"Something like that, yes." He watched Oliver's face with some degree of amusement. In some ways, Oliver was like a Trainee being summoned up to Aries for the first time - wide-eyed and awestruck. He hadn't missed the slip earlier, but chose not to comment.

"Very often, actually. As I said, it is my workroom, and I teach them much about the cloths here." He gestured to the table, which hosted some scattered tools, and then to three very heavy-looking stone jars next to the fireplace.

"The door on the far wall there used to be a supply closet, but I've since converted it into a bedroom of sorts. I work late into the night sometimes. You can have a closer look at this room, but be careful with the books. Many of them are very old."