Sky-Water Blue

Chapter One

Martin Farrow, a gangling, fair haired, fifteen years old apprentice mage, had been in training for a meagre seven months, a severely intense experience where so much knowledge had been imparted to him he at first feared he wouldn‘t be able to cope with the strain. After the first month or so he started to ease into the pace and started making some sense of what he was told.

   Now he was thoroughly enjoying his time with the mage who had chosen him, living for the knowledge and always hungry, almost greedy, for more. The teachings he received fell easily into place with what he already knew. He felt each new lesson was so obvious that he should have been able to see the truth of things without needing to be shown.

   He held one nagging doubt over the speed he was been trained; he felt as if it was been rushed through, doubted this was the normal pace of an apprenticeship.

   Martin had been sought out and selected for training following the unusual disappearance of his predecessor, Rakis. The young man still couldn’t quite believe how fortunate he had been, not only to be apprenticed, and not to just any mage, but to the most powerful living Master-mage on Teneram.

    It had been the most amazing day of his life so far; one he would never forget. Martin had been standing in the central square of his home village of Trelland, leaning against the high rear wheel of a dray he had helped to unload, carrying the sacks of tithe grain into the storehouses. He was waiting outside while the overseer he’d accompanied checked off the load with the Tithe-master and got the necessary official stamps as proof of delivery. Trying to appear casual he had positioned himself so he was directly opposite the village forge, hoping to catch a glimpse of the blacksmith’s daughter. He was still there when the old man had walked into town, wiping away his amorous thoughts.

   Appearing outwardly just like any other traveller, dressed in a plain olive cloak, concealing his mage’s robes and disguising his identity, he drew attention only for the fact he was a stranger and few ever travelled so far southwest. No one had recognized the mage, offering only a curious glance before dismissing him as unimportant and going about their own business. But Martin had felt himself curiously drawn towards the old man, by something that grabbed his attention and held it firm, as if sensing some greatness about him. Later he would find it was the magic in him; like calling to like. 

   The mage had summarily scanned and discarded almost everyone in the square before his eyes lit on Martin. A slight, almost unnoticeable raise of one eyebrow, was the only indication that the mage had found something interesting in the young lad. Martin had felt his excitement building to an explosive level. When the mage had then turned and walked away Martin was crestfallen, though he didn’t quite understand why. 

   The mage, even though he knew he had found the one he was looking for – the raw, untrained magic flowing from the youth was unparalleled in his long experience – still completed his sweep of the village. He had found nothing remarkable in any other. Sure enough, there were several who, with the proper guidance, could be decent ward makers and hedge witches, but nothing approaching the level of magic he was searching for.

   When Martin saw the old man coming back towards him his heart had soared in a sudden rush of euphoria, combined with a small amount of confusion. The old man was coming for him; he just knew it, though he was still unsure why. What was special about an old traveller that drew his eyes to the stranger? He was still struggling to comprehend his strange feelings when the old man reached him and asked Martin to walk with him.

   His life had been a blur from that moment on. Without further explanation or introduction the old man had walked home with Martin before revealing his identity, once Martin’s parents were present. It was several days before Martin realized that he had given no directions, but had instead been led home by the mage. Martin had followed dumbly and listened in stunned silence as the mage revealed to Martin’s parents his intention to take a new apprentice. His parents had felt so honoured they could barely reply, and when asked if he wished to apprentice with the greatest Master-mage Martin could only manage an eager nod with his mouth hanging open, making him appear a lackwit. The mage had reached towards him and with one finger gently pushed his jaw up.

   Two days were allotted before he would accompany his new master, Elias, back to his remote cabin by the coast and start his apprenticeship. Two days to pack his few belongings, say his farewells to friends and family, before stepping into his new life.

   Martin had been surprised before he left his home to find people paid this little notice, believing his n