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The World Walkers: Athare: Electra: Meeting a Rabbit (part 4)
“That is something I’ve thought about before,” Electra said, “but I already have more work than I can handle. Unfortunately there’s only one of me and numerous sculptors of animals like you.” She sighed. “If someone else wanted to learn how to fix life clay animals I could do more, and I have advertised for an apprentice, but what I do… it isn’t easy. Fixing the damage is something that requires a very careful hand and then getting to know you all makes me want to do more than I can.”
“I do understand.” The horse looked around the studio, looking almost surprised by how quiet it was. “You do more than anyone I know and I wish you could find someone to help you. Other then Brendan.”
“I’m lucky to have Brendan, even though we have different aims.” Electra smiled. “If we didn’t have different aims I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. He earns more money than I do, Menolly earns more than both of us put together, and I… well, I make some money from people who want their animals fixed, like your owner, but mostly I fix creatures made from life clay because it’s the right thing to do.”
“Don’t any of the gamers come to you?”
“A few do, if they have a real connection with the creatures they used, but most of them don’t care at all about the creatures they use in the games. They’re too easy to replace.”
“The thought of being used in one of those games…” The horse shuddered. “I’m glad I was bought by someone who wanted a companion rather than a fighter.”
“Due to the damage you had you wouldn’t have been permitted to enter the games. You were lucky someone bought you at all, because a lot of damaged animals get thrown out instead. Especially as a lot of sculptors don’t think that they’re really worth anything.”
The horse nodded. “You work with my sculptor a lot, don’t you?”
“She’s one of the few who believes that all life clay creatures should be looked after, even if they happen to be damaged, because once the clay’s been fired you become something that has a right to life. I wish more of the sculptors were like her.”
“As do I,” the voice of Alexis said from the window, making Electra jump. “Some of my companions have come from sculptors who simply throw out the damaged creatures, even though they have been given a sentience they wouldn’t have if they hadn’t been fired.” As she turned to look at him Alexis smiled at her. “I can travel faster than many of my companions, so I came ahead in order to work out how best to use the space you’ve so kindly offered us, Electra.”
“I was gathering some blankets for you.”
“That’s really kind of you.”
As Electra made her way out of the back door of the studio both Alexis and the horse followed her. “I don’t know if the shed will give you all enough space, but it’s easy enough for me to buy a couple more. We own all the land out here, because my sister needs space to test out her game boards, and I know that she’d be happy to give up some of her space for you.”
Mirrored from K. A. Jones Writing.
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That should say "than" above.
I'm glad to see the animals getting help!