A Bully With Knots

Writers: Clancey, Eimi
Date Posted: 15th April 2006

Characters: Daynar, Nyblek
Description: Daynar finds another rule-breaker in HIS hall.
Location: Smith Hall (NPC)
Date: month 11, day 14 of Turn 3

"Oh, come on Famish, those aren't food. Now drop them. I need that!"
Nyblek was trying really hard to concentrate on making the intricate
design that was his assignment, but his little brown kept playing with
all the shiny little bits. "Come on now. You're not helping," he said
with a chuckle as the brown looked at himself in a piece of polished
silver.

Daynar headed into the Apprentice's workroom smiling. It was an odd
look for the man, but he was quite fond of his boys. They were
progressing along well, too.

He walked among each table sharing a spot of encouragement and praise,
and also correction when needed. The way things should be.

He arrived at Nyblek's table thinking he had only seen a large pile of
stuff, but when he got closer, he found that it was a brown fire
lizard! And in CLASS! Anger enveloped him for a moment. First his
daughter,
then one of his favorites!

It was Fieayz's gold. It had to be.

The words came out in a growl. "Apprentice, why is there a fire lizard
on your table?"

Nyblek had been so involved in his own work and watching the curious
little flit he hadn't even noticed the Hallmaster's entrance. After
all, the chances of his visiting the work room on that particular day
and at that particular time were minute! Or so he had mistakenly
thought. At the sound of the Hallmaster's voice he jumped, jamming the
wire he had been working with into the palm of his hand, and the little
brown screeched and popped /between/ in his panic.

Daynar watched the little flit vanish without taking his eyes from
Nyblek. "EXPLAIN!" He raised his voice, arms crossing and glaring at
the young apprentice.

The apprenticed turned pleading eyes towards Hallmaster. "Please,
Master Daynar, he's still so young he hates to be alone! And I've been
working so many candlemarks on this project..."

"None of your whining, Nyblek! You know the rules! I can't imagine why
you ever wanted one of those nasty creatures in the first place! But
he cannot be here! in the WORKROOM!" Growling again.

How could the Hallmaster even think of picking on a flit that wasn't
even a month old! Famish is such a tiny little thing anyway! Why,
Daynar was being no better than a bully. A bully with knots, but still
a bully. "He's _not_ nasty!" Nyblek growled back.

"I have rules about fire lizards, Apprentice. And you know them!" He
paused. Punishment. This could _not_ be tolerated. "You are banned
from the workroom for two sevendays for talking back to me. You will
report to the kitchens for dish washing duty for the next sevenday
after the evening meal. And if I ever see that flit of your's in
class with you or in the workroom again, and if you EVER talk back to
me that way again, I will send you from the Hall."

"You have the potential to be a good Smith, but I will _not_ tolerate
rule-breaking and your smart answers. I will _not_."

Nyblek fought down the rage that was building within him as he lowered
his eyes to the desk in front of him. He had to remind himself the
Daynar was a Hallmaster, not a bully, and that in fact he _had_
technically broken the rules. Still, what else should he have done?
The flit rule was a sharding silly one anyway. In as calm a voice as
possible he ask, "But sir, if I cannot come to the work room, how will I
do my assignments for class?"

Daynar considered. "10 days then, instead of two sevendays. And you
will have to figure that out on your own, hmm? Ask one of the
journeymen. I said only that you cannot come to _this_ workroom."
Daynar frowned at him for a moment. "Remember what I've said about that
flit showing up here again, apprentice. I mean what I say."

"Yes, sir," Nyblek said, still not looking up at the Hallmaster. He had
never been so furious at a ranking smith before in his life. Daynar was
being totally unreasonable! But he was in charge of the Hall, and if he
let his anger show, he could be sent away. That thought was the only
thing holding him back.

Daynar crossed his arms and shook his head. Sullen boy. "Finish out
the day, then find someone in the Hall who will let you use their
workspace. Good luck, Nyblek."

"Yes, sir," Nyblek mumbled. "May I finish my work now, sir?"

What was wrong with his rules? The Hallmaster growled wordlessly for a
moment. "A little more respect, apprentice. You've better manners than
that." But he finally nodded. "Get back to work, and make good use of
the time you have."

Daynar turned from the grumbling boy, shaking his head. He _knew_ the
Senior Journeymen would help the lad out. Shards, even he HIMSELF would
lend his workspace out if he was asked politely. Thick-headed
wherrybrained apprentice! Still muttering, Daynar went to ride out his
anger.

Did no one in his Hall listen to him?

Last updated on the May 3rd 2006

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A Bully With Knots