Summary

Conn returns to Heartsease and reports the events of the magisters’ meeting to Nevery. Nevery is surprised but pleased. Conn asks Nevery when he will learn “tricks” like the embero spell (94). Nevery replies “You are not my apprentice. I took you on as a servant, nothing more” (95). Conn is heartbroken but decides he can’t simply be a servant. Nevery recognizes Conn’s disappointment, and asks him to recite the embero spell. Conn does so, only making one small error. Nevery tells him the spell won’t actually work unless activated using a locus magicalicus. He agrees to accept Conn as his apprentice. Suddenly, the sun breaks through the clouds and fills the room with light.

In Nevery’s journal, he writes that he has never had or wanted an apprentice. After enumerating Conn’s negative qualities, he then notes that Conn...