Artifice Talent 3

The Argivian picked up the box and turned it over in his hands a few times. To Kayla's eyes he was much more sure of himself than the clock maker had been. "And the problem is?" he asked.

"It doesn't work" hissed the clock maker. "It's supposed to play music."

"Oh," said the stranger calmly. "Well, let's see what the problem is." He flipped the box over and pressed both thumbs against the base. The box gave a sharp, distinct snap.

Kayla bin-Kroog jumped at the sound, and the clock maker looked as if he was going to faint dead away. Had the apprentice just destroyed a priceless heirloom? Kayla wondered. Then she saw that in reality all the young man had done was slip a panel from the box's base. Within the case was a maze of gears and metal. It did not seem to belong inside a container so delicate and precious.

"Here's the problem," said the Argivian. His quick fingers were delicately probing and poking the apparatus.

"The mainspring is knocked out of its socket. Hold on." He left the box on the counter and retreated to his own bench, returning with a thin tool with a crooked tip. "This should do it it," he murmured. There was a soft click, and the stranger smiled. "There you go." He slipped the bottom panel into place with another loud snap and handed it back to the princess. Their fingers brushed as he did so.

***

The Brother's War, Chapter 6