“That’s a logical association since the Church dictated known history. But it wasn’t just Greek and Roman culture that shaped the Renaissance. Much of the mathematics and science came from Islamic countries. The Academy of Muses had students from all over the world and was known for accepting those not permitted to learn elsewhere. In fact, though Jewish communities were confined to ghettos and limited in what professions they were allowed, the Academy’s influence led Italy to become one of the first European countries to allow Jews to attend medical schools. Many Jewish physicians, printers, and patrons of the arts impacted the Renaissance.”

“Oh, wow. Okay. So, is there some kind of Maker religion?”

“No. Makers continue the creation of the world, and that means something different to each person. Though it was the Church who exiled the Makers, there are still many Christian Makers. And there are at least twenty other religions practiced in our communities, as well as many atheists. But while religion has been a leading cause of war and division in provincial history, the Makers believe it is something that should bring people together, not divide them. Many Makers will use the umbrella term ‘the Conductor,’ the one who orchestrates all things, to refer to a shared general concept of a creator.”

Ah, that explains that.

“So, now that you’ve had a chance to settle in, we should discuss your gallerie for Quorum,” Michael says, back to business. “I’ve been assigned as your apprenticeship mentor. Most apprentices become journeymen by around thirteen or fourteen, so I think it would be best for us to aim to have you ready to apply to a guild at the Spring Quorum. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until next fall. The Spring Quorum is less than three months away.”

Michael launches into an in-depth overview of each of the five guilds while I take some basic notes. When he’s finished, I have the following list:

• Sophists (sapphire): social sciences and humanities
• Artisans (amethyst): fine art and performance art
• Alchemists (emerald): chemistry and earth sciences
• Ciphers (pearl): mathematics and physics
• Bioscience (amber): biological sciences and healing

A familiar anxious pressure balloons in my chest. I am proficient in approximately zero of these subjects. “So how exactly do I prepare for Quorum?”

“As your mentor, it’s my job to help you organize a collection of work that will demonstrate your skills, passions, and talents.”

This literally feels like college applications all over again. And three months is nothing.

“In terms of your skills, I know you play guitar—”

“Not well,” I remind him.

There’s a pause as we both navigate the memory of the last time I told him this information, and all the flirting that followed. At least, that’s what I’m doing. Maybe he’s totally over it already.