Ch: 8 Casting Out The Apprentice

That afternoon Gary picked Shai up at the forge and she swept him along to the market ward, to a shop down the road from Jennah’s.

Barbers are apparently also universal, since the striped pole of red and white beside the door was familiar. Inside was a supremely tidy and well organized salon.

Scissors and razors lined up in neat rows on tidy trays, shears and combs of every description, it was exactly how Gary would expect a fancy barbershop in old west San Francisco would have looked.

The barber was even more on point, he was tall, but not unusually so, dark skinned with straight black hair styled in short wings at his temples. His strong jawline was even further enhanced with an immaculately trimmed beard, combined with his blade of a nose he looked much like a swooping bird of prey.

His eyes were gray and bright, while his hands described a welcoming gesture. He was quite possibly the most beautiful man Gary had ever seen.

“Shai! Come to take me dancing? Or will you finally give me access to those silken strands of joy which you so selfishly hoard?” He asked reaching, out with overtly dramatic gestures to try, in vain, to grasp her hair.

He was young, perhaps a year or two older than Gary and wore a confident and easy smile that was hard to resist. “Gary, this be Gunnar Shah, Gunnar, This be Gary Ward, An ye be trying tae kiss him, I’ll nae dance wi ye for a week.”

Gunnar looked offended in the most obviously feigned way and sulked. “Of course not, silly Shai, I never draw another’s water without an invitation, no matter how tempting the well.” He said with a wink, before twirling Shai by the hand into a waiting barber’s chair.

He began running deft fingers through her hair while chatting. “Joan Othan came in all in a tizzy a few weeks ago, you know how stressed and worn she’s been since her oldest daughter married…”

Gary was only half listening as he watched a skilled craftsman ply his trade. “...well she flopped right down in this chair and had me give her the full treatment, long past due I can tell you…”

Shai murmured contented agreements as he worked and chatted. “Some new boy in town upset her at the fountain with some silly song…”

“Mmm hmm…” She mumbled.

“Well I guess she went home looking fierce… and now I hear she is expecting again, master and mistress Othan have been as cheerful as a pair of larks since then.” He threw a broad wink at Gary.

“Of course I heard about a new boy in town… and a musician no less, I just had to go see for myself. So disappointing, Tawny was already there lurking about, so I had no choice but to withdraw. I do hate to miss out on tasty new treats, but I am afraid I stepped on Tawny’s golden toes once already…”

With a flourish he stepped away from Shai and flung the drape from over her revealing curling locks in an artful spray, woven with a garland of dried flowers.

“You simply must grow these luscious strands out Shai, it’s a crime to cut them so short.”

Quick as a striking serpent, his hand flashed out, catching Gary by the shoulder, gently pulling him into the vacant chair.

“So, what are we going to do with this?” He asked softly, spinning the chair to face the bank of mirrors on the wall.

Gary’s eyes went to the gleaming tools, craftsmen can’t help but enjoy a well laid out workspace… “Ohh, whatever Shai says, I don't have to look at it.”

He seemed distressed by that. “So what is your routine? Styling wax? Pomade?”

Gary shrugged helplessly. “I wash it with soap and style it with a towel.”

“It be true, tis a thing to see, a man full grown wi his hair all in a haystack, kin ye help the poor boy Gunnar?”

They tutted and shamed him for what seemed an eternity while Gunnar worked.

“An he do shave his face wi nae mirror nor lather, naught but a naked blade, tis ghastly tae watch.”

Horror crossed the man’s face. “That is not a morning routine, that is a cry for help. Where ever did this poor creature come from?”

“Hey”! I’m right here.” Shai boxed his ears gently.

“Shush, tis important matters at play, none o yer foolishness.”

With a final flourish he removed the drape and spun Gary again to the mirrors… The rivet on those shears looked a touch worn. “I could give your tools a tune up in my shop if you want…” He mumbled.

“Focus up ye great lump, Gunnar has made ye presentable fer human folks. Look and be amazed boy!”

The man was holding something up behind him and saying something about “How do you like the back?”

“Mmm? S ok yeah…” Gary replied, distracted by a nice coat tree in the corner, polished alder wood, steam bent into graceful curves, very nice…

Shai boxed his ears again and less gently this time. “Dae ye be daft?” She shook him a bit before recognizing the look in his glazed, dumb eyes.

#

He woke up in the bath feeling rested and looking good by all accounts. “Nice haircut Gary!” Ivy enthused. “I was going to take you to the lady that grooms Otho if Shai didn’t handle it.” Shai was strangely silent on the matter, though she did seem concerned.

#

Musical instrument sales were not strong. To justify even calling it a shop, Gary had branched out into small wares. Wooden plates, cups and mugs were always a steady trade.

A line of enchanted, self lighting pipes in various woods was a strong seller, attracting unwanted attention from the authorities.

A stout, thick armed man approached Gary’s shop in the early afternoon, while the Bathers were still gathering in the side entrance. Stepping behind the counter Gary smiled brightly.

“Welcome to Ward Instruments, where we will rock you.” The fellow was dressed in formal looking workman's attire, the rich cloth and bright colors suggesting a uniform rather than common work apparel. He was wearing an apron of fine white goatskin painted with the sigils of all the craft houses.

“You are the proprietor, boy?” He asked, without preamble.

“I suppose I am, this is my shop and I made most of this stuff.”

He made a disapproving face, and sniffed.“An unlicensed workshop cannot be allowed within the town’s zone of commerce.” He smiled, “You are to be fined all profits, and surrender all properties to the united crafts hall until your majority.”

With a cool and collected smile on his lips and sweet murder in his eyes, Gary pulled a ledger from beneath the counter. “I think you will find my records in order, should further explanation be needed, Otho of Joy is my legal guardian.”

Gary knew the look of someone pretending to consider the facts before jumping to the decision they had already made.

“Regardless, this shop and all its contents are to be surrendered immediately, to be held in my trust.” He aped a tone of reasonableness. “If a qualified Craft Guild member in good standing were your guardian or master we could possibly…”

Just in time Shai and Tallum came up from the workshop, saving the official a thorough stabbing. “Journeyman Tallum, good day, err… are you associated with this craft hall?”

He looked a lot less confident, and Gary was pretty sure it was nothing to do with his new friend’s size. “I am.” The big smith rumbled.

With a wave he presented the man. “Master Theophus, This is Gary Ward, apprentice luthier. Gary this is Master Smith Theophus Dale, head of the commerce guild and Priest of the god of Crafts.”

Seemingly emboldened by his titles and rank he regained a bit of bluster. “Regardless, no dues nor applications have been registered with the temple.” He sniffed again, gaining confidence. “An Itinerant laborer who dabbles in any number of simple trades cannot be allowed to operate an independant craft hall in this town.”

“Master Theophus, if I were to…” Tallum began, before the older man bulldozed his huge friend.

“An orphan cannot commit to apprenticeships and journeymen may not take apprentices.” He just kept rolling.

“No apprenticeship with any recognized master is on file with any craft temple within a month’s journey, and he has no letter of introduction from any guild or hall at all.”

The man sat back on his heels and waited impatiently, ledger still gripped in his fist.

“I think you will find,” Gary said in a voice of ice. “that my ledger records all of the transactions made in this shop in detail, marked by both parties and notarized each night by the head boy of the orphanage.”

Even more slowly he said. “All of my deals were in trade. Barter only, so no law was broken.”

Theophus pawed through the ledger, grumbling about technicalities, as though that were not his whole purpose at the shop.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Shai softly called out. “Master Theophus, Tis unlike ye tae bother honest crafters at their labors. An ye well know tis Otho runs the city council out of the craft quarters when they do get pushy and greedy.”

She eyed him up and down. “What then is yer fine clothes on fer, when ye rightly know ye do finer work at yer forge than in yer ledgers.” Her voice had more than a little snap to it now.

“Mayhap there be some further agenda in yer mind? Ere ye do mischief ye should check wi yer vagabond son Jacob, he do know how tae sow discontent right an proper.” She almost barked, picking up steam.

“Good evening Master Theophus,” Gary said in a voice both friendly and cold. “I’m sorry we could not rock you today. But we will rock you someday.”

Shai looked concerned and Tallum placed a massive paw on Gary’s shoulder. “We are closed for business now, please return another time. Thank you for thinking of Ward Instruments. Rock on.”

While he stood waiting for the man to leave, the smith tried to shoulder his way into the workshop past Gary.

In a wink the door was closed, all on its own, with quiet finality. “The workshop is private space, no peeking master smith.” Gary said in that same cold, friendly tone. But now it had a sinister edge.

“Shai, Tallum, please go make sure the Bathers are all outside the house. Bathtime is, sadly, going to be delayed.”

She hesitated a moment before leaving, but Tallum simply draped a huge hairless ape arm over the Craft priest’s shoulder and guided the older man outside.

“Shai really let you have it Master Theo. She never really means the terrible things she says…”

As Tallum led the man away Gary realized he was holding the knife under the counter in a grip that was firm, casual and unambiguous. Even worse he had been wondering what a banjo skinned with human hide would sound like. That was a little distressing.

Adding to his fury was the sure knowledge that he was staring down another seven years of ambiguous childhood and indentured servitude.

#

Upstairs in the bath, Gary fumed. Otho was the last to arrive and quickly found himself cornered by the orphans and their friends. Gary led off, being in most need of explanations.

“I just found out about five years of slavery after I turn twenty and get crammed with whatever Contract you guys wanna jam into me. Not cool Otho. That is a deal breaker.”

The others added in their own unique variants on the matter.

Otho listened calmly and with compassion, as though he had not heard these same issues countless times before in his duties.

“Always the same, but each one unique, my sweet children are the price we pay for what remains of this world.” He rose, and called to the whole group. “Attend me.”

“Please dress, the topic is not one for baths and comfort, but hard truths, Gary a room if you please.”

Gary led them down into the shop floor, now with curtains drawn and a scattering of couches and chairs around a low table. “Very nice!” Otho enthused. “I shall have all my meetings here!”

“No you won't,”Gary grumbled sourly.

“No I won’t, no matter how this goes I am never well pleased. Nor was I pleased when I sat where you do.” This, of course, went over just as well as it had with each generation of young people.

“Bullshit” Gary’s bark was loud, sharp and made the instruments on display sing in overtones. “I’m slave to no man or god Otho. I will bleed anyone who tries to take my home and build flutes from their bones…”

“Gary…” Liam warned.

“No, no,” Otho called cheerily, “this is what I always hope for but so rarely get.” He clapped giddily. “Ooh Liam don't be shocked, you hide it very well but you have been furious for most of your life. Gary is new at it… relatively.”

He stage whispered to Shai. “Stay with this boy, you will go far!” With a patented broad wink.

“It is true that you are all… well many of you, are slaves to fate, destined by law and tradition for the temple of War.”

Looking right to Gary, he spoke softly. “War is not a bad life, men no longer war on each other. Only the occasional bandit or feuding lordlings spill men's blood. War is largely at war with monsters.”

He went on. “The cult of War is vast and varied, most find a life in War’s service that suits them and either serve their time and leave or stay with War for life.”

He nodded to Gary and Ivy, “Those who craft or have mage skills, may find work in those fields and often go on to independent lives. Yet the mark of War is eternal.”

Coming to Liam he looked deeply sad. “Others find no comfort there and are my eternal sorrow.” Cheering up he clapped his hands together in glee.

“Today I see the makings of a lifeline, not just for Liam, but for all of my children. All of Joy’s children. I want you to join the Adventurer’s guild as apprentices under young Mikkel the plasterer. He holds master rank in the Adventure guild and has agreed if you ask.”

“What does that mean Otho? That changes nothing.” Gary complained.

“Ohh, so wise in the law now are we? Has that pathetic excuse for a library been expanded? I thought not. Know this boy. The Adventurer’s guild is old beyond all reckoning, but it is simply a craft guild. Follow the rules and you can work to your own ends without interference.” He smiled wickedly.

“No journeyman in the Adventurer’s guild can be held to or forced into a contract signed by a guardian before his majority. This is a law as old as any the gods can remember.”

Otho waited for the applause and gushing thanks… nothing.

“That includes the debt of service for an orphan. With the state as your guardian under the law at the time of your intake…”

From deep within a leaping hugging throng of young people his voice could be heard. “There it is… Yes children! Yes! Praise me more!” When they had settled down he continued wisely.

“See that would have been weird in the bath.”

Gary was excited but Liam was fairly vibrating with emotion. “So I Could at least try and negotiate my own Contracts?”

“Better Liam, better. Work hard, be diligent and follow your hearts… and maybe we can do a little good in this sad world.”

‘That again’ Gary thought as he took the whole crowd into the orchard to dance until they could sleep.

#

The whole group skipped out of their usual mid morning activities in the interest of planning.

Amicus placed Ivy and Gary on hiatus from the college, a formality only. A hiatus from a place that does not desire your presence is easy to negotiate.

Shai for her part went to her uncle and requested her apron at his forge. They both had been nodding and winking for a year over her reluctance to spread her wings.

Gary watched quietly as Shai, wearing her formal gray apron, spoke quietly to her uncle… father… whatever.

They seemed really close and it was touching to hear. Reminding him of his own apprenticeship under grandpa.

A loud and strident argument began naturally.

“Ah kin finally get a young apprentice, one tae learn me craft proper… nay a practice piece like ye.” He grumbled with tears in his eyes.

“Ay, twill be fine tae get out of this leaky old shed an work me craft somas more suitable, mayhap a rickety hay barn in the wildlands. T’would have a better class of lice.” She wept, accepting her apron in the time honored ritual of casting out the apprentice.

“Begone lazy wretch, an nae darken me door ere ye learn a new bit o craft tae earn yer roof.” He said as they hugged.

#

“What are yer plans, lass?” Harlan asked, rolling up his ceremonial white apron reverently, now simply a loving parent.

Shai was meanwhile, equally reverently putting her brown journeyman's apron on and stowing her old gray apprentice apron in a tube until her first apprentice would need it.

“Ahm fer adventure papa, an tae see new things and learn new crafts. Dinnae cry more, an ye know me friends and siblings be wi me and I wi them.”

“Ah did know ye would fly far an ye left the nest. Ye’ll see the ocean yet.” They embraced and she ran to Gary after, with tears streaming in sorrow and joy.

“I’m no leaving town yet ye old miser, an gods help yer next poor apprentice, lest the wretch starve in yer care!” She shouted as they walked down the street.

Harlan fairly screamed back “Aye gods help me next apprentice, they’er fer a hard job scrapin’ the filth from yer bunk. An there never was lazier…!”

He choked off in sobs, as the other crafters began jeering the departing new made journeyman, preserving their comrade’s dignity in the old tradition.

Meanwhile the apprentices paused to line the short street of the smiths ward, begging the journeyman to save them from their drudgery and take them with her, as had been done since before reckoning.

Gary was deeply moved, wishing he could have that fight with his parents. Shai wore her apron all night. All night long.

She woke to find him fiddling with the ties after midnight. Swatting his hand away and snuggling even closer when he complained that it was itchy.

#

They slept late together, enjoying the morning for a change. As a journeyman, Shai was free in every way save that she could not Contract until she turned twenty on the feast of War in two years.

The small group gathered in Gary’s shop to plan, Liam took the lead. “If we are forming an Adventure team that will mean fighting monsters. Who of us is willing and able to?”

Liam raised his hand, as did Ivy who prodded a slightly reluctant Tallum into raising his paw. Gary raised his, only to be brought up short by Liam, Ivy and Shai.

“Liam did say ready and able foolish boy. Ere ye take up yer spear know that yer weapon be grand, but ye holdin it be naught but a pointy stick.” She hugged him close. “I’d nay see ye eaten ere I am done wi ye.”

“I beat Braden's ass.” He sulked.

“An Braden not dumb as a post Ye may have had nae luck wi him. I heard ye play and heard ye sing, as a fighter ye be a grand musician yet. Ye nae will be up front. Ye kin guard Tawny.”

Tawny looked slightly Ill, but was doing OK, she had a look of steely resolve in her eye since Otho had revealed his plot.

Gary turned to her and whispered; “If you can’t, I Know the others will understand, you can bail now, you know how I feel about you. We are good, no matter what, you and I…”

She whispered back. “I have to, under law, no party of apprentices may go out without a healer of journeyman rank or higher” she sighed. “I am the only healer in town of journeyman rank who has not sworn the oath to Healer. I can still fight.”

She saw him open his mouth to speak and she growled. “Don't mess with me Gary, I have my own agenda and will do whatever it takes. Whatever. It. Takes.”

They hashed out needs and plans for a while, thinking their way though in a clear morning.

Tawny had asked Jennah about finding them an armorer with free time and some skill. “Old Hannah in the Adventurers compound” Was her advice.

Gary knew her, he had crafted a rocking chair to her specs, she had seen his tiny child's model and wanted one her size. Only slightly larger. She was minuscule.

Her kindly smile was leathery, and so was the rest of her, she even still faintly smelled of leather since she kept her hand in, teaching youngsters in the tailor's ward a few days a month.

“Ohh, well yes..” Her voice creaked, but in a comfortable way, like a well worn in leather jacket. “Jennah and Otho mentioned you would be coming by, so I started working already, let's go.” She hopped up grabbing a tiny cane and… a towel draped basket.

“Otho said we’d be by? And you brought a towel?”

She smiled happily. “Piffle boy, a lady needs a towel to go for a bath. Or do the kids today air dry?”

Gary looked to Shai for help but she was helping old man Symes with his towel draped basket.

“I can't believe this is my life now…” He sighed as oldsters came out with more towels and baskets. “Liam, I’m moving in OK?” Gary said, watching the gathering elders.

Liam shrugged helplessly. “You opened your mouth about those mythical heroes, Judge Reinhold and Wilford Brimley! Yes him, he who discovered the pool of cocoon monster larvae!”

Gary was already playing ‘Take Me Home Country Roads’, while distracting everyone with Shai’s Inevitable Dance.

In the far corner of the courtyard was a nook that had been a garden plot or some such. He had his eye on it before Liam shot down his hopes of moving in last time.

It was sunny and clear of obstructions and very large. Gary decided to try some bold modifications. He bumped up against his limits a few times, but in fifteen minutes he had summoned a fair piece of work.

The house and shop were similar to the hillside over the river, though towering a full two stories now. Beside it was a steaming outdoor bath in its own garden court, fed by a spring from the residence wall. A small bathing and changing room lay just inside the low wall surrounding the pool.

Diverting the excess flow of not exactly water into a loosely controlled courtyard, made him feel just a little thin around the edges. A faint wobbly tremor in his tummy quickly went away as he adjusted. It was not exactly part of the house but he had flashes of awareness, like fireflies in a starlit meadow.

After a moment it felt right, like the garden needed to expand a touch. He could already feel his influence on the courtyard increasing, a few more fireflies and a bit more starlight.

Exhausted, Gary stumbled to a rocking chair and watched the low speed sprint for the hot water.

Shai squatted beside his limp form and said, “That were kind o ye, though yer an arse fer nae doin it before this. Ye saw what yer water did tae Otho and Amicus, the dried old sticks.”

“Liam said I couldn't, so yell at him. And I don't think I explained that story to him very well. He just kept talking about what a heroic name Wilford was. He might have missed the point.”

“Tis a bold and manly name, nae soft like some.” She nodded wisely.

“Aye a man’s name should hae some weight tae it. An I may name me first son Wilford an all.” She smirked. “Ye do second names here about, an mayhap I’ll be takin suggestions fer that name an all.” she smiled at him in a disturbing way, like a big cat, eying wounded prey.

“Any names come tae mind, Gary Ward son of Andrew and Maria Ward? Is that how the second name be workin? I confess I ne’er paid mind tae it afore. Kin ye explain where the second name comes frae Gary Ward? Kin ye explain whae me poor Wilford will get his second name frae?”

She hounded him about poor Wilford all the way into the workshop. Asking the members of the Bathing club gathered downstairs to help her decide “Wee bairn Wilford’s second name.” They played along cruelly.

“Wilford Guard? No, maybe Wilford Bard?” Asked Tallum, familiar with his sister’s evil mind and happy she had found a fresh kill to gloat over. Poor Gary was done for, but Tallum could still get through this.

“Wilford Warm, it's comforting, like a blanket.” Tawny cooed in her honey voice, now tainted with venom.

“I feel like your first son would rebel, maybe become a woodworker of some debased kind… Wilford Board?” Liam offered.

It went on like that. A lot. By the end Gary was standing on the workbench explaining to his friends how he planned to use his disappearing house to frame Shai for his murder.

“...and I’’l be free and dead, while all the evidence disappears, leaving only my corpse and a bloody scrawl reading Shai did it! Perfect crime.”

Liam said gently; ”I don't know what bowling balls or dominoes are or this god Rube Goldberg… but justiciars generally do not read. They can mind you, but they do not. Your plot would fail.”

#