Cry of the Kestrel: The Bardic Isles Series: Book Two by Marla Himeda

Author:Marla Himeda [Himeda, Marla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marla Himeda
Published: 2024-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

“Punishment, by itself, produces fear and resentment.

Discipline teaches.”

— Master Bergid

Chapter 16

Kaelin’s trip from Lyra to Elegy was a short one, taking only half the day with the help of favorable winds. The apprentice spent his time on deck with the crew, trying to keep his mind focused on his work and away from his forthcoming meeting with the Master Harpist. It was impossible not to feel apprehensive after all he had overheard, although he also found it perplexing. After all, hadn’t this same Master returned his cord to him and given him a box of his precious dyes? Surely, he thought, there was more to Master Grened than many of the Bards seemed to think. He thought of Darryk’s advice.

Many things that your Master takes humorously, as they are intended, Master Grened will see as insolence and punish accordingly. He has no tolerance for mistakes, either, however honest they may be. So please be careful, Kaelin.

The apprentice frowned. Being serious and careful, he realized, wasn’t likely to be enough. If the Master had no tolerance for honest mistakes from his Bards, what sort of tolerance would he have for an apprentice sporting a charge of theft around his neck? He glanced toward Elegy and tried to put aside his trepidation. I’ll find out soon enough.

They reached Tryl by noon, and Master Grened strode straight onto the ship as soon as the planks were lowered, and stood grimly before the apprentice. The other passengers eyed the Master nervously, skirted around them, and quickly disembarked.

“Did you play your instruments while on board, boy?” he demanded.

“No, sir, I’m forbidden to,” Kaelin replied, taken aback at both the question and the Master’s accusing tone.

“Captain! Did this apprentice play his instruments while on your ship?”

The Captain, a rugged, clean-shaven man with a scar above his weathered brow, glanced at the flush spreading across his young passenger’s face and cleared his throat. “I believe ye just heard the answer to that, Master Grened.”

The Master’s iron-grey brows shot up. “I believe I asked you to answer it,” he said sternly, as though addressing an impudent cabin boy.

“I believe I have,” the Captain said evenly. “The lad kept himself thoroughly occupied helpin’ my crew mend nets … though no one asked it of him.”

The Master frowned and turned a baleful eye upon the apprentice. “Is something wrong, boy?”

“No, sir.”

“Perhaps you’re not accustomed to having your word doubted?”

“No, sir, I’m not.”

Master Grened directed a meaningful glance at the medallion. “A thief and a liar had better get used to it,” he stated, and abruptly turned to leave. Kaelin stood still, his face burning from the Master’s verbal slap.

The Captain stepped forward. “To think I’ve always thought,” he announced to no one in particular, “that ‘accused’ and ‘guilty’ meant different things.”

The Master stopped. “Did I say they were the same?”

The Captain’s voice, though impeccably deferential, had a hard edge to it. “Pardon me, Master Grened, I must have misunderstood ye ... as perhaps the lad did as well.”

Master Grened turned, directing a cold eye toward the silent apprentice.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.