The sound of hammer against anvil in the forge and axes against wood on the various work tables could be heard at an uneven pace at all times inside Three-farrow Crafting Hall. But the study area was at a lower level and separate from the rougher work area, and by some marvel of architecture the high ceilings of the hall seemed to attract the noises. So it was possible for those who wished to concentrate to give their full attention to the tomes or compounds they were working on.
It was already dusk, and in front of the fireplace that illuminated the surroundings stood Alice and Kennet. He was silently awaiting Alice's judgment, and she was reading a volume in her hands, glancing from time to time at several parchments spread out on the floor before the fireplace. These scrolls bore several elaborate drawings, made with charcoal but also with vivid colors from dyes that Kennet himself had made.
Alice's opinion was important to Kennet. She had been his teacher ever since Sam had warned his parents that their son had the capabilities to be a man of knowledge. For years young Kennet had been going to Bree several times a week under Alice's tutelage to develop his reading skills, his handwriting and penmanship, and his knowledge of the world around him. The young man by no means considered himself a scholar, but he had certainly surpassed by far the average level of acquired knowledge of the population of Bree and the surrounding area.
He had not long ago learned the art of mixing ingredients to create dyes of various colors. So he decided to take advantage of it in a creative way. A few weeks ago he had reread a book that spoke of the ancient history of the extinct Kingdom of Arthedain, with detailed descriptions of its glorious capital, Fornost Erain. Heeding those descriptions, Kennet had drawn those buildings, streets, statues and monuments on various scrolls, coloring them with dyes. And when he finished, he showed it to Alice, trying not to show too much pride in what he had done.
The tutor took her time reviewing the descriptions in the book with the illustrations made. And, finally, she raised her dark eyes to Kennet. The middle-aged woman praised the work presented.
-Very good, Kennet. You have faithfully depicted different places of the ancient city, helping to imagine how splendid it was in its time. It would have been easier to use paints properly prepared for this type of scrolls, but the use of the dyes you have made adds an artistic touch. I like them.
Kennet smiled proudly, this time unable to hide it. It is true that he was not a painter, and had no idea of artistic technique. But he was resourceful enough to improvise, and this was the result.
Alice closed the book on her lap and asked:
-What do you plan to do with these illustrations?
The question surprised Kennet, who had not at any time thought about what to do with them. That was noticeable in the change of his facial expression from proud to thoughtful. After a few seconds of hesitation, he responded by pretending to be purposeful:
-I had thought I could take them home with me and display them on the wall... they are my first work, and perhaps in the future I will become a famous painter -he said, imprinting a joking tone at the end of his words.
Alice was not fooled, as she had dealt with Kennet for several years and knew his expressions.
-Knowledge is power, Kennet. But knowledge without utility can be a waste, or even a danger....
Seeing himself discovered, the young man did not try to excuse himself and nodded at his tutor's words, with an innocent gesture. He often told white lies, but there was no point in keeping them up when you were found out.
-Well... I hadn't really thought about what to do with them. Can you think of anything, Alice?
The woman takes a few seconds to answer him, but it's clear from the certainty of her response that she's had this idea before.
-What do you say about recording these illustrations in the book of knowledge, filing them with this book and then, every time someone reads about Fornost Erain, they can see your illustrations and imagine more clearly what this great city was like?
Kennet nodded in conviction and surprise. Alice was a cultured but humble woman, which made it easy to underestimate her. Thus, when she had a great idea like this one, she earned the young man's admiration.
-I think it's great! I'm going to register it now… -he said as he got up from his seat.
-No, I'll take care of it -said Alice. Meet Edwin, he said he wanted to talk to you.
-To me? Why? -asked Kennet in surprise.
Edwin was the guild master of Three-farrow, in charge of overseeing the activities of the various guilds in Bree. But Kennet had barely exchanged a few words with him, even though he frequented Three-farrow.
Alice, however, only shrugged her shoulders and got up ready to take the book to its proper shelf. Kennet interpreted that his tutor wasn't going to tell him any more, so he turned and headed off to find Edwin.
He had no trouble finding him, chatting with a couple who, from the look of their own clothing and the size of their arms, were skilled in the art of blacksmithing. He waited patiently for them to finish talking, and then approached Edwin. The guild master greeted him politely as soon as he saw him.
-Hello Kennet! Congratulations on Alice's positive reports. I will pass them on to Rivendell and make the necessary arrangements to get everything ready -he said, speaking bluntly.
The young man could not hide his strange face, asking:
-Eh... I don't know what you're talking about, sir. Positive reports? Necessary arrangements? Rivendell!? -he had learned that Rivendell was a secret elven enclave in one of the valleys of the Misty Mountains, but he didn't understand a word Edwin was saying. But the guildmaster laughed loudly at her reaction.
-Well... I see Alice hasn't brought you up to date. You see, you've been learning excellently under her tutelage for several years now. If you keep it up, you can be a great scholar, but Alice can no longer guide you down that path. She is the best tutor we have at Bree for children and young adults, but you have already acquired all that she can offer you. So she has asked me to ask for your admission to the Scholar's Guild. You agree, don't you?
So much important information in one moment. Kennet could retain and process it in an instant, but the implications of what Edwin was saying were significant. For one thing, what it implied for his dealings with Alice. She had always been his tutor and a source of wisdom for Kennet. But the statement that he could no longer teach her anything else redefined this relationship: possibly Alice would no longer be his tutor. And, moreover, this gave him a new perspective on his own situation: he had reached Alice's level in terms of knowledge, although he was sure he did not have her wisdom.
But, on the other hand, doors were opening that Kennet had never weighed before. The Scholar's Guild... In a few moments a multitude of thoughts and sensations assailed him, but he identified one above all others: he was excited. So, without quite knowing the implications of that answer, he affirmed:
-Yes... yes, I agree....
-Good! Then we'll go ahead with the plan. Don't worry, you don't have to do anything for now. Although when I receive the answer you will surely have to travel to Rivendell, where the leader of the Scholar's Guild is.
Kennet's eyes opened wide and his expression of surprise and disbelief again provoked Edwin's laughter.
-I see that's too much news all at once, boy. Well, go to bed now, it's late. And, if you want, tomorrow you'll look me up when you've thought of all the questions that come up and we'll talk. Ok?
-Of... Ok, sir... Good night! -said Kennet in a nervous voice. He nodded and shook his hand, excited about everything that was happening in the last few minutes. He turned towards the entrance, still with all the conversation echoing in his head. He grabbed his belongings and clothes for the outside and exited Three-farrow.
After taking the first few steps, he heard a couple of squawks. It was Kraven, the raven he had trained and accompanied him whenever he moved outdoors. The raven flew close to Kennet, although he was too deep in thought to pay any attention to it.
Although he was accustomed to returning to Keydale at night, his footsteps wandered toward The Prancing Pony. He needed to have a drink and think about what was happening....
