My master was all business after hearing about my plans and insisted that I follow an out-of-fashion tradition, but one that could benefit me greatly. In pursuit of this effort, we worked together on seven letters to seven emeritus guild masters for the next step of my process. The emeritus guild master mages contacted included Grandmaster Popim of the conjurer’s guild, Master Gizmo of the elementalist guild (my friend Adriana’s master), Grandmistress Shantra Shining of the illusionist guild, Mistress Ilyana Farseer of the sorcerer’s guild, Master Edward Longbrow of the summoner’s guild, Master Gaunt Nanren of the thaumaturgist’s guild, and Master Draconis of the wizard’s guild. An additional letter was sent to Madame Clutch, Mistress of the sage guild, who was the chief administrator during the guild master’s long sabbatical. Master Glimmerblade had me add a special note to Madame Clutch and instructions that confused me and, I suspected, would also confuse the good madame.

  I wrote seven copies of the letter and the special version for Madame Clutch, changing each version to add names and guilds. The letter read:

  Dear Emeritus Guildmaster _____, Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gwydion Istari, apprentice to Master Corwyn Glimmerblade of the enchanter’s guild and son of Lord Professor Randolph Istari, Royal Librarian of Keelwell University. In preparation for my journeyman trials scheduled for this Spring Day morning, less than thirty days hence, my master suggested that I meet briefly with you at a time of your convenience to complete the last stages of my apprenticeship training, which is to establish a firm and abiding respect for both my elders in magecraft and more specifically, for the guild of _____ which I will undoubtedly engage services as a promising young enchanter. I await your response in sincere anticipation and wish you well on these ebbing days of Wintertide. Your servant, Lord Gwydion Istari, Apprentice Enchanter.

  Master Glimmerblade explained that these visits were a traditional rite of passage for promising apprentices in the enchanter guild because of the close ties held with our guild and most other guilds. While guilds often did not play well together, they all kept amicable relations with enchanters because all mages needed magical devices or assistance at some point in their careers. Guild mages had close and frequent meetings with enchanters and built strong friendships over the decades. I was being sent to mages that my master trusted and with whom he had some degree of relationship over many years. They were all, like himself, former guild masters and represented both authority and respect in their fields.

  Master Glimmerblade advised that I carry all my created copper, silver, gold, and platinum rings pre-prepared for spells. I would meet with these master mages, tell them about my studies, and then ask them for advice. That would be the cue for them to share something about their magical experiences with enchantment as leaders of other guilds, and most would, in return, ask me how they could be of service. At that time, I would ask for the gift of a spell upon a single-use spell ring I had made myself.

  He said, “They will be impressed by your jewelry making and how you made the ring yourself. If you feel a bond forming with them, share your gemology knowledge. It couldn’t hurt. They should know that jewelry and gem work are foundational schools of enchantment, but a prodigy level in both for an enchanter is unheard of.” He beamed with pride.

  After gathering all my prepared rings, which took me many days to prepare among my other errands and preparations, along with frequent visits with Steven to bless them all, I departed and hand-delivered each letter to the respective guild halls. By the time I returned, a response awaited me from the sage guild, elementalist guild, and wizard guild, all inviting me to return at my convenience. With my master’s approval, I departed immediately.

  Since I had met Master Gizmo of the elementalist guild on several occasions, and he had been more kind and interested in me than most mages are in apprentices, and also because he was my childhood friend Adriana’s master, I decided to go there first.

  The Round was the central feature of the city of Keelwell, geographically, economically, and magically. Most of the true power and influence of the city was located among the guild halls; as such, the prominent location of the Round promoted this. The entire area had breathtaking architecture and landscaping. Located in the wealthiest section of the city in the fifth of nine city boroughs, the Round was where most of the prominent power brokers had their grand halls or estates. South of the sloping hills, where the Round had been built upon, were large residential estates and wealthy merchant homes. The vast open space halfway between the Round and the area to its north, known as the Diagonal, served as a common meeting location that allowed for public gatherings and celebrations, and was also home to the city’s grand fountain.

  The elementalist guild was located between the priestly monk monastery of action and the conjurer’s mage guild. By design, all buildings in the Round were technically across from the city’s grand fountain. The Round was constructed in the middle of the city’s grand plaza, with the Diagonal to the north and guild halls to the east, south, and west. The elementalist guild hall was due south at six o’clock, bordering the monumental Arena, which itself was just down a sloping hill from the upper guild halls.

  The elementalist guild hall was large, like all mage guild halls, and featured a colorful stone motif representing the five base elemental forces: air, blood, earth, fire, and water. At times, portions of the hall seemed to shimmer or transform like the elements they represented, making it a spectacle that could enthrall onlookers for hours on especially active days.

  An acolyte dressed in the gray robes of elementalists with blue trim indicating a vocation for the elemental forces of water stood beside the hall’s entry door. He bowed to me as I approached and asked in a high-pitched voice, “How may I serve you, sir enchanter?”

  We learned early on to address mages by their guild ranks, such as master, guild master, or grandmaster, if known, and lord mage if unknown. But among acolytes, adepts, and even apprentices, we tended to respectfully use a general address of sir for men and dame or lady for women. A journeyman could be called sir, dame, lady, or journeyman if that status was known, since this rank was just below the rank of full mage. The title of dame was a bit dated and tended to also be used for elderly or influential but low-level nobles. My generation tended to favor sir and lady when we addressed each other.

  My letter had been sent to Master Gizmo, an emeritus guildmaster like my master. I had no idea if Gizmo was his name or nickname, and no family name accompanied it. He was a colorful character, even among mages, and that was saying something. He taught a citywide, all-mage guild class for first-year apprentices on the worldly dangers awaiting journeymen that was held at the start of the first term in the council chambers of Watch Keep. It was a very formal affair, and apprentices took it seriously. It lasted around three hours and was a mixture of lecture and tales of adventure.

  Master Gizmo had been an adventurer and traveled much of the Seventh Kingdom. His tales were legendary and frightening. Rumors about him ranged from being orphaned as a child and raised by a witch in the wilds to having some criminal background, forgiven for his daring rescue of a capital caravan carrying prisoners and wealthy elites through the northern wastelands. Regardless of his true heritage, he was someone that no young mage soon forgot.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Gizmo was my childhood friend Adriana’s master. Even though he taught a class to all mage apprentices, he only took one apprentice until she graduated as a journeyman, or, if you listened to the rumors, died in some horrible and painful manner during one of the mage’s travels or elemental experiments.

  Adriana assured me he was a perfect gentleman and a tough but fair master. She said that her master seemed to thrive on the crazy rumors and suspected that he may have started some of them himself over the years. They did have the general effect that he was avoided, and no students dared to disturb or prank him.

  As I announced to the acolyte my intention to meet with Master Gizmo (and the poor boy’s eyes bulged in fear), the guild hall door opened, and Adriana exited.

  “Gwyd! I was just coming to fetch you to meet with my master and ask that you join us for an early lunch.” She exclaimed in excitement.

  The acolyte visibly gulped. Apparently, the idea of sitting down for a shared meal with the legendary Gizmo was too much for him to comprehend.

  I smiled. If Master Gizmo’s stories were meant to scare apprentices, they must utterly terrify the younger acolytes and adepts who would only get exaggerated excerpts from their older, first-year apprentice peers.

  “Great minds,” I replied to Adriana. “I had three replies to my letter, but wanted to start with your master.”

  She nodded. “Good choice. Be sure to tell him that at lunch.” She laughed, but then grew more serious. “He likes you, Gwyd, but he won’t take it easy on you. Most apprentices avoid the old traditions of the interguild gifting ceremonies because they can be grueling. I have served my master at quite a few of them, and about half of the apprentices end up speechless or in tears at some point.”

  The smile faded from my lips. “Oh.” I looked behind me and wondered how else I might spend my morning.

  She grabbed my arm. “Too late, I’ve found you, and my master’s instructions were clear. You are coming with me.” She dragged me into the guild hall and up to the front desk in the center of their entry atrium, which is how all guild halls were designed as far as I could tell. Master Gizmo was beside the desk, having a lively discussion with the mage seated there.

  Adriana’s master happened to look up as we approached and said, “Apprentice, your ability to track down these young villains is astounding. I am continually impressed by your many talents. We were lucky to steal you away from the wizard guild all those years ago!”

  She blushed.

  In fact, Adriana had narrowed her choices down between wizards and elementalists as a child because both had made offers of entrance to her. We had discussed it often because I had been deciding between the sage guild and the enchanter guild, which had likewise offered me admission. And while we were very young, the decision was ours, not our parents. Her parents were both professors at the university, which is how we met, given my father’s role as Royal Librarian. Our families had been friends longer than she or I had been around.

  Entry into mage guilds involved many tests of discipline, intellect, and magical potential. A wealthy or famous parent could not merely bribe admission into a mage guild, although I’m sure that some backdoor dealings were attempted. Adriana had all but decided to enter the other guild because of its known rigor and personal sacrifices, but by chance, she met with and was taken under the wing of Master Gizmo. He was a difficult mage to turn down.

  And I just realized that his entire and considerable focus was now about to be turned upon me. Given my planned “asks” of these renowned mages, I began to feel that I may have bitten off more than I could chew.

  Guildmaster emeritus Gizmo looked at me from his commanding height of over six and a half feet. And with a sparkle in his eye that suggested more mischief for me than I would appreciate, he said, “And this is the boy wonder, is it?”

  Adriana bowed to her master, and with a quick jab into my ribs, I joined her. “Yes, master, this is enchanter apprentice Gwydion Istari.”

  The mage at the desk sat up a little straighter, and she asked, “Are you related to Lord Randolph Istari, the Royal Librarian?”

  I turned toward her and likewise bowed, noting a nametag on the front of the desk that read Mistress Bond, Elementalist Guild Administrator. “Yes, Mistress Bond, he is my father.”

  She chuckled. “He’s a very good man and a remarkable professor. He has assisted our guild on more occasions than I can recount.” She paused with a smirk. “And has never failed to retrieve an overdue book from even the craftiest and cantankerous of mages.” She cast Gizmo a sidelong look but said no more.

  Gizmo chose to ignore her. He actually rubbed his hands together. “Well now, let’s get him settled in for a visit, shall we?” He motioned to a floating orb positioned on the right side of the front desk and located at the center of a small raised platform with five statues of historical mages surrounding its periphery.

  “Apprentice, please approach the identification orb. I’m sure you know the procedure.” Mistress Bond requested.

  The orb had a dull gray color, pulsing slowly in deeper and lighter shades of gray. It hovered a yard off the ground and above a platinum base centered on the stone platform. Wisps of magical vapors in various gray shades filtered between the lower base and the orb. I knew that each mage hall had identical orbs colored to their guild robes. The orb in my guild hall was yellow.

  I approached the orb with Adrianna’s nod of encouragement. I raised my hand and placed it upon the orb where it sank about a quarter of an inch against the soft, gel-like surface. An intensely warm but not burning sensation overcame me along with a slightly smoky aroma, a little like barbeques I remembered as a child. The memory unnerved me a bit as I feared I was the meat getting cooked.

  The orb flashed once, powerfully. An ethereal voice recited my name and status in a rich, feminine tone, quite different from our masculine orb.

  After the voice finished, the entry hall was silent. I removed my hand and rubbed it selfconsciously, although there was no pain or discomfort. With a nervous smile, I glanced over and saw that Mistress Bond had stood up without realizing it. Surprised, she looked at me and then turned to face Master Gizmo. “Is this true?”

  Gizmo had grown grave, and his face was expressionless. “Yes, Mardha. And please keep this to yourself until after his trials are complete. It will bring him no end of grief soon enough.”

  I looked back and forth between them. I had seen this reaction once before by a visiting sage who happened to be in the hall when I had entered and placed my hand on our orb. It was a security measure that everyone had to follow to ensure that no entry by disguise could occur. The rule applied to grandmasters and acolytes alike. My own schoolmates and guild mages didn’t seem to react this way. I was not entirely sure why these elementalists were.

  The guild hall administrator nodded once to Gizmo and then procured a copper ring from her desk. Looking back at me, she said, “Please wear this while you are in the guild hall. Removing it before being given permission could result in your death.”

  I accepted the ring and placed it on my left hand. As Gizmo continued a discussion he was having with Mistress Bond before my arrival, I turned in relief to Adriana, who stared at me, open-jawed.

  “What?” I asked, surprised and confused by her reaction.

  “Nothing.” She hurriedly said and then dragged me over to a set of stairs. “We’ll meet my master in his quarters.”

  “Sounds fine to me.”

  She nodded and then grabbed my arm. “I almost forgot. I ran into Steven yesterday and we got to talking.”

  “You ready to convert?” I asked with a smirk.

  She smacked my shoulder. “Be nice.”

  “Ow!” I said, rubbing the same location that Biff liked to smack me when he wanted to show affection, repay some wisecrack I made, or when he was just feeling “punch,” I guess. It was always just a little bit sore.

  “Suck it up, apprentice.” She replied. “Now, what I was trying to tell you was that Connor told me that the Keelwell Gauntlet was pretty much vacant. Everyone is getting ready for journeyman trials, so there is no waiting list and discounted entry costs.”

  Connor was her guild friend and nemesis. The two of them fought for top spots in every class. Depending on the day, she was either complaining about something he did or admiring some act of kindness or clever solution he came up with for something.

  Usually, she complained about him.

  “We could go later today between some of my guild meetings,” I suggested.

  “Guild scavenging, more like.” She teased. “But yeah, that was what we had in mind. I was to fetch you; he was getting Biff. We’ll meet later at the fountain.”

  We were nearly up at the top of the flight of stairs to her master’s rooms.

  “Normally, I would do all the meal preparation, but since I know you, you can help me.” She gave me a sidelong look and asked hesitantly, “If you don’t mind.”

  I laughed. “It beats doing my master’s dirty laundry. I’m not a great cook, but I’ll do whatever you tell me to do.”

  Adriana relaxed. “A wise decision, apprentice.” She laughed, and we ran up the stairs to her and her master’s chambers.