Blood and Iron 1 by Eli Steele

Author:Eli Steele [Steele, Eli]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B07XCTWXLH
Publisher: Steele Media
Published: 2019-09-01T22:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

Rowan emerged wet-haired and clean-shaven. He joined Father Brayden at a rough-cut table. The priest pushed a bottle of wine towards the thief. Rowan filled a cup, swirled it for a moment, and took sip.

“It’s good,” Rowan said.

Retrieving the bottle, Brayden examined it. “It’s a fine vintage, from a fine year.”

“Oh yeah? What’s so fine about it? The year, that is.”

“It’s the year your father was born.”

Rowan reasoned Father Brayden had already enjoyed a glass or two. The priest didn’t talk about his father much anymore. He ignored the topic for the moment. Instead, he said, “It’s good to be home.”

“It’s good to have you home, Ro. Where’ve you been?”

Rowan began. “W-“

“Wait,” interrupted the priest. “Do I really want to know?”

“Mmm…” Rowan mused, “Probably not…” Leaning back, he studied the room that he’d been in a thousand times before.

The floors, walls, and ceiling were all stone. The basement room was windowless, but well-lit by lamps and two wooden chandeliers. A vaulted ceiling made the space seem larger than it was. A block of cheese and several links of sausage filled a plate beside the bottle of wine.

Rowan retrieved his knife and cut several slices of cheese. Handing the priest a piece, he said, “I know what you’re thinking, and it’s going to eat at you until you get it out.”

Arching an eyebrow, Brayden eyed him. Finally, he spoke. “You’re just so capable. I wish you’d at least try to get a respectable job.”

Grinning, Rowan replied, “Feel better?”

Father Brayden snorted. “No. Am I that transparent?”

“To me you are,” Rowan said with a chuckle.

The priest filled his glass, then topped off Rowan’s.

Leaning in, the thief regarded the old priest silently.

“What?”

Rowan snorted.

“Say it.”

Rowan exhaled, then spoke. “Why do you put up with me? I’m probably the worst son you could’ve asked for, and you didn’t. Ask for me that is. Besides, I’m grown now; you’ve no more obligations.” His words were light-hearted, but sincere.

A smile crept across Brayden’s face, grandfatherly in nature. “You may not be my blood, but you’re my son. You always will be, no matter what. That’s how it’s designed to work. Besides, what would your father think otherwise?”

Twice he’s mentioned him. He’s in a sentimental mood…

“Tell me something about my father that I don’t know,” Rowan said.

The old priest chewed the thought and a bite of sausage. Finally, he spoke. “You remind me more of him every day. He lived for the next adventure. And he believed that the common man’s fight was a noble cause. Often,” he smirked, “he did the wrong things for the right reasons. The world’s a lesser place without him.”

None of the Father Brayden’s words were new. They were the same recollections he’d heard a hundred times before. Long ago, he’d reconciled himself to the fact that the old priest may never truly have a conversation about his father with him. Still, Rowan savored the moment, imagining the man he never knew. At the same time, he felt guilty for disappointing the one that sat before him.

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