Every day was not as easy as the first, much to my disappointment. It turns out, that as you slowly become more and more proficient and competent in an apprenticeship, you get more duties and bigger responsibilities. Which, to a moron like me, isn't always a good thing. The days passed pretty slowly for the first week, that is, until I received my pay.

"Alright, here you go. Two soul shards." Burgin said as he handed him his pay.

"Wait, only two? There must be some mistake..." Ozlo gathered up the courage and asked Burgin. "Fa- I mean, Master Burgin. Don't most apprenticships receive a minimum of five shards a week?"

Burgin glanced in Ozlos direction. "Aye lad, that WOULD be the case. And even though you're a bit... A bit... Ahem." Burgin looks around and coughs a bit, before continuing his speech. "Even though you haven't done the most work, the minimum IS five shards. Five shards before fees and lodging come out."

"Fees and lodging?" The church had neglected to mention this to Ozlo, or maybe he just hadn't been paying attention.

"Yes, fees and lodging. The roof over your head, the food you so readily shove down yer gullet, the tools you so readily damage when you're too stupid and bumbelfuc- Ahem. Yes, there are expenses and fees and those average to about two shards lad. And that's being generous. Not to mention the half shard the church is reimbursed" Burgin took a deep sigh and once again turns his back to Ozlo.

Ozlo takes a few moments to count on his fingers. "Wait... That leaves 1 shard! I may be dumb but I can still count!"

A sad look crosses Burgins face. "Dumb... Don't call yourself dumb lad, the more you think it the more it will be. Perceptions have power, especially those you have of yourself. And yes, there is still one shard missing. That goes to the church. I can't very well cut the damn shard in half now can I?"

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Ozlo thought about it for a minute. Can you cut a shard in half? Maybe? Wait, the way he asked that question... "No?" Ozlo replied.

"No, no I can't. This week you'll keep two shards and next week you'll keep three, and then we'll alternate." Burgin responds tiredly.

Ozlo once again counts on his fingers, eventually stopping when he gets to two and a half, then slowly makes the half a full finger. "Because of the half shard!"

Burgin, seeing how proud Ozlo seemed of himself, said in an encouraging voice. "See, now there's a bright lad. You're fifteen right?"

Burgin takes a moment to look Ozlo up and down, and really admires his physique.

Surprised by the question, Ozlo managed to eventually respond. "Yes F- Yes Master Burgin. I'm fifteen."

Giving him another appraising look, Burgin says "If I didn't know any better I'd say you're at least seventeen, probably eighteen. I have half a mind to give you some beer... Actually, nevermind. No beer for you, it makes men... It makes them simple, and you probably couldn't walk if I made you any simpler lad."

Ozlo thought back to his days in the church orphanage "Mother Patricia would say the same thing, that boys who had too much drink found themselves in early marriages and even earlier graves. And that I'm probably the result of such a union."

"Yes sir. I'll not drink beer sir." Ozlo responded after a few moments lost in thought.

Clapping Ozlo on the back, Burgin said. "There's a good lad, now get the broom and clean the floor. You have two free days starting now."

"Free days? What are those?" Ozlo asked innocently.

Burgin gives you a long look before rubbing his chin and mumbling to himself. "Free days. As in, you're free to do whatever. Provided you don't go to far or get into trouble. You're free to... Er be free. Didn't you have those back in the church boy? A day to do whatever you wanted?"

"Nope. Mother Patricia said that someone as stupid, clumsy, and simple-minded as myself should spend all day bettering myself and the church if I had any hope of surviving." Ozlo replied.

Upon hearing this a cold calm washes over Burgins face, and he grips his fists so hard that they turn stark white. "Ahh... I see. Would you mind waiting here for a few moments lad?"

"Yes sir." Ozlo replied.

"Great, I'll be right back. Don't you go anywhere." Burgin barked.