THE ROAD OF AN ARTISAN

Two months into Winter, a small convoy arrived for the Trading Post. The village had reverted to its silent and dreary winter ways. The Trading Post tavern was no more. It returned to its original use as a receiving station for trappers, while the once lively surroundings turned deserted.

The two wagon convoy brought supplies for the Lodge. No longer loaded with liquor and supplies for the Military, its main goods consisted of low-grade flour and other foodstuff. In fact only one wagon had a load for the stores.

This obviously provided a stark comparison from the last winter's five wagon convoy which regularly made trips out to Karst. The loads in the other wagon in this small procession belonged to a little commoner called Chu. Included in this cargo was a young man.

Master John was quick to get the accompanying man settled. The now silent forge in the village had long been requisitioned. The blacksmith owner had graciously cleaned and prepared everything of use. But before this new visitor could begin work, he had to first meet his new employer.

Mr Thomas and Chu came alone for this weekend trip. The others were too busy using the winter as an excuse to snuggled within their warm blankets. He tried to coax Lucy to come with them, but ever since she returned from the cave she always ventured out on her own.

When he asked she always answered that it was for special training. He did not pick her further since he trusted her judgment. It was more than he could say for another certain someone. That guy had returned to dabbling in pellet making. He shuddered as he cleared his mind to the present.

He reminded Mr Thomas they needed to purchase some healing powder from the Trading Post. Recently he had been putting together different medicines and bandages to make a simple first aid kit. He planned to make some bags and backpacks to carry these essentials. Their wagon already had a large storage box outfitted for this very purpose.

When he moved to the village on earth for his last job, he had spent a few days hiking in the surrounding hills with the locals. By feeding from this limited but slightly fresher memory and combining it with Mr Thomas adventuring experiences, he planned to create a backpack containing survival supplies. This would be for their use exclusively.

The young Dareck met his new employer in one of the Lodge rooms. The old man leaked out an aura of dominance. Such was to be expected from a person the patron spoke highly about.

"Where are you from young man?"

"I am from a small town outside of Haven. Master Griz is my Smithy's Patron. I am an apprentice under Master Borak and moved along with him to Karst."

Dareck answered.

He was humble when facing this old man.

"An apprentice?! What level?"

"I am Master Borak's junior apprentice sir."

The young man turned red as a forge as he continued. He had heard the sharpness and slight disappointment in Mr Thomas's voice.

"Please do not hold my Master responsible for this. Even if my Seniors did not want to move to this place, my Master would have sent them once the Patron demanded. It was the Patron himself who selected me to be sent here."

At this point Chu tugged on Mr Thomas sleeve.

To an observer it looked akin to a boy begging for candy from his old man.

"What's this thing about apprentices? What's the deal here?"

Mr Thomas gave a glance at Dareck and offered an explanation.

The blacksmiths, weapon-makers, and even tailors were all registered under one Guild named the Artisan Guild. This was the place that helped promote skilled workers and helped them earn valuable aid.

Blacksmiths were either self-sufficient or supported under a Patron. Those under a Patron worked exclusively for them, allowing the Patron to promote and sell their products.

Large Merchant families all had their own blacksmiths to lower cost and bring in additional wealth. Because of high cost of startup, this arrangement was usually reserved for the richer families in the cities.

Blacksmiths tended to pass on their skills to the next generation, but they usually took in as much apprentices that they could. In the event they found a skilled apprentice the trade was passed on to them instead.

Senior apprentices were the ones most destined to carry on the legacy and were undoubtedly the most skilled. No blacksmith would part with their cream of the crop. Junior apprentices conversely were blacksmith in name only.

For the price of learning the basic trade, their job was mostly to clean and take care of the menial everyday task. The legacy or certain ways of making that Smithy's main product was not divulged to them.

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"So they are treated essentially as servants then?"

Chu asked.

Mr Thomas glanced at the young man before replying.

"You really need to get out of this little hole. A junior apprentice is always nothing more than a servant and treated a little better than a slave.

Most junior apprentices either live out their lives like that or make their way to the villages like this one to etch out a living. I can bet you all the gold coins I ever made that the guy who owns the Smithy here was once some junior apprentice."

"Then what about the other Senior apprentices? Don't they clash for leadership?"

Mr Thomas snorted.

"If a Smithy is prospering there is no reason to have more than one Master Blacksmith, especially if they are working for a Patron. If a Senior apprentice leaves a Smithy, it is either to work for himself in the city, or work under a new Patron. These guys tend to be gobbled up and worked to death under the Artisan Guild also."

While the two were carrying on their conversation, Junior apprentice Dareck was turning more and more red. Mr Thomas turned to him an asked.

"So how did we end up with you then?"

One look at Chu and Mr Thomas knew the boy was pissed. He was expecting a skilled craftsman and ended up with a rookie assistant.

Dareck fumbled inside his patched shirt and produced a crumpled letter. He could see the look of disappointment on the man's face. What he did not observe was where the source of unhappiness originated. The last thing he wanted was to be forced to return to the town.

Something like that would only be a mark of shame to both the Patron and the Master of the Smithy he worked near his whole life. He was trying to think of some way to convince the man when he suddenly remembered something important.

"Patron Griz sent this letter over. He said it was for the brat...I mean Master Chu."

Dareck handed the letter over with respect to Mr Thomas. He could not believe he nearly insulted his new boss. Such words should only be used among friends of the same level of standing. The old man however simply took the letter and handed it over to the little boy at his side.

The kid promptly scanned it and then broke the seal. Four gold coins dropped out from the opened document. After a moment he handed the letter to Mr Thomas. He shamefully pocketed the money in front of Dareck's googling eyes.

The letter was short and obviously meant for it's intended reader...

'The young man is not skilled but has been with the Smithy for ten years. He knows his way around a forge and most important he is very honest, has no family and is a sucker for following instructions from his superiors. Master smith Borak has even sworn to this by your favorite medium: gold.

You are well aware how far a man can live on four gold coins. This person is slow-witted but is also an honest, hard worker. I know you will be happy so I cannot live with myself in good conscience if I don't burst that swelling head of yours.

P.S. You owe me four gold coins but keep it. What's a little money between friends. By the way all the deeds to the lands acquired have been changed to a double ownership. I will not demand anything, but at least half of what you are planning should be mine. Take note there have been some new bandit activity around the villages to the south-east of you. Tell John to give the merchants using that route a heads up.'

Mr Thomas laughed when he finished.

"Hahaha...Even though Griz might have made a small fortune, there is no reason for a man like that to shed a piece of copper to a kid from the slums. Brat, take it from me, Merchants don't go sharing money willy-nilly. That guy is going to make sure he milks you like a cow."

"Damn man is even more greedy than me."

Chu grumbled as he decided to vent on the young man sitting before them.

"Get your belongings, you are going to stay at the village home. Heaven alone knows if Griz has John keeping a tab on us using the Lodge to bunk."

Dareck was stunned as the small kid begun to rant and then dropped an order. He turned to Mr Thomas while glancing at the boy. Kids should at least show respect to their elders. He was even more peeved when the boy casually insulted his Patron.

"Beg your pardon sir, but the Patron specifically instructed me to only take orders from you Master Chu."

Mr Thomas gave him the look as he was staring at an idiot. He then remembered that they did not really introduce themselves in the beginning. He scowled as he saw the brat beside him give that signature wry smile.

"Kid, My name is Mr Thomas and like you I work for the same person you called Master Chu."

Dareck could only stare at the man.

"Then when will I meet the new master?"

The door suddenly slammed open as a panting John stumbled in.

"Boss Chu we got it, both the ore and the ship guide box. Four gold, the cost is four gold towards the Trading Post winter accounts. Hahaha!...I am going to be the most profitable Master in the surrounding villages for the Company. When Master Griz eventually moves to the city, I will be a shoe-in for the position in Karst!"

"Oh, so I finally got the compass? I mean the guide box? Here take this four gold pieces, make sure to tell Griz that it was spent on this purchase for our shared business and that I did not personally receive any gifts of money. He thus owes me four gold on a compound interest of five coppers per week. It works both ways you know, he can't promise money without the accompanying interest."

It was at the middle of Spring when Chu had ordered for this crude compass. Only now did he finally come to possess it. Perfect timing no less because he also had a cave to explore.

"Brat what's this compound interest, I have a feeling the last Money lender I dealt with scammed me."

Mr Thomas asked as he saw John still shuddering and then grabbing the door-frame for support. The young man's wobbling legs nearly giving way from the previously shocking words. This 'compound interest' seemed to cause a mighty reaction from the known miser.

"Not much its..."

"Wait who are you?"

Dareck spoke up suddenly as his slow brain picked up something of major importance.

"What do you mean who is he? That's your new Boss, Master Chu."

John answered.

"Eh?"

Dareck mouth dropped as he registered the information.

"Eh?"

John muttered as he gave Chu a weird look before continuing

"What's with this guy you ordered, he defective?"