The Time Keeper's Apprentice
In the charming little town of Clocksworth, nestled amidst the rolling plains, lived an old, solitary craftsman named Edward. Edward was no ordinary craftsman - he was a Time Keeper, the only in existence who held the knowledge of crafting mystical timepieces. Each timepiece had the power to manipulate, control or observe time. However, this was a secret known only to Edward and the Council of Elders.
One day, a scruffy, fourteen-year-old orphan named Samuel approached Edward's shop. Samuel was an inquisitive lad with a passion for understanding how things worked. He requested Edward to take him in as an apprentice, and after some persuasion and a show of Samuel's tinkering knack, Edward reluctantly agreed.
Life as Edward's apprentice was challenging but exciting. Under Edward's stern tutelage, Samuel would learn to craft simple clocks and watches, slowly delving into the intricacies and finesse of the craft. But the most thrilling part was witnessing Edward working on mysterious, enchanting timepieces, the true nature of which Samuel was yet to fathom.
One day, Samuel accidentally discovered that the clocks Edward crafted were unusual - they had supernatural abilities. A small pocket watch Edward was working on slipped from his hands and accidentally activated, reversing time for a few seconds. The shock and fear that flashed across Edward's face made something clear - these timepieces were dangerous, and Samuel was not meant to know about them.
But instead of running away or confronting Edward, Samuel's curiosity was piqued further. Late one night, when Edward was asleep, Samuel carefully sneaked into his secret workshop. The room was filled with timepieces of all shapes and sizes, each had a unique glow, resonating an enchanting aura.
Samuel closely examined a piece that stood out - an elegant, golden hourglass shrouded in pulsating light. As he lightly touched it, a vortex of colours enveloped him, and he was suddenly flung back in time. He arrived at a moment where a young Edward was signing an oath in front of the Council of Elders; the oath of Time keepers, swearing to protect and preserve the essence of time.
When Samuel returned to his time, a worried Edward was waiting for him. Samuel confessed, and instead of anger, Edward appeared relieved. 'You now know the weight on my shoulders, Samuel. It's not to punish you, but to prepare you for this reality,' Edward said, 'You will become the next Time Keeper.'
And so, Samuel finally understood Edward's initial sternness. It wasn't a consequence of Samuel being an apprentice, but the result of a massive responsibility that Edward guarded. Now, Edward trained him sincerely - not just as an apprentice, but the successor to the craft, guiding Samuel through the intricacies of crafting the mystical timepieces and handling their powerful secret.
As time passed, Samuel became a skilled timepiece craftsman. The townsfolk of Clocksworth grew to respect him for his dedication, impressed by the young talent. Through their ripe years, Edward eased his work, leaving the majority of it to Samuel, trusting his competence and judgement. Their secret was safe, even when Edward passed away peacefully, in the quiet of his shop.
Now, Samuel was the Time Keeper, alone in the responsibility but prepared. His gratitude towards Edward for the knowledge and guardianship of such immense power became the driving force of his work. Under his watchful eye and skilled hands, the mystical timepieces continued to be crafted, while Clocksworth remained oblivious to the secret flowing through their time, guarded by their humble clock maker.
In the end, Edward realized freedom wasn't about being free of responsibility, but understanding its weight. Clocksworth had just one Time Keeper, Samuel, who not only kept time but the town's secret safely within the walls of his shop. And as time ticked on in the humble town, a young vagabond took interest in the ‘extraordinary’ clocks made by Samuel, asking him for apprenticeship.