Free The Wizard's Apprentice (The Apprentice) by Janice Ayre

contempt, and gallop off. After fruitless attempts to bring the horse in, it annoyed the elf to have to rely on Zebulon to catch it for him. He wasn't sure what spell Zebulon used but Brock decided it would be a useful one to learn.
    Away from the mine, Brock's mood once more lightened. He was greeted by Uri and his family as warmly as when Zebulon was with him. There was little for him to do for the rest of the day so he decide d to walk around the village enjoying the attractiveness of the trees and gardens. He had just beg u n to retrace his steps to the Four Star Inn when a voice called his name, and he froze.

Chapter Eight
Encounter
    On hearing the familiar voice, Brock wondered if he could pretend that he did not recognise its owner. He averted his face so that he would not be perceived to have looked in the direction of the sound, but from the corner of his eye he could see the familiar and intimidating form of the young red-haired man. As he turned to head towards the safety of the inn, he saw, coming towards him two young men. Looking back at the owner of the voice, he could see that Orville had quickened his pace. Brock's mind was in a turmoil. He doubted if he could outrun Orville and knew that he certainly could not outrun the three of them. The two men coming towards him were almost as big and as mean looking as Orville. They were not the same two companions that had been at the farm with him. Even as he had the thought that maybe they were not connected in any way with his enemy, Brock knew from the purposeful way they approached that they knew each other.
    " Brock, where are you going?" Orville was quite close now.
    In desperation Brock looked around to see if there were others around whom he might apply for help, but at this time of day most people had returned to their homes and the street was empty save Brock and the three men. Brock clearly saw that he would have to stay and take a beating.
    "Don't tell me you are not going to talk to an old friend?" Orville now stood beside Brock.
    As Brock searched for words to utter, the two young men drew alongside him and continued on without so much as a glance at either Brock or Orville.
    "I didn't expect to see you here," Brock finally said.
    "Nor I to see you," responded Orville. He placed a friendly hand on Brock's shoulder and then continued. " I hope you didn't take that thing back at the farm seriously. We were only playing with you."
    "Clinton didn't seem to be playing. He didn't like me."
    "That Pumpkin Head! I hardly know him, I just came along with the others because Clint said he wanted to show us something. So what is it to be, friends?"
    "I guess so," said Brock hesitantly.
    "What are you doing so far away from the farm?"
    "We are travelling, and visiting friends."
    "Well that's great, we can spend some time together. Where is your father?"
    "Zeb... my father is with our friends."
    "Didn't get to meet your father. Maybe later we'll catch up."
    "Yes that's right." While Brock said this he was remembering back to the night in his hut when Zebulon had hur le d Orville across the room. But now Orville was acting as though none of that happened. Maybe he was mistaken and it was someone else. It had been dark. Brock still did not feel relaxed in Orville's company.
    "Instead of standing out here, let's go to the inn and we can share all that has happened since we last met."
    It seemed unreal to Brock that he was befriended by someone who, but for a few minutes ago, had filled him with dread. He hoped very much that Orville would not want to go to the Four Star. He thought it better at this point that he did not introduce him to Uri and Elvira.
    Orville led the way to another part of the village where there was a neat inn. It was not as big as the Four Star but it was comfortable and welcoming just the same.
    "It's getting late, let me buy you a meal," said Orville as he ordered some ale for himself. Brock had declined the offer of a drink.
    "My friends will be