Harp & Gyre Page 13
Allma sighed.
“So you're sendin him back then?” Pier asked. “Should I be tellin the captain to head to shore?”
Bectus stood up and stared down at Allma for a long time, his lute cradled lovingly in his arms. “Since I have no way of getting him back to Revenhew,” Bectus finally admitted, “Short of tying him up like a criminal or taking him myself, which I have no intention of doing, I guess I will have to give him another chance.”
Allma leaped to his feet. “Thank you most gracious, noble, wonderful, merciful...”
“But first!” Bectus continued, “I wish to make one thing quite clear.” He placed the lute carefully on its stand, and then turned back to face his apprentice, his face stern. “You are a bright pupil, Allma, but it takes more than learning to make a bard. This trip is your opportunity to show your worth. If you fail to measure up I will have to find you another profession.”
For once Allma was too shocked to come up with an effusive reply. He had been so proud that Master Bectus had chosen him--orphaned, unwanted, and far from home--to be a Bard. He couldn't lose that. With out his apprenticeship, and Master Bectus, he had nothing and was nothing. A steely resolution formed in his heart. “This one is sorry to have disappointed you, master,” he answered at last. “This one will try to do better.”
Bectus clapped him kindly on his shoulder. “You're a good boy, Allma, and you have a great future ahead of you when you grow up. If you grow up.”
Allma bowed humbly and backed out of the room.
“Well now, that wasn't too terrible,” Pier commented, once he had extracted himself from the cabin and closed the door. “What are you goin to do now?”
“This one will be very good, and stay out of trouble,” Allma answered fervently.
“Good idea,” Pier replied.
“And this one will work very hard on his lessons,” Allma added.
“That's probably wise.”
“And this one will find something great, glorious, and noble to do to show Master Bectus that he is worthy of him,” Allma concluded.
Pier rolled his eyes. “Laddie,” he drawled, “You've got a bit of growin up to do yet.”
Allma heard, but he wasn't listening. In his head the great hero Asond was riding off to fight the dark hordes, Allma at his side, while overhead a shining city flew through the sky. Somehow, somewhere on this trip, he would prove himself to Master Bectus, if he had to win that war in Ilam to do it!