Chapter 2

Marcus stared at the ceiling of the inn room he and Geoff shared.  He still couldn’t believe he had been coned into pretending he had accepted Geoff’s offer. The moment he and Astra had arrived in this strange new place, he had vowed never to put himself under anyone’s thumb ever again. Yet, here he was three days after meeting the man and he was already following orders and learning how to control some of his power. He had even learned how to ride a horse, something Max had told him he didn’t have the finesse to manage. How Geoff had convinced him this was the safest course of action, Marcus still could not understand. He had yet to announce to Geoff officially that he would accept his offer, but as the saying went actions spoke louder than words, and they had certainly been acting like teacher and student. Just that morning, Geoff had acted out his part. He was planning on heading out after some things that needed to be finished, and he had told Marcus to clean the room. The bag Lady Otis had given to him cluttered up their room and Geoff had almost killed himself stepping around all of it.

            “It’s a death trap in that room. I want to be able to leave without mishap later this afternoon. You will have it clean by the time I get back. Understand?”

            Marcus knew he could have argued out of it or have argued about doing it later, but Mr. Dodd, the innkeeper, and several other customers had been present and Geoff was giving him the just-try-me glare. Instead, he had just closed his mouth and nodded, using the food in his mouth as an excuse not to answer Geoff properly. Geoff had given him the look that said he knew what Marcus had really been thinking, but had not pressed it. Instead, he had left Mr. Dodd in charge while he went to go take care of things.

            “Which is why I’m still in this room now,” Marcus grumbled. The moment Geoff had left, Marcus had tried to sneak out of the inn and enjoy the city before they took off. Unfortunately, Geoff had suspected that and he had left instructions not to allow “his student” out of the room until he returned. Mr. Dodd had taken a station at the bottom of the stairs to ensure Marcus did not leave.

            “It’s no better than being in a prison cell.”

            “I’d say it’s a lot better, but then I have been in a prison cell lately so I would know.”

            Marcus sat up quickly, his face on fire. Geoff stood inside the room, leaning against the closed door. Piles of supplies still lay around the room and the bag remained empty on the table. It looked as though he had not touched the junk once since Geoff had left two hours ago. Raising an eyebrow, Geoff glanced about the room and then finally looked at Marcus, who looked away, muttering. With a wave of Marcus’ hand, the piles organized themselves and jumped into the bag. The bag tied itself off and moved to the door before Geoff spoke again.

            “That was to have been completed before I had gotten back, not when I returned.”

            Marcus said nothing, his bright red cheeks turning a deep crimson. Sighing, Geoff moved to stand in front of him, making the boy look up and into his eyes. “Were you daydreaming or trying to push to see what I would do?”

            Marcus’ eyes widened, but he said nothing. Faint traces of fear began to edge themselves into his eyes making the green pale and the silver stand out. “I’ve told you before that the punishment would fit the transgression. I need to know why you left this off to the last minute before deciding what to do.”

            Geoff waited watching his words sink in and erase a little of the fear that had been forming. The boy ducked his head as he answered. “I had started making piles to organize it when I had found something. I got lost in some strange dream and I had just gotten out of it a few minutes ago.”

            “Strange dream?” Geoff echoed, wondering if Marcus would tell him or hide it.

            He decided to hide it. “I would rather not talk about it. It’s hard to explain. Just get the punishment over with so we can go.”

            Geoff heard the tension in that last sentence. “Marcus, look at me.”

            At the gruff tone, Marcus’ head shot up and Geoff saw the fear had returned stronger than before. He could almost see himself reflected in the crystal green color Marcus’ eyes had become. The fear had to go, it was only hindering the boy‘s progress. Geoff inwardly sighed before saying, “Show me what stopped your progress.”

            Marcus blinked, unsure if he had heard the directions correctly. “You want me to do what?”

            “Show me this thing that stopped you from packing. I would like to see what might create problems for you later and deal with it now rather then in the middle of the forest or hostile territory.” Geoff moved back allowing Marcus room to move if he had to.

            Marcus blinked again. His prior experience with authority figures had not provided him the experience to deal with Geoff. He slid off the bed and walked over to the door where the bag lay. The piece that had captured his attention was propped up against the doorframe not in the bag at all. The second Marcus’ eyes landed on it, the memory started again. He blanked out for only a few seconds before Geoff’s voice reached him.

            “Marcus, give it to me.”

            Lost in the memory, Marcus absently handed the problem back behind him. It was a sword, and not just any sword, but the one Gregory McPherson had given to his eldest son before Daniel had taken the boy into hiding. Geoff’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Why would this weapon cause the boy to have this reaction? It did not make any sense. Geoff never wore this one, not when he had Daniel’s sword in his possession. It had been in hiding until they had gotten here. How had the boy found it? Geoff had been sure to keep this out of his sight.

            “How did you find this?”

            “I didn’t find it. It was just there among everything else from the bag.” Marcus sounded far away. Geoff reached out and turned Marcus to face him. The boy’s eyes had glazed over and his body was stiff as if he was trapped somewhere. Suddenly, Marcus grasped Geoff’s right arm. Before Geoff could comment, he was pulled into the vision.

           

            Geoff stared at his new surroundings. A room slightly hazy had come up around him as if they were in a dream, Marcus stood next to him, unaware that Geoff was even there. His eyes were wide, staring at the blurry scene in front of him. The scene before them held a bittersweet memory. Geoff glanced at the boy, understanding why the sword would distract him. The boy was an empath, able to feel the emotions of others and if the emotions were strong enough, able to sense them from inanimate objects. He would have to be careful what he allowed the boy to see or hear from now on. He cleared the vision allowing the boy see what he had felt.

 

            Two young boys stood in the family room off the great hall. They held the door leading to the great hall slightly ajar so they could watch the entertainment. Two men were practicing unaware the boys were witnessing their sparing. At that instant, one of the men’s swords flew out of his hands. Before the other could press his advantage, the man held out his hand and the sword, as if on an invisible string, went back to him. The older of the two won in the end, the younger having been caught off guard by the sight of the open door; in defeat, the younger man laid down his weapon. He said something to the other one, the men too far off for the boys to hear. The older one glanced towards the door also. The eldest of the two boys’ caught a small smile, before the older one laid down his weapon also. The men left the room quickly, shutting the main doors behind them with a clear thud. Flinging open the door they were behind, the two boys ran into the great hall. The older immediately going to the sword closest to the main doors and picked it up, his brother stood next to the other man’s looking at him confused.

                “Geoff, why’d you take Unkle Danel’s and not Daddy’s?”

                “Cause Uncle Daniel isn’t really my uncle.”

                “REALLY?!” his brother’s eyes widened, “Then what is he?”

                “Uncle Daniel is my first dad.”

                “Is he my first dad too?”

                Geoff shook his head, “No, dad’s your first dad. Only I have two.”

                “Why?”

                “I dunno. I’m just lucky I guess.”

                “Then, dontcha get both?” The child waved at both weapons.

                Geoff shook his head, “Nope. I get this one because Uncle Daniel was my first dad. You get Dad’s because he’s your first dad.”

                “Oh.” The child looked at the weapon at his feet, then up at his brother, “You think we can pick our swords up just like daddy did?”

                “I don’t see why not. Ya’ wanna try?”

                The little boy nodded.  Both boy’s held out their hands as their father’s had done, the swords answered them immediately. Though he wished to try and fight with Daniel’s sword, he knew he couldn’t. His brother would want to fight too and he was too little to hold their father’s sword for long. In the middle of calling his real father’s sword to him for the fifth or sixth time, both swords headed for the door. The two boys froze, turning as one towards the front doors of the hall. The younger boy moved to his brother’s side and slightly behind in hopes that he would protect him in case they got into trouble.  The two men stood there, arms out, catching the swords they had just pulled from their children’s hands. After a glance, the younger of the two put his away and strode into the room picking his youngest up. The older man remained by the door, sword out in front of him, his focus on the boy standing. 

                “Call it to you.”

                The boy stared at him, still frozen.

                “Geoff, call it to you. Call it from me to you.”

                “But I thought it didn’t work that way.”

                “Just do as I say.”

                “Yes sir.”

                Geoff resisted glancing towards the other man, even though everything in him wanted to be reassured that this stunt would not hurt. He had to trust that his father would not make him do anything that would harm him. His mother had whispered that in his head before she had left them for good. He hesitated only a moment longer before holding out his own hand, mentally calling the sword back to him. It shook in his father’s grip. Geoff tried harder, straining his arm and his mind to call the sword away from his father’s mind and hold. His father closed his eyes, concentrating on keeping it, holding off his son’s struggles. The boy broke through.

                His father’s eyes flashed open as the sword broke from his grip and went whizzing towards his son. Before either man could react, Geoff let up, slowing the sword down and twisting it around so that the hilt came into his hands instead of the blade. As Geoff caught the hilt, he fell to his knees exhausted, the sword crashing to the tile next to him. He breathed in deeply trying to catch his breath. He heard his father’s boots ring against the floor, the rooms’ silence broken only by his footsteps. He felt his father kneel down in front of him, “Good job, Geoffrey, good job.” He looked up at the other man. “Do you agree with me now?”

                He nodded, “He will start lessons immediately.”

 

            The vision ended. Geoff pulled from Marcus’ grasp as Marcus came to. He studied the boy intensely; he knew that with that kind of strength in just a single vision, hiding the weapon would not do any good. The only way for Marcus to get over this weakness was to have the cause in his possession continuously. Geoff shoved the weapon into Marcus’ hands and walked towards the window. Marcus’ stunned eyes followed him.

            “What?”

            “It belongs to you now. Your zoning off will only disappear once you get used to it being with you. Take care of it,” Geoff said not bothering to turn around.

            “What about your brother?”

            “He won’t need it.”

            “Are you sure?”

            Geoff turned around sharply, his eyes glowing, “Trust me Marcus. You will have more use for it than he will. I doubt he’ll have much need of it where he is.”

            Marcus opened his mouth to say more but stopped. Geoff had let him off without punishment, if he kept pressing, the man would not continue to be so easy. His brother was obviously not a subject open for discussion. He would have to remember that for later. What happened to his brother? Why wouldn’t he need it? Marcus stopped these questions before they could get any farther. Geoff often knew what he was thinking.

            As they started downstairs, other questions popped into his head. Why had the sword called to him in the first place? Who were those people in that vision? He knew them. He had sensed their presence before when he had been in need of outside strength, but why, did they know who he was? The memory of Geoff paling at his name hit him then. Why would his name scare this man? Marcus wasn’t an uncommon name, at least not where he was from, and not here either as far as he could tell. Was it something to do with the brother Geoff wouldn’t talk about? If so why? How was any of this related to the sword now in his possession?

            As he watched Geoff’s back stiffen, Marcus realized he would not find out just by asking. The man’s brother was a subject Marcus would only learn about if Geoff chose to tell him. For that to happen, they would have to be almost like brothers themselves. Marcus pushed that thought away. As curious as he was, Marcus was not about to allow Geoff the chance to get that close to him. He would never allow anyone expect maybe Astra to ever get that close to him. 

            The innkeeper, Mr. Dodd, came into view then cutting off Marcus’ thoughts. Geoff sent him to saddle Freedom while they settled business. Marcus suspected they were going to talk about their resistance group, but didn’t say so. He had already overheard them talking about the group on their arrival here and just from the little bit he had chanced to listen in on, he knew that if Geoff knew he knew, he would not be getting off easy on any mistakes he made. Geoff would not want any plans of theirs falling into the wrong hands and Marcus was still an unknown factor. Mr. Dodd had pointed that out from the beginning. If he had been Max’s student as their group suspected he could be aiding the lunatic for all they knew. It wasn’t safe to trust him until he trusted them first. Marcus had snuck away after that not wanting to hear anymore. The innkeeper had been right to say he could be aiding their enemy. Yet, Geoff had accepted him in without hesitation, Marcus did not want Geoff finding out his apprenticeship had been to this maniac they were fighting. There was so much Geoff could help him with, so much he could help him uncover that Max had left hidden and in shadows.

            Marcus shook his head, they couldn’t trust him, shouldn’t trust him. He was a danger to them, a danger to everything they stood for. He was the hazard in their plan. Hadn’t he proved that today by zoning out instead of working? He was the unknown; he could turn on them at any second and get them arrested. Max would accept any excuse if Marcus went crawling back to him.

            I do not intend for you to be my slave, nor do I want you to fear me. For this to work, we will have to respect each other that will be the only way you will truly learn anything.

            Geoff’s words came back to him as Marcus readied the horse. If he ran off like he had from Max, Geoff would come after him, probably immediately. He wouldn’t make Marcus crawl and beg forgiveness and he wouldn’t need an excuse to soften the punishment either. Geoff accepted Marcus as he was, flaws and all, and from the flaws, Marcus was learning about himself and about those around him. Marcus turned to the horse; slipping on the bit as Geoff had shown him.

            “Your master confuses me. I don’t think I’ll ever understand him.”

            Freedom snorted, Marcus grinned taking it for sympathy. The horse probably understood how Marcus felt. “You either huh? I thought out of the two of us, you would understand him the best. You’ve been with him longer than I have.”

            Marcus opened the gate leading Freedom from his stall. They walked towards the door, behind which Marcus could feel Mr. Dodd and Geoff waiting. As they passed the second to last stall, Freedom halted, pulling Marcus backwards. Marcus looked at him concerned, “What’s wrong boy?”

            Freedom turned his head toward the stall. Marcus looked and stopped moving. Inside was the most beautiful horse he had ever seen and it was in terrible pain. Without thinking, Marcus dropped Freedom’s rope and stepped up to the gate, laying the sword around his waist against the wall next to him.  The horse inside tried to rear up from the straw. “Easy girl,” Marcus whispered. “I’m only here to help.”

            He wasn’t sure how he knew the horse was a female, but she was and she needed help. Her eyes rolled as she tried to move away from him or keep him out. “Easy girl easy, I am only here to help. I promise.” When the horse could see him, he held up his hands and turned around. “See no weapons, no hidden pockets, just me and my hands.”

            The horse snorted at him, but lay back down. Marcus carefully eased to the ground next to her watching her breathe. Slowly, he lowered his hand to her neck and ran it along her neck and down her sides, as his hand moved to her wound, the horse tried moving again. “Calm girl, stay calm,” Marcus said quietly, moving closer to the wound with his body and not his hand.

            The wound, several open cuts across her right flank, had become infected. “Who did this to you girl? Is the man still here or did you come here hoping for help?” Even though this was Mr. Dodd’s barn, Marcus had little doubt the man had not been the one to inflict these. Marcus stood up looking around. He had to clean the wounds before trying to heal her. Geoff would probably not approve, Marcus could feel him growing impatient, but at that moment, Marcus didn’t care. He found soap and a clean cloth and returned to the horse’s side. As he started to clean the wound, two of Mr. Dodd’s assistants walked in. Freedom turned his head towards them, moving to stand in front of Marcus, effectively preventing both boys from getting to him. The boys scowled at the horse, but made no move to get closer. They respected the mage and his horse, though the apprentice would be learning shortly how things should be done.

            “Okay girl this is gonna hurt,” Marcus whispered, “I’m sorry ahead of time. Please don’t take this against me.”

            The horse snorted. Marcus smiled before lowering his hands to her side. His face grew serious and he focused everything onto her. Freedom moved slightly to the side allowing the two boys to move closer without getting too close. They watched as this useless apprentice, who had no skill with horses whatsoever, tried to heal one that even their Master had a problem with. According to this boy, the first time he had ever been near a horse had been dealing with his master’s. Yet, he knelt next to this one with the confidence of one who knew what to expect. He slowed the healing process if the horse softly neighed and built it back up once she settled down. Only once did he have to stop. She had tried to get to her feet towards the end, thinking Marcus had been finished. He turned his eyes towards her, the green glowing a deep emerald. She had immediately settled back down allowing Marcus to complete the spell and close up the wound so it did not get re-infected.  When he was finished, Marcus sat back wiping his hands on his clothes as he stood up.

            He fell backwards. “Damn my legs are asleep.”

            “Anyone’s would be if they had stayed still as long as you have.”

            Marcus looked up. The two stable lads from the inn, Patrick and Jeremy, stood in the doorway to the stall. He was effectively cornered, those two blocking the door, and the horse he had just healed blocking the window. Marcus looked again. He had seen this horse before. She had two diamond shapes on her nose, something he had missed while concentrating on her injuries. The shapes were identical in coloring and positioning, snow white markings against her ebony coloring. As the feeling came back into his limbs, Marcus tried standing up again to get closer to her. He made it half way before she moved in front of him. Marcus laid a hand on her side, nudging her over slightly for Patrick to come through.

            “She’s already protecting you; seems she has the sense to trust those giving of themselves.”

            “Who did that to her?” Marcus asked the question hoping to ignore Patrick’s comment.

            “I have no idea.” Patrick moved closer holding out his hand, “She came to Mr. Dodd a week ago. We had tried healing that wound, but as you saw it would get infected again or she wouldn’t allow us to heal her completely.”

            The horse nuzzled the boy’s hand, allowing his touch only while Marcus remained away from him. In order for Marcus to leave, he had to keep a hand on her and have Patrick and Jeremy lead out of the stall.

            “She’s a beauty, but wild, my master been wantin’ that wound healed before letting her loose again.” Jeremy glanced at Marcus, “How did you do that?”

            Marcus shrugged. 

            Patrick and Jeremy glanced at each other. As they had watched Marcus heal the horse, they realized the mage’s apprentice had more power than they had thought. But if he didn’t know how he’d done it, he couldn’t have that much power in him after all.

            As Marcus stepped out from the stall, Jeremy skirted around Freedom and came up behind him. Patrick waited until the horse protecting Marcus went to Freedom’s side before joining them. Marcus tried getting around them, but realized they had him cornered. He could feel Geoff and Mr. Dodd coming out of the inn looking around for them. If either one caught them fighting, all three would be in trouble. He had to stop them somehow.

            Marcus waited, wondering if they would explain what would happen or if they were the action only type. As Patrick opened his mouth, Marcus knew he had some time.

            “As much as we are awed by you healing the horse, you’re one of us and you don’t know nothing.”

            “So?”

            “You’re an apprentice now. You should.”

            “Why?” Marcus refrained from mentioning he really wasn’t one of them. It wouldn’t help get him out of this if he did.

            Both boys stopped moving.

             “What do you mean why?” Jeremy moved around the front to stand next to Patrick. His eyes stood out on his face, his jaw opened in shock. “You’re an apprentice to one of most legendary and honored mages in this country and you don’t even respect him. Why do you get to hang around him when you can’t even remember what you did to heal a horse?”

            Both horses snorted at him, but all three ignored them.

            “It’s not like I chose to be with him,” Marcus retorted. As soon as the words left his mouth, Marcus wondered if Geoff would mind if he told people the truth of how they ended up together.

            “It doesn’t matter. The fact is you are with him now and you don’t show him the honor an apprentice owes his teacher. And what’s worse, he obviously thought you were something special.”

            Marcus took a step back as if he had taken a physical blow. Maybe a fight would have been better than this. He didn’t need these two reminding him he owed the man a lot for taking him in under the pretense he had concocted. Since he had joined Geoff, people had stopped asking questions about his background and where he was from. Even these two assumed he should know how apprentices worked as if he had been in this area all his life.

            “So what if he did, that has nothing to do with me. It’s his fault for assuming now isn’t it?”

            Those words made Marcus sick. Even if he was just stalling these two idiots, he didn’t need to insult the man aiding him like this.  Quickly he pushed the thought away, if Max discovered where he was everyone Marcus cared about or respected would be in danger. He wouldn’t put anyone in danger by thinking this way, he had to keep the man at a distance and no one would get hurt.

            “You ungrateful brat!” Jeremy took a few steps towards him as the barn doors opened. The two boys turned, standing next to Marcus as both Mr. Dodd and Geoff walked into the barn. Marcus felt Geoff’s eyes on him, but he could not look up. His own words as well as the two stable lads were echoing in his mind, giving him the sinking feeling that Geoff had heard everything that had gone on.

 

            As Joseph Dodd questioned the three boys, Geoff watched Marcus’ face. The boy wouldn’t look at him, giving away that there had been some mischief and he had been a part of it. Geoff looked around and noticed the sword leaning against one of the stalls; he walked over recognizing it as the one he had given to Marcus a few minutes ago.

            Interrupting the innkeeper, Geoff called for the boy. “Marcus, come here.”

            He watched as Marcus walked to him slowly literally dragging his feet and postponing any discussion Geoff might want. Geoff’s eyebrow rose in confusion, what had Marcus gotten into now?

            When Marcus finally reached his side, Geoff pointed at the weapon. “Why is this not with you?”

            “She wouldn’t let me go to her if it was on me. I forgot to pick it back up.” Marcus bent to grab it and as Geoff watched, the sword lessened the distance between it and the boy’s hand. He tucked that information away later, instead focusing on the conversation.

            “She? Who is she? And why did you have to go to her?”

            Marcus turned away from him as he stood up. He was definitely trying to hide something; Geoff recognized the movement from his own childhood. “Marcus, when you talk to me, you look at me.”

            Marcus turned back to him, the pupil’s of his eyes beginning to take on the crystal green color Geoff recognized from earlier. Whatever the boy had gotten into, he was terrified of Geoff’s reaction.

            “She is the horse standing next to yours sir.”

            “Alright, so you went to this horse’s side, obviously taking her out of her stall. Did it occur to you that the stable lads might assume you were stealing one of the other guests’ horses?”

            Marcus shook his head, “Not at the time sir. She wasn’t well when I saw her. I never saw those two in here or I never would have gone to her, I swear.”

            “What did you do Marcus? Explain it to me.”

            The boy took a deep breath, rushing into an explanation of what had happened. He explained everything, except why the innkeeper’s lads had backed him into a corner, or why all three had been so startled when Joseph and Geoff had walked in. Glancing over at Joseph, he realized the two boys weren’t giving that information up either. When Marcus finished, Geoff turned to Joseph.

            “Mr. Dodd, I don’t believe these young men are going to tell us what has happened.”

            “It matters not. Something happened and if no one will speak, the punishment will be extended to all three.”

            Before Geoff could agree or disagree, Marcus stood in front of the other two, blocking Joseph from getting near them. “It was my fault. Do not punish these two for doing what they believed was right.”

            “What happened Marcus?” Geoff moved closer to the foursome, waving the boys and the innkeeper back a little just in case.

            “We were talking about the horse. I asked where it got the bruises. I think they took my question as insulting Mr. Dodd. I didn’t really clarify that I knew it wasn’t their master, so the fault lies in me. They were defending their master, nothing more.”

            Beyond Marcus, Geoff could see the boys exchanging looks. Marcus’ version did not add up to what they remembered happening. Unfortunately, Geoff knew this would not be resolved unless he and Joseph continued with their threat. Geoff nodded, letting Marcus know he had heard. He stepped back, pulling the innkeeper with him, keeping his voice low so that the boys would not hear him.

            “I am going to find out the truth, keep these two in here looking after my horse, maybe if they believe Marcus is in serious trouble they will tell you their side of this.”

            Joseph nodded watching Marcus, “The boy looks weary, but triumphant. Has he had to protect others from being punished before? His reaction was mighty fast for being a first time thing.”

            “I plan to discover that as well. I will be borrowing your office, if you don’t mind.”

            Joseph shook his head, “No problem. Take as long as you need. These animals will be ready for you when you return.”

            “The female is not mine.”

            “No, but your apprentice went to a lot of trouble to heal her. It would be a shame for her to go to another after that.”

            “True. We shall see.”  Raising his voice, Geoff called, “Marcus, come with me.”

            Joseph watched as the boy slowly followed Geoff out of the barn. He knew their group could not afford to trust that boy, not until he had been fully tested against Max’s tyranny. Yet, Joseph turned back to his two charges; the boy had placed himself in danger by saving a wounded animal, and then had lied to prevent injury between himself and his apprentices. He knew the group could not afford to be lenient so early, and yet, Joseph Dodd found he wanted to help the scamp find a better life than the one he had.

            Marcus followed Geoff back up the stairs to the back office of the sleeping inn. Marcus knew Geoff had wanted to be gone before the rest of the guests had gotten up. He hadn’t wanted to deal with the problems the other folks traveling would cause on the roads. But no, he had to be stupid and get in a disagreement with the inn’s help, only to lie about what had happened, and get in even more trouble. Geoff was probably already fuming because of the conversation he had heard before entering the barn and now probably wanted to kill him for embarrassing him in front of another member of his group. When Geoff finally closed the door to the office, effectively shutting out the rest of the world, Marcus could feel his hands trembling. He had never been this nervous in his entire life. Max didn’t scare him as much as this man did and Max had done a lot of things to him over the last three years that he could remember.

            Marcus cringed as Geoff ordered him to sit down. As he sat on the edge of a hard wooden chair, Marcus waited for the accusations, the insults and the pain to come. He refused to look up, to acknowledge that Geoff had his nerves on edge. This man had shown him more respect in the three days, then Max had in the entire length of time they had been together and that terrified him. He couldn’t stop the respect and gratitude he felt reaching towards this man, even though he knew if Max discovered it, Geoff would be dead. The idea that he had thoughtlessly spit out words in order to keep those two from getting into trouble tore at his insides. When did this man’s opinion of him become so important that the thought of Geoff hearing those words and believing he had meant them destroyed any self-preservation he had left?

            When the silence became too much to deal with, Marcus finally looked up. Geoff quietly moved to sit across from him and waited. Eventually Marcus looked away, the edges of his face changing to a bright red.  The question he dreaded floated across the space between them, threatening to choke his good intentions.

            “Marcus, tell me what happened.”

            “I did.”

            Geoff frowned. “Did you? Do you really want me to believe they went after you because you insulted their teacher?”

            “Just get this over with so we can leave.”

            “I’m not leaving until you tell me the truth.”

            “I DID!” Marcus jumped from the chair, knocking it to the ground unable to sit across from him any longer. Why didn’t Geoff just strike and be done with it? Why drag it out and make it harder on everyone? Didn’t he get it? Didn’t he understand how this worked? Marcus messed up and now he had to pay for it.

            “If you had told me the truth, you wouldn’t be this agitated.”

            “I wouldn’t be this agitated if you would do your job correctly!”

            “Marcus, sit down.” Geoff ordered, the overturned chair righting itself immediately.

             Marcus could feel the anger in the tone and quickly sat down, clamping his lips shut. Silently he cursed his stupidity for the second time that day. Some great apprentice he was turning out to be, Geoff was probably regretting his choice now and thinking back over all the other apprentices he had passed up.

            Not that it matters, Marcus thought, I never did finalize the stupid agreement anyway. He can just drop me at anytime and no one would realize the difference.

             His tingling fingertips announced his fear too accurately. Quickly, Marcus clasped his hands together.  Looking up now or even opening his mouth seemed out of the question. He would have to listen to whatever lecture Geoff gave him, then handle the intended punishment without compliant. That plan held the only logical path now that he had screwed up so much. How could he have been so stupid?

           

            Geoff watched Marcus squirm. He heard the questions and self-accusations running through the boy’s mind, but he ignored them. It seemed that only when Marcus had questions or became agitated did Geoff hear him. The boy did not seem aware of that, and Geoff had used that to his advantage. Now, however, Geoff realized the boy would have to know if he planned to continue their journey today.

            “Marcus, what is it you do not think I’m doing that I should be?”

            Marcus said nothing, though the questions running between them stopped.

            “You obviously have some idea of what my duty is, so please, tell me. What am I not completing correctly?”

            Marcus mumbled something so low Geoff barely caught it.

            “I’m sorry?”

            Marcus looked up, “Nothing sir.”

            “That is very much a lie or you would not be agitated. I am correct that is what you said wasn’t it?”

            “That’s not what I meant.”

            “Then explain what you were talking about. I am most interested.”

            Marcus looked away from him then, at an utter lose; Geoff could see it in his face. “You just don’t get it.”

            “What don’t I get?”

            “You aren’t…” Marcus stopped, unsure what to say.

            “I’m not what?”

            Marcus turned back to him, “You aren’t anything I’m used to. At least with the other one, I knew what to expect. I could look at a situation and know what his reaction would be to the outcome and I could be prepared. I can’t do that here. I don’t know anything.”
            “Don’t know anything? In what context?” Geoff asked, knowing he had to get Marcus to tell him who his original teacher had been.

            “In being an apprentice; I have no idea what I can or cannot do. With the other one, I just knew without being told. Here I have no idea what will set people off and what won’t. I just wish…oh I don’t even know what I’m saying.”

            Marcus planted his face into his shaking hands.

            “What happened in the barn Marcus?”

            He shook his head, unwilling to go any farther with the discussion. Sighing, Geoff stood up and strode toward the window. He watched Joseph leave the barn shaking his head; the two stable lads must have given him a problem as well. If they left as Geoff had planned, whatever had happened would linger in Marcus’ mind making lessons difficult. He needed to discover the truth without breaking Marcus’ trust and invading the boy’s thoughts. Seeing the older of the stable lads lead Freedom into the yard, Geoff came up with a plan.

            “Alright, go find the innkeeper. Tell him I want to see him, then go to the stables and help those two lads with my horse and the one you healed today. You might as well learn how to care for them.”

            Geoff felt the boy’s surprise at these orders. Marcus had been expecting something else entirely. He lifted his head from his hands, staring at Geoff incredulously. “I thought you wanted to leave today?”

            “I did, but since you have yet to tell me the truth, we’ll be staying here a little while longer. Now, do as I said.”

            He felt Marcus leave the room, heard him talking to Joseph right outside the door, than head downstairs. He waited until Joseph had locked the door behind him before turning back around and leaning against the ledge.

            “They didn’t tell you anything either.”

            Joseph shook his head, “No. They insisted that your boy’s story told the truth. Him not blaming them struck something and they won’t say anything. It’s very strange.”

            “Why is that?”

            “Well, see, there was this other boy, Micheal, that had come through here several years ago. He too seemed to be running from a master of sorts. Well, he came through here and had worked with those two awhile. He had been the one to remind them what being an apprentice was. You remember those two had given me nothing but trouble when ya’ first brung ‘em here.”

            “I remember, but why should it be strange. Surely after this Micheal came through, those two have tried sticking up for you.”

            “Well, no one else has come through, with ‘prentices I mean. But what’s strange is your boy created the same link to my two as did this Micheal kid.”

            “Really?”

            Joseph nodded. “Didn’ want to trust him either. Caught him sneaking around with some nasty supporters from Trumpets Echo; thought he brought them onto our group, ya’ know. My two rushed to his defense the moment I brought him back here. Claimed he had been pulled along with those scoundrels but couldn’t say nothing cause of Max being in town and all.”

            “Was that their story or his?”

            “Both actually.”

            “And you think they’ve done the same thing to Marcus.”

            “Not think” Joseph shook his head, “I know they did. Too bad you leave today. Marcus could use some help from them.”

            “That’s why I asked you to come see me. I’m afraid we will be preying on your hospitality awhile longer. Marcus has yet to tell me what really happened. Until he does, we will remain here. And if you don’t mind, I thought the best punishment would be to stick the three of them together. If nothing else, some of your boys’ loyalty may just rub off on Marcus.”

            “Or your boy’s confusion will rub off on my two.”

            Geoff laughed, “That is entirely likely. But what do you say a few more days of my face at your inn wouldn’t scare away customers will it?”

            “No, you’re free to stay as long as you need. I do need the boy’s extra hands if you can spare him. With all the people coming in lately my boys’ have had it kinda rough.”

            “It’s a deal then.” Geoff added, “I’ve sent Marcus down to help your two with the horses.”

            “That may give him better dealings with those animals. Especially that one he healed. Did you ask him how he healed it?”

            Geoff turned back to the window watching Marcus approach the mare. “No, I had concentrated on getting him to tell me the truth. I’ll ask about the mare later, when I have more time and can evaluate his spell properly.”

            “Did you feel it?”

            “No. Another reason I need to evaluate it; I need to know how he masked it when he doesn’t know the simplest protection spells from the forest. He had a strange teacher but somehow, I don’t think he ever used his power around the man. I don’t believe the man can even begin to imagine the potential the boy has.”

            “Has the boy told you that’s who he had been taught by?” Joseph asked.

            “Not yet. He doesn’t trust me enough to share that information. He is terrified of whoever it was finding him and anyone he’s staying with.”

            Joseph watched Geoff for a few minutes before asking, “Are you sure you want to continue this journey? The counsel will assign someone else to him.”

            Geoff turned around, confusion radiating from his eyes, “Why would I not continue this? Why would I hand him over to someone else?”

            “Geoffrey Nathaniel, you know I mean no disrespect. But this does not seem the type of situation that will allow you to prove yourself to those fools.”

             “I am not trying to prove myself to anyone,” Geoff growled. “I am doing this because I am the only one capable of handling this boy’s power without being overthrown by Max’s corruption. The boy needs someone he will trust to teach him to learn to use the power he possess’, if I discard him for such stupid reasons he will never trust another person.”

            “And you know this? How? You said yourself that you have only been with the boy three days. How can you possibly know how he will react?”

            “I don’t, but I will not throw his chances away by allowing them to interfere in my decision. You know as well as I why I was sent to seek him out and that it did not include taking him on as my student. That was entirely my own choice and I plan on carrying it out as I should.”

            “But do you know what you’re getting yourself into?”

            “Does anyone ever know what they are getting into when dealing with the unknown?”

            “I just hope when the boy finds out what you need him for, he doesn’t turn on you like he did this teacher of his.”    

            Geoff turned back to the window, “So do I Joseph, so do I.”