The Apprentice Sorcerer: The Caldronian Guild

by Andrew G. Wood

  The Apprentice Sorcerer.

  Book One : The Caldronian Guild

  Copyright© Andrew G. Wood

  2016

  All Rights Reserved.

  Other titles :

  The Chronicles of Elemental Magic

  Book One: Rise of the Darekians

  Book Two: Holding the Line

  Book Three: Prince of Magic

  The New Chronicles of Elemental Magic

  Book One: A New Threat

  Book Two: The Zulani Empire

  The Sulbria Chronicles

  Return of the Phoenix

  The Kothian Chronicles

  The Elementalist

  The Elementalist : Battle of the Mind

  The Elementalist : Next of Kin

  Chosen : A Gift of Power

  Prologue.

  Marshdale was a small village in Caldronia. It held no great wealth, nor any great strategic position, so as to why it was under attack was somewhat a mystery, with the outlying farmsteads already ablaze, its occupants dead or dying.

  The small army of soldiers, magicians and strange looking creatures pushed further onwards, as dozens of men from the village stood to defend their families and properties. Some were armed with swords and bows, others nothing more than pitchforks and scythes. Approaching them, was a score or more of conventional armed men, as well as half a dozen who could wield magic, although strangest of all, were the small imp-like creatures that bounced and bobbed beside them.

  Those defending nervously waited, before releasing a small flurry of arrows, launching a mishmash of different coloured feathered shafts skyward. One of the sorcerers merely waved a hand and a glimmering shield of light appeared in front of them, and deflected the arrow shafts aside. Two of the small imps launched a barrage of small, fist size fireballs, scattering those defending, and one of the magic wielders fired forth a salvo of energy bolts downing two of them as some tried to flee. The bolts of energy burnt through their victims, causing both the clothes and flesh to smoulder, as the smell of death drifted on the air. The other magicians followed suit and repeated the attacks, slaying those that still resisted.

  Within a matter of just a few minutes, the defenders had all but been eliminated, as the women and children, who had been taking cover inside the small church within the village, were unceremoniously dragged outside. Those too young to walk unaided were taken from their carer’s and slain, merely tossed aside for carrion. The other children were pulled away from their mothers and grandmothers, the screams and cries and pitiful attempts at protecting their young were in vain, as they themselves were then cut down without any remorse.

  The remaining children were rounded up, huddling together in fear. Numbering just a dozen, aging between four and fifteen, both girls and boys, they awaited their fate. The eldest of the group were then dragged over to the six waiting sorcerers, before each placed a hand on one of the youngsters. They then proceeded to drain their victims of energy, replenishing their own power, syphoning the very life force from them. They did not stop until every last drop of power was taken, as the children started slumping to the ground.

  The fate that awaited the younger children was even worse, as each was forced to drink a potion, one imbued with dark magic. The effect was almost immediate, as the children coughed and spluttered, falling to the ground holding their throats. Their bodies convulsed and twitched, as the very shape of their form changed, and within just a few minutes, each had been become a husk. The attackers then waited patiently, before the dried outer casings then started moving. The first of them finally cracked open, and the small figure of an imp emerged. Like a butterfly breaking free from its cocoon, the small creature stumbled out, stretching its limbs, inhaling its first breath, in its new form, bound to do its new master’s bidding.

  Chapter 1.

  Leo stretched out his arms, as the first of the morning light shone through the small window in to his room. He threw back the blanket and sat up, and after rubbing his eyes and yawning, he stood to get dressed. He felt the chill of the spring morning on his naked body, as he pulled on his trousers and buttoned them up. After checking himself in the small piece of broken mirror he had, he picked up his brown linen shirt, and after he had put on his rather worn boots he stepped toward the door.

  His room was small, and although attached to the main house, it was actually an extension to it. Aside from the simple timber bed he had made himself, and a small table on which he kept his few belongings, it contained little else of any note. His room had no carpets or even a fireplace, and the door to his room led straight outside into the yard.

  He had not been allowed to sleep in the main house since his father had died, and since that time, his stepmother, stepbrother and stepsister all lived there. His own mother had died during his birth, and after a short while his father had then remarried a widow with two children. At first, they had lived all happily together, however, after his father had passed away when Leo had been just nine years of age, things changed very dramatically.

  His stepmother saw him as a burden, an extra mouth to feed, and as such he was often left to go hungry; She had the audacity to think she was doing him a favour, by letting him remain in the small extension to the house. From that young age, he had endured harsh treatment, whereby beatings were regular, and as he was youngest of the children, even his stepbrother and sister joined in. Now he was sixteen years of age he was big enough to defend himself, although the years of abuse had all but driven all his self-confidence and esteem from him.

  As Leo did every other morning, he needed to see to the few animals owned by the family. He stepped outside with his shirt still in hand, he threw it over his shoulder. After bringing up a bucket of water from the well, he then washed his hands and face, before he ran his fingers through his thick dark hair, and finally pulling his shirt over his head covering his slim body.

  As payment for letting him stay in the room, and letting him have the leftover food, Leo was expected to work. Once the animals were fed, he would be expected to have the breakfast ready for when the family got up. Today was especially important for them as apparently, the Guild Masters were visiting town to select the very best youngsters for their next intake.

  His stepbrother, Brodie, who was nineteen, was quite well built, although some might say a little overweight. Not only was he possibly the laziest person Leo had ever known, he was also the person who had treated him worst of all, and even though Leo was now sixteen, he still dished him out regular beatings. Only his stepsister Daisy, had shown him any type of kindness, although that basically consisted of her not beating him as hard as the others.

  Leo had spent the previous day, washing clothes, not his own, but those of his tormentors, to hopefully make a good impression with the Guild Masters. His stepmother wanted her two children to look their very best, in the anticipation that if they were selected and apprenticed, they could look forward to a privileged lifestyle. Naturally, when the guild took youngsters from their families, they also compensated the parents. Generally, intakes only occurred once every year, although sometimes they did not even do that, and if Brodie missed out this year, he would unlikely be selected in future as he would have passed the age of those usually taken. Daisy, who at eighteen years of age may still get one more chance, although Leo was quite certain neither of them ever would.

  After letting himself into the main house, Leo gathered the clothes he had laundered the day before and folded them neatly. He then walked up the stairs and placed them outside their respective owner's bedroom doors, trying to remain as quiet as could. He was only permitted inside the house to carry out his chores,
and when they were completed, he was to leave or risk being beaten.

  As it was a special day, he had been given strict orders to prepare a good hearty breakfast. His stepmother wanted her children not to go hungry during what usually was a long day, with many hours spent waiting for the guild to turn up. Hence, he was to cook them, sausage, bacon and eggs, as well as slice the bread and butter it, moreover, his timing had to coincide with the others getting up, or else he could expect a severe punishment.

  He heard them walking about upstairs, and started cooking, hoping that if he were lucky, he might even be given the leftovers. The house consisted of several rooms upstairs, but only two downstairs, with the larger part consisting of the kitchen and dining area, then through another door was the lounge and study. All rooms were in reasonable decorative order, and well furnished, although some were now looking a little dated.

  Fortunately, for Leo, breakfast was just about ready as first Brodie, and then Daisy, walked slowly down the stairs, with their mother then following along shortly after. Leo was expected to serve and do it quietly, and subserviently, he placed the food neatly on the plates and placed one in front of each of them.

  "Eat quickly, we need to be in town early. We have to get a good spot," She told her children.

  Brodie started wolfing down his breakfast., and Leo knew the man usually ate more than his mother and sister put together, and pretty much second guessed what was coming. "Cut me some more bread", he snapped Leo's direction. Leo did not argue, and merely lowered his head and did as was asked.

  After having to watch Brodie make a complete pig of himself, it was then left for Leo to clean up after him. There was very little left for him to eat, a half-eaten sausage, a few bits of bread and a rasher of bacon, but at least it was something. He used the water that had been left unused from the kettle, pouring it into a stone sink. Once he had cleaned the dishes and pans, he needed to wipe down the table, and only then would he be allowed to take the few leftovers back to his room to eat.

  Luckily, for him, it was clear that his stepmother, Brodie and Daisy were preoccupied with other things, and it was not often he escaped completely unscathed. He left them to their flapping around, sneaking out of the rear door with his meagre breakfast, hoping he would have a good half hour before he was needed again. He sat down in his room, and looked at the food before him, although not a huge meal, this was still quite a haul compared to some days.

  After enjoying his breakfast in peace and quiet, he thought it best to return to the house. Of course he would not be put up for selection, yet he would be expected to carry everyone else's bags. If picked, Brodie or Daisy would be taken away, and hence, each youngster had to be ready to go at a moment's notice.

  Leo watched on, as his stepmother fussed over her two children. She straightened collars, moved stray bits of hair and stood back as a painter might do admiring their masterpiece. She gave herself a satisfying nod, "They would be foolish not to take both of you," she announced. Leo thought they would be very foolish to even consider taking either of them, but thought it best if he kept his opinion to himself.

  "I think, the Warrior Master would be interested in you Brodie," she said looking at her oversized son.

  "Oh and perhaps the Healers for you my dear," she said turning her attention to her daughter.

  "I want to be a Ranger," Daisy announced.

  "Yes, that as well," her mother replied with a smile.

  Leo could not help but scoff at the remark, and all three suddenly turned to stare at him. Brodie stepped forward as if to strike him, only to be stopped by his mother. "Don't dear, you will mess up your clothes. I shall see him punished later," she said. "Pick up their bags, you little worm," she snapped. Leo put his head down, and did as he was asked. Luckily, he had eaten well, as he was all but certain that he would not be getting anything now for at least a couple of days.

  Thankfully, the town of Hepton was just a short walk away, and with his stepmother leading the way from their house, followed by Brodie and Daisy, Leo was made to walk several yards further back. He was also made to carry two large bags, both of which were filled to bursting with clothes, on the off chance either of them were selected. Leo was quite sure neither would be, after all, it was commonly known the Guild Masters only took those they considered showed potential; Besides which, only a handful were ever selected by each master, with one exception. The Warrior Master usually selected more, mainly because many of the students never made it past the apprenticeship stage.

  The Guild Masters travelled around several towns, with Hepton being one of the last, before heading back to the capital Surmont. As their town was one of the later stops, it might even mean many of the Master's had already filled their quota, which ultimately meant them merely browsing just in case someone of exception were found. If any were selected, the youngster would have but a few moments to say their goodbye's before joining the long caravan of horses and wagons back to the capital. Leo had been forced to endure several such days as this, with both Brodie and Daisy failing to get so much as a second glance from any of the Masters that passed them by. In fact, during the last intake, only two had been selected by any of them as they had little need for many more.

  As they joined the already busy street in Hepton, Leo was unsurprisingly blamed for making them late. Many of the prime positions were already being occupied, and as a result, they had to make do with a position nearer the end of the line. Brodie and Daisy stood at the front, whilst their mother stood proudly a yard or so behind, with Leo left behind her holding on to the bags. Now all they had to do was wait, and although it was still quite early, the main street was already chaotic. It seemed this year there were hundreds of youngsters hoping to be selected, and Leo knew that made it even more unlikely Brodie or Daisy would get in.

  The noise level grew as word travelled down the line that the Masters were approaching. This usually consisted of a long line of wagons, some used for carrying supplies, others for carrying the Masters and their new intake of pupils. Once in the town, the Masters would get down from their carriages and walk amongst the prospective candidates, usually pacing up and down the line several times, before making any decision.

  Leo noticed how that increased level of chatter and excitement completely stopped as the wagons came to a halt at the end of the main street. From his position, he could just about make out a few people stepping down from their wagons. These, he presumed, were the Masters, and he could see the warrior master quite clearly. A huge beast of a man, with a massive sword strapped to his back, and even from this distance, Leo thought how scary and intimidating the man looked. Others followed behind him, each wearing different colour robes identifying their faction. A white robe identified the Healers, green was for the herbalists, blue the Alchemists, and as they had a common goal, these three usually worked in conjunction with each other.

  As the group of Masters made their way slowly down the line, the once noisy street fell into almost complete silence. Aside from a random cough or sneeze somewhere along the line, it was eerily quiet considering the number of people. Leo watched on from his poor position at the rear, stretching his neck just a little to see, as the selectors neared them. The earlier impression he had gotten of the warrior did not even do the man justice. This beast of a human being, was not just big, he was truly enormous, with arms that Leo thought were probably thicker than most men’s legs.

  Leo even afforded himself a smile as the huge man barely even paid notice to Brodie, and watched on as his stepmother patted her son on the shoulder, as if to say others would be along. It was then he noticed the Ranger Master, a rather short, thin looking man dressed in strange clothes, who had a bow across his back and a dagger on each hip. Behind him was the smartly dressed man of the Royal household, although if he selected you, then you would be trained to serve in the palace. Leo doubted neither Brodie nor Daisy would want that particular choice, although some thought it a privilege to be selected to do so.

&nb
sp; After the Healers, herbalists and alchemists, followed the rather plain brown robed figure of the Literary Master. Leo noticed several of the candidates held books in their hands, indicating to those selecting of their preference. That meant only one other, the one he thought scariest of all, the black robed figure of the Sorcerers. At first, Leo could not see him, and assumed he had not even showed up, maybe, he thought, because he had already filled his quota. Many people were weary of this mysterious man, mainly he supposed because people were unsure of magicians, especially being as they were very uncommon. It was then that Leo finally caught a glimpse through the gap between the crowd, as a black robed person moved along the line towards them.

  A dark hooded figure moved slowly along the row of candidates, as he watched on, he felt almost mesmerised by the way the man moved; although he thought, it was quite possible it may even be a woman, and was only guessing by the size and stature. It was as if the person glided along the very ground as they passed slowly on by. Leo looked up and down the line, and although it was difficult to see from his position near the back and out of the way, he noticed one or two youngsters standing out in the road. A few had been selected on the first pass, and a new life beckoned for them, and for those they were leaving behind, such were the rewards in compensation.

  He watched on as the newly selected candidates were shown to their respective wagons, as those making the selections wandered back along the lines. Brodie and Daisy waited once more, as the Masters walked back, pausing every few paces as if judging a potential candidate. It was common practice, that they paced up and down several times, before making their final choices, and today it seemed, was to be no different. With the number selected it appeared this year would see Hepton contributing more than usual. As the large figure of the Warrior Master neared again his step-mother thought to intervene, "My son would make a fine choice Sir," she said casting the man a hopeful smile. He stopped and looked Brodie up and down, "Show me your hands," the man said in a booming deep voice.