The Wheelwright's Apprentice by James Burnett Page A

would probably want something awe inspiringly impressive, but here in Red City, the Temple was simply utilitarian.
    The next day, Art reported to that self same temple with a letter in his hand, addressed to the head healer-priest. An acolyte led him to a vestibule to wait, which he did. It gave him the time to settle himself, and get used to the idea that healing was his next skill to learn. In the end, the head healer-priest was a young and friendly man, who looked vaguely familiar. “Sit down brother,” was the first thing he said. He then paused and went on, “Welcome to the Temple, I hear you have a letter for me.” Art got up and stretched across the big old desk between them, and handed it over. He read the letter quickly and then, smiling, stood up and proffered his hand. “Art, I am Grammon, and we are brothers. Half brothers that is. I guess you saw the resemblance!”
    “I suppose I should ask how many brothers and sisters I have, and nephews and nieces too.”
    Grammon stretched and said, “Lots, at least by normal reckoning, but as far as I know, you’re the youngest. You’ll meee oYou’lt them all eventually, but we need to talk about you today. You’re going to be an apprentice healer, but first you have to learn anatomy, that means you will start in the morgue tomorrow.”
    Art swallowed, then went pale and asked, “Isn’t that where we store dead people?”
    Grammon’s immediate rejoinder of, “Well if we let you cut up the live ones they would probably complain!” didn’t make Art feel any better.
    “I have to cut up bodies?” Art asked nervously.
    “Well of course you do! You have to know how the body is supposed to look inside as well as outside, if you are to heal it properly.” Grammon could see Art looking rather ill, so he said, “You’ll get used to it, I did. Actually you can get used to pretty much anything. After all the time I have been around I should know.”
    “Do I really want to get used to some things?” Art asked himself. “And are there worse things than cutting up bodies that I might have to get used to?”
    Grammon rang a little bell on the desk, and a young man dressed in a basic shirt and pants outfit came in. “This is Raym. He will get you suitable clothing and show you where everything is. Raym, this is Art. He needs the grand tour and clothing suitable for a morgue apprentice. Introduce him to Garmgo too.” Art then had a whirlwind tour ending up in the mortuary. Garmgo was a short slim man of indeterminate age, but lots of energy.
    As soon as Art was introduced, Garmgo’s face lit up with a big smile, and he bounced over to give Art’s hand a vigourous shake, saying, “Art, it’s great to meet you I have so needed some more help and this is such a fascinating place, I know you’ll love it here, my my there is so much to learn...”
    Art tuned him out while looking around. There were no corpses in sight which was a welcome relief, however he knew tomorrow would be different.
    “...will be the foundation of nearly everything you learn in the future. Once you know your own body you will truly own yourself.”
    Art woke up at these words, and thought, “There hasto be something very important for me to learn here if this is my first real assignment!”

8
     
    The next morning, Art dressed in one of the many sets of shirt and pants that he had been given. He was surprised that he had been given so many, but perhaps laundry did not happen so often here. Garmgo was waiting for him just inside the entrance and welcomed him by saying, “Good morning young Art. Here we are at the wonderfully interesting morgue, where more secrets can be found than anywhere else. I will teach you all you need to know.”
    “And I lot I don’t!” thought Art.
    Garmgo was already going strong, and went on, “You are in luck. We had several bodies come in overnight and one was a boy your age. You should be able to learn a lot by dissecting him. First I want you to watch