“Yes?”
“Sir? Major Demarin sent me to wake you.” The voice sounded young.
“Yes, yes, wait just a moment.” Tobias answered scrambling out of the bed to the wash basin. Splashing cold water on his face he tried to chase away the remaining sleepy cobwebs fogging his brain.
“I’ll…I’ll be with you in a moment.” Tobias mumbled through a towel as he scrubbed it dry.
“No rush Sir.”
Tobias washed and dressed most of the way before reaching the door. His suspicions of the soldier’s age were confirmed as soon as he opened the door. He couldn’t have been more than eighteen or nineteen at best.
“Please come in while I finish.”
“Thank you Sir.” He replied as he stepped into the room and shut the door quickly.
“The Major took the liberty of ordering a tray for you in his office.”
“Then I shall thank him when I see him.” Tobias commented as he quickly ran a comb through his hair. He inspected his reflection in the polished mirror above the wash basin. He only wished he could have shaved properly to be presentable. The young soldier seemed to read his mind as he spoke, “I will personally make sure you have a razor and hot water to shave with afterwards. I apologize for not having brought it in before this.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll tell the Major I told you I wanted to rest.”
“Thank you Sir.”
“Well, I did fall back asleep and didn’t hear you the first time.”
“But I.”
“Respectfully didn’t knock loud enough to wake the dead the first time.”
The young soldier just smiled. “Yes Sir.” Extending his arm towards the door, he added. “If you please Sir.”
Tobias looked down at his clothes and tried to smooth the worst of the wrinkles out with his hands, fussing slightly at the more stubborn ones. Tobias caught a different look on the soldier’s face.
“If I may be so bold Sir, you don’t appear to be a…”
“I’m not.” Tobias cut him off before he could finish. “I was rather rudely recruited for my current position, but I guess I’ll have to deal with the hand I’m dealt and make the best of it.” He walked out the door in front of the soldier, stopping on the stoop as he waited for the young man, when he stood next to Tobias, Tobias spoke again. “I guess that’s the best any of us can do isn’t it?”
“Yes Sir.”
They had walked away before Tobias again engaged him in conversation. “So what do you like to do when not on duty?”
He gave Tobias an odd look. “I don’t understand Sir.”
“Do you have any hobbies, reading, fish, and hunting; when you’re not on guard duty, training or escorting visitors about?”
He wasn’t sure on how to answer Tobias. Flustered he stammered. “…I…umm.”
“Relax son, you’re not betraying a confidence, it’s just a general question. I personally like to read as it can let my mind rest and be other places. Fishing allows my mind idle time to clear and regroup. Everyone needs to be able to do that so they can do their best when it counts the most.”
They walked a short distance before he answered Tobias. “When I was younger I used to like reading and I was always good with figures, but I don’t have much time for either one.”
“Make time for yourself. Read. Write a letter, figure out new strategies. Keep your mind active and sharp by working it.”
“Good advice Sir.”
They had reached the main office and the soldier took his leave. “Thanks for the talk and I’ll make sure you have what you need for your trip back. I hope it’s a safe one.”
Tobias hand was on the doorknob as he looked back. “Your assistance and thoughtfulness are greatly appreciated.” A nod passed between the two as they parted company. As soon as Tobias walked in the desk sergeant stood. “He’s been expecting you. Please go right in.”
Tobias nodded, “Thanks.” And headed for the door, rapping lightly. It was answered promptly.
“Enter.”
Tobias did. The Major was behind the desk buried in paperwork as a female assistant stood nearby waiting for the papers he was signing. The aroma of fresh coffee and bacon tweaked at his nose, making his mouth water.
“To be carried out immediately.”
“Yes Sir.” She said as she gathered the papers. Saluting she left the room. Major Demarin waited until the door was shut behind her before he steered Tobias into a chair set in front of a table laden with food.
“I trust you slept well Master Tobias?”
“First time in a long time, Major.” Speaking as he pulled out a chair and sat down. “You will join me I hope?”
“Thanks, but my wife doesn’t allow me out of the house in the morning without eating. I will have some coffee with you.”
They sat and talked as Tobias ate. He was waiting for the Major to ask the question that had been laying very heavily on his mind. He finally broached the subject.
“So, do you know when Lord Nalas has decided to begin his campaign?”
“Of that sir I have not been privy, but I can say that he has been moving supplies and troops to Hecidia for some time now.”
“That hasn’t attracted attention of any kind?”
“No. He’s had them departing in small groups with livestock so as to appear as a family. He also has had them spaced out going in different directions before they circle back around the way they need to go.”
“Hmmm, yes. And no set pattern of departures?”
“No. There are camps already set up in different locations at the base of the mountain The only thing they are doing is leaving the mountain fortress under the cover of darkness and quickly getting to the campsite so they appear…”
“Appear to have been traveling already and breaking camp.”
“Which.”
“Which they already are.” The Major finished.
Tobias was silent for just a moment sipping at his coffee, a thoughtful look on his face. The Major looked at him trying to read his thoughts, sensing Tobias wanted to say more.
“What’s on your mind Master Tobias?”
“Oh, I was just thinking. Do you always finish what others are trying to say?”
The Major gave a small barking laugh before answering sheepishly. “My wife chides me for the exact same thing. I frequently finish her thoughts and…well let’s say she’s not always as diplomatic as you are right now. Downright peevish really.”
Tobias gave him a half smile. “Sounds familiar.” Then his eyes went distant as he thought about his own wife. He truly missed her now as never before. Major Demarin caught the look and felt bad for Tobias. He knew how he would feel if he had basically been kidnapped away from his family and pressed into service for someone he detested as Tobias obviously did. Changing the subject, the Major asked the one question he didn’t feel had been completely answered before.
“So what is the real reason for