"What are you going to do, master?" the young man asked William, who rested on the couch.
The apprentice woke up a few hours after passing out at the bar. After William informed him of the current situation in regard to the butler's request, Nicolas proceeded to be on a loop of asking the same question and getting silence as a response. It had been three days. He thought his master would have an answer by now, but it seemed more complicated than he thought.
—Master…
William wasn't his usual self after leaving the bar. He had been quiet, giving little of his presence in the house.
—This is obviously going nowhere.
Nicolas sighed. He grabbed the tea that William left brewing on the stove, served it in two cups and left one on the table next to the blacksmith. He sat on a rocking chair at the front porch and observed the nature outside while drinking his own cup of tea.
—I could get used to this.
Although it had been a few days, the young man felt like he was getting accustomed to his new life. It was more comfortable than sleeping in the alleys on a cold night or begging the food vendors for leftovers.
—I can keep myself clean and, for once… I feel good.
He thought about the resting blacksmith. The apprentice wondered what would make his master be so torn and deep in thought. There was so much that he wanted to know about him and the knowledge he possessed.
"He is like one of those mystery books… Hm? What's that?"
In the corner of his field of vision, he saw a familiar instrument, "Nicolas: No way, is that a lute?"
The young man quickly finished his tea. With a grin on his face, he grabbed the instrument and went back to the rocking chair. He felt the strings of the lute, "It's been a while… but let's see." With a deep breath he proceeded to play.
"Oh where, oh where is the great Gellal?
The merciless hero of the rising sun.
One day, with Dwyrin sheathed on his hip,
He disappeared when in need.
Where could he have gone?
Where's the hero of Heratia?—"
"—Where did you learn that song?"
"Gah!"
The young man was startled, almost dropping the lute, "Geez, master. You scared me."
"Forget that, just answer the question."
The young man wryly smiled, "Seriously, if I knew the song was going to get you out of bed, I would've done it sooner."
The blacksmith gave him a stern look, "Answer the question."
The young man was surprised by the blacksmith's demand. The apprentice cleared his throat, "A friend of mine taught me that song. He's a bard."
The man raised an eyebrow, "A friend, huh? Do you know the whole song?"
The young man shook his head, "It's been so long that I cannot recall it in full… Do you happen to know it, master?"
"No, me neither. Never mind, it's not that important." The blacksmith reverted back to his original position on the couch.
"I, uh..." Nicolas tried to think of any subject to keep the conversation going, but he was left speechless. "Call me if you need anything..." he put down the lute and noticed the empty cup of tea next to William, "Hm? at least you're enjoying the tea. Let me serve you more. I could go for a second serving as well. I have grown a liking to it."
The blacksmith felt bad for keeping the young man occupied around the house. While William was in his funk, the apprentice had cleaned the house all by himself. For once, he actually saw the couch cushion and has been laid on it ever since.
—I feel bad for not teaching him anything yet.
Ever since William agreed to take Nicolas under his wing, they haven't done any practice. The day he agreed was when he left the bar late at night. The next day, the butler appeared asking for assistance and now, the third day was wasted by the funk and being lazy and drinking tea. The fourth day was looking to be the same.
—Maybe getting to work will help me get out of this funk.
William quickly stood up and the boy looked at him, raising an eyebrow as he drank his tea, "That reminds me! Let's get started on your training."
"Alright!" the young man exclaimed, getting up from the chair. "Listen, can we finish tea first?" he said as he scratched his cheek.
William looked at the tea and snacks that were put on the table. He hesitated between choosing to be strict and skipping the tea or to slack off by drinking the tea and eating the snacks.
"...Alright."
It was clear his temptation was stronger.
—What the hell am I doing with my life?
***
William had grabbed a steel pipe and inserted a rag in one of the ends, "Then, you do this..." William demonstrated the process to Nicolas, "This stops the heat and gases from escaping through it." With the opposite side he heated it up until it was in a red-ish color. He continued showing the work to Nicolas, who stood right beside him.
Nicolas was slightly annoyed, "I understand master, but why are you teaching me how to make a bell?" "Stop calling me master... Listen, I want to begin teaching you from novice to advanced work."
"Didn't I demonstrate I could make a dagger yesterday? I feel that you are underestimating my talents." he said as he crossed his arms.
"There's no need to feel bad. One of the things I noticed is that you don't take the time needed to make something of good quality. Flaring the bell is easy enough, but tapering the top end takes lots of time. I thought this would be good practice for your patience."
Nicolas's jaw dropped, "I put all my soul into making that dagger last night. I wonder what you mean by the quality, since it was the best one I've made yet."
"Then you've got a lot to learn. One of the things about blacksmithing is patience and dedication to bringing out your best work."
Nicolas forehead wrinkled. He simply could not comprehend his master. "I still don't understand--"
Nicolas thought he was always doing his best. He always gave the right time for each part. Hearing William's criticism made him wonder what more he could want.
"—Your skills need a lot of work."
"Ugh."
William's words, as usual, stabbed right directly to Nicolas's heart.
Regardless, he didn't doubt William because he was his master, and his master had good intentions with his criticism. He knew William just wanted him to learn the right way to become the best.
"Did you catch the process of how to make one?" he said, referring to making the bell.
"Well, of course! I'm no idiot."
"Good. Then, while you're at it, I'll do some work of my own."
The young man's eyes lighted up, "Wha?! I'm going to see my master doing his work?!"
"Stop calling me master." he said as he sat down on the other machine.
The boy stood silent for a moment. Probably hesitating to ask, "Does it mean you're taking the offer?"
William's face looked down for a second. "No, it means I have things to pay for. There's a specific date coming that could do well for my business and well, to be completely honest, I... don't know yet."
Accepting Sebastian's offer would mean opening up a can of worms. He couldn't understand why, but he thought his anxiety, his fears, his doubts, would all return in an instant once he stepped into that place. It would mean he would need to involve himself in his family matters, something he has been trying to avoid with all his being for the past years.
—Do I really want to go through that?
William shook his head and returned from his thoughts. If he kept thinking about it, his funk would take over him again. He began his work, but just a few seconds after starting,
"Uh."
After a moment of silence, Nicolas called out to William nervously. William stopped what he was doing and looked at the troubled young man's direction, "Hm? What is it?"
Nicolas nervously scratched his head, "I... forgot... how to make it... the bell I mean."
"What?!"
After showing the process once more and scolding Nicolas for paying more attention, William finally returned to his work.
—This feeling… It's been a while hasn't it? Is it a crime to feel this way?
William felt relaxed. Blacksmithing or even teaching Nicolas was enjoyable. Hearing the sound of metal being polished and concentrating on the work made him feel at ease. It made him forget everything that worried him.
—Isn't it normal that what we love doing makes us forget our worries? Wait... Do I like blacksmithing?
He stops for a moment and looks at the troubled Nicolas.
--To think he said it was simple for him...
The young man was trying to recall every step by using his fingers to remember.
He was just like William when he started learning. It was irritating at first, considering the strength and precision one must have to make these weapons and objects. William was very weak back then as well. His work was never perfect. Like his father once said,
"Forget about strength, you'll get that when your older. Focus on precision and putting yourself on the product."
Nicolas looked at William and nodded, affirming he understood what he meant.
Suddenly, familiar voices rang through William's head,
"—He's not ours dear. Why do you care about him so much?!"
"He may not be ours, but I still view him as mine! Son, you may not be pure, but you're still family."
"Get rid of this bastard! He will ruin our family name."
The voices of different people of his past kept coming to his mind. Faster and faster they ran on Williams' head.
--Should I be allowed to feel this way... after all that's happened?
"William... please die."
William stopped and tensed up. He had let go of everything he was holding, making it all fall in front of him. He stood frozen in place as he looked at his shaking hands.
Nicolas noticed and before he could ask if his master was okay, William said, "I'm taking a break."
Nicolas, who was in a daze from William's sudden behavior, nodded. "Okay... but are you all right--?"
Before he could finish his question, his master was already gone.