Minor groans arose as the children did.
“Hush and listen to your mother.”
A round of ‘Yes Sirs’ accompanied busy hands. The youngest reached for Tobias’ plate as he looked directly into his face, eyes wide with curiosity. Tobias smiled warmly at the child.
“Thank you most kindly young master.”
Bashfulness overrode curiosity as he ducked his head while removing the plate. “You’re welcome Sir.” The boy whispered as he beat a hasty retreat behind his mother and siblings. Tobias watched him, a wistful look on his face as he remembered his students and how much he missed teaching.
The Major continued to observe the scene unwinding before him. He saw the look on Tobias’ face. There was more to this man than the mere servant he professed to be. The look he gave the children was one that he had seen before. It was not one that made you fear for their safety, to the contrary, the Major felt he could trust Tobias. He had every intention of finding out exactly what the difference was. Speaking to Tobias, he rose.
“My wife is quite correct. I do need some conversation and company dealing with something other than the impending war.” The startled look on Tobias’ face told him he hit a sensitive point.
“Shall we retire to my study to discuss matters?” The Major placed one hand firmly on the back of Tobias’ elbow and extended the other towards a door of his study. Tobias had no choice, but to do as directed. “Right this way Master Tobias.”
“I thank you kindly, but I feel as if I have intruded enough on your time with your family…I…I should just go back to my room and get a good night’s sleep.”
“Oh, you needn’t worry Master Tobias, I’ll have plenty of time after you leave tomorrow to return to Nalas, but for now come join me for a brandy.”
The mention of Nalas’ name triggered a painful look to cross Tobias’ face and yet the offer of a brandy seemed to ease it. The prospect of a nice after dinner brandy was more than he dared hope for.
“Oh I haven’t,” but Tobias quickly snapped his mouth shut as he remembered that he was not what he used to be or could do any more, but sadly of what he was now. The Major saw the conflict and finished his sentence for him.
“Haven’t enjoyed some of the nicer amenities in a while as due your true station.”
Tobias wasn’t sure if he should just leave quickly or try and bluff his way out of the discussion. The softly spoken words of the Major assuage the fears that threatened to push his heart through his chest wall.
“Your secret is safe with me Sir. Now, let’s go enjoy some good brandy and for me some intelligent conversation.” His voice dropping down and taking on a conspiratory tone. “Something other than this self-serving war.”
Tobias shot him a look to see if he was trying to bait him into confessing his distaste for the war or to speak against Nalas, but saw nothing of the kind. No, what he saw was a bright, peaceful man in a hard position trying to scrape out a little civility amongst the cruelty. Tobias acquiesced.
“Yes, yes I will. And it will be rather pleasant to talk about something other than the impending heartaches.”
“Unfortunate, but true.” The Major said as they entered his study and he closed the door behind them.
They emerged two hours later relaxed, faces aglow from the brandy and cigars. Tobias had not felt this relaxed since; his thoughts caught deep in his throat almost choking him. The memories of his own wife and home flooded to the forefront of his mind. He was silent as they walked to the front door, the Major’s wife joining them. Pushing back the heartache he bowed deeply from the waist as he spoke to the Mrs.
“I wish to thank you most kindly for a pleasant evening and a most exceptional meal.”
She inclined her head at the compliment. “You are more than welcome, maybe…” She stopped herself knowing what she was going to suggest was highly unlikely to happen.
“Thank you for entertaining my husband for the evening.”
“Pleasure was all mine.”
The Major extended his hand, Tobias grasped it warmly, a lifeline to civility.
“It’s been a pleasure, Master Tobias. You are a gentleman and a scholar. I also appreciate you coming to me first instead of just spiriting my lieutenant away in the night.”
“There has been too much of that as of late, no courtesy or honor. And the pleasure was truly all mine, I assure you. And again good night.” Tobias turned to face the darkness, but looked back over his shoulder as he added, “I shall take my leave as the morning waits for no man and comes earlier at the present time.”
“Tomorrow morning, my office, bright and early.”
“Ummmm. Tomorrow.” Tobias said rather absentmindedly as he stepped off the porch into the darkness heading for his quarters. He tried not to let the knowledge of returning to Nalas’ fortress dampen his warmth from the brandy. He was halfway down the street before the Major mumbled softly, more to himself than anyone in particular.
“Yes, duty has a way of rearing its ugly head when we least wish it to.” He said as he carefully closed the door. His wife waited a moment before speaking.
“He’s not really a man servant, is he?”
“No.” He looked at her. “I’m the uniformed servant and I’m finding it increasingly more difficult to serve my master. Dinner was excellent, but this impending fiasco turns my stomach sour.”
His wife knew what he told her in confidence she kept strictly to herself. “Then let’s put it behind us for the time being and concentrate on what needs to be done now.” She changed the subject. “So, then calling him a scholar was not far from the mark was it?”
His smile as warm as the kiss he placed on her cheek. “No, it wasn’t”
Most had a somewhat pleasant night’s sleep. Mattea did not. Trevor held her as she explained the what, the why and wherefore of the mission. The difficult task was yet to come. Telling her children. She knew her son would be the difficult one, while her daughter was more pragmatic, like herself; even at the tender age of five.
“Do what you have to do Momma as long as you come back home.” Her small face set. She put her arm around her older brother’s shoulder reassuring him. “Right big brother?”
His nod as emphatic as his answer. “Right.”
Mattea knelt down in front of the two gathering them closely in her arms. She kissed them both before she spoke. “That’s my ultimate mission Sunshine.” She hugged them tighter as she looked up at her husband, “My ultimate mission.”
They spent the day getting her ready for her trip, making a game of it for the children as best as possible. Mattea spent a sleepless night with her husband, both fearing it might be their last. She heard and felt his stifled upset as he lay in the bed next to her. Softly laying her head on his shoulder, Neither speaking a single word they held each other fearing it might be their last.
The brandy Tobias shared with the Major helped ease the pain of having to split a family apart just to appease a self serving narcissist. It allowed him to slide between the sheets and drift off to dreamless sleep for the first time in what seemed like a lifetime. As meager as the quarters were they were a step up from what he was currently used to. The bed clothes were clean and the mattress a tad thicker and vermin free. Tobias actually snuggled down under the blanket, luxuriating in the comforting warmth. Just before he drifted off, Tobias spoke a silent prayer to the Graces to look out for this woman, her family and the others who opposed Nalas. All had a very unpleasant task set before them to fulfill. He wasn’t much of a believer before, but since his forced servitude he hoped someone was listening and he was right.
It seemed his head had just hit the