Circle of Magic (Macdonald and Doyle novels)

The Circle of Magic'', released asThe Wizard's Apprentice'' in the United Kingdom, is a series of six junior novels written by James D. Macdonald and Debra Doyle. The books are set in a high-fantasy pseudo-medieval era. The series protagonist is young squire Randal Of Doun, whose life is changed forever when he meets the Master Wizard, Madoc The Wayfarer and forsakes his home to pursue the study of magic. The series chronicles his apprenticeship at the Schola Sorceriae, the School of Wizardry, through his status of Journeyman and finally to his rise as a full Master of the Art.

Plot

School Of Wizardry (Book One)

One rainy day, while Randal of Doun was stripping off his practice armor, a lone traveler approached the gates of the castle and requested admittance to Castle Doun. He gave his name as Madoc The Wayfarer when asked by the castle's master-at-arms, Sir Palamon. That night, at dinner, the lord of the castle requested that Madoc give a display of magic to lighten the tone of the dinner. Randal was transfixed by what he saw, fascinated as he was by magic and its practitioners. Lord Alyen then requested a GLIMPSE into the future, a useful thing in such dark times. Madoc requested that someone fetch him a wide shallow bowl, a task Randal hastened to perform. He fetched the bowl, and stared, transfixed, at a vision of black horses running in a field. When Madoc was done spell-weaving, Randal came out of his trance, and queried his cousin, Walter, AbOUT what was said about the future. Randal was the only person to have seen anything in the bowl, and he questioned the Master wizard about his vision, and was rebuked when he suggested that he become a wizard in his own right. The next day, at meal time, Madoc gave another display of magic, a golden tree of light, which shriveled and died, with accompanying music.

When Randal awoke the next day, he felt an irresistible urge to go with Madoc to learn the mystic art. He left the castle, and found Madoc's camp, and was informed that he could not learn the art from Madoc, but he could take him to where he could learn: The Schola Sorceriae. The journey was set to take 6 months, or thereabouts, during which time Randal was to learn to read and write well enough to get by at the Schola.

Upon arriving in the city of Tarnsberg, where the Schola was situated, Madoc took Randal to the Grinning Gryphon, a large and popular Tavern in the city. There they meet Master Crannach, a teacher at the Schola. Crannach agrees that Randal should be brought before the Regents of the Schola, who would decide whether or not he was to be admitted.

He was admitted, but had to forswear the use of knightly weapons, except as symbols for his spells, and had to swear to tell nothing but the truth, or else his magic would twist and turn on him. The simple spells that Apprentice Wizards usually mastered in their first months still eluded him after a year. He had to learn the language of conjuration, and the language of all wizards-"The Old Tongue". He also had to memorize spells, gestures, and somehow learn to harness the magic within him.

One day, while contemplating his situation, a Hue and Cry was started in the marketplace. The thief who was the subject of the Hue and Cry, a young girl named Lys, dashed past Randal into an alleyway. Lys was part of a troupe that traveled from place to place, trading their art for lodgings, money and other necessary items. Lys was sent to buy eggs from a farmer's wife, and while she was gone, her family was attacked and killed by bandits, leaving Lys penniless. Nick Wariner, a good friend of Randal, gave Lys his lute, and sent her to the Grinning Gryphon to entertain the crowd. She sang for her supper there every day.

Characters

Randal Of Doun – A young boy, twelve at the beginning of the series. A squire under the castle of Doun, Randal's life is forever changed when joins the Schola Sorceriae, the School Of Wizardry in Tarnsberg.
Demoiselle Lys – A young girl the same age as Randal. Forced onto the streets after a band of brigands raided her family and killed all of her relatives, she met Randal while on the run from an angry mob after stealing food and has been his friend ever since.

Sir Walter of Doun – Randal's cousin, a knight

Nick Wariner- A friend of Randal's that had left the Schola to become a carpenter. He meets Randal once again in Book 3.

Books in the Series

• School of Wizardry, Troll (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.
• Tournament and Tower/The Secret of the Tower, Troll (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.
• City by the Sea/The Wizard's Statue, Troll (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.
• The Prince's Players/Danger in the Palace, Troll (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.
• The Prisoners of Bell Castle/The Wizard's Castle, Troll (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.
• The High King's Daughter, Troll (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.
• Mystery at the Wizardry School, Troll (Metuchen NJ), 2003. [This book and the following were not written by Doyle and Macdonald]
• Voice of the Ice 2003