Obed came into the tall tower to find his Master sitting in his chair with a book on his lap and his favorite familiar cuddled up beside him. The two visiting Masters and two local Hedge Witches were also sitting nearby. Obed felt his heart fall when he saw them. He had hoped they were gone by now. He was still tired from having to help them with some experiments over the last two days. Additionally he was somewhat angry about it all. Not only had they refused to tell him what they were working on, they had him doing spells and tasks that normally took a Master Wizard to do.

Obed said, Master, the outside chores are completed for the morning. Do you wish me to assist with something or should I begin my studies once again?

Master Thomas looked at him and smiled before he said, “Neither Obed. It is time. You have done well but now is the time for you to go. Did you not realize what the last two days were about? Thought you not we could have done those tasks we required of you? You are on your own from this day forward, your own Master.”

“No, please Master. I’m not ready. There is so much more to learn. I can learn and still help you, I know it.”

“Ah, yes, there is much more for you to learn and you have your entire life in which to do it. It is always thus. You have seen me with the books and my reagents. Think you that I read and mix things together, scribbling words at random for my pleasure?”

“No, Master. I know it is not thus. You know so much and I know so little.”

“You know enough and the world needs more wizards. You have completed the entire course set out by the council for Master Wizard. You passed a most strenuous test these last two days. As required by the council, your apprenticeship is completed and you must go into the world now. It may be soon, it may be years, if ever, before you are ready for the test to become a Senior Master. That level comes with time, experience, and further independent study.”

Master Thomas closed the book he’d been leafing through and gently sent it floating toward Obed. He said, “Here, Young Master, is my parting gift to you. This book, if studied intently, will set you well on the way to becoming a Senior Master. It was given me by my old Master for that purpose. You are the first apprentice I’ve felt deserving of it. Now, take it and learn in good health.

“Now, off with you. Clean and pack your belongings before the evening meal. Eat well of the feast tonight in your honor, sleep and you may leave on the morrow at your convenience. You’ll find your new Master’s Robes on your pallet. Leave those old apprentice robes for your successor.”

“Yes, Master. Thank you.”

“No, no longer Master, but Thomas. And you are welcome. In some ways I benefited as much as did you. Now go tend to your business then return at the meal hour.”

That evening the cooks prepared a festive meal to celebrate young Obed’s investiture as a Master Wizard. Senior Master Thomas was there as well as the two visiting Wizards, the two Hedge Witches and Master Thomas’s two younger apprentices.

Morning found Obed struggling from his bed after the rooster crowed. His head throbbed and his mouth tasted as if something crawled into it and died in the night. His stomach rolled and roiled, he had a raging thirst that demanded immediate slaking. He seemed unable to drink enough water.

The new wizard packed the few belongings he hadn’t packed previously, dressed, and left his room for the final time carrying his small pack. On the way out the door, he picked up his Wizard’s Staff. He noticed the runes on it seemed more detailed and its power felt stronger after the late night ceremony of his investiture.

Obed staggered into the kitchen and asked Cook for something to break his fast. She harumped and said, “Sit you. Master Thomas said you would be late this morn. He also left orders you be given a travel pack of food for your journey. ‘Tis there.”

After he ate his meal and drank several cups of coffee Obed stood and took one last look around the kitchen. Cook was watching him and pressed her lips together when his gaze came upon her. He said, “Thank You, Cook for your kindness and the work you did preparing our meals. I shall remember you fondly.”

Obed strode out the door and made his way to the nearby road. He turned away from the small town, heading in the direction of the big city, days distant. Just before the tower would disappear from his sight, he stopped for one last look at his former home. With feelings of excitement and sorrow, he turned and walked into his future.

The young man thought he was in good shape, after all, he’d done the majority of the heavy work for Master Thomas while he was apprenticed to him. After the first full day of walking and carrying his pack his thoughts on that subject changed. His shoulders hurt from the pack straps chafing them, his feet hurt from the long walk and his legs, his legs hurt with a pain he had never known before.

Thankfully, he had the answers to those problems. He muttered a short spell, laying his hands on the painful areas as he did so and the pain became much less, almost disappearing. This day, as he walked, he kept his eyes open for herbs and edible plants he could harvest for his future use. By mid afternoon, the weight of his pack and pouches had increased somewhat with the bounty he harvested.

In late afternoon Obed came upon a small river and decided to camp somewhat early, hoping to catch some fish for his evening meal. He dropped his pack near a fire circle left by previous travelers. He dug inside it and found a small fishing net he’d made years before.

The stream flowed deeply near the camp. Obed walked upstream until he found a place he could wade out into it. He quickly removed his clothes and moved into the cool, almost cold, water. He moved slowly, using his magic and eyesight until he found a large fish. Quickly he threw the net, letting it settle behind and over the fish. After the weighted side had settled to the bottom he pulled, bringing the net and now captured fish to him.

When he lifted the net clear of the water he smiled with pleasure. He had the really large fish he was after and two smaller ones as well in his net. This was enough for a large evening meal and a nice breakfast as well. He left the stream and cleaned the fish quickly. After they were clean he went back into the water and took a quick bath before returning to camp with his fish.

Wood was quickly gathered and a fire started. After the fire was burnt down almost to coals Obed put the fish on a stick over it and let them cook. While they were cooking he laid out his bedroll and set some magical wards to make his camp safe for the night.

The morning of the third day he didn’t wake in as much pain as before. He warmed his left over fish over a small fire while he made a pot of coffee. Obed leaned back on a log and enjoyed the morning while he ate a leisurely breakfast.

That day went as had the first two. Occasionally he passed a small farm and once, he met another traveler. He walked through two towns even smaller than the one near Thomas’ tower house. In each town he stopped seeking news of the road ahead and of possible employment.

One day blended into another until, thirteen days after leaving Master Thomas’ tower Obed came upon a large village or small city. Why there might be six or eight hundred people living there! He entered, walking slowly and keeping his eyes open for danger, his ears open for news and possible work.

After walking through the majority of the business district, Obed entered a tavern. It was moderately busy and he took a seat at an unoccupied table, his back to the wall. After ordering and receiving a tasty ale, he relaxed to listen to the conversation around him.

As the night wore on Obed learned many things about the town. The city guards were on the take, somewhat lazy, and prone to bully those they thought couldn’t or wouldn’t fight back. The guard commander was rarely seen and the thieves guild was flourishing. All in all, it was a typical town.

After two days, Obed decided this was where he would make his home, at least for the foreseeable future. There was no wizard in residence and none within several days walk so business should be brisk. The criminal elements and the guard were neither one powerful enough to cause serious trouble for him and the common people were friendly.

That decision made, the next move was to find a place to live and work. Like most wizards, Obed had no desire to live in the tightly packed rental units in the middle of town. The small houses found on the towns outskirts were not to his liking either. He needed quiet, seclusion and tranquility for his mental well being and study but he needed to be relatively close to town for business reasons.

With those needs in mind, he went about the task of finding a place to purchase or build his home. There were few, if any, houses for sale and the empty ones just would not do so he was faced with the prospect of building his home and work space. This was not a serious problem although it would be time consuming. After two days of search, Obed found the perfect place for his home. There was a small limestone bluff just outside the walls of the town. It was surrounded by trees and had a grassy area between it and the town as well.

After deciding this was the place for his abode, Obed began construction. He found a location with a good view of the meadow and gate into the town then cleared all the debris from the ground in his chosen building location.

Obed sat in a chair he’d constructed and looked at the bluff and building site, picturing the building/tower he was going to construct over the next several days. The first thing he did was use the spell “Force Knife” to cut a deep tunnel into the side of the bluff, pulling the discarded stone to the side as he did so. After that was done, he walked into the tunnel and made vertical cuts every six feet from front to back.

After the vertical cuts were done, back outside he went, resuming his chair. He next made vertical cuts across the face of the bluff every three feet left to right then horizontal cuts every three feet top to bottom, leaving a top layer of limestone 20 feet thick for the ceiling. These cuts took all day and left Obed exhausted, barely able to prepare his supper and set his wards for the night.

The morning after the rectangles were cut, Obed carefully used another spell to remove them from the bluff, stacking them to the side for future use. After the rectangles were moved, he had to rest for several hours then he made several more cuts in the rock, making several 2X2 foot by 30 foot long rectangles to use as rafters for his house. This again exhausted his powers for the day and he stopped.

Work continued unabated for the next 9 days. By the third day of work, Obed had a constant audience as townspeople and several children watched him construct his home. When he was finished, he had a 20X30 foot deep cut in the cliff and had built a 12 foot deep by 30 foot long addition to the front of it with the rectangles cut from the bluff. This was roofed with the long rafters he cut and covered with 12” deep by 3 foot by 6 foot rectangular roofing shingles cut from the stone as well. After he completed the construction, he fused the entire structure together making it seamless as if everything had formed that way millennia ago.

Windows and a door were cut in the stones and his house was done. He used river sand to make a clear material to install in the window holes then hardened it until it was impervious to breakage. Next, he made furniture using many of the same spells on the beautiful wood he cut from the forest and dried magically. By the time he finished his work, he could tell his magic powers had strengthened significantly from the constant use much as had his body.

During the time he worked on his house, he had several small jobs he completed for townspeople as well. He used his magic to lift, move, harden and even repair many things. He always tried to get hard coin for his work but he would take fair trade, especially of foodstuff or items he could use in his new house.

Shortly after his home was completed Obed was in town when a teamster hunted him down. One of their wagons had broken because they were loaded too heavily. The local blacksmith and wagon maker had it repaired and ready to roll. The teamster wanted to know if Obed could strengthen the wagon so it would hold greater weight.

“Yes, I think I can but that spell is quite expensive. It would cost you almost as much as a new wagon. I would recommend you purchase another wagon and split the load.”

“I can’t do that for several reasons. I do not have time for these yokels to build a new wagon and, even if I could find them, the oxen to pull it will cost as much as the wagon. It will be less expensive to have you strengthen the wagon if you will.”

“I have to have three gold for the work. It will take me most of the morning as well.”

“Three gold! That’s outrageous. No, one gold and five silver. I can get a new wagon for ... Oh. No, I can’t pay that much.” The man looked around and smiled. He continued, “Girl, get over here.”

A well built young lady came timidly up to him and stood, head downcast. The man reached for her and she cringed away. He grabbed her and said, “Stand still slut.” He quickly pulled her dress over her head before he said, “How about a trade Sir Wizard? One gold and five silver plus this little slut.”

“Papa!”

Obed looked at the now crying girl. She was covered with bruises and almost skin and bones. He said, “Why would I do that? I can have any woman I I desire for just a copper or two and wouldn’t have to feed them.”