A Fine Black Sky
CHAPTER NINE
The Attendant itched absently as he performed his official duty, “Young Fuscus Praefuscus, Third Son of the Lord of the North Tower, Lord Praefuscus the Seventeenth, is in attendance, O Lord Rivalis the Fourth, Lord of the South Tower and First Steward to The Lord of the North Tower.”
“Thank you, Betts. You can leave now.” gestured Lord Rivalis with a swing of his hand. As the Attendant left, Lord Rivalis somehow found a smile, the one he principally reserved for dignitaries, and planted it under his nose. He came then from behind his desk to greet Kid in the manner to which he was duty bound to perform.
“Lord Rivalis.” Kid spoke, affecting a formal bow that looked anything but.
“My boy! How is your Father lately? And your Brother, Rapio? Eighteen you call him, I believe? Off wooing the Queen, no doubt?” Lord Rivalis felt the need to put his hand on Kid’s shoulder, while not feeling quite comfortable enough to leave it there. He was a Military man through and through. Emotion was something women and small children had. Lord Rivalis simply comforted himself by unnecessarily straightening his long jacket, the mantle of his Office. For personal reasons Lord Rivalis eschewed the other symbol of his Office, that of the long bushy beard, but the large leather-bound black book remained neatly cornered on his desk. Beards were for creatures, for the proles and the cooks. Not for the man of consequence. Not for Rivalis.
“I don't know what my Brother is doing, Lord Rivalis. He and I rarely spoke these last few years. He attends. He has always attended. It is, I believe, the role of the First Son. I may be wrong.”
“No, no. You’re right. I really must engage Osseus in attendance soon. Well, so it seems, you are to be trained to become the Second Son - Lo The MonoGod Preserve The Spirit Of Muet In His Palace So High - and here it begins. We will talk more in the days to come, where I, or someone else, perhaps an Attendant, will explain to you the duties you are to perform. It will be hard work, I will not lie, but your Father would expect nothing less, of that I am sure. Mmm - off you go then, my boy! Someone will tell you where to go!” Lord Rivalis wasted no more time on inconsequential rubbish and returned to his desk, continuing the work he had left. Kid had no choice but to remove himself.
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