The smithy, thankfully, wasn't that far from the church, so Ozlo had no chance of getting lost. After a short walk he arrived and entered without event.

Burgin was a mountain of a man. Average height, but as broad as could be. His bulging muscles and many scars were a testament to a lifetime of hard, dangerous work in the forge and possibly otherwise.

Burgin stood up from his stool and approached the boy. "Come lad, come. I've been waiting on you for the better part of an hour. I'm Burgin"

Ozlo unsure of how to respond said "Yes... Father?"

...

Surprised, Burgin took a deep breathe and cleared his throat. "Ahem. I'm not your father, my name is Burgin. BUR-GIN. BAH. They told me you were slow."

Ozlo replied. "Yes Burgin."

Looking at Ozlo in the way that an old housewife would look at a wet rat, Burgin stated. "At least it seems you've got some manners... Alright, let's explain a few things before we put you to work."

Ozlo started to reply but was soon interrupted. "Yes Burgin-"

Gesturing to the other side of the building, away from the storefront area Burgin said. "Enough of that, be quiet and listen."

Burgin grabbed Ozlo by the hand and lead him around the shop pointing at various things. "That's the forge, it's hot, do not go near it without protection. Gloves, aprons, and tongs are all over there against that rack. Up top on the south side are the barracks. That's where apprentices, meaning you, will be staying. Your job until I deem you fit enough to make a bent copper nail will be to hand me things, fan the forge, and stay out of the damn way. Do you understand?"

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Ozlo took a slow, but unfocused look around the room before responding. "Yes Burgin."

Burgin takes a deep sigh and walks over to the north side of the smithy, near the counter, where he takes a long drink out of a mug. "Repeat it."

Confused Ozlo responded. "Repeat it?"

Burgin gave Ozlo a painful look "Not that part... Repeat what I've told you."

Ozlo, doing his best to focus eventually points to the forge. "That's the forge."

Ozlo's new master gave him an encourging nod. "Yes lad... Good. What else?"

Bolstered by Burgins demeanor Ozlo pointed once again. "Uh, barracks are over there."

Once more, Burgin nodded at the boy. "Yes, and what is your job."

"Hand you things?" Ozlo replied.

AND? Burgin quizzed Ozlo.

"Stay out of the way." Ozlo replied.

Giving Ozlo a piercing look, Burgin nodded. "That's a good lad. You've got it. You can get started right now. I'll assume you'll send for your belongings?"

"Belongings?" Ozlo asked quizzically.

"Yes, your stuff... Your clothes, boots, maybe a pretty picture book given to you by your mother." Burgin explained.

Confused, Ozlo responded. "I don't have a mother, I'm an orphan."

Burgin kept a straight face, though it was clear he was starting to grow increasingly agitated. "I know that... Ok, let me go slower. Where are your spare clothes?"

Ozlo glanced down at his cheaply made clothing and responded. "Besides this? I don't have any."

Burgin seemed to take note of Ozlo's clothing and promptly turned on his heel and faced the forge. "I see... Not a problem. That makes things easier. Today you'll be assisting me. Be my shadow, stay behind me, hand me what I ask. Understood?"

"Yes F... Yes Burgin." Ozlo managed to stammer out.

Burgin goes back to work while muttering under his breathe. "Good, good... Blasted fucking church..."