carve it after my work at the site Escorts san antonio is finished for the day. They want it
for this winter's dedication of the Retreat."
Victor's eyes turned Escorts san antonio toward the model on the shelf, as if it was some
monster come to visit ruin on him. "Richard, you know what this stone means
to me. I won'Escorts san antonio t -"
" Escorts san antonio Victor, listen to me."
"No." He held his palm up toward Richard. "Don't ask this of me. I don't
want this stone to become Escorts san antonio ugly, like Escorts san antonio all the Order touches. I won't allow
it."
"Neither will I."
Victor gestured angrily at the model. "That is Escorts san antonio what you are to Escorts san antonio carve. How
can you even think Escorts san antonio of that ugliness visiting Escorts san antonio my pure marble?"
"I can't."
Richard set the plaster model on the floor. He picked up a large hammer,
its
handle leaning against the wall, and with a mighty blow shattered the
abomination into a thousand pieces. He stood as Escorts san antonio the white dust slowly
billowed over the threshold, out the door, and down the hill toward the
Retreat like some ghost of evil returning to the underworld.
"Victor, sell me your stone. Let me liberate the beauty inside.&Escorts san antonio quot;
Victor squinted Escorts san antonio his distrust. "The stone has a flaw. It can'Escorts san antonio t be carved."
"I've thought about it. I have a way. I know I can do it."
Victor put his hand to his stone,
almost as Escorts san antonio if he were comforting a loved
one in distress.
"Escorts san antonio Victor, you know me. Have I Escorts san antonio ever done anything to betray Escorts san antonio you? To harm
Escorts san antonio you?"
His voice came softly. "No, Richard, you have not."
"Victor, I need this stone. It Escorts san antonio is the best piece of marble - the way it
can take in light and send Escorts san antonio it back. It has grain that can hold detail. I
need the best for this statue. I swear, Victor, if you trust me with it, I
will be true to your vision. I won't betray your love of this stone, I
swear."
The blacksmith gently ran his beefy, callused hand up the side of the
white marble that towered to nearly twice his height.
"What if you were to refuse