Develop the Skills

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 12th September 2005

Characters: Jarthir, Nyblek
Description: Jarthir gives Nyblek some encouragement over their craft.
Location: Smith Hall (NPC)
Date: month 7, day 25 of Turn 3

"_Shards_" the apprentice mumbled as another link of the golden chain he was trying to assemble went flying out from his thick fingers to... somewhere.
He looked around guiltily, hoping none of the journeymen or masters heard his outburst.

One had. Jarthir bent over and picked the link up and dropped it back on to the table. "Just take your time, Nyblek... rushing is what makes you clumsy."

"I'm trying journeyman," the boy mumbled, completely embarrassed that _Jarthir_ was witness to his clumsiness. "And I promise, I wasn't rushing this time."

"Are you sure?" Jarthir sounded fondly amused, and he gave the boy a pat on the shoulder. "You've got a good eye, Nyblek. You just need some practice."

"And much smaller fingers," the apprentice said as he looked down at the offending appendages.

"Now, now..." Jarthir held up his own hands, which were not small by any means. "As long as you can learn to use them, it doesn't matter."

"Yes sir," the apprentice mumbled. He wondered if his hands would ever learn how to move delicately. "But I did finish the necklace. It's not as good as I would have liked, but I think it might be fair."

Jarthir's eyebrows went up in pleased surprise. "Did you now? Let me see it!" The apprentice handed Jarthir's a small object wrapped in soft cloth. It had taken him hours to complete and he hoped the journeyman would find it at least adequate. Nyblek knew the kind of work Jarthir was famous for. He knew his own creations would be nothing compared to the journeyman's. The boy hoped that it would at least not draw _too_ much criticism. He was still just an apprentice, after all.

Unwrapping it, Jarthir set the necklace down on the table and examined it in perfect silence for a few moments. Then he smiled. "Better, Nyblek! Much better! I can see that you've been practicing..." The apprentices chest swelled at the praise. "Yes, sir, I have been practicing. Especially my soldering technique," he said as he pointed to the points where the golden wire had been attached to the base of the necklace. "I tried to do it just the way you showed me."

"I noticed... there's a little work to be done still..." He pointed to a few places that were a little sloppy. "But I'm not looking for perfection yet...
I'm just looking for progress. And you've done well, son." "Thank you, sir." Nyblek knew it was unreasonable to believe that it would be perfect, but he was determined to fix his mistakes and make it better next time. If _Jarthir_ would take the time to check his work, he would do everything he could to make it perfect. "I will fix those mistakes and show you again. When you have time, of course."

"You do promising work lad," Jarthir replied, giving the boy a fond pat on the shoulder. "I'm happy to look at it whenever I have a moment free." "Sir, may I see the piece you are working on?" Whenever Jarthir was working on something new Nyblek always burned with curiosity. It seemed the journeyman was always given the most fantastic commissions, and he never fell short of expectations.

Never one to be particularly modest, Jarthir gestured for the boy to put his tools away. "It's in my office... wrap that back up and come along."

The young man grinned as he obediently rewrapped his piece and carefully replaced all of his equipment. He eagerly followed the journeyman. "Is it a commission?"

"It is... a special one for the Hallmaster, at that." Jarthir was rather proud about how often the Hallmaster had special commissions for him.

"From the Hallmaster? What is it for?" The boy was properly impressed. The Hallmaster would know who the best craftsman would be. Of course he would chose Jarthir!

Jarthir grinned and winked at the boy. "Ahh, that's a secret between me and the Hallmaster!" "It must be important then." The young apprentice couldn't wait to see it.
He wondered what it could be for if it's so secret. Is it a request from a Lord Holder for his secret lover? Was it badges for new Masters? Unlocking his office, Jarthir led the apprentice inside. Another key unlocked a desk drawer, and Jarthir pulled a cloth out of it, setting it down on the desk. "Go ahead and look..."

At first it looked just like any other ring, except for the beautiful chips of colored stone that seemed to be impeded into the very gold of the ring, almost like a mosaic, long the top of it. He could also see a hint of etching along the band. It was the more imaginative and exquisite thing the boy had ever seen. He didn't dare touch it.

Jarthir chuckled. "You like it then, lad?" The boy nodded and smiled his delight. "What kinds of stones did you use?"

"Black diamonds, rubies and garnets," Jarthir replied proudly. Black diamonds were rare, and not everyone was allowed to work with them. "A few topaz chips as well..."

Nyblek took a step back. "_Black_ diamonds?" The boy had not even _seen_
black diamonds before! For an apprentice, black diamonds might as well be myth.

"They're rare," Jarthir acknowledged, picking the ring up and turning it over in his fingers. "And they do look nice, don't they?" "They look more than nice," the boy responded reverently. "It must be a _very_ special commission. That ring must be worth more marks than I will ever see in my life!"

"Maybe," Jarthir said, clapping the boy on the back. "Or maybe not... you keep practicing, lad. You've got the eye for it. Just develop the skills." The boy doubted that he would ever have a chance to create anything so rare as what he had just seen, but he was determined to rise to the challenge. "I will sir. I will practice everyday."

Last updated on the September 12th 2005

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