Later that afternoon, Toby was outside looking for the lizard when he saw his father lead Whisper out of the barn. Whisper was saddled and his father was wearing his riding gear. For a moment, Toby forgot about the meeting in Farvain, and he was about to ask his father where he was going when he remembered.
"Can I go?" Toby asked instead. "I'd like to visit with Andy."
"Sorry Toby, but I probably won't be back until late tonight. It'd be better if you stay, but I'll say hello to Andy for you if you'd like. His father is Elrick McGregor, right?"
Toby was disappointed that he couldn't go and all he could manage for an answer was a nod of his head.
"Don't look so sad Toby. I'll take you to visit Andy in a couple of days when we go sell vegetables. Besides, you'll have more time then."
Toby brightened a little, but he still wished he could go with his father.
"Take Whisper out to the road for me. I'm going in to say farewell to your Ma."
Toby took Whisper's reins and led the white horse around the house and out to the road. He stopped at the edge of the road and turned around in time to watch his father come out through the front door. Toby gave the reins back to his father and stepped back to let him mount up. From the saddle, Toby's father looked down at him and gave the sad boy a kind smile.
"And remember, don't go in those woods," Toby heard his father say. "There are things in those woods..."
Toby nodded his head in agreement and then looked up to watch his father ride away. In just moments, his father and Whisper were small points in the distance.
It was very late at night when Toby woke up. He heard the front door open and close and he knew right away that it was his father who had come in. His father was back from the meeting in Farvain. Toby heard his father walk up to his door and after a few moments, Toby heard him walk away. Another door opened and closed, and then Toby heard whispering voices. His mother must have woken at the sound of his father coming in. As he listened, their voices grew louder and louder. Toby sat up, worried. His mother and father hardly ever fought, and when they did, it was never at night. Their voices had grown almost loud enough to hear, but Toby still had to strain, so he got up and walked to his door where he would be able to hear them.
"No, Del!" Toby heard his mother say. She sounded angry, but at the same time scared. "Why?"
"Andria, I don't like it either!" Toby heard his father reply angrily, yet at the same time he sounded tired and old. "I'm a farmer, and I'll always be a farmer. I know I'm not a soldier, but what choice do I have? I grew up in this very house, my father grew up in this house, and his father before him. To keep it, I'll have to fight! Do you think Patrick liked the decision he made? He's not a soldier either, but the only chance he has of keeping his land is to fight. I've known Patrick since I was born! We've been brothers to each other and it pains me that he made that decision. He thinks that if he and his boys fight, then I won't have to. I can't let him risk so much without me risking anything! If we have a chance at all to keep our lands and everything we ever worked for, then I have to fight!"
There was a moment of silence before Toby heard his mother speak in a lower, frightened voice.
"Poor Katie. She must be sick out of her mind. Which of her sons volunteered?"
"The two oldest, Derrick and Tommy."
Toby walked toward their bedroom and stood by the partly open door. His father turned to look, and when he saw Toby he gave him a tired smile and motioned for Toby to come in.
"You can come in, Toby. I don't think any of us will be sleeping much tonight."
Toby went in and looked up at his father. He didn't look angry, but he did look tired and much older. His face was twisted and wrinkled as if he were in pain. His mother was wiping tears away from her eyes and looked sadly at Toby.
"There's an army coming towards Farvain," Toby's father announced. "The militia has been called and will report in tomorrow, volunteers will be showing up as well. They say the army is less than four days away, so that gives us very little time. A rider carrying a message for aid was sent out just three days ago, so it will be a while before any part of the Hawklord Army gets here to help us."
"Who else volunteered?" Toby asked a little worried. He knew his friend Ritchie was still only a kid, and probably too young to be a volunteer, but under desperate situations, anyone might be taken.
"Del? What about the Stensons?"
"None of the Stensons were at the meeting. My guess is that they all got out of town. Jacob and Kile Stedmoore both volunteered. Trent Argen decided to volunteer after asking many questions. Of course, Vlor Gareblood offered his services. Everyone at the meeting cheered wildly when he raised his hand to volunteer. That man is an army all by himself. Our odds should be greatly increased with him on our side."
"What about Andy's father?" Toby whispered. "Did he volunteer?"
"Elrick is in the militia. He has already been called in."
"Del? What are we going to do?" Toby's mother asked as more tears streaked down her face. "What's going to happen to us?"
Toby's father thought for a minute and then looked sadly at both of them.
"The two of you are going to stay here. If everything turns out well, then the farm will be alright, but if you hear that the army is still coming, then take what you can and go. From what I've heard, they take no prisoners, man, woman, or child. I'm going to take old Whisper with me, but Breeze will be here. Pile as much as you can in our cart and go as far as you can. I'll find you both when it's all over."
Toby's mother started sobbing and Toby sat beside her and put an arm across her back. Toby felt tears form in his eyes and he looked up at his father who wiped fresh tears off his face. The three of them sat together and cried themselves to sleep.
Toby woke up in the morning, alone in bed. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. They felt puffy and irritated. He threw the covers off and jumped out of bed. He ran out of his room and saw his mother sitting at the dining table alone. She had her face covered with her hands and Toby could see tear drops fall from her chin. Toby stood and watched for a moment, unsure of what to do. He had never seen his mother cry alone and he didn't want to do or say something that might upset her more. Rays of sunlight shone down through the windows and the day was already warm, but Toby felt like there was something wrong and that made the day seem dark and cold.
Toby's mother wiped her nose with the back of her hand and she turned to look at him. Her eyes were red from crying and her lower lip trembled. She tried to smile, but her eyes filled with tears instead. Toby stepped forward and the two hugged each other tightly.
"I never realized how much you look like your father," she whispered in his ear. Toby swallowed as his eyes watered up. His vision grew blurry and finally tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Pa isn't coming back, is he?"
Toby's mother started to sob quietly and he could feel her shake in his arms. They held each other and cried.
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Most recent update: 05 May 03
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