"Hey! Mind moving aside?" a voice called from behind him.
Ruger quickly turned around. There was plenty of room to pass beside him, but he moved anyway. He knew this fellow was doing it on purpose. The newcomer swung his long ears as he carried something in his arms. Ruger glanced at it. It was clearly another instrument he had never seen before-or perhaps several instruments. There were lots of holes, along with parts that looked meant for striking.
"Oh, truly worthy of being my friend, the multitalented Sir Tuzel," Ruger said with exaggerated flattery.
Tuzel passed him, then stopped at his words and shot him a glance.
"When you have a long life, you always have to find something to do. And as long as you aren't an idiot, you inevitably pick up a few things. It's unavoidable. I call it the troubles of the long-lived and slow, immersive learning..." Tuzel hugged the things in his arms tighter, his long ears swaying.
Ruger pushed out his lower lip to show his agreement and approval.
Tuzel set off again with his load, but after just one step, he stopped and turned his head.
"So? Pretty good, right? That muffled, expansive tune just now-two of the instruments were made from that wretched hand's descriptions. I made all the rest entirely by myself. When I'm alone at the Rabbit Cottage and get bored, I pick a tree and make whatever takes my fancy. Once I've had enough of playing with it, I dig a hole and bury it."
Tuzel spoke proudly, then resumed walking.
Ruger stood where he was, looking at his teacher, Immanuel, in the distance. If Wizard Zorn had been the one swaying leisurely over there, he would have thought it perfectly normal. Zorn could have been even wilder-even holding