Chapter 7
“Who the hell comes here so damn early in the morning?!”
What greeted them at the door was a string of curses and a decidedly foul grumbling face. Raygus didn’t have much of a reaction, seemingly expecting this to happen while Jasper was rather puzzled as to the reason he was brought to the house of this foul-mouthed man.
Squinting his eyes against his sunlight caused the man’s caterpillar-like eyebrows to converge in the middle of his forehead, making him look very intimidating. His stature rivalled the large and stocky Raygus but his messy hair and stubble contrasted starkly against the other’s clean face and crop cut hair. Jasper unconsciously shuffled behind Raygus’s legs the moment he showed his unkempt mug at the door.
“I see you haven’t changed at all, your habit of getting up late” said Raygus, a thin sardonic smile hovering on his lips.
“Neither have you. Urgh, of all people you…” that man groaned. “What is it this time? I know you’re not so free that you came just to visit a friend. Well, come in first, the sunlight’s killing my eyes.”
The small hut was barely enough to accommodate the three of them, inside was a simple bed, a small table and two stools on which the two visitors sat on. The homeowner himself sat on the bed. Before any of them could say another word, Raygus shoved something into the man’s hands.
“Take a look at this.”
Giving Raygus a dubious look, the man took the item into his hands to examine it. It was the wooden sword Jasper had made just the day before. His fingers moved with deftness not usually associated with his bold demeanour. Jasper watched the two of them quietly, knowing that he had been purposely left out of the conversation.
“Decent work, where did you get this from? The city?” the man asked as he returned the sword back to Raygus, who handed it to Jasper and clasped his hands together. His serious gaze penetrated deep into the man’s eyes, the atmosphere heavy.
“My son made it. Within a day, with only a carving knife.”
Towards this statement, the man took a second glance at the small boy sitting next to Raygus with disbelieving eyes, who was still quietly just observing the two.
“You kidding me, Raygus? Hell if I could believe that.”
“I find it hard to believe as well.”
“Well, darn me.” he muttered while taking yet another glance at Quintus.
At this point, Jasper was thoroughly bored with the exchange, having obtained no useful information whatsoever about this man in front of him. I guess it’s about time I ask some questions.
“Dad, who is he? Is he your friend?” Jasper asked, mustering the most innocent-bored look he could manage.
“Ah… Quintus, this is Kail. We used to study under a master carpenter, but only he stayed till the en.d You can call him uncle Kail.” Raygus patiently explained. Jasper took a quick glance at the man named Kail before facing his father yet again.
“Are you done yet?” This time asking while tugging at Raygus’s sleeves.
“You might as well get it over and done with, Raygus. What did you come here for in the first place anyway? I don’t have all day.” Kail interjected.
“Not even age could fix that mouth of yours.” Raygus sighed. “Fine. I want you to take Quintus in as your apprentice. Did you have to make me say it out loud? And anyway, his talent will be wasted without a good master.”
Sniggering at Raygus’s exasperated sigh, Kail nodded smugly a few times. At this Raygus face showed a slight smile as well. They might argue, but it’s clear that they were surprisingly good friends.
“Don’t worry, my friend. He’s in good hands. Now what’s your name?”
“Quintus, sir.” Jasper replied, before realising that he might have been too formal to have added the sir. Darn, that bad habit is hard to break.
“Polite kid, eh? Raygus, just have him come every weekend or so, I’ll teach him some stuff.” he nonchalantly said.
And thus Jasper’s apprenticeship officially started a week after he’s back in the world.
Rebirth Online World 