Read The Wilder (The Trouble with Magic Book 1) for Free Online Page A

another alternative.”
    Karryl shot him a suspicious glance. “What’s that?”
    “You can refuse totally. Then you will be taken back to gaol, and from there you will be banished and transported, most likely to Naboria, on the other side of the world. There, wilders are left more or less to their own devices. Those that fail to learn at least the rudiments of control usually end up accidentally killing themselves.”
    In appalled silence, Karryl stared at the middle distance.
    The little magician stood up and folded his arms. “And I hope that has simply made you more determined to accept such training as I can give you. “
    His eyes met Karryl’s, and his question was answered.
    Symon gave a little nod of satisfaction, his snow-white hair glistening in the autumn sunlight. “Well then, the best thing we can do is return to my tower and see how determined you really are. Do you want to do that?”
    He glanced up briefly towards the sun glinting through the half clothed branches of the woodland. “It seems to me that it is just about time for tea. Come along young Karryl. I think we have much to talk about.”
    They made a strange pair striding along the woodland path, the tall rangy dark-haired youth and the short portly little magician who barely came up to his shoulder, robes flapping around his ankles as he scurried along to keep pace with Karryl’s long-legged strides.
    * * *
    During supper that evening, Symon listened attentively as Karryl regaled him with tales of life among the ‘street-boys’. By the time the meal was over, he had experienced horror, amazement, sorrow and humour in rapid succession. Wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, following the boy’s last outrageous tale, Symon stood up and cleared the dishes into the kitchen. He returned just in time to see Karryl heading for his room. Following, he stood just inside the open door as Karryl flopped down on the bed.
    Symon made a general gesture which took in all the room. “This is your home now, and this room is yours to do in as you wish. I do however, expect you to keep it clean and tidy. An untidy magician is not usually a successful one. You will be able to come in here when you wish to study undisturbed, and believe me, there will be an awful lot of studying.”
    Giving an assertive nod as if to confirm his last statement, he then looked hard at Karryl, a question in his grey eyes.
    The boy nodded as he gazed at the empty bookshelf on the wall opposite his bed. “My auntie Vana had a few books. I used to read them to Marcus a lot, and I always got good marks at school. Then after she threw me out, me and the gang went to the poor school a couple of days a week, but they throw you out when you’re fourteen. I haven’t read much since.”
    Symon patted his palms together, a gesture to which Karryl was soon to become accustomed. “Well, starting tomorrow, you can begin to make up for lost time.”
    A frown of disapproval briefly creased his brow as Karryl began removing his scuffed and battered boots. “We must also see about getting you some decent footwear sometime soon.”
    Karryl wriggled his toes and gave Symon a lopsided grin. “Thanks. That would be good. These are getting a bit on the tight side.”
    The little magician ambled out of the room, and settled himself in his chair by the fire. He had an awful lot of thinking to do. Surrendering to the enjoyment of his pipe, he let his memories drift up with the aromatic blue smoke.
    Taking an apprentice was not a matter that any magician could regard lightly. Symon had been considering taking on another for many years, but the opportunity had never really presented itself. Now it had been most unceremoniously thrust upon him, and he was rather disconcerted to discover that he didn’t really dislike the prospect of tutoring Karryl for at least the next five years. Magic, and the learning of it, entailed close and personal communion with some very awesome powers. The wrong choice of