The Magician of Suwa: The Beginning

Valeria

The first week the boy says nothing; Leiyos half fears he's a mute.

The thought crosses Leiyos' mind to interrogate the child's previous minders, but any authority he once had to do such a thing is now gone.

Instead, daily he feeds the boy, clothes him, helps him bathe and motions him follow. The boy follows him like a miniature, silent shadow.

The other soldiers in the barracks quickly get used to the sight; unlike the nobles in the palace, they respect their former general, and wait to take their cue after seeing how Leiyos will handle his unlikely duty.


Originally posted 1/4/2012