Kingdom's Dawn Read Free Page A

sword once again with the cloth. “The scabbard is also nearly finished. Within the next day or so, my work will be done.” He left the room to return the sword to its place of rest.
    Upon Gabrik’s return, Peyton thanked him and paid for the work done on Rosie’s shoe. They exchanged parting courtesies and turned to leave the shop. Leinad followed his father outside, and as he neared the threshold, he heard Gabrik’s bass voice.
    â€œLeinad.” It was the first time he had spoken directly to the boy.
    Leinad turned and felt his cheeks flush slightly, not knowing what verbal retribution would be added to the soul-penetrating stares he always received.
    â€œThe sword is for one who is willing to serve the King … and the people.”
    For a moment, Gabrik’s eyes did not cut Leinad as they had so often in the past—they searched. Leinad hesitated, nodded his appreciation, and turned to leave.
    Down the street, Peyton and Leinad stopped at a shop to purchase some fresh bread, fruits, vegetables, and venison toadd some variety to their food pantry on the farm. Soon they would bring a portion of their own produce to town to sell and trade.
    As they exited the shop, Leinad glanced up the street and missed a rise in the threshold, which nearly sent him to the cobblestoned pavement. The sack of food spilled onto the ground, and an apple rolled four paces to the dirty feet of a young girl who looked every bit a street orphan. Leinad quickly recovered his balance and his dignity and began to restock his bag. He kept one eye on the girl, fully expecting her to grab the fruit and bolt. Her hair was a gnarled mess, and its color was undistinguishable, although Leinad thought it might be reddish. She wore a tattered dress that was as plain as the dirt on the street. The thin cloth hung limply on her lean body. Her cheeks were soiled, but her eyes were not empty as one might expect. The spark of life was still evident in those bright blue eyes.
    Leinad turned away from the girl to finish filling the sack and to provide an opportunity for the girl to escape with her booty unnoticed. He knew his father would have given the hungry girl some food anyway as he had done for many others in the past. Figuring enough time had elapsed, he turned back and nearly dropped the bag again. The girl was standing directly in front of him with her arm outstretched, apple in hand. Leinad gazed at her somewhat surprised and perplexed.
    â€œIf you’s goin’ ta give me the food, you needs ta say so ’cause I don’t like pretendin’ I’s stealin’,” the young girl said in a matter-of-fact way.
    â€œIt’s okay,” Leinad said. “You can have it.”
    â€œThanks, mister!”
    Peyton joined the two. “What’s your name, missy?” he asked.
    â€œName’s Tess. But it don’t really matter none ’cause nobody knows it or cares much.” Her voice dropped slightly.
    Leinad felt guilty for his own good life as he looked at the pathetic form of this young girl. She looked three or four years younger than he. He figured the odds were she had never seen a meal as good as he ate three times a day.
    â€œThat’s not true, Tess,” Peyton said. “A person’s name always matters, no matter who you are. And there are people who care. You just don’t know it yet. Tell me, where are your parents?”
    Tess thought for a moment. It looked to Leinad as though she was trying to remember if she’d ever had parents. “I ain’t got no parents. They was killed when I was little.” The words were rather emotionless.
    â€œWhere do you stay then?” Peyton asked.
    â€œI’s a servant for Miss Wimble. I do errands an’ washin’ an’ things, an’ she lets me stay in her barn at night. Even gives me a potato an’ a carrot every day,” she said with a smile that clearly affected Peyton.
    Leinad saw