Free The Wheelwright's Apprentice by James Burnett

He passed market places and shops, and ended up at the Truthreaders Court. His walk around the City had been enough to let him relax again and to forget his lapse.
    He looked up at the Truthreaders Court. It was another imposing edifice. He entered and no one challenged him. He wondered if wearing the Count’s insignia was it, or perhaps anyone was allowed in. He took the opportunity to sit down on a bench and rest and think. There was another bench back to back to the one he was on, and Art heard two voices talking.
    The first said, “Did you hear? A jottin vendor got a spectacular comeuppance this morning when the country bumpkin he played a trick on turned out to be a Will adept. He smashed the cart to bits, froze the pieces in mid-air for a minute or so to allow the vendor to think about it, and then put it all back together. Oh, and he Willed a spoonful of that spiced up jottin into the vendor’s mouth! My sister saw it and says it was the most amazing thing she had ever seen.”
    “That vendor is known for giving extra hot jottin to newcomers, and she said seeing his face as he spat it out was just wonderful. She said she laughed and laughed.”
    The other voice chimed in with, “So which adept was it? There can only be a dozen in Red City.”
    “She said it was a boy, wearing temple clothes and...who looked like the Count of course!”
    Art got up quietly and crept out. He really did not want to be reminded of what he had done. He started back towards the Temple, but decided he deserved a decent meal first, so he stopped at a likely inn. He ordered simply, saying, “Bring me anything, as long as it isn’t spicy.”
    While he was working his way through a large portion of roast pork with potatoes, vegetables and gravy, he heard a conversation at the next table, “...blew up the vendor’s cart and let all the pieces hang in the air...”
    “Must have been a very strong willed adept”
    “And a very annoyed one!”
    “...would have paid to see that.”
    Art quickly finished and left. It was not his day. He went straight back to the Temple and asked to see Grammon. Cammlign="just
    After waiting a while, he was ushered into Grammon’s study and said, “The day got off to a bad start...”
    Grammon smiled and replied, “I thought you might be back early. Your little impromptu show has had a few people talking, as it got back to us quite a while ago. I am not sure what to say. You lost control spectacularly, but regained it even more spectacularly, so I think we can consider the incident closed.” Grammon paused for attention and went on to say, “The next couple of times you leave the Temple I will be sending someone with you!”
    Art turned at the doorway as he was leaving and told Grammon, “I must admit it was fun. I haven’t had much fun lately. I liked the feel of power. I don’t want my fun to hurt people, but I have found that I am not the perfect person my mother wanted me to be.”
    Grammon shot back, “But not our dad?”
    Art looked Grammon right in the eye and said, “I have no idea what our father wants from me, and I’ll be lucky if I ever do!”

10
     
    A week later, Art was in Grammon’s office, and was introduced to another apprentice.
    “This is Faran. He is a native of Red City, and I have asked him to show you around. Please stay with him.” Grammon gave him a serious look. He was a sheepdog to Art’s sheep, someone to keep him in line. Art resolved to do his best as he did not want anything similar to last week’s lapse to happen.
    His venture into town this time was a lot more reserved than it had been the week before. There was some sightseeing and pointing out of landmarks, but Faran ordered all their food and drink. He at least knew what it was. The pair drew quite a few stares as they wandered. After a bit, Art asked Faran, “Why do they look at us? Are we unusual?”
    Faran gave a quirky smile, and replied, “No we aren’t, but you are. All the Temple apprentices