Story: The Glove, VI

(Part V , VII)

"You can't just refuse the honour. It's a preposterous thing to do!" Octavius couldn't understand what was going on. "A Master Piper, lad, the best of the best, and you say 'No, but you'll go on the trip anyway'? Is it a game of some kind that you pick and choose?!"

"I made it through my studies to be a piper and a musician," Steffan replied (little realising that the two were actually mutually exclusive). "Not to be catapulted into some global crisis. A few days ago my main concerns were meeting the demands of my examiners, and making it through the day without a collapse. This is ludicrous. It's a ludicrous thing to happen. How could this happen? WHY could this happen?"

Octavius paused. He honestly hadn't expected the lad to be this smart. "You are a supremely talented piper, and worthy of the highest honour available."

"According to your mission, the highest honour has little to do with music. You don't even have an instrument in here. This was about something else." Steffan was definitely not going to give up, now without some severe admonishment or serious explanation.

"Remember that you're speaking to the Laird of the Pipers, and speak with more respect!" Steffan stiffened, and stood more straightly, eyeing the Master Piper with a tad more discipline. He was, after all, surrounded by the ancient Implements of the Craft. The Harp of Ages was standing against one wall, and a the Four Horns hung from the wall behind Octavius's smaller-than-expected desk.

"Sir."

Octavius glared briefly, and then muttered dark things.

Steffan played with his fingers a little, a musical fidget. "It seems as if you play these games quite frequently."

"We weren't expecting quite this reckless a response from the top of the class. We weren't expecting an outspoken tyro."

Steffan remained at attention. "It seems as if far more goes on here than people think."

Octavius, now clearly balanced once again, refrained from spilling any more of the mostly true beans. "This interview, Mister Steffan, is at a close. Please don't hesitate to leave."

Steffan left. Outside the door, he uttered only one word: "Ludicrous!" The secretary smiled, and he left.

There shall be more...