The Unwilling Apprentice (Book 2) by Heidi Willard Page B

he wasn't going to like this talk. "This is about the earthquake, isn't it?" Fred guessed. Ned nodded, and the boy turned to him. "I didn't mean for it to get so big. I just didn't know how to stop it."
    Ned sighed. "And that is precisely the problem. You used the staff without knowing how you created the magic, nor how to cancel it out."
    Fred's shoulders drooped, and he hung his head. He couldn't argue with Ned, the truth was out there in all the wrecked buildings and injured people. His voice was hoarse and trembled. "I know I shouldn't have done it, but I couldn't think of any way out of there. We were surrounded by these guys and-"
    "-and you used your staff," Ned finished. Fred nodded, but didn't look up. There was silence between them for a moment, and Ned sighed. "What will you do now? You can't protect Pat if you risk her life performing these spells."
    Fred's head shot up and he glared at the old man. "You think I don't know that? On that roof she looked at me like I was-I was-"
    "-some kind of monster?" Ned suggested. Fred whipped his head away and closed his eyes; the truth hurt. A heavy hand settled on Fred's shoulder, and Ned spoke in a softer tone. "Knowing all these things, what will you do?"
    Fred bit his lip. "I...I need to learn how to control it." He lifted his eyes and met Ned's steady gaze. "I need to become your apprentice, if you'll still have me."
    A smile slowly slipped onto Ned's face, and he gave a nod. "I will be glad to have you." Then Ned stepped back, pulled at his long beard and looked the boy over. A twinkle slipped into his eyes that made Fred wonder what he'd gotten himself into. "But perhaps a change of wardrobe."
    Ned pointed his staff at Fred and a rainbow of light shot out at the boy. Fred held up his arms and shut his eyes, and a tingle ran through his body. That disappeared in a few seconds, and he felt heavier than before. Fred peeked open an eye and found Ned standing before him with a smirk on his face. "Admirable, and very becoming," Ned complimented.
    Fred blanched and glanced down at himself. His eyes bulged out when he saw he wore a sky-blue cloak with glowing stars over the front and back. The sleeves dragged the ground, and he sported a long, snowy-white beard. A long, floppy hat slid down over his eyes, and he yanked it up to see it had a pointy end. He shifted his feet and bells jingled from the end of his pointed slipper shoes. His head shot up and he glared at Ned; even his eyebrows felt bushy.
    "What the hell have you done to me?" Fred exclaimed.
    Ned chuckled. "Merely gave you the necessary clothing for an apprentice." He reached out and pulled on Fred's beard. The long hair popped off and Ned showed the clips that had hung it over Fred's ears. "All of it is an illusion, but that is perhaps the most useful tool for castors." Fred tried to walk, and stumbled over the hems of both his sleeves and the lower part of his cloak. The hat slid back over his eyes. "Careful you don't get the sleeves dirty," Ned teased.
    Fred stiffened, lifted up the hat, and glared at Ned. "You know I hate you, don't you?"
    Ned smiled sweetly and adjusted the hat. "It helps me sleep at night, but if you don't wish to have such fine clothes, you may take them off," he teased.
    Fred happily complied, and with each divestment the material disappeared in a poof of glittering smoke. "I didn't know castors could really do small magic. You don't seem to use it that often," Fred pointed out.
    Ned seated himself on the bed and leaned on his staff as he looked over the boy. "The loudest castor is generally the worst. What he lacks in skill he makes up for with showy parlor tricks."
    Fred sat himself beside Ned. "So don't show people what you can do?" he asked the old man.
    Ned smiled and gave a nod. "Precisely. Your adversaries won't know your full potential until you choose to reveal it."
    "Adversaries like Canavar?" Fred guessed.
    The old castor's eyes flitted over the boy. "You haven't heard much of him,