He blinked. “Why, Jack. Is that Aristotle?”
“Aye, sir. It seemed fitting, sir.”
It also seemed to be Crispin’s day for blushing. He settled himself on the chair, leaning on the table’s surface. “It is fitting to you, as well, Jack.”
Jack shrugged. “I have had hardships, it is true. And there will be more along the way. That’s a certainty. But this is your day, master. You told that duke. You showed him what your mettle is. No matter what others may say, I think your family would have been proud of you this day, sir.”
“Family. I think you are my only family now, Jack.”
The boy smiled. “If only that were so. But I am pleased to be your apprentice, sir. That is good enough for me. Far better than I could have hoped for.”
Crispin nodded. But the boy started him thinking about his family.
“Jack, fetch my rings.” He knew that the lad knew where they were. Jack hesitated and then went to the loose floorboard beside the wall under the window and brought out the little cloth bundle. Jack handed it to Crispin and he took it. Unwrapping the package, the rings fell into the little well of his palm. Two rings. One belonged to his father and the other to him. He held the gold band to the light of the opened window and studied the signet carefully created on its face. The arms of Guest.
He held it in his hand for a moment longer, feeling its weight, before slipping it on his finger.