Okay, you may be able to say there are some slight spoilers coming up in this message, but they involve what happens at the very start of the game so it's not really much of a spoiling
Anyway...
At the beginning of the game, I'm wondering if it is at all possible to get through the starting areas with both your partner apprentices still alive? Is there any way at all to get them to get through alive and make it to the first "town" with you, or are they programmed to attack certain monsters and die absolutely on the way?
If it is possible to get them to live, does it affect the story or text much at all?