Read Set in Stone for Free Online Page B

should. The sight of the diorite pieces seemed unreal.
    In one blow, he'd processed an entire block of granite.
    In one blow, he'd broken the Ashlar's hammer.
    Should he shout with the joy of having connected with the hammer, or hide in shame for what he'd done?
    The hammer should have lasted for many more years. He could scarce comprehend its loss.
    "What in Tallan's name?"
    The same worker who had called to them a few minutes ago stood in the door. He stared at the granite dust scattered around the table, and then at the broken hammer, and then spun and raced away.
    Hendry grimaced. "Let me do the talking, son."
    In half a minute Keith, the foreman, charged into the Powder House, followed by every worker from the blocking yard.
    "What happened," Keith demanded.
    "You're not blind. You see as well as any what happened."
    "How?"
    Hendry shrugged. "Probably a lot like how a chisel breaks."
    Keith glared. He was a giant of a man, a full head taller than Hendry, and half again as thick. He was a legend among the Cutters, and had held every cutting record for the past decade. At least, he had until he broke his diorite chisel two years ago in a competition against Hendry.
    Keith pursed his lips. "So you broke your hammer. How does that justify this mess?" He gestured at the screen tossed aside with granite particles still clinging to it, and to the dust and flakes of precious granite scattered around the table.
    "I'll clean it up."
    "You bet you will. Any discrepancy in the weight will come out of your pay."
    "I said I'll deal with it."
    Keith grunted, and started to turn away. Then he paused and stepped closer to Connor. "How'd you get granite on your arms, boy?"
    Connor glanced down, and for the first time noticed the particles of granite covering his arms up to his shoulders. Before he could think of a reply, Hendry said, "Leave off, Keith. I'll clean it up."
    Keith rounded on Hendry. "You let this sick, useless whelp of yours try your hammer, didn't you?" The accusation triggered a round of murmured oaths from the other workers.
    "You'll not talk about my son like that."
    "Answer me."
    "I broke my hammer. That's more than enough."
    Keith barked a hard laugh. "You did, didn't you? You couldn't bear that tomorrow Lord Gavin will assign him a vocation, and it won't be Cutter. And the unworthy sickling broke it."
    "Insult my son again, and I'll call you out tomorrow."
    Murmurs ran through the crowd again, and Keith laughed aloud. "You wouldn't last half a minute."
    He was probably right. Hendry was a powerful man, but no one had ever held their own against Keith.
    Hendry looked unfazed. "Perhaps."
    Keith snorted. "Too bad council members are barred from duels."
    "You always find an excuse."
    "You boulder-brained son of a pedra," Keith cursed and grabbed Hendry's collar, his other meaty fist cocked back to deliver a blow.
    Hendry raised the hammer in turn, unafraid.
    Instead of striking, Keith pushed Hendry back. "Clean up this mess. We have eight blocks to process today. You better hope that broken hammer holds up."
    Hendry took a couple of experimental swings with the hammer, and frowned. "The weight's all wrong."
    "Your problem."
    "I'll get it done," Hendry said.
    Keith spun and pushed through the crowd. Several of the workers gave Hendry their condolences, but none dared ask if he would take on the enormous debt of a new hammer.
    It was a difficult question. Connor could not become Ashlar, but one of his younger brothers might. If they did, a new hammer would be required, but if none of them showed talent, the debt would cripple the family.
    Two of the other workers helped them fill a bag with the powdered granite, clean off the mesh screen, and carefully sweep the floor. The final weight looked good, and Connor breathed a sigh of relief.
    "Come on, son," Hendry said. "I want to talk with your mother."
    "What about the other blocks?"
    "It'll wait. I'll finish up this afternoon."
    Thankfully, Keith didn't notice them leaving,