Paric nods. "Yes...I guess I have. Thank you."

Evan frowns, looking over a few of the pieces of paper in the large sheaf. "How would you describe your progress in the Craft to someone who didn't know it already? Just in a brief summary."

Paric ponders the question a brief moment. Then smiles as he looks at Evan. "My progress in the craft has been a very rapid and active learning experience allowing my to ply my talents in woodcraft and teaching for the apprentices that I have taught, and the people of Pern."

Evan snorts, "That tells me nothing. What were the achievments that you found most satisfying? What has been hard? What easy? Evaluate your accomplishments."

Paric nods, "Well, my accomplisments...The hardest and most rewarding thing that I have done is teaching about woodcrafting. I came here to Ista thinking that it would be simple, and I found that it wasn't. There is much to prepare for and always something more to learn. I spent time travelling about Pern, mainly on Ista, and have had the opportunity to meet with holders and represent the craft in that arena. That and just being able to sit down and create anything from wood are what I found much easier."

Evan nods, "If you had to choose one event to characterize your life, what would it be?"

Paric looks down briefly and then back up at Evan. "At times I would have said being able to create in wood and bring recognition to the craft, however, I think really the one event that really characterizes my life is my handfasting to Cera. As much as I enjoy being a part of the smithcraft, I don't believe I would have accomplished as much as I have without her companionship."

Evan nods, as if confirming something. "What is the thing that you are the proudest about? And the thing that you are the most ashamed of?"

Paric chuckles as he thinks about this question. "Well, I'd have to say that teaching my first woodcraft lesson. I had prepared for days and trying to make sure that I could answer any and all questions put forth, and I only messed up once. I am very proud of that." He smiles and thinks about his life thinking about anything that he was ashamed about. He frowns, then says, "I would have to say the day I found out one of the apprentices wasn't sure about what he needed to do and was afraid of coming by and talking to any of the masters or journeymen about his dilemma. However, Cera noticed this one day and told me about him. At which point I went and talked with him."

Evan raises a brow, "That wasn't something that _you_ were ashamed about. that was something that the apprentice was ashamed about. what have _you_ done that you don't want to admit?"

Paric smiles, "I'm sure that the apprentice was ashamed about it. I was ashamed of the fact that I didn't realize there was a problem at all until another journeyman had to point it out to me. However, something that I would not admit normally, I'm not ashamed about...and that is my relationship with Cera while we were apprentices. Other than that, I don't recall being ashamed about anything. Everything I have done, good or bad, has lead me here. And I can't be ashamed of that."

Evan frowns, "Very well... If you could change anything about the craft, what would you change?"

Paric ponders this new question, then smiles. "I would like to see more cross crafting done, in addition to the journeying smiths. Considering our relationship with the minercraft, I would like to send several apprentices there to learn from them about the minerals and ores that they need to work with. I think that this first hand experience will help them as the advance through the craft."

Evan nods, "And if you could change anything about yourself, what would that be?"

Paric chuckles, "At the moment, I'm proud of who I am and I wouldn't change anything."

Evan says, "It doesn't have to be now. Any action that you have taken in the past and would wish to change."

Paric shakes his head, "No...I wouldn't change anything about myself. As to actions I have taken..." he says pausing briefly, "...I don't believe I would change any of them either."

Evan raises a brow, "There is always something. No life is ever perfect. You wouldn't change _anything_ that you have ever done?"

Paric smiles and looks at Evan, "I know that my life hasn't been perfect. Even the fact that I'm embarrassed that I had pretty much overlooked one of the apprentices. While, I think it would be nice to change that and catch it at the time it happened. In the long run it worked itself out. "

Evan frowns for a long moment, and then smiles to himself, as if he has discovered something that he had long searched for. He then fixes Paric with a very stern gaze. "What is the one question that you think you should have been asked, but have not? And what is your answer to that question. Think carefully. These answers will decide your fate in the craft."

Paric thinks just a moment, then looks at Evan. "I would have asked 'based on your previous answers, are you qualified to be a smith master." He smiles slightly and says, "And my answer would be yes. For all of the things I have done right and wrong, I have been able to apply what I have learned to make appropriate decisions for myself and the craft"

Evan frowns as he listens. "In that case, I have the distinct pleasure to request that you remove your Journeyman's knot. You will not be needing it in the future."

Paric nods and removes the knot from his shoulder.

Evan turns to his desk where there are two long, thin boxes. They appear the same, but there is clearly something different between them, because he pauses for a long while, staring first at the boxes, and then at Paric. Finally he comes to a decision and takes one of the boxes and turns to Paric. "Within this box is the shoulder loop denoting your new rank. With this rank come great responsibilities. See that you fufill them to the best of your abilities. Keep in mind the watchwords of a Smith Master: Wisdom and Sacrifice. Both are important. You will find that the former comes with great difficulty, and that you need to embrace the second more than you could possibly imagine. Succeed and you will do well." he hands Paric the box.