Grabbing his workmans apron, a bit worn at the edges, a bit saggy from tools hanging over the years and of course the ink stains from countless redraftings of blue prints, he heads out with said prints in hand to the cottage the Physician had choosen. He carefully looks over the structure again, then the prints and tags them up on a nearby tree as the wagons of supplies and materials rolls in with the Apprentices he sent for and takes a deep breath with a smile.

     "Right then my Charges, you're both here to learn, pay attention, ask questions and expect a good ass chewing if you deserve it. This project is personal, this project requires all the skills you've learned so far, all of your attention and all of your dedication. I'm sure I've made myself clear as spring water, lets get to it then shall we?" All said with the confidence of a Master Builder, his tone easy, his conviction subtle, he points out the prints and takes the first round of questions and so they begin.

     He sets them to task in the kitchen area first, to carefully pull up the marble tile, number them and begin on the shallow area where they will concrete, insulate and lay the terra cotta piping in. The radiant heat will flow through here, the hot steam traveling through the pipes, pitched to return the water condinsation back to the main tank to be reheated to steam and back, a closed system that requires minimal maintenance. The water from cisterns applying the correct pressure, the firebox created, well vented and insulated to provide the correct heat, should that heat go above the set level an automatic dump valve activates to let off any dangerous pressures.  

     As the Apprentices get to their set task he turns his attention to the fireplaces in the main room and the two bedrooms. He designed a burning grate to fit each size, these grates are of iron in an inverted "c" shape. The bottoms or carriage for the burning woods are hollowed out with copper inserts to let the heat escape into the rooms themselves instead of relying on just the radiant heat from the openings in the hearths. Each of the five can be adjust with movable caps to allow the heat to escape as one requires.

     He checks on his Aprentices, makes them correct the pitch just once, explaining even off by an eight of a degree will cause water to sit and grow fungus and mold, they both take the constructive criticism well and make the adjustments as he specified. He encourages them and checks the print again and smiles, this is his addition now.

     He had been back and forth the last few nights, sending Elizabeth away when she came to see what he was up too. He worked by torches and energy bulbs and now he pulls away the heavy tarps, the ground worked laid, the radiant heat system in place, the footers, the red granite floors, the stone work almost complete, a room just for her skeins, balls and hanks of yarn. Bins set in a bookcase like system along the walls, drawers that tip open, small slots to put cards for color or project. A stretch rack, nests for her needles and windows big and clear, a skylight and in wall energy bulbs, all to make her comfortable in this special space.

     Checks and rechecks the roof and chimneys, doing fresh tuck and point work as he goes along, sliding down the ladders like a man much younger than himself, refreshed and alive. He checks on his Apprentices again and smiles " Ready for pressure checks gentlemen?" seeing they already stoked the fire, he checks for the dryness in the joints and gives them the go ahead. The water is released slowly at first, the boiler hisses and clicks, the pressure building and the smooth sound of steam running through the pipes, they can't help but put the back of their hands on these, feeling the coolness become warmer and warmer, feeling they way the heat rises without prejudice.

    He watches them through their eyes for a moment, to those days when he was learning and can't help but grin. "Right then gents, lets backfill and get those tiles back in place shall we?" Of course he has them do the grunt work, all Builders have their learning spheres as he checks the numbered tiles and chuckles seeing they laid them out in reverse order, last out is now first in.

     That finished, the grout will dry quickly the steam heat still in the pipes even after being shut down after the pressure tests, he begins with them laying in the new glass in the green house, tiering the herb gardens and flower beds, its an old trick to use water in the most efficient way, laying the new red granite paver stones around the walkways and three viewing benches along the small dock.    

     He claps both of them warmly on the back with a joined laugh then hands them the letters of reccomendation to be advanced to the next level, which surprises them both beyond belief " You both earned this, you followed the prints to the letter, you took criticism well and correct any mistakes. You trusted each other with tasks you had strengths in...well done future Fellows of the Craft , well done indeed!"

     He sends them on their way and goes over and picks up a wrapped plaque that he etched and engraved, brass and wood, rounded with scripts, he sets it in place at the front entrance "Welcome to Nightsong Way." He polishes his fingerprints off, adjust the lantern with an energy bulb in it and walks away backwards until he can no longer. Tired but happy he heads home with a gentle smile on his face.