A Vintner Apprentice

Writers: Cali, Jane
Date Posted: 26th December 2008

Characters: Raskee, Teahtu
Description: Teahtu arrives at the Vintner Hall and meets Raskee.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 13, day 15 of Turn 4

Teahtu was left at the doors of the Vintner Hall that morning at his own insistence. His mother laughed, told him he was as stubborn and as independent as his father, and resisted the urge to ruffle her twelve-Turn-old's still-blonde hair. He was a baby still in her eyes, but she was sensible enough to know that she might possibly be the only one who saw him quite that way.

And so, instead, she glanced up and the big structure that now housed the Vintner Hall and then down at her slightly built son.

"Good luck, then, Teahtu."

"Thank you, mother."

"And write."

"I believe they _make_ apprentices write to their parents."

She suspected her boy would be willing enough to do so but the thought of being _made_ to do things didn't sit well with him. She didn't think it boded well for his apprenticeship, but he was determined.

"Good." As long as she had news she wasn't particularly concerned whether it was freely or grudgingly supplied. "I'll leave you to it, then."

And she did, without a backward glance because she was sure he wouldn't make such a gesture and there would be something tragic about seeing her little boy walk through those large doors and into his new life.

~ ~ ~

Teahtu paused inside the doors, looking around the great foyer. He had seen bigger places, become familiar with them, but still it was impressive. Stairs, doors, masses of clean (polished?) flagstones in decorative patterns.

He knew the place would be familiar to him in a matter of sevendays, if not just days, but for the moment he was stuck for a direction to take. Observant grey eyes surveyed the options, decided on one and then struck out in the direction of the doors behind the stairs reasoning they would take him to the kitchens where people were less likely to be annoyed at being disturbed by a visitor.

"Scuse me" Raskee mumbled at the back that was blocking the door. When the boy turned, Raskee realized he didn't recognize him and took more of a interest. "Who are you? You're not from the Hall."

"I will be, soon." Teahtu eyed the other boy, guessing they were about the same age, and noting the other wore the shoulder knots of an apprentice. "Can you tell me how to get to the Master of Apprentices' office."

Raskee paused a moment, trying to decide between lunch and running the new boy around, but curiosity won out and the boy grinned. "Sure, I'll take you." As the boy darted away from the kitchen he turned back to make sure he was being followed. "You didn't tell me who you were by the way. I'm Raskee."

"Teahtu. I'm here to apprentice. How long have you been at the Hall, Raskee?" The small boy's question was rather formal, and polite, but not out of character had the other boy but known. As the pair walked his wide-set grey eyes were busy taking in everything they passed, and instincts honed by the endless corridors of a much larger establishment made notes about directions and turns. The layout he had seen so far seemed simple enough.

"At the Hall? Forever." the young apprentice answered as he waved at another apprentice they passed, "My father's a journeyman here."

That was something Teahtu hadn't considered; that children might grow up in the Hall's environs. "So you were at the former Hall, at Amethyst Cliff Hold? And now here."

Raskee frowned and was quiet a moment before looking back at the other apprentice. "Yeah, my mother died in the earthquake that sent us here. This way." He pointed to a corridor that led to the Master of Apprentice's office.

"I'm sorry to hear about your mother's loss," Teahtu said formally. He liked to consider himself independent of his own mother but he felt uncomfortable with the idea that she might not be there if needed. "Do you live with your father or in -" He didn't think they were called barracks at the Hall. "- with other apprentices?"

"In the dorms," he responded. Lots of people's mothers and fathers died in the earthquake, he wasn't special so he tried not to dwell on it. "You'll stay there too. There's an open bunk a couple down from me, if you want it. We don't have any bad snorers near me."

"I don't think I snore," the blonde boy said, wondering just how he would know if he did. "It seems we're here," he added, nodding at the closed door with the painted sign designating it the office of the Master of Apprentices. "Thank you for your help."

Raskee was a little bit disappointed he wasn't being asked to accompany him. Getting to settle in a new apprentice was a lot more interesting than afternoon chores. "No problem, I'll see you around."

"I'm sure you will." The newcomer knocked on the door and disappeared into the office when called upon to do so, showing no signs of nervousness. This was why he had come to the Hall, after all, to become a vintner apprentice.

Last updated on the December 26th 2008

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A Vintner Apprentice