Without a word from his master, Ternah applied a deft hand to the top of the troublesome stone. With swiftness, a worn hammer struck metal upon stone, cleaving an impossibly thin strip from the bottom face.
"Let it down, boy," commanded Orul unnecessarily. The stone settled into place and Ternah pulled a string taut across the top. It's edges were perfectly aligned with it's brothers on either side and the smooth top face was now flat and usable.
"Looks good to me, Master. Should I inform the quarry master that our order is miscut?" Orul only raised a single shoulder, turning the question back to his apprentice. "Of course, we could trim the stones as needed, but that's extra time. We're already a day behind because of the rain this month." Ternah scanned Orul's greyed counternance for agreement but received nothing as the older man selected the next stone to be laid down. Ternah added more water to their mortar mixture as he continued.
"Having Caseil recut all the stones would take just as long, and he would need to come from the quarry and do it here. That's a four day ride just to tell him."
"Eight days in total, boy." Ternah frowned. I was getting to that, he thought. He stifled a sigh as his master motioned for him to help lift the next stone into place.
"So then, the best we can do is to fix the mistakes-" Ternah caught short as Orul dropped his side of the large block.
"This is not the fault of the craftsman, boy. You would do well to remember that stone is a living thing, like us. Our natural flaws are what make our lives worth living." The old man's voice was never loud. Clear, stern, unwavering. Stone was the mans blood. The apprentice dropped his head, shame at questioning one more skilled them him growing in his eyes. Orul kneeled, positioned to lift the stone again, but stopped, resting his hand against the top.
"A qualified mason can see and fix flaws in his material before placing it. I know which stones will need what finishing work. But if you can find it before placing the stone, no time will be lost." Ternah nodded, and both men lifted the heavy block into place.
Afternoon
Ternah unwrapped the red and yellow threaded pack as he sat down in the shade of a large oak along the Regencia river. Orul was already reclined against the gnarled roots, a long, thin reed pipe sticking out of the corner of his mouth.
"What'd Relmi pack us today?" The old man asked, looking at Ternah's expression.
"Your favorite, actually." He handed Orul a filled wrapping cloth, saturated with the smell of dried lamb. A small roll of bread, stuffed with goat cheese and herbs, filled the tight space. The younger sat, unwrapping his own cloth. Both men then closed their eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and touched their chest then raised the same hand to the sky. A simple prayer of thanks to the spirits.
The two ate quietly, facing along the course of the wide river. To the west, on the opposite bank, they knew sat Hyrule Castle. The tallest spinneret could just be made out over the hills, a waving flag barely distinguishable against the days cloudy sky.
"How do you think your brothers projects are going, Master?" Ternah asked, folding the now empty cloth nearly before putting it back in the pack.
"Talked with Nalik a couple days ago," he replied, taking small puffs of his pipe. "His work on the southern wall of Castle Town is nearly complete. Said Tam and Zead probably be another two weeks out at Gate Town."
Ternah sighed. Their project in Rauru had been slowed by rain and supply issues, not to mention the needs of the small village having grown over the year. He knew that his fellow apprentice's were close to being given their journeyman titles by Oruls' brothers when their projects ended. He was tired of this job, of his prospects being held up by the constant variables of life. He sprawled back on the ground, blue sky above peeking through the thick, leafy branches of the old oak.
"I wish we could have gotten the village started before the merchants came."
His master took a long pull on his pipe, exhaling a cloud of thick smoke. "All things in time, Ternah. Why wear yourself out by the prospects of a future that hasn't, and maybe won't ever, happen?"
Ternah sat up. "Master, I don't mean to-" Orul raised his hand, silencing the apprentice.
"Ternah. You've been one of the most dutiful apprentice's I've had in my time. Exacting in your eye and willing to learn from day one." He adjusted his position against the tree, pulling a small leather pouch from his side. "You're a lot better than what Nalik says of his apprentice." He tossed the pouch to Ternah.
It was a new pouch, made of quality Tabanthan leather. The rope that tied the pouch closed was adorn with two small, hand carved stones. One bore the emblem of the Masons Guild. The other, Oruls master mark. The weight of the bag told Ternah that at least a days labor worth of rupees was held within.
"Master, I don't understand..."
With a groan, Orul pushed himself to his feet. "Let's get back to work, Journeyman Ternah."
Evening
No sunlight broke the clouds the rest of the day. The two men kept a clean pace, no longer master and student, though Ternah knew he could still learn much from the old man. The work of laying, trimming, applying mortar - it all seemed enjoyable now. Ternah possessed a new purpose and mindset.
The only thing that seemed capable of stopping the two masons was rain. It took them some time to notice the wet, engrossed as they were in their work. But the clouds poured their tears and the men packed up their site. Heading to their shop, Orul's home on the east end of the village, the two discussed the growth of the settlement.
It had been centuries since anyone had lived there. The curse of malice that had devestated the kingdom still tainted the air, but the people of Hyrule were adaptable. They had found their way to thrive, to push back the darkness to its hovels deep in the forests and mountains. Rauru itself, being one of the first towns to fall in the initial calamity, had only begun rebuilding five years earlier, when Ternah had first come to learn under one of the Great Truvo Brothers. Under Orul, Ternah had learned the craft and built several homes, a couple of storefronts, and even the villages council hall. They passed this as they walked along the wall they had finished last season. A sturdy retaining wall that would help keep large portions of the trade road along this section of the Regencia from washing out in the rainy season. The blue-grey and tan stones common from the quarry southwest of the castle made up nearly all of the buildings, except one.
The masterpiece of Rauru was Orlu's home. Made from riverstone, the structure was more rounded then the traditionally squared buildings common to the Hylians. In fact, as Ternah had learned, the design of the home had been inspired by the structures built among the Gorons in the Eldin Mountains. A large, central area made up the inside, with a hearth in the center. A raised section along the rear, closed off with a more traditonal wall, was made into the sleeping quarters for Orlu and his wife. By the time it was built, Orlu's sons had all moved out, so Ternah made due with a space at the top of a ladder, roughly big enough for him to lay on. He was rarely inside but for sleep, and so had not once complained. It was functional and it kept them out of the weather.
