Walking along the stone-paved road beside the Honeywine with Qyburn, Samwell was in an excellent mood.
After all, the private advisor he had just recruited was unquestionably among the very best. His only flaw was his somewhat lax moral compass, which was why the Citadel had expelled him.
But if not for that, such a bargain would never have fallen into Samwell's lap.
He just needed to keep an eye on the man from now on and make sure he did not start meddling with live experiments again.
"Maester Qyburn, these are the books Maester Moroya gave me on silver mining and smelting. You may take a look."
Qyburn did not accept the books Samwell handed over. Instead, he said with considerable pride:
"My lord, three links on my chain were forged of white steel. I have long understood how to mine and refine silver."
Samwell knew that the "chain" Qyburn spoke of was also called a maester's chain. It consisted of metal links joined together, with each type of metal representing the Citadel's recognition of that maester's accomplishments in a particular field. The more links of the same metal one possessed, the deeper one's expertise in that field.
And white steel represented metallurgy.
In high spirits, Samwell put away the book that had been giving him a headache and asked with a smile:
"Then what kind of metal made up the greatest number of links on your old chain?"
"Silver."
Silver represented medicine.
But Qyburn immediately sighed and added:
"In truth, I should have received even more Valyrian Steel links. But no one at the Citadel today can verify my accomplishments in the mystic arts."
Valyrian Steel represented a maester's achievements in the mystic arts.
Samwell's interest was piqued.
"Was it because magic vanished?"
"Magic never vanished." Qyburn shook