Discretion

The main character is Piemur begins the story as a singer but loses that position when his voice suddenly changes. When he discusses his situation with the Masterharper Robinton, he is cautioned about his tendency to talk too much. The Master tells him to watch his words and to think before he speaks. Piemur is assigned to the drummer heights where he will learn to communicate using drum signals. His first encounter with the drummer journeyman Dirzan, it is not a pleasant meeting. Piemur has a reputation of being brazen and too outspoken and his reputation has proceeded him. However, he is also known as being wily, intelligent and capable.

Piemur is selected to travel to the Mining Hold to collect some large sapphires for Master Robinton. Since he is the newest of the lowly drummer apprentices, the other apprentices wonder why he is able to be absent...