"Aye, that's the truth master smith." Cracklecord snickered. "I have had the pleasure of traveling with Ott, Lightfoot, Pat, and the herbman Stain." The emphasis she placed on Stain caused Rusty to raise an eyebrow.
"Stain? That is interesting. I have not seen that man in quite a while. Hope he stops by and chats." Rusty turned back into the forge. "There is a fine fire in my forge Cracklecord, make yourself at home if you want. I imagine you could use a little heat."
I followed him into the forge. "Dad said he needs to talk to you Rusty, he will be by tomorrow sometime. I have to go help him and Stain unload. I will see you around."
Cracklecord had leapt from my shoulder and climbed into the forge. "Thank you for your help and company young Ott. I would love to talk with you more if time allows. If you need to talk do not be afraid to come by. I do not think Rusty would mind you visiting."
Rusty's eyebrow was jumping again. "Now that is not a problem. You are welcome at my forge any time Ott. Just remember, I will put you to work so you do not get lazy."
"Thanks Rusty! I will see you later Cracklecord. I have to get going. Dad will already be wondering where I am." I turned out of the forge and started through the village. It looked the same as always. Boring. This would be my home for the next while. Great. I sighed and made my way past different houses and compounds. When I finally found myself outside my aunt and uncle's compound I took a deep breath.
***
The noise coming out of the courtyard made it pretty clear that my dad and friends had made it there before I did. I could also hear the voices of other people, my aunt and uncle among them. I braced myself and pushed the gate open. My dad was talking with aunt Vicky and uncle Lars. I could tell that he had told them about the attack at the cabin. You could tell because of how my aunt paced. She always paced when upset. If she did not slow down there would soon be a new well in the courtyard.
"Aunt Vicky! Uncle Lars!" I called out. I figured I would spare my dad the lecture he obviously was receiving. My aunt had specific ideas and believed everyone should follow those ideas. Right now it looked like she was sharing her opinion of everything my father had done wrong in his life. My aunt was a loving woman, but had a scalding tongue.
"Ott! There you are! I do not understand why you did not come here first! What is so important that you had to go see Rusty before your family!" By this time she had gotten within arm’s reach and I found myself in a hug that would have done a bear credit. Luckily enough she let go before I passed out.
"Ott, boy I swear each time we see you have grown a foot!" My uncle's greeting was more welcoming if less physical. "You are looking more like your father every day." He walked over and wrapped his arm around his wife. "So, I guess we will be seeing a lot of you for a while. Lightfoot told us about what happened. Let us get everything off the packshell and put into the spare rooms."
Odd huh? My aunt freaks out while my uncle deals with the practical matters. Makes sense when you consider what they do for a living. My aunt is a basket maker. She makes all sorts of baskets out of everything. And I mean everything. Ever heard of a basket made from hummingbird feathers? It was for a woman who wanted a unique basket. As for my uncle, well he is a healer. He deals with what needs to be done now and worries about the things that can wait later. Trust me that is a quality you want in a healer.
Let me point out who else was in the courtyard. Of course Stain is here with Tag. Patrick still rode on Tag's back. My uncle's three apprentices were also in the courtyard. First is Smide. A good healer, but arrogant. Second is Savay. She is a decent healer who treats me like a little brother. Third is Peter. How to explain Peter? He does not get out much, but is practically gifted in making any kind of substance a healer might use. He does not deal with people if he can help it. He is also one of my best friends.
Everyone was watching my aunt and I with bemused expressions. I had obviously interrupted the unloading of Tag. Some of the bags, boxes, and packages were piled beside Tag.
"Vicky and Lars have been kind enough to offer Stain a place to stay while he is in Sunnydale. He will be staying with us in the spare rooms." My dad grinned. "Guess he will have to put up with my snoring a little bit longer."
Stain grinned, "Well Lightfoot, I do not think your snoring is any worse than Tag's." Tag looked at Stain and snorted. Almost as if in protest. I swear I wish I knew how to speak beast.
"Let us get everything unloaded from the packshell. Then Smide can take him over to Brandon's. He has a packshell pool that Tag can enjoy. From the amount he has been carrying I think maybe he would enjoy it." Lars grinned and petted Tag. "Looks like he is carrying everything that might have fit in your cabin and then some."
Everyone helped to remove all the packages from Tag's back. We placed everything in three piles. The first pile was all of the stuff from our cabin that we had recovered but would not use right away. The second pile was mine and dad's clothes, equipment, and other items we would need. The final pile was Stain's items. They ranged from small bags to the large mushroom chest, in all sorts of colors.
While Smide took Tag for his soak the rest of us worked on moving the various piles out of the courtyard. The first pile was moved into storage. The second and third we moved above the storage space, into the spare rooms. There is a suite of rooms kept for visitors who might just stay a while. The suite has four rooms for sleeping and a common room for cooking and socialization. My dad took the first one to the right. I got the one right across from the stairs. Stain took the room just to the left of the stairs. We organized the rest of our items in the fourth room.
"Lightfoot, Ott, Stain, we would welcome your company at dinner tonight. We can discuss everything there." Aunt Vicky invited. "Whenever everyone is settled just come on down and we will get ready to eat."
About that time Pat made it up the stairs. "Food. That is the best idea I have heard all day." He curled up on one of the couches. "Would there be enough for a young dragonet?" He acted all innocent.
Vicky grinned. "I think we can find you enough to fill your belly. Even a belly as big as yours mister dragonet."
"Huh. I do not believe my belly is any bigger than Ott's. If you can afford to feed him then I think there will be plenty for me." Pat tried to be haughty. But with everyone snickering it failed horribly.
"I shall see all of you downstairs in a bit. Get cleaned up and get your stuff settled. The food can wait." Lars wrapped his arm around Vicky and they walked down the stairs.
"Well that went better than I thought it would." My dad seemed very relieved. "I almost expected a full interrogation before she let us get settled." He started unpacking clothes in his room.
"If it makes you feel any better Lightfoot, I think she has plans of getting everything out of you that she can either at or after dinner." I could hear the chuckle in Stain's voice.
"Yeah, kind of figured that it would work out that way." Dad sighed. "Stain, why not let me talk to Ott privately for a little bit. Let him know where things stand. That way I am ready for Vicky's interrogation at dinner." My father looked nervous, yet excited.
"Sure Lightfoot. I will go make sure that Tag is settled. I should be back in a bit." Stain seemed nervous also, but left the room. I could hear him going down the stairs.
"Ott, come sit across from me son. We need to talk." My dad had picked one of the chairs in the common room. I sat down, not sure what to expect, but expecting the worse.
***
"Dad, what is going on? Why did Stain have to go? Why do you want to talk to me?" The questions poured out of me yet again.
"Wait, Ott. I will get to all of that. First let me explain a few things." My father took a couple of deep breaths while putting his thoughts together.
"Ott, I am hurt bad. I am not going to be able to do much for a while. Stain looked at it and did everything he could, which is quite a lot. It is still going to take time to heal. Maybe months. In that time all I will be good for is light work. You would be able to work,
but you are at the age to become an apprentice. I had thought that maybe Lars could take you on, but he has his hands full. Rusty was another option, but he already has a couple of boys helping him. I wanted to talk to you about what you would like to do. What kind of apprenticeship would you want? What kind of work do you want to learn?" My father looked almost relieved. Had this been bothering him?
"Well. I had not really thought about it dad. I figured that I would just follow in your training. Be a forester like you." I kind of thought about doing that. I mean that is what he has been training me for right?
"Ott, as much as I would love for you to follow in my steps. I just do not think that is something that can happen now. I will not be able to go back to being a forester for a while, if ever. We need to consider what options you have and what you want." My father seemed sad about this, but also persistent.
"Dad what kind of options do I really have? You have pointed out the ones that were most likely, but just as quickly eliminated them. Aunt Vicky might take me on, but I do not think basket making is what I want to do with my life. Do not get me wrong, I can do it and I appreciate the work that goes into it. But I just do not think it is for me. I cannot think of anyone else in the village who has a trade that interest me. I would have loved to learn how to help people with Lars or make things with Rusty, but nothing else really stands out." I was flustered. This was all so sudden. What was I supposed to do?
"Well, Ott. I am glad to hear you say all of that." My dad took a deep breath. "There is another option where you could learn to help people and also to make things. Would you be interested?"
My father sat and looked at me. Who could he mean? No other person in the village met those possibilities.
"Dad, who are you talking about? What apprenticeship could both help people and involve making things? I cannot think of anyone who does anything like that." I was so confused. Who could my dad mean?
"How about me Ott?" Stain walked back in the room. "Before you say anything let me tell you a little of what I do." He walked over and sat down.
"I am a traveling Healer. What that means is that I do a lot of the same stuff as Lars but I do not stay in one location. I also make items for other healers, since that is a skill that I have. Many times I will make tools or equipment that only a few people can make. Since I travel constantly I gather substances, which you have noticed. I sell these substances in pure form to other healers, but also make medicines from them for people. I help those who the local healer cannot help, I provide a unique service to the local healer, and I bring healing to those who lack a local healer. Now if you have any questions I will answer them to the best of my abilities." Stain sat back and looked at me expectantly.
I was shocked. Travel with Stain? That could be interesting.
"What would you teach me? What duties would I have? Where would we go? Could Pat come with us?" I was so excited, questions just popped out of my head.
Stain and my dad both laughed. "Well, let me see if I can answer those questions. I would attempt to teach you everything I know. More specifically everything I can about healing substances, making equipment, and healing people. There would be other things, but those would come later. Duties? You would help me. Some of the work would be repetitive but usually enjoyable. In the past most of my apprentices set up camp and did quite a bit of the cooking. Although some claimed they did it out of self preservation. When in a town or village, you would be my feet. Running around and delivering items or picking them up. Where would we go? Why just about everywhere. In the course of a year I usually visit most of the large towns and many of the smaller villages. On the way I often spend the night with some people. It is a rare night that I do not stay with someone. As far as Pat coming with us, I believe that is up to the fine lizard himself. I have no objections, in fact his company would be pleasant to have." Stain dealt with my questions easily, yet with respect.
I looked at my father and our meager belongings, remembering how little we really had. Oh man! What about the fee? Could my father afford it? I guess it was to me to ask.
"Stain? What would be the fee for apprenticeship? I understand that most parents pay the master for the training." I braced myself. My father seemed surprised I would think to ask that question.
"Well Ott, in the past I have made various arrangements depending on what I anticipated training the apprentice. Since I plan on teaching you to be as knowledgeable, capable, and able as me, the items and supplies you will need to acquire will be quite substantial. However, as far as a fee paid to me for training, I never accept money for training an apprentice. I will be getting more than my share of worth from your assistance during your training. Your help will lighten my load and make it easier to do my work. I think that is more than enough payment for me."
The expression on my father's face told me he already knew what Stain's answer was. They had already discussed this. My dad was fine with me doing this.
"Well, Stain. It looks like if you will have me I would be honored to be your new apprentice." I almost yelled it out I was so excited. I would get to travel all over the place. I would learn to be a healer, but not just any healer. A healer for healers!
"Ott, I will make up a list of items you will need to acquire before we leave. I think I will be ready to leave at the end of the week, so I need you to get everything before then. You will be able to get everything in Sunnydale and Tag will carry a lot of it for you. Lightfoot, I believe I am more than ready for dinner. I will meet the two of you there in a few minutes." With that Stain got up and again walked down the steps.
"Ott, are you sure? I would never want you to settle for something that will not make you happy." I could tell my father was really concerned.
"Dad, I have always enjoyed learning about healing but I love to be out in the world. I will get to travel and see new places and learn how to do things I have only wished to do. It will be like doing all three of my favorite jobs in one job: being out in the world like a forester, making things like a smith, and helping people like a healer. It should be perfect. Now, how long have the two of you planned this?" I stared at my father, knowing that he had an answer.
"Well, Stain thought you might be interested. He asked me what I thought back at the cabin before you woke up. I gave my blessing if you accepted. He wanted to get to know you and see what you were like before making the offer. On the way into town tonight, after you left with Cracklecord, Stain told me that if I was still willing to let you he wanted to make the offer for you to be his apprentice." My father seemed content, happy for me.
"Ok, do you know what will be on this list? I worry if we will be able to afford or find everything." I was really worried. What if I could not get something? Would Stain change his mind?
"Ott, I believe that Stain is a reasonable person. His list might be large, but we can do it. Now, Stain had a good idea. Let us go eat before your aunt comes and hauls us to the table by our ears." We both laughed as we descended the stairs.
***
We followed the smells into the kitchen. My aunt had prepared enough food for an entire village. If never failed to amaze me that my aunt could produce such a large amount of food in such a short notice.
"Ott, come help me move all the food to the table." My aunt was currently carrying a large basket full of bread. "There are few more bowls and baskets on the counter."
I went into the kitchen and grabbed the bowl full of beans and the basket full of potatoes.
"Vicky, what in the world? I do not think the whole town is going to join us for dinner!" My dad was a little surprised by the amount of food. I guess it was understandable. The table was almost buried under all the bowls and baskets.
"Lightfoot! I would think you would know that apprentices eat enough to feed the whole village, plus you, Ott, Stain, and Pat. I have to have enough food to make sure that everyone has enough." My aunt threw a roll at my dad who promptly caught it and started eating it.
"Why Vicky! I believe tha
t these rolls are absolutely delicious. I think I might have to steal your recipe while I stay with you. That way I can cook like you." My father pulled out a chair and sat down on the side of the table. "Where is everybody? It looks like everything is ready."
"Right here Lightfoot. I cannot let you be the only one who eats those rolls." My uncle and his apprentices strolled in from the courtyard. "We were finishing up our various chores."
My uncle pulled out his chair at the head of the table and sat down. His apprentices grabbed chairs along the sides.
"Where is Stain, Lightfoot? I will not start without everyone here." Vicky smacked Smide on the head. "Boy! You will wait till everyone is seated or you will go hungry tonight."
Smide looked frustrated but still said in a pained voice, "Yes mistress Vicky. Should I go look for our tardy guest?"
"No need my dear fellow, I might be tardy but I have an appetite." Stain walked in with Pat on his shoulder.
"Master Stain, if you will take the end of the table. That way I can sit beside my husband. He needs the supervision when we have guests." She pulled out the chair beside my uncle and sat down.
"Thank you for that honor." Stain sat down. Pat looked around at all the food with a slight frown.
"Pat, there is a red bowl and red basket on the cutting block for you. I figured you would appreciate having room to be comfortable considering the size of the group at the table." My aunt motioned to the large cutting block that stood just to the side of the table.
Pat walked to the edge of the table, considered the distance between it and the block, then leaped without opening his wings. He landed almost daintily. "Why thank you my dear woman, I think that will work just fine for me." He looked into the bowl and basket his expression showing shock and surprise. "Dear woman! I do not believe I have ever had such a meal. Tonight I shall feast and then pass out fully sated." He looked at my aunt, who had blushed at the praise. Then started to eat.
The Wandering Apprentice Page 5
