Rohvim #1: Metal and Flesh Read Free Page A

residence, a vast, imposing building overlooking lavishly ordered grounds and conducted his father’s business. His father may be imposing, stern, even erratic and violent, but he trusted his son, rewarding his competence and loyalty with attention, occasional praise, and more importantly, money. Having finished his tasks at the Markham estate, Aeden wandered the streets of the city, mainly the more well-to-do sections. He entered the confectionary’s shop and strode confidently up to the woman at the counter. “Madam Rutkin! How delightful to see you!”
    The rotund woman dropped the balls of hard candy she worked on, fluttered her hands about her face and breathlessly cried, “Master Rossam! Oh, it’s such a joy when you drop by!”
    Aeden winked his long eyelashes and assumed a syrupy smile more appropriate to the confectioner. “Is your lovely daughter around? I would love to have a … private conversation with her …” Aeden knew the round daughter was, in fact, at a dress shop several streets over, but he thought—and as his father joked to him that morning—flattery will get one everywhere.
    “Oh no! I’m afraid she just stepped out. Please come back this afternoon and she will surely be here. I will make her stay until you come. Here. Have some of these, and do come back!” The woman hovered over her wares, picking out an assortment of candies to give to the boy, and he left the shop munching on the sugary lumps while continuing down the street to make the rest of his rounds.
    When Aeden returned to the Rossam estate later in the day, the steward of the house approached him, announcing in his dry voice, “Master Rossam. Your friend, Master Switchback came by earlier to inform you that he will be unable to practice this afternoon, as he and his father are embarking on a hunting expedition in the mountains and do not expect to return for three days.”
    “Three days! But the tournament is in a week! What is he thinking?” Aeden threw up his hands.
    “I do not know. But he is the son of a gold-digger. Who knows what motivates such folk.” The steward replied. Priam’s father often went on trips searching for gold and ancient treasures that he claimed he found in the mountains, but which many thought he fabricated in a secret workshop. Regardless, he had somehow found favor with the lord of the city, who gave him a title and an official responsibility—the steward of the chamber of artifacts for the lord, but otherwise the rest of the nobility looked down on him, he having not inherited his title.
    “Oh well. I guess I’ll have to practice on you.”
    “Truly delightful, master Rossam,” the steward said stiffly. “By the way, Lady Rossam asked me to tell you to dress nicely tonight. For the celebration in the communal hall, that is.”
    “I always do.” Aeden rolled his eyes. “But at least she doesn’t lay out my clothes for me anymore on occasions like this.”
    The steward bowed, “I will refrain from telling that to master Switchback, or any of your other friends.”
    “Thanks. You’re a pal, Harvey.” Aeden slapped the man on the back and marched up to his room, leaving the steward to close the front door and pick up the cloak the boy had tossed in the entryway.
     
    That evening, the family walked to the city center and entered the communal hall, where the celebration of summer and friendship was soon to start. As with all religious celebrations in those times in the kingdom of Puertamando, the event commenced when the rim of the sun just touched the horizon, shooting its golden beams through the communal hall and bathing the room in warm light. The elder priest shuffled to the center and welcomed the celebrants.
    “Creator bless you, noble men, women and children, for attending this communal celebration of summer and friendship. To begin the evening, Edward Swartham will grace us with his voice in praise of the eternal Creator.” A short, pudgy, proud looking boy stood and came