The Wind Word Series by Jeffrey Quyle

Silas is born in the mountain village of Brigamme, where everyone who is born and exposed to the natural elements of the environment experiences a profound change at puberty – they gain the ability to track and hunt down any living person on earth. They re renowned and in demand from all nations as a special breed. All except Silas, who proves not to have the talent... moreSilas is born in the mountain village of Brigamme, where everyone who is born and exposed to the natural elements of the environment experiences a profound change at puberty – they gain the ability to track and hunt down any living person on earth. They re renowned and in demand from all nations as a special breed. All except Silas, who proves not to have the talent. Even his parents believe that he cannot remain in the village, so they send him to an academy of the elite professional Speakers. The Speakers have the power of the Wind Words, communications that can travel hundreds of miles to convey the important information that rulers, traders, and others are willing to pay to transmit. But Silas runs afoul of an ill-tempered teacher at the Speakers Academy in Heathrin and is exiled to ride with a caravan of itinerant traders who are riding among the villages and cities of the continent of Ellan Sheeant. He is denied once again his opportunity to acquire a special talent that will set him apart. And it is during that journey that Silas discovers the truly amazing adventures that await him. Join Silas as he travels with Prima, Minneota, Ruten, and Hron, through the dictatorship of Ivaric, the matriarchy of Amenozume, the unknown caverns of the Granite Range, and many adventures that mystify, challenge, and change him. less

Silas is born in the mountain village of Brigamme, where everyone who is born and exposed to the natural elements of the environment experiences a profound change at puberty – they gain the ability to track and hunt down any living person on earth. They are renowned as a special breed. All except Silas, who proves not to have the talent. His parents send him to an academy of the elite professional Speakers... moreSilas is born in the mountain village of Brigamme, where everyone who is born and exposed to the natural elements of the environment experiences a profound change at puberty – they gain the ability to track and hunt down any living person on earth. They are renowned as a special breed. All except Silas, who proves not to have the talent. His parents send him to an academy of the elite professional Speakers. The Speakers have the power of the Wind Words, communications that can travel hundreds of miles to convey the important information that rulers, traders, and others are willing to pay to transmit. But Silas runs afoul of an ill-tempered teacher at the Speakers Academy in Heathrin and is exiled. Silas is denied once again his opportunity to acquire a special talent that will set him apart. He begins to wander the continent, and experiences adventures that change him, giving him abilities beyond ordinary people. He makes new friends on the island nation of Amenozume, and later learns one of them is in trouble. Silas vows to go back to the island to help his pearl-diving friend, Mata, escape from prison. And so his adventure continues. less