'Carthinal, these two reprobates are Grandin and Tedarro. Tedarro is the one who's obviously the better player. He's also somewhat of a ringleader and always up to mischief of some kind. He needs watching.'
This was said with a smile, but Carthinal had no doubt as to the truth of the statement. He immediately liked the young man, who reminded him of Grimmaldo somewhat, with a twinkle in his blue eyes. He was about fifteen or sixteen years old and had a shock of pale blonde hair that he seemed to find impossible to keep under control. He grinned up at Carthinal.
'All true, I'm afraid. Are you the new assistant?'
'Indeed I am,' replied Carthinal, choosing his words carefully in this new language of which he was still far from at ease with. 'I take over from Hammevaro.'
The other young ma
