it was impossible to say who might be coming back, but of course Aron hoped Zed was amongst the group, even it meant having Windblown back as well.
He tried to will away the cramping in his calves. There was precious little room to move in the box, but occasionally, he managed to pull himself into a fael’feis pose to stretch out his back or give his knees some relief.
Aron...
The voice was so sweet. So kind and soothing.
What pains you, Aron?
The Goddess was calling to him. Reaching for him after all, intent on capturing him while he was helpless in the box.
I’ll save you. Fear not. I’m coming.
Aron wasn’t really aware of when he fell asleep and started dreaming, but he was more than aware when the forge master smashed his fist against the side of the box and nearly rattled Aron’s heart straight out of his chest. He startled and slammed his head against the warm metal, and a blaze of light from the Shrine of the Mother stabbed deep into his consciousness. The bells along Triune’s battlements began to ring, and the light from the Shrine blazed all the brighter. Dust rose on the byway between Endurance House and the forge yard, as if the Goddess might be striding forth at last to claim him.
Aron babbled out a quick report, including the bells and dust.
What was the pattern of the bells?
He couldn’t read it, couldn’t keep his mind on the stops and starts, on the clans and peals.
A dynast lord? But no, slightly different. Something he’d never heard before.
When the forge master didn’t respond to his report, Aron feared he was about to be hauled from the box to receive his punishment for surrendering his awareness.
Instead, the forge master said nothing, and Aron couldn’t help noticing who was emerging from the dust cloud on the byway. Eldin Falconer’s cardinal robes were unmistakable. Behind him, the light in the Shrine died away as the bells once more gave a set of unusual rings. Aron became aware of Stone Brothers crossing in front of Thorn’s First High Master, Stormbreaker leading the charge, rushing toward Triune’s main gate and keep to greet whoever was arriving. They weren’t drawing weapons, which was a good sign, but Aron’s insides vibrated with curiosity and frustration that he was confined and couldn’t join the procession.
When Falconer reached the forge, he strode straight to the box, swept out of Aron’s view, and apparently came to a stop directly before the forge master. “Who do you have contained within that beastly contraption?”
The forge master took his time in answering. Aron couldn’t see either man, but he imagined the big forge master folding his heavy arms over his bulging, scarred chest. When the forge master spoke, his voice was polite and calm—yet also hard and definite. “I can’t see that being any of your concern, High Master Falconer, but it’s one of our apprentices. A good boy. A strong boy. One of our best.”
The compliment made Aron straighten despite his aching muscles, even as Falconer snorted his disapproval and growled, “What infraction did the poor child commit to earn such a punishment?”
Aron’s eyebrows lifted. For a moment, he thought to protest the misconception himself, but the forge master spoke before he could figure out what to say. “He isn’t being punished, sir. He’s working at his observation skills, his awareness under duress, and his tolerance of small spaces for long stretches—all skills needed by the Stone Guild when we’re about Stone business.”
He emphasized those last two words, as if to make a point that though this was training, it was still Stone business, and Falconer shouldn’t be interfering.
Falconer’s next command was louder and more strident. “I want you to release the boy this minute. This is inhumane, and I won’t stand by and see it done.”
“I don’t need releasing, sir, thank you,” Aron called, then winced as the forge master smacked the side of the box.
“You, get back to your assignment,” the forge master instructed. Then, to Falconer, the forge master said, “That you may take up with Lord Baldric, amongst your other demands. I’m certain he would be receptive to meeting with you, after he receives his guest.”
“What guest?” Falconer sounded confused, then more annoyed than ever. “Thorn doesn’t have these damnable bells breaking the peace every quiet moment.”
The forge master chuckled. “There. You see now? If you had spent time in the box like Aron here, you might have studied Stone’s bells, and then you’d know for