"It's just a small thing."
"To master such a skill in just a few short months is nothing to scoff at. I'm very proud of you."
He wondered what his uncle would think if he knew that Alistar had mastered the spell within two weeks, and had since gone on to study other spellwork. Uncle needs to take a break from his duties. Maybe I should ask him to spend a day with Anne and I?
Caedmon was dressed in a similar outfit to his own, though his uncle's included a silver circlet atop his long-haired head as well as a shiny pocket watch of the same shade. The chain of this watch was fastened to one of the many polished buttons of his sable tunic, leaving a hanging string of silver between the button and his breast pocket. There were deep bags below his eyes, as well as a few stress lines that hadn't been there in recent years.
"How are you holding up? Not too nervous, I hope?"
