Bellavarn tossed another batch in the bucket, having messed up the shape. It would need to be redone from scratch. After experimenting, it showed that the previous design didn't work. The pieces were too heavy and thick, cracking when being fired. He forgot to get rid of bubbles in the clay, and it took forever to dry.
The next batch he made had been too thin and brittle.
Bellavarn stood up from his seat and moved over to the spinning wheel.
"Taking a break?"
Kerv called over from a game of cards with Henry. The two of them accompanied him here. It was a bit chillier than the house so Bellavarn got a chance to use his magic. The first spell he ever learned...Heat.
Not Fire. Not Light. Heat.
Mother and Father both spent the time to help him learn the spell when he was six. Bellavarn was so enamored with magic that his parents relented and taught him a simple spell. Bellavarn lost interest after having to write the spell shape and corresponding symbols hundreds of times. When he finally cast it, it only made his tea lukewarm. That was the extent of his mana pool at the time. Bellavarn had quickly given up the passion just as a child would.
Now though, he still remembered the spell shape and added several along the walls. He even learned the improved version by adding a longevity component. It would save the mana inserted and expel it longer over time rather than all at once. Bellavarn didn't have enough magic to power all the spell shapes in the workshop, and it wasn't good for the entire place to be heated as it could dry out all the clay. So, Bellavarn only powered a few places at a time. It was helping expand his mana pool even before his invention was completed.
Kerv and Henry had considerably more mana as trained knights. They only needed one of them to power their entire area with warmth for the entire day.
"Working on the wheel is more therapeutic at times."
"You should try it, Kerv."
"I'll do it if you do, Henry."
Bellavarn smirked. They'd been bored after sitting here with him for three days now. Bellavarn created over a hundred prototypes, but they all ended up being useless after the firing. Now, he was trying three different designs in hopes of getting at least one he can work with and finally start drawing runes. The others were trying to tell him to slow down, that these kinds of inventions took time to get right, but Bellavarn was too excited to slow down. The potential for this was too astounding.
"There are two extra wheels. Roll up your sleeves and grab a spot."
"Master Bellavarn, I don't think my hands were made for something like this."
"I feel the same, Bell. We are rougher around the edges than you are."
Henry hit Kerv.
"Ow. What?"
Bellavarn didn't seem to be bothered by the statement. He viewed it as different people being better at some things than others.
"Don't worry about that and come over here. Don't force me to make it an order."
Henry grinned. Kerv stretched and got up, speaking in the same playing tone.
"Yes, sir."
The two threw down their cards and took seats at the extra wheels. Kerv sat on Bellavarn's right while Henry sat on the left. Bellavarn already supplied the stations with tools.
"You two would be surprised at how natural this comes to you. Those with good hand-eye coordination are often naturals in the art department. Not all of them, of course, but lets see if I can get you two to create something worthwhile."
"Bell, I've never worked with clay in my life. You expect me to be as astute as you?"
Bellavarn rolled a shoulder, working out a kink. Looking down at his inactive wheel and supplies, he explained.
"No. I don't expect you to get it naturally. Only to be a good student. There are things I can't do that only you two can. I can't wield a sword or cast enhancement magics. I can't protect my family the way you two can."
Henry exchanged a look with Kerv.
"I know Henry does things I don't know about. Cloaks and daggers."
Surprise. Bellavarn actually picked up on that? Maybe Henry had been absent too long on his latest mission. It lasted nearly a month. Kerv was looking sidelong at Bellavarn.
"I will rely on you two when things fall under your purview. For now, I could make something for both of you, but I imagine you will be more appreciative if you make it your own hands."
The line would have worked with anyone else, but Henry and Kerv were guards of the Sallow house, in service to Bellavarn. Both of them were deeply loyal. If he gave them a gift, they would treasure it even more than if they made it themselves. Neither of them mentioned this fact.
Kerv rolled up his sleeves.
"Alright, I can do this. What do I do first?"
"Unless you want your clothes soiled, grab an apron."
Kerv's eyebrows furrowed as Henry chuckled. Why not tell them that before they sat down?
Kerv grabbed one and threw it on him while Henry decided against wearing one. Saying it wasn't an issue to clean his clothes.
"Alright. There is already clay set aside for you, so first things first. Throw about a half a pound onto the wheel."
Bellavarn took a little less than a pound of prepared clay and slammed it down on the wheel. It made a meaty smack. Kerv laughed. If that was how it was, he could do this just fine. They both followed suit.
"You need to make sure it is centered on the wheel. Kerv, yours is too far off point; take it off and try again."
"Aww..."
He did so, easily getting it close to the center the next time.
Bellavarn used the foot pedal to start the wheel.
"Next, start the wheel. It would be better if they were automatic, but we need to keep pedaling at a constant pace for now. Not too fast. Not too slow. My speed is around the sweet spot."
The two didn't have any problems. Pacing was a key element in training as a knight. Bellavarn nodded.
"Alright, dip your hand in the bucket and spread some water; it needs to be wet enough to mold. If you ever feel resistance, add a bit more water."
Bellavarn didn't have a sponge currently. It seemed Turner never thought to work with one. He'd have to grab some later.
"Rest your elbows on the inside of your thighs. You are using your right foot to pedal, so it shouldn't affect much later in the process. Don't look at me like that, you will understand soon. Now, place both hands to either side of the clay; you want to be using the curve of your hand to push the cay towards the center."
Bellavarn demonstrated. The clay moved.
"When you feel no resistance in the spinning, it is centered. This is the most important part. It needs to be perfect. You will encounter all sorts of problems if it isn't."
Henry was too gentle in handling the clay and needed encouraging to push harder. Kerv was the opposite; he pushed too hard and ended up either severely deforming the clay or pushing it off entirely. He needed three tries before he got it in a workable place.
He seemed proud of himself. It was still a bit early for that. They haven't made anything yet.
"The first form that creates the basis for all others is a tray. Make a guide with your left hand in the shape of an L, like this. Slide your right middle finger along that groove. Find the center, push down as the wheel spins, and pull in towards yourself."
Kerv watched the piece of clay transform like magic. Into a wide, thick-rimmed tray.
"Make sure to keep your hands steady and fluid. Do it all in one go and don't stop. You can always try again if you mess up."
Henry was liking this side of master Bellavarn. He hadn't seen him for almost a month but Bellavarn clearly changed significantly. A great teacher.
Henry got it on the first try, and so did Kerv! Kerv was excited that it came so easy. It wasn't just Bellavarn's teaching; it was because the two had talent for this sort of dexterity work.
"Great. You have a tray. Do either of you own pets?"
They looked sideways at him.
"That is basically what this form is. It's called a "dog dish" and is the basis for every form after it. I think you both would like something different, so we will make it more usable. Make sure to wet your clay again and watch my hands."
Bellavarn made sure the wheel was spinning properly and placed his hands; he pushed the edge of the tray back in towards the center while stretching it upwards using a palm and two fingers. It became taller and taller—about 10 inches in height.
"There. See? Now it is a mug."
Kerv stared blankly at him. He made it look so easy. Even Henry was looking at him oddly. Bellavarn laughed. He could explain it in more detail, but it really was just that. They would need to practice and fail in order to fully appreciate the work that went into that 'simple' movement. They needed to feel the clay move between their fingers. It took Bellavarn six months to 'master' that form, and he had to relearn a lot the past couple of days.
"Alright. It can't be much harder than the tray, right?"
Ohohoho. He had no idea.
=
Kerv messed up eight times. He had to restart from scratch and do the tray all over again. Luckily there was enough on hand to keep going. Henry had similar trouble. He found himself slowing down the wheel when he became too focused.
Pedaling was a different experience than using an automatic version. It would tire Bellavarn's foot out, but it was also easier for him to zone out while keeping the same pace. If it changed at all, it would actually slow down rather than speed up. There had been many times where he unconsciously sped up in the past; the clay he was molding ended up flying off in a random direction.
Kerv looked down at his 9th tray and wondered if he should just keep this one instead of ruining it...
"Don't look so down. If it were that easy, everyone would do it. It takes a moment of practice. Try feeling the clay move between your fingers as you build it up. The bottom will be thickest. You need to evenly distribute the clay as you build it up. Keep a thicker rim towards the top, don't thin it into a blade unless you want to cut yourself when drinking from it."
Bellavarn didn't actually know if that would be the case. He never fired a mug with an ultra-thin rim before.
"Your last two attempts failed because the piece wasn't centered. This one looks better! Take it slow and try not to think about mine.
Kerv looked over at Bellavarn's wheel. He created four mugs already, setting them aside. Bellavarn restarted every time they failed, building his clay along with Kerv. It was also reassuring that Bellavarn didn't get it right every time either. Or maybe he was simply protecting Kerv's pride by purposefully destroying his pieces.
The thought was ludicrous. Bellavarn wasn't the type to destroy his own art just to make him feel better. Kerv dismissed the wrongful theory.
"Henry, make sure to keep your foot pedaling at a constant pace; lumps will begin to form. Kerv, you know what to do; you just need to feel it. One more time. We can call it quits for today after this one.
They both took a deep breath.
The three of them started at the same time. Henry slowed a slight moment behind the others while Kerv was a slight moment ahead. They brought the edges out.
A tray.
Readjusting, they brought the rim back inward. Pinching. They stretched the clay upward and steadily.
Removing their hands...
Done.
Kerv smiled. He did it!
Henry likewise.
On the wheel were three nearly identical cups. Kerv's was slightly wider while Henry's was slightly shorter. Bellavarn outdid himself and created a perfect cylindrical mug.
"Awesome! I told you guys you had talent."
"You're too kind Master Bellavarn."
"Haha! No, bring on the praise! How awesome am I?"
Kerv had his chest puffed out. Henry rolled his eyes. Bellavarn shook his head.
"I wasn't lying when I said you two would catch on quick. Lets get these off and set them to dry. Take your wire tool and-"
...
It was done. They all had semi-matching cups that could be fired later. They could add handles to make proper cups, but they weren't needed. Bellavarn would ask them if they wanted to decorate them later.
"There are many other things you can make if you decide you want to continue. Although..."
Bellavarn peaked through a set of drying shelves.
"Wouldn't it be better if one of you were on guard at all times? If both of you are slacking off, and someone walks in..."
Kerv waved his hand in dismissal, washing his hands off in a warmed bucket of water.
"We only need to be alert if we are patrolling. Henry set up some silent alarms to notify us if someone is coming. Besides, we are enough to handle any inconveniences. Even covered in mud like we are."
"Speak for yourself."
Henry smirked as he sat back down at their cards table. Not a speck of stray clay was on him. Looking at Kerv, his entire apron was splattered. He scowled.
"Cheater."
"I did nothing of the sort. I am just more careful."
"Trickster."
"Brute."
"Children, please."
They both winced at being called that by Bellavarn, the youngest of the trio by a handful of years. Bellavarn placed a hand on the Heating circle and repoured his magic into it. The finished pieces nearby would dry faster now.
"I will fire the mugs and they should be ready in two days. You can both decide if you want to paint them by then. In the meantime, here."
Bellavarn walked over with a dusty book. It contained illustrations of famous pottery—an artform of an artform.
"Look through that. Look at the shape and what they are used for. Don't worry about the colors and paint. Pick something you like. I'll make one for you."
Bellavarn picked up on that they both would rather have him make them something. He would do it too. It was Bellavarn's selfish desire to teach them and create matching cups.
Henry turned the pages and saw extravagant colors and designs. Filtering his vision... he saw vases, bowls, pots, urns, containers, pitchers, plates, bottles, trays, and more. There was indeed a lot that could be made. The limits were the imagination.
Kerv leaned over Henry's shoulder as he dried his hands with a towel. He whispered to Henry.
"I am starting to wonder which one of us is the more mature one."
Henry covertly nodded. They both peaked at Bellavarn's back as he went attend the kilns. Both of them saw a shadow of the back they would follow in the future. A sturdy and unshakable wall that guided the people into tomorrow.