“Then I have no worries about this commission.”
“If you mean payment, none at all. I’m quite happy to leave a generous advance to show good faith. But,” she rose and finally let go of his hand, “I want to see the master in action. I can’t believe how you can carve all of those small curves without a slip. I’m sure I’d damage any effort beyond redemption.”
“Ay, I’m sure you would. It takes practice, calmness, and patience. Please step inside my workshop. They crossed the untidy floor littered with shavings, to a bench whose surface was filled with tools, and stood under a wide single-paned window.
“I’m working on this statue of Woden.” He picked up a figurine, about the same size as the Freya she’d photographed. “I’ve almost finished. This wood is oak, by the way.” He held out the statue
