Entering the workshop, I immediately noticed it was far quieter than usual. Master Yoren was sitting at his paperwork desk but was clearly waiting for me to enter. Without being asked, I know before we get any work done he wants to have a serious talk.

  “Good, you’re back. When ye agreed ta be me apprentice there was a detail I forgot ta mention. Well more o' a formality. Tha clans place a large importance on knowing how our legacy be spread an' even more importance on how it be developed. By tradition I've been sending letters ta tha elders updating them on whatever projects ye work on.” Master sets a letter onto the table between us, hesitating before continuing.

  “I dinna expect your arm wou' catch their attention. I hope ye ain't ta upset aboot me passing on your project report.” He watched me cautiously, waiting for my response, but I was busy considering what the consequences of this could entail. While I was thinking, he decided to continue. “Dinna worry ta much lad. Those old codgers be ta busy with their own research ta care aboot much else. Oh! an' they sent a package with tha letter! likely a reward o' some kind, so it's nae like ye got nothing back!”

  As he finishes his line, he walks to the side of his desk and lifts a heavy case. It’s about the size of a suitcase, but when I try to pick it up, it’s far too heavy, so I resort to opening it, and inside is a beautiful pair of obsidian black arms faintly glowing from the countless runes etched along their length.

  “Tha black metal be adamantium. I've only seen it's like once 'afore. In a special order from a noble who wanted ta reward tha knight who had done some special service. It's even more valuable than wood from tha Wither Tree.” Master whistled in appreciation.

  I can’t take my eyes off the hands. With my sense of mana, I can feel the intricate weave and intent. It’s like someone gave me the Mona Lisa in comparison to my work, which would only really be comparable to macaroni artwork. I struggle to accept that my shoddy report could have anything that would justify a gift like this.

  “How can my idea be worth anything near this?”

  My comment seems to perk Master up, and he begins to eagerly explain.

  “It's tha knowledge! Nothing be more important ta tha council than something new! It's why all masters encourage their apprentices ta take up new projects or reinvent something old. It's nae just a reward; this be something that brings honor ta ye, me, an' me master!” Master Yoren quickly shows a side of him I don’t think I’ve seen before. His excitement reveals a mix of immense pride and a touch of fanaticism.

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  “Learning be tha only thing that matters an' if ye think I'm exaggerating, know this. I was sent aff ta this human backwater town because someone was needed for tha ships an' because I lacked ambition ta learn!”

  Master was shaking with excitement, explaining a passion I don’t think I will ever properly understand. I struggle to lift one of the arms to inspect it more carefully, but it’s way too heavy for me. Eventually I gave up. I'm going to need Master’s help to get these home, and a part of me is lost wondering if Dad will even be able to use them. I move on to the letter the Council had sent me. In the envelope are two letters, one appearing far more official reading.

  “Apprentice Callen, by decree of the Runic Council of Grandmasters, you are hereby declared a master for your unique and invaluable contribution to Rune heritage.”

  The official certificate was a shock, but I still had another letter. Eagerly I look it over.

  “Grand Apprentice Callen, Our council is most impressed with your project and would like to offer support in further endeavors. We have addressed the dangerous parties that took an unwanted interest in your family, and going forward, should another incident occur, inform us, and action will be taken on your behalf to deter future actions. Should you find yourself lacking in means or knowledge in future projects, I hope you will entrust your master, my disciple, Yoren, with questions to pass onward to myself. I eagerly await news of your exploration and innovation, Grandmaster Harrock Slate.”

  I stop under the weight of the message. I just can’t seem to understand why they would go to such lengths on my behalf. Master Yoren’s voice snaps me out of my trance.

  “I hope ye dinna mind me overreaching with your project. I was lost in tha excitement o' tha work an' dinna think aboot how I hadn't let ye know 'afore I passed on your work. Ye just grew faster than I cou''ve anticipated.” He awaits my judgement nervously.

  “Master, how about first you help me make sense of what you’re apologizing for? After everything you’ve taught me, giving me free access to your library and guidance. Your reaction is like you’ve committed some grave mistake, but I’m struggling to understand how you’ve harmed me.” Master nods in acceptance, pausing briefly to gather his thoughts.

  “Among earthkin, sharing knowledge be an obligation. All who seek must answer, but giving knowledge an' taking knowledge are different. Especially since humans are a secretive bunch, especially with magic. I took tha knowledge ye owned an' gave it away because it's what me people do. I've lived among humans long enough ta understand that teaching others someone's secrets can be betrayal. I betrayed your trust, unintentionally, but that doesn't free me o' tha consequences.”

  I consider Masters' statement, and I can understand the spirit in which it was made, but at the same time I had also caused plenty of trouble for him, and he had forgiven me with nothing more than a stern smack and a constructively stern scolding. Even if I wanted to be angry at this, it hadn't crossed my line. Even further, I wanted to help people. Say all you will about the townsfolk betraying us; that was only fear, and even despite the risks, they hadn’t driven us out of town or captured and sold us. With how seriously the top authority had taken my work, it might even someday make a difference in how crippled powerhouses are treated. I’m glad my master was an Earthkin. Even if he was rude and violent, I could feel myself agree with what I knew of his people and their values.

  “I forgive you, Master. If I ever work on something I don’t want shared, I’ll let you know beforehand. Actually, how about you let me off for my accident with Cinder, and then we are even?” An infectious grin breaks from his face, and as I mirror his smile back, he whacks me on the back.

  “Nae way! if i dinna blame ye that means it's me fault! how aboot this lad instead? I'll help ye make yourself a decent home instead o' that old shack! Master Callen.” I feel a bit of loss as I fail to shake off that mistake, but I also feel a surge of pride and excitement as Master acknowledges me. Finally things seemed to be going right, and I began explaining my new project: a chainsaw.