At the conference of apprentices, an informal matter, a consensus could not be reached as to which profession was the unhappiest to pursue, since each declared his own to be the worst save Emet.
"Candle-making, grave-digging, wagon-driving? It is fortunate there are still humble people like you in the world who expect nothing! Mining, bandit-hunting, guarding gates? You are all very brave! I cannot imagine having a job that would put me at risk!" That was how he taunted his peers before they parted.
He returned to his master, Hastef the great mage, who was engaged in altering eerie liquids confined to shallow silver vessels for some elevated purpose. Emet recognized, though of course could not reproduce, the Reinforce Glass Against Hail spell. That was not its genuine effect; his master's custom was to name his methods deceptively, seeing no reason offer rewars for rival mages whose arcane sight penetrated his defenses.
"Emet." Not every mage had the confidence to give a spell of that complexity less than his whole focus. "You must be reinvigorated by the society you keep. Enough to tackle the red one on your desk."
"Yes, Master." Emet picked up the red sleeve and looked at the first page within. A spell of My Stupid Apprentice Will Die If He Casts This. Very amusing. "What is its actual purpose?"
Emet looked up and discovered his master to be staring at him, his labors paused. The sleeve felt hot in his hands; no, it was hot. Emet dropped it with a cry, whereupon Hastef, his voice low, said, "Ascertain the purpose through use. You can try the black one if you prefer. But you must cast a new spell today. Either that or accept dismissal."
Emet looked at the black sleeve. He had noticed it before but had been unable to perceive it as an item with physical properties. Lifting the front away with a tentative finger, he saw that within was an Indicate Presence of Nearby Treasure spell. He jerked the finger away, not as a result of any definite sensation but simply from a sense it would be wise. He turned his eyes, the sole part of his body which consented to move, back to meet his master's gaze.
"Today you are to learn of what bravery consists in regard to magic," the great mage uttered.
Finis
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