Author's Note: Corny jokes not withstanding, here is another chapter. Guess what I can write humor. Well a little humor.Chapter 7
The Apprenticeship
They had been living on the Lord’s estate for a little over two months and Destin had begun to enjoy working for the Lord. He wasn’t what he would have expected. He had always thought of the nobility as stuck up, rich folk that would sooner walk on you then look at you.
But Lord Remy actually spent time talking to him. He asked him about his life in Kelsey, and his dreams for the future. He was leery when speaking about life in Kelsey though. His mother had warned him to say as little about it as possible, but she had not told him why. That was something he did not understand about his mother. She had never been secretive with him, but he sensed that she was holding back many things. But he would do as she wished anyway. She had always done right by him before.
But when it came to his dreams for the future Destin had no problem talking about those, and Lord Remy seemed pleased to listen to them. Which was why the fact that he had seen very little of the Lord for over a week surprised him. Maybe he had grown bored with Destin and had gone back to doing whatever a ruling Lord did normally. Nonetheless it did disappoint Destin when he had lost the Lord’s attention.
He was busy brushing the horses when a young girl, which worked in the kitchens, came in and told him that Lord Remell wished to see him in the smithy. Destin had not had much opportunity to look around the large estate and wasn’t sure where the smithy was located but the young girl told him exactly how to get there. It was many miles from the main house and stables so Destin saddled one of the horses and headed off as quickly as possible.
He entered the smithy and saw Lord Remell leaning against a worktable talking to a large man who was wearing a blacksmith’s apron. Destin looked around the room as he walked towards them. There were all kinds of tools hanging on one wall, but two of the other walls drew his attention. They were covered in intricately designed swords and armor. The types of things he had only ever seen in his dreams. He had forgot why he was there as he paused to look at a helmet with the symbol of the current reigning ruler of the kingdom.
“Hmm, hmmm,” Remy cleared his throat bring Destin out of the daze he had fallen under.
“I’m sorry, Sir. You called for me.” Destin said moving to stand before Lord Remell.
“Destin, this is Renard. He is the most accomplished Metal Crafter in this province,” Remy said introducing the large man.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir,” Destin said bowing respectfully. The Lord’s eyebrows shot up. That was more respect than he had ever shown Remy.
“Lord Remell says that you want to apprentice as a Metal Crafter. Is this true?” the large man asked in a gruff voice.
“Yes it is. More than anything else,” Destin answered looking up to Renard who towered above him.
“He has asked me to consider taking you as an apprentice,” Renard said matter-of-factly.
“Would you, Sir? I would be forever grateful to you,” Destin said kneeling all the way to the ground.
This was almost too much for Remy. “Why is it that you never show me this much respect, boy?” he asked irritably.
Destin looked up to Remy with those defiant green eyes. “There is no one in this world, save my mother, who can garner more respect from me than a Master Metal Crafter. It is a trade that earns respect.”
Remy looked at the boy with a frown on his face for a moment and then a smile broadened his lips. “Well then, I guess I shouldn’t tell you of my inept attempts at learning Metal Crafting when I was your age. Now stand please,” Remy said offering him a hand up.
Destin accepted the hand and stood before Renard as he studied him silently.
“You are about fourteen years, I’d guess. A little old to start learning,” Renard said quizzically.
Destin almost opened his mouth to correct the man but something told him to remain quiet. His age had been the number one factor why he had yet to find an apprenticeship. What would it hurt to let the man believe he was two years younger than his actual age if it would get him accepted? He could always tell the truth later after he had proved himself. So he remained silent.
“But Lord Remell vouches that you are a hard worker. That is in your favor. I will assign a test to you. That will decide it,” Renard said looking around the shop.
Remy rolled his eyes at the man’s back. Apparently he had seen this test before and thought it a waste of time.
When Renard returned he handed Destin a medium sized piece of scrap metal. “I am going into Halcion shortly. I will be gone until late tomorrow. You are to start now and make something out of this piece of metal.”
Destin stared at the piece of metal, like it was a puzzle. “What do you want me to make?”
“You will make what it is fit for. That is up to you to decide,” Renard answered.
Destin stared at him in slight confusion. He was to decide. But he would not argue as he stood staring at the piece of metal. That would be disrespectful, and possibly ruin his chances at the apprenticeship.
Renard and Remy both left the smithy giving Destin the run of the shop.
“How do you think he’ll do?” Remy asked Renard.
Renard looked at the Lord and then shook his head. “I imagine he will do better than you did.”
Remy broke out in laughter at the statement as he tried unsuccessfully to mount his horse.
“Would you like help, My Lord?” Renard asked stepping up into the wagon he would take into Halcion.
“No, thank you, Renard,” Remy answered turning slightly red. It still felt strange to have Renard speak to him formally. He still remembered when as a youth he had been dubbed with a few less formal titles by the Master Metal Crafter. Most he would not repeat in mixed company.
Renard shook his head but then the look on his face turned thoughtful. “My Lord, do you mind if I ask you why you are going to so much trouble for this boy?”
Remy had been just about to step up onto his horse, but he paused. He did not turn to look at Renard but stared instead at his riding saddle. He sighed heavily. He knew this question would eventually come up. He also knew he could tell Renard that it was none of his business, but he held too much respect for the man to do that. “I’m not exactly sure why this boy means so much to me. Maybe I see in him something missing in my own life. I’m not sure.” The Lady Sebra had never given Lord Remell any children, and it was something he hadn’t even realized he wanted. But truth be told, he wasn’t getting any younger, and he had recently discovered that he wanted them desperately. Maybe he was substituting Destin because of the feelings he once felt for Annalise, but then again he had to admit he liked the boy, no matter how unconventional the lad was. “He’s a good boy, Renard.” Was all he finally was able to come up with as he boosted himself upon the horse and then took off back towards the main house.
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Destin sat staring at the lump of metal he had been given. He had learned a lot about different materials while working with Grimm. He had already fire tested it and was very disappointed to see that the metal was too weak to be used for any type of weapon or armor and the same went for any farming tools, but it was also not fine enough to be used to make any fine jewelry fit for a Lord or Lady. What was he to do with it? He wished he could chunk it as far as possible and then find a better piece of material to work with. But that would not do. He knew he was given this assignment to test not only his skill, but also his knowledge of materials. But what to make?
He concentrated for several minutes more and then an idea struck him. Within moments he was back at the fire and ready to create.
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Annalise was becoming worried. She had not seen her son for many hours, and it was past time that he would normally have finished his chores and returned to their quarters. They had not been given servants quarters due to Annalise’s station before her disappearance. Her family had been a large part of the nobility and it would have seemed rude to not treat them as guests, even if Destin was working off a fine in the Lord’s household. Due to this fact Annalise’s room was not very far from Remy’s study where she knew he spent most nights pouring over ledgers and books pertaining to running his province.
Annalise waited as long as she could bear before she finally made her way to Remy’s study and then knocked lightly on the door.
“Come in,” she heard him call out. She pushed the door open and slipped into the room. “Annalise, I’m surprised to see you here,” he said seeing her standing just inside the door.” But then it seemed as if a thought dawned on him. “Oh I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you. You must be looking for Destin.”
“What did you forget to tell me, My Lord?” she asked tensely. Had Destin done something that displeased him? Was he in trouble?
“Destin is at the smithy. He is taking a test to become Renard’s apprentice. With everything else that is going on, I didn’t think to send word to you,” Remy explained.
Annalise sighed visibly. “A test. Is it difficult?” Her immediate anger over not being told where her son was dissipated as she worried about his future possibilities.
“Well I took the same test many years ago, and failed miserably,” Remy answered.
“You never told me you knew metalworking,” Annalise said in surprise.
Remy smiled sardonically. “Sit down, Annalise. This is a long tale and I’m afraid you might laugh so loud that you will fall over when I tell it.”
Annalise thought for a moment to decline and leave the room, but she had become nervous for her son, knowing his hopes and dreams would possibly be realized that night. What would it hurt to listen to the story? So she sat on a comfortable couch and waited for him to begin.
“My father was not quite so sure that I would become the next ruling lord of this province when I was younger. The king had lost interest in our family and my father decided that all of his children should learn a trade that they might fall back on if worse came to worse and the family itself fell into the bad graces of the King. So my younger brothers took up different trades, and were quite successful at them. I on the other hand was horrible at everything I tried. And believe me I tried almost everything. My father’s last hope was that I would apprentice with Renard. So I tried and unfortunately Renard was ready to kick me out of the smithy within a week of taking me on.” Remy had a faraway look in his eyes as he remembered some of the mishaps he had had.
“And how did you do on the test? You said you failed miserably,” Annalise could not imagine Remy lacking at anything he tried and it was interesting to hear him admit his incompetence in this area.
“Lets just say that the item I created, did not last three seconds when tested. I thought sure Renard would throw me out of the smithy when I saw the disapproval on his face. But I guess he took pity on me,” Remy chuckled remembering that look.
“So you learned to be a Metal Crafter?” Annalise asked hopefully.
“Not quite. He kicked me out when I burned the smithy down,” Remy answered looking down at his desk in embarrassment.
“Oh, Remy. You didn’t.” Annalise could not help her laughter at seeing his face turn red. “You really burned it down.”
“It was an accident,” he pleaded as her laughter became louder. He finally decided to ignore her and continue his story. “Anyway, it wasn’t until I became ruling Lord that he finally let me start entering the smithy again, and still to this day he won’t let me near the fire.” This elicited even louder hysterics from Annalise and he finally rolled his eyes and went back to reading the ledger he had been working in earlier until she gained control of her laughter and stopped the tears of pure mirth streaming down her face.
Once the room was quiet again Remy closed the ledger. “Are you quite done gaining your enjoyment at my expense?” he asked.
Annalise nodded but could not say anything for fear that she might start cackling again. She could not remember laughing that hard in years and if felt wonderful to do so. Once she was sure she could control herself again she spoke up. “I’m sorry, Remy. But I do believe that if you had not wanted to entertain me, you would have never told me that story.”
Remy smiled and nodded his agreement. “I missed your laughter, Annalise.”
Annalise just felt too good to try to spoil the moment. “I did too, Remy.” But it was time she made her exit. “I thank you for the entertainment. Should I expect Destin at all tonight?”
“No, not until late tomorrow I’d say,” Remy answered.
“Well then, I shall take my leave and find my bed. Good night, My Lord,” Annalise said standing and offering a gracious curtsey.
“Good night, Milady,” he answered. As she left he felt as if he had accomplished something rather special that evening. That was the Annalise he remembered.