Marion Norindale Books

Shy yet eager, Ricky remains a friendly, hopeful child despite the hardships that paved his early life experiences. He’s just as willing to provide a comforting hug as he is to snuggle on an offered shoulder.

He’s been a talented singer since he was a small child.

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EXCERPT

Deni jogged up to the head housekeeper as he passed her in the hall. “Hi, Lorinda. Dinner ready yet?”

The woman nodded around a freshly folded pile of towels. “Chavi just told me it’ll be ready in ten.”

“Good.” Deni smiled. “I’ve been pretty punctual lately, haven’t I?”

The housekeeper reflected his expression. “It’s been quite impressive, sir.”

They stopped by Deni’s study for the man to grab the mail. On the way out, he riffled through the stack of envelopes.

“Where’s Ricky?” he questioned.

Lorinda frowned. “I think he’s out back still, with the gardener.”

Deni thanked her and veered towards the back door.

Outside, he stepped onto a path that splintered around flowerbeds and planter boxes.

Sure enough, a young boy squatted beside the gardener, dutifully ripping out the weeds. His overalls stained with dirt. He never seemed to mind; a side effect of his farming upbringing, Deni supposed.

“I’m back,” the man called.

Ricky turned, his pudgy face breaking into a smile. He straightened and ran up to the man, wiping his hands on his overalls in the process.

Deni knelt for an awkward hug.

“Did you have a good day at work?” Ricky chirped.

Deni smiled, ruffling the child’s dark curls with his free hand. “I had a great time. How ’bout you?”

Ricky grinned. “I helped to do some laundry and fold the towels, and then I played a bunch of games with Arinda and Julio, and then I started helping Zem Chona with the weeds.” He pointed at the planter box. “He says I’m really good at it!”

“That’s great. I’m glad to hear it.” Deni brushed a hand on the boy’s shoulder, encouraging him towards the door. “How about we go in and get ready for dinner?”

Ricky nodded, spurring into step beside his guardian.

“Also…I got a letter.” Deni held up the stack of envelopes, angling the one from the House in front.

Ricky gasped.

Inside the house, they split off, Ricky to scrub himself off while Deni returned the rest of the mail to the study.

The boy bounded out of the bathroom when Deni strode back up the corridor.

“Look what I can do!” Ricky placed his finger on his shirt, grunted, and then pulled off a small brown smear of dirt. It formed into a tiny, cloudy bubble.

He popped it with a giggle.

“That’s awesome, bud.” Deni patted the boy’s head. “I’m not sure how much more they’ll have teach you in magic school.”

* * *

In the dining room, once they’d seated, Deni opened up the letter from the House.

“‘Mr. Ankhatin:

“‘We would be honored to accept Lavía’Ricardo as a student for our upcoming term. The House of the Scroll prides itself on inclusion and education for all, and we see no reason your charge should be an exception to our vision.

“‘Enclosed is a list of supplies necessary for purchase, as well as the courses available to first-year students. All course selections must be submitted no later than the first of Kaechim. Please be prepared and present on campus no later than Dechri, Julichème first.

“‘We look forward to Mr. Lavía’s joining of our community.

“‘Thank you,

“‘Demille Thorncrown

“‘Headmistress of the House of the Scroll.’”

Deni set down the letter. “I guess you’re going to magic school.”

Ricky’s eyes were wide. “Wow.”

“Yeah, wow.” Deni picked up his fork. “I bet it’ll be a lot of fun—you’ll meet a lot of cool kids just like you.”

Ricky nodded, his hair quivering. “I’ll get to make a lot bigger bubbles.”

“Yeah, I’m sure they’ll teach you a lot about that.” Deni scooped up some vegetables. “I’ll probably head over to Pan Anarel sometime in Callachème. That’ll give us more than enough time to shop for supplies and get acclimated to the city.”

Ricky nodded again.

“You’ll love Pan Anarel,” Deni continued. “It’s the quaintest place, even for being so big. You can walk around just about anywhere—and they have the most beautiful buildings.”

The boy tooled through his vegetables. “Will we have to take a boat to get there?”

Deni nodded. “Yep; that’ll take a few days. Then a train in to Pan Anarel. You’ll love that too—the views are incredible.”

Ricky nodded a third time, chewing on his fork.

Deni may not have known him that well yet, but Ricky didn’t exactly know how to be subtle. “Is something wrong, bud?”

The boy blushed, lowering his gaze to his plate. “My birthday’s in Callachème,” he murmured.

“Oh.” Deni waved a hand. “Well, we won’t forget about that, don’t worry. I can schedule the traveling so we’re already settled in Pan Anarel by the time that rolls around. When is it?”

Ricky glanced up at the man with a blink. “Um—the sixteenth?”

“Oh, that’s perfect. I was going to head up early in the month anyway.”

Ricky sank his teeth into his suddenly trembling lip.

Deni nursed a flame of panic. Was the boy about to start crying? What had he said?

“Are you really gonna—do something?” Ricky squeaked.

“Of course.” Deni hesitated, then placed his hand on the boy’s elbow. “You deserve a fantastic birthday.”

Ricky bit down harder on his lip, then released his fork in a clatter to rub at his eyes.

Deni all but leapt out of his seat, forcing aside the stiffness in his muscles, pulling Ricky into his embrace.  “It’s okay, buddy.” He rubbed at the boy’s arm, his back, and his soft mop of hair. “It’s okay.”

Ricky cried until he was quiet and quivering.

Finally, he squirmed back.

“I’ve n-never had a birthday celebration before.” A dampness still gleamed around his eyes, and Deni worked his sleeve over his thumb to swipe it away. “My siblings tried to do things for me when they could…an extra bit of food, a game if we had time. But maka never did anything.”

Deni’s heart crushed every day he learned something new about the boy. “I’ll always do something for you. For your birthday, for holidays…even if you just need a pick-me-up.”

Ricky whimpered through a few more tears. Another wipe of Deni’s thumb and a few shaky breaths finished them off.

When Ricky murmured that he was okay, Deni rose back to his seat.

“You’ll have a great birthday,” he declared. “And then you’ll get to go to magic school, and you’ll have the best time of your life.”

A tiny smile rose on the boy’s lips.

Deni rubbed his finger along his arm. “And I’ll be with you the whole time. If you ever need me—I’ll be right there.”

Ricky nodded, his face darkening in a blush. “Thank you.” He chewed on his lip. “S-sometimes—I think Eviméria must’ve sent you to me—b-because I don’t know how else you could’ve come into my life.”

Deni stifled the burn in his throat with a hard swallow. “Th-that’s—a lot of credit, kid.”

But to this child—this boy who’d been so close to a disturbing fate when Deni had found him—of course the man’s presence was nothing short of a miracle.