Chapter 15, The Witness Stones Summary

The days of instruction under Galen continue; each one worse than the day before, but slowly Fitz comes to believe the belittling comments spoken by Galen. After several months only eight candidates remain. Galen begins meting out small luxuries: being allowed to wear shoes or an extra handful of dried fruit with a meal. Galen also touches the students with the Skill for the first time. When Galen touches Fitz for the first time, the master appears to be afraid of what he sees in the boy. From then on Galen becomes even harsher towards Fitz.

One day Galen instructs the students that they are ready to reach out with their Skill to him. When it is Fitz's turn, he manages to creep into Galen's mind and scare the instructor. Galen then falls on Fitz, beating him...