Free The Fuller's Apprentice (The Chronicles of Tevenar Book 1) by Angela Holder

the mountains, hitting all the little villages and settlements as we make our way west. That should take most of the summer. Sometime near fall we’ll reach Shalinthan. We’ll spend the winter working our way around to the south, and arrive home in Elathir in early spring.”
    “In time for you to celebrate your mastery ceremony at Springtide.”
    “As long as nothing unexpected delays us.”
    “Watch out for those bandits we keep hearing about. They sound like a ruthless bunch.”
    “We’ll try. But the Guildmaster asked me to determine whether they’re a serious enough threat to warrant a joint effort with the Watchers’ Guild.”
    “I’m glad she’s considering it. From what I’ve heard, that’s what it will take to stop them.” He pointed at Elkan. “A single wizard and familiar certainly can’t.”
    “Don’t worry; I’m not that foolish. I’ll stay well away from them. Windows will provide all the evidence the Guildmaster needs.”
    Josiah had wondered how Elkan planned to learn more about the bandits than had already been reported. Now that he’d seen how the wizard could use the Mother’s power to look into the past, he understood.
    “Still, be careful.”
    “We will.” Elkan rolled up the map and tucked it away.
    They bid farewell to Tivon and left the Mother’s Hall before the sun peeked over the horizon. Only a few people were in the streets, so they passed quickly through the town. As the sun rose, they struck out on a small road that led through the farming country to the northeast.
    The weather was fine, with a nip of cold in the air that made it a pleasure to warm themselves with the exertion of walking. The clear blue sky held only a few wisps of white brushed against the sky. They exchanged hails with farmers driving wagons into town for the Firstday market. In the fields, horses and oxen pulled plows and farmers scattered handfuls of seed. Cattle and goats grazed in pastures, and they passed a shepherd driving his flock along the road.
    Josiah thoroughly enjoyed the morning. He chatted with Elkan about everything they saw. But by the time the sun was high overhead he was getting tired, so he was glad when Elkan called a halt.
    After much too short a break they resumed trudging along the road. The day grew warmer and the sun beat down, still only a hint of the baking heat of summer to come, but enough to make Josiah sweat. Elkan was content to walk in silence. Sardonyx plodded along uncomplaining, his tail occasionally swishing to brush away a fly.
    Farms grew farther apart as the day advanced, with more stretches of wild meadow and stands of trees. Late in the afternoon they came to land more rolling than the flat lands near the river. The cool breeze from the forest as they reached the bottom of a little valley was a wonderful relief to Josiah. He threw himself down to drink from the trickle of water that flowed in a shallow ford across the rocks of the road.
    He’d done his best through the day not to complain or question, but now he had to ask. “How much longer will we be walking today?” The sun was sinking, but it was still several hours yet before it would reach the horizon, and Josiah was certain Elkan wouldn’t want to waste any daylight.
    His fears were confirmed. “I planned to keep going until near sunset and find a farm to offer us hospitality for the night. We should take advantage of that while we can; tomorrow we’ll probably have to camp. But if you’re too tired, we can look for a place to stop earlier.”
    Josiah forced himself to stand up straight, though his pack cut into his shoulders and he was sure a blister was forming on one foot. “I can go on.”
    Elkan nodded, and they set out again. “It gets easier,” he reassured Josiah. “Within a few days your body will adjust. Tomorrow and the next day will probably be the worst, then it will start to improve.”
    Tomorrow would be worse? Josiah tried hard not to let his dismay show on his face.
    He must