Sire Shim

Brother Clide gripped his robe tightly as he climbed up the stairs. This sort of thing had happened before, but not quite like this. He hurried a round a corner at the top and stopped abruptly in front of a large wooden door. After a moment's pause raised his fist and gave a knock that he hoped was both respectful and urgent.

An exasperated voice from inside informed Brother Clide that the door was open.

"Sire, there is something that I think you should be aware of," he said as he stepped through the door.

"And what would that be?" the harsh morning sunlight through the large stained glass window made it hard to make out the face of the man sitting behind the desk. There was no other furniture in the office. Sire Shim did not want to encourage anyone to stay any longer than necessary.

"A child was left on our doorstep last night."

"So? You didn't think it was necessary to inform me when the Miller infant was left here last year."

Brother Clide tried not to grimace. He didn't know that rumor had gotten so far around. The mother had come to claim the child a few days later. He swallowed. Finally he said, "I really think you should see this one."

Brother Clide stepped aside and gestured into the room a tall, dark skinned boy.

The Sire looked up from his papers for the first time and leaned back in his chair. After a deep sigh, Sire Shim asked "What's your name, son?"

"Facundo," the boy said in a soft sharp voice.

"And what are you doing here?" the Sire continued.

"My mother wanted me to be raised somewhere I could get an education."

The Sire looked him up and down, "It looks like you've already been raised. How old are you, son?"

"Fourteen. It took us a while to get here."

"You're mother traveled fourteen years so she could leave you here?"

Facundo's face went cold and steely, "We traveled slowly."

The Sire studied him intently before saying, "I see. Can you sweep a floor?"

Facundo squinted, "I think so," he said carefully.

"Good. Go down stairs and find Madam Stiller. Tell her that she is to feed you and find you a bed to sleep in when you're done sweeping for the day." The Sire went back to reading his papers.

Facundo nodded, turned, and disappeared silently down the stairs.

Brother Clide ducked a little to try to get a look at the Sire's face. "So does that mean we're going to keep him here?"

"It means he's going to sweep the floor today. Then we'll see about tomorrow. Please shut the door firmly on the way out. It sticks sometimes."