Excerpt: Shadow of Man

Finally one morning after early chores, Harry told Ben they were both going to the inn. Kaytia excused herself to go hunting, of course. Ben watched her go, then turned to follow Harry.
“I didn't bring you on to go chasing her,” groused Harry. “She's my only family.”
“I know, sir. And I wouldn't think of it.”
“Hmph, I know how young men think. Believe it or not I was one once.” He seemed to have given up on correcting the occasional sir that still popped up. “I notice you don't speak of your family much, no matter how much she tries to get you to speak of them.”
“Not much to say. My father was virtually a slave under Baron Otur. And I think she probably knows as much or more then I do about my grandfather. My father was only a child when he was killed.”
“And Alfred's eldest son.”
“I know who my father was,” snapped Ben.
Harry raised an eyebrow. “And who was your father?”
Ben looked at him. “He was a man who happened to have a famous father and because of that he struggled and worked and was still never trusted, never free and never able to really live his life. He only barely managed to marry my mother, and she died just after I was born. Really I shouldn't have been born, I just continue the line. But somehow I wasn't killed and here I am, just another Vinconi you can't trust.”
Harry was quiet a moment. “What do you think of Alfred?”
“He ruined his sons life.”
“He had more then one child.”
“Yeah, and? My father never saw either of his siblings again, so seems like he probably ruined their lives too. Nobody even knows what happened to them. Only reason anyone knows about my father is just because it was deemed too dangerous for him to be hidden. Better that he be watched. Constantly.”
Harry was still watching him. “So it would have been better for him not to have children?”
“Probably.”
“So you're going to sit there and tell me how awful your father had it when you would deny your grandfather the right to have children?”
“What do you know about it?” Ben glared.
“I can understand the urge to marry and raise a family.”
Ben shook his head. “You ain't got to worry about me chasing Kaytia. I hope I never have kids. I don't want to pass on this curse.” He subconsciously touched his forearm.
Harry shook his head. “Maybe I don't consider it a curse,” he said quietly.
Ben looked at him. “And maybe Gus is right, you do need to watch yourself. I'm sure not gonna say anything, but I can see where your sympathies lie, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.”
“Alfred had his reasons, and so do I.”
Ben stared a moment, wondering, but before he could ask there was a commotion ahead in town. Harry frowned and hurried forward. Men were arguing loudly just outside the Swingate Inn. One of them, who bore more then a passing resemblance to Gus, turned and looked at Harry as he approached. “Is that the Vinconci?”
Harry bristled. “This is Ben, sir.”