Gift, so trying to cure it with the Gift will only make you worse. But don't worry, you should bounce back soon." He shook his head, partly in admiration. "You used substantial levels for more than an hour and not mere dribbles. I could follow the residue of what you did even now. Only days since you first released it, and already you're stronger than many practitioners."

  "I don't understand what it is that I did."

  Elvallon smiled and patted the boy's forehead. "Give it time," he replied, vaguely. "You will."

  ***

  As Elvallon had promised, Sallis recovered quickly. Too much of the Gift would not kill, because the body refused to allow practitioners to use too much.

  "This protection is not granted to sorcerers," said Elvallon. "Something done by the Malefic Sephiroth strips that meager barrier away. Or perhaps something done by the Father puts it there."

  "You said it was the same power," said Sallis.

  Now the conversation had turned to these matters, Lyssan made her excuses and left the room.

  "It is, but the way the practitioner touches it is channeled by one or other of the Sephiroths. What they can do with the Gift is amazing, but then they are higher beings."

  Sallis shivered.

  "So everything I can do with the Gift is controlled by the Father?" he asked.

  "Ultimately, yes," smiled Elvallon. "But you are blessed with choice. Many are reckless with choice, instead of responsible. Many see an easier way, a more... tempting way. A way to even greater power."

  "Sorcery."

  Elvallon nodded. "I must tell you that even some blessed with the Gift are tempted away by the Malefics. And once granted, the Gift cannot be taken away. Such people are especially dangerous, because they have both the Gift and sorcery."

  Sallis pulled a face. "Now you're talking like they're two different powers again," he complained.

  "In some ways they are." Elvallon shook his head. "The power itself is the same, it's what holds everything together. But how you touch it is different. The skills you can learn are different: the Father controls which skills we have, the Malefics do the same for sorcerers."

  "If sorcerers use the same power, why are they so bad? Isn't that same choice within us?"

  "Always yes. But power is like strong alovak; it is easy to grow addicted. The main difference between the Gifted and sorcerers is this: we do not ask for the Gift, we do not seek it. They do. And they want it for one reason only, which is to set themselves apart from their fellow creatures. For advantage, to gain power for themselves. Pure selfishness. And the Malefic Sephiroth corrupts even those who seek it for nobler reasons."

  "How? We have free choice, you say."

  Elvallon smiled. "You do see wisely for your years. There is much potential in you." He spread his hands in mock surrender as the boy frowned at him. "When we touch the Gift, what we do is controlled by whichever Sephiroth we follow. That means they must know what we're doing."

  "They can read minds?"

  "Some would say what they do is worse than that. We let them in."

  "We what?"

  "Nobody is certain; perhaps one of the Ten could explain it better, provided you ask the right one of them, that is." Elvallon shrugged. "But every time you touch the Gift, every time you use it, the Father, the Benefic Sephiroth, can touch you, make you part of it, or perhaps it joins with you in some way we do not understand."

  "That's horrible!"

  "Yes." Elvallon waited.

  "They... they could do anything!"

  "Yes."

  "Hurt... kill..."

  "Make you do things you don't want to do, make you dance like a puppet, turn you into something you are not... The list is probably endless." Elvallon smiled now. "And here is another difference: the Benefic Sephiroth isn't interested in gaining control or power over you. It prefers you to use the Gift wisely."

  "And the Malefics?"

  The smile widened. "The Malefic Sephiroth seeks dominion over everybody. Which is why they'll eventually corrupt any practitioner of sorcery, no matter how noble his aims. Power is addictive and, bit by bit, sorcerers become their creatures. Oddly, the only ones who can resist are those who also have the Gift."

  "But there is nothing stopping anyone who is Gifted taking power for himself," said Sallis.

  "Several things," replied Elvallon. "History, peers and fear."

  Sallis shook his head.

  "History teaches us that people come to fear those who are different. We could easily take power, but when people rebel because they fear their ruler, we can only hold power by oppression. That only has one end. Far, far better to offer guidance and advice to rulers - if asked. And while our peers can live with Gifted ruling Gifted, they know ordinary people cannot. Magiere fell, in the end."

  "Magiere?"

  "The greatest city built anywhere. Now only members of the Ten know where it is."

  "They seem to know a lot."

  "Indeed. They built it."

  "What happened?"

  Elvallon sighed. "Magiere was corrupted because two of the Ten turned. Greed, selfishness, human weakness; I do not know. Even the Ten are only human and share the same weaknesses. Perhaps those two were more susceptible. Only the two concerned know their reasons."

  Sallis managed a small smile. "H
ow do we manage to stay in control?" he asked. "Everything seems set against us."

  "Hardly everything. The Gifted cooperate with each other. We can and do work as a team. Most sorcerers are too selfish to work for anything but their own ends. We work for the greater good."

  "But they are always there."

  "Evil always is." Elvallon smiled. "Where I come from, the army has a motto: 'United We Conquer'. Remember that, it says quite a lot about human nature."

  Sallis shivered.

  "You can go home tomorrow, for a holiday."

  "Home?" Sallis's eyes lit up.

  Elvallon nodded.

  "For how long?" Sallis grinned.

  "A week or so. You've worked hard and your family need to know that I'm not starving you to death or anything. But be warned: do not grow too lazy. Practice something every day, even if it is just your special trick with the quarterstaff."

  ***

  Chapter 10 - Holiday

  From the start, Sallis knew his was a working holiday.

  He had worried he might find it difficult to fit back into his old farm life, but instead he found it easy. On the first day, it seemed a century had passed since he had left home, but within two days, it felt like he had never been away.

  Tendra, the sister nearest his own age, told him in a whisper so loud it might be heard in the next village, how Merta had found herself a boyfriend and already planned her marriage.

  Sallis had started in surprise, forgetting that his sisters also grew older.

  Hayland and Cellin welcomed their son home warmly enough and introduced him to the newcomer on the farm.

  "This," said Hayland, gesturing, "is Barten. Barten, meet my son, Sallis."

  Almost fifteen, Barten was quite a bit older than Sallis and the younger boy learned he had just met the target of Merta's affections. He wondered if his parents knew, or even suspected.

  Even they must have been young once.

  "From a couple of villages over," said Barten, hazel eyes twinkling. "Elcdray, in fact."

  "Never been there," replied Sallis, shaking the larger boy's hand.

  "Then that does you credit," laughed Barten. Sallis hoped the older boy knew nothing about him being Gifted. There was no hint of that in the older boy's stance or words.

  "Thought you might like to do the rounds tomorrow," said Hayland. "Barten's pretty good with sheep. We've only lost a handful of lambs this year."

  Barten made an offhanded gesture. "Good rams and good ewes help," he said, dismissively.

  Sallis blinked. "Or maybe my expert help at lambing time," he suggested.

  The other boy made his eyes go wide. "You know, that might be the real reason," he admitted. "Right, I'd best get back out there."

  "That Barten's a good, helpful lad," said Cellin, while checking on her baking. The door to the large black range stood open and heat billowed into the room. Cellin gave a couple of pies a good prod and tsked when she found they needed still more time. "That pastry'd best not burn," she muttered.

  "Everybody seems to like him," said Sallis, choosing his words carefully.

  "Well, he makes himself useful, instead of drooling over my baking all day."

  Surprised, Sallis blinked.

  Cellin crossed to her son and gave him a hug. "We missed you," she said. "Barten cannot make up for that."

  Sallis grinned and hugged his mother back. "At least he hasn't got my old room," he said. "I thought I might end up sleeping outside."

  "He'd be sleeping outside if it came to that," promised Cellin.

  The next day, Hayland, Barten and Sallis made the rounds together. Sallis noticed the new fencing and repairs to some of the stone walls, pulled down by sheep years before.

  "Learns quick, does Barten," said Hayland. "And a proper demon for work."

  Barten looked over his shoulder and grinned. "Those walls needed a bit of attention," he said.

  Sallis failed to smile back. To his way of thinking, Barten seemed a little too good to be true.

  "How much is he paid?" he asked, absently.

  "A share of the profits," replied Hayland.

  "Sylphs are cheaper," said Sallis, absently. He recalled Elvallon's words. "You don't have to pay them."

  Hayland chuckled. "Outside of Leynx, sylphs are like gold nuggets," he retorted. "And cost nearly as much."

  Sallis stopped dead in his tracks. "You cannot afford one?" he squeaked.

  Hayland gave his son a confused look. "Of course not; there're hardly any sylphs on Re Annan and the ones already here are usually specially imported. Way beyond my financial reach."

  "Oh."

  "Besides," smiled Hayland, "they smell."

  Sallis laughed and shook his head. "It's only sinabra," he replied. "They can't help that."

  "Either way, we don't need any," said Hayland.

  Sallis looked at Barten's back and wondered.

  ***

  Back in time for the midday meal, Sallis realized he had grown used to flat land for daily exercise. His legs ached after the hills they had traipsed up and down during the morning. Despite that, he enjoyed seeing familiar land again. His favorite corners were unchanged, for which he was grateful. It would have proved a shock if they had changed. After all, he'd not been gone all that long.

  Later, as the sun set over the hill behind the house, Sallis and Barten were alone. They perched beside each other on Sallis's favorite summer rock.

  Silence stretched uncomfortably.

  "So you are Gifted," said Barten, eventually. So much for him not knowing. Of course, Merta would have said.

  From the older boy's tone, Sallis realized Barton was wary of him. Something they had in common. He shrugged.

  "So Elvallon reckons."

  "A lot of power, for one who is young."

  Sallis gave the larger boy a quick glance. Was that jealousy? "I would give it all away and be ordinary, if I could," he said.

  "If you could."

  Sallis paused and recalled his tutor's words. "You'll never know who they might send. A girlfriend, an older brother type, or someone to intimidate and bully you. Be on your guard against the Malefics at all times."

  Sallis nodded. "If."

  The sun was almost gone now, but the day's warmth lingered.

  "Most people are wary of the Gift," continued Barten. "They fear it."

  "But you don't?" Sallis twisted to look at the older boy again.

  "Oh, I do." The other boy laughed, but it sounded forced.

  "Then you are brave sitting so close to me." Sallis smiled. What had Elvallon said about sensing practitioners? Sallis wished he knew how. Something else that apparently came with time and practice.

  Barten shook his head. "You are young and probably not very skilled with the Gift yet."

  If only you knew, reflected Sallis.

  "Either way, I must watch my step." The other boy laughed again. "Falling in love with a sister of one of the Gifted..."

  "What do you know about the Gift?" pressed Sallis.

  The other boy blinked. "Nothing. As far as I know, you're the first person I've met with it."

  "And you want it for yourself?" continued Sallis. "Learn it perhaps?"

  "It can be learned?" Barten's eyes widened. "I thought you had to be born with it."

  Sallis looked away again. "Only by fools."

  "What is it you can do?" asked Barten. "With the Gift?"

  "I'm still learning my talents." Sallis considered. "I'm pretty good with a quarterstaff and sword. I already knew how to use a sling. Hum, let me see. What else? I can pull my sister's boyfriends apart..." He reached out and jabbed the older boy in the lower ribs.

  Barten yelled and moved vertically about three feet, before landing and glaring at Sallis.

  Laughing, the younger boy darted away and shook his head.

  Barten tentatively checked his ribs before he began to laugh as well. "You little... That was a trick!"

  Sallis grinned back. "The look on your face," he cho
rtled. Inside he felt rather more serious. Had Barten been what he feared, the reaction might have been very different. But was the boy exactly what he appeared to be, or did he play a deeper game?

  ***

  Romand called in one day of Sallis's holiday. The herbalist inquired after Elvallon and Lyssan, and was pleased to learn both were well.

  "No need for me to check your health now, young man," chuckled the healer, before leaving them alone again.

  Later that day, Sallis realized what bothered him so much about Barten, and it had nothing to do with the boy himself.

  He was jealous.

  Barten and Merta disappeared together soon after supper. Sallis watched them heading up the hill, probably to watch the sunset. And have a cuddle, no doubt, as the air chilled. As his sisters grew older, the family would be scattered. The girls might end up anywhere on the island or, if they were really lucky, anywhere at all off it.

  His parents had already lost their son; Sallis doubted he would return permanently to the farm once his training finished. To be a touch-healer like Elvallon, he would probably have to leave Re Annan. He doubted there were enough people on the island to justify two touch-healers.

  And as his sisters reached marriageable age, his parents would lose their daughters as well.

  Could they cope with the farm alone?

  Most neighbors had extended families living either on the farm, or nearby. Most farmers on the island were at least distant cousins, but sons usually stayed with their parental family, while daughters moved away. Though rarely all that far, if they stayed on Re Annan.

  Sallis doubted if he would have a family. His teacher had warned that was unlikely.

  "Everything has a price, my boy," Elvallon had said, "and we lose the ability to have children for the Gift. A poor bargain, but no choice when the Father holds all the cards."

  A poor bargain indeed and, not for the first time, Sallis wondered if the Father was truly as good as people liked to believe.

  Dangerous thinking, but Sallis liked to consider all possibilities. Why would the Father, doubtless a higher being of some sort, feel any more empathy towards humans than Sallis did towards, say, his father's sheep?

  The Father might belong to the Benefic Sephiroth, but that did not mean he necessarily cared about humans' welfare.

  Sallis shuddered at these uncomfortable thoughts.

  Well, if he wanted to make his fortune healing sick people and tracking down criminals, he could ensure his parents were looked after properly. Elvallon had told him that sylphs made excellent farmers, so long as they didn't deal with animals larger or more ferocious than sheep.