Chapter 21 - Family

Alexander sat on the ground, staring at the fire as it danced. The ride out of Garlin had been long. He had not slept in over a day, but he could not bring himself to sleep just yet. His mind was still trying to work out the situation he was in. Alexander’s back and legs were sore from being in the saddle so long, but he was use to the feeling from so many years of long rides.

They had stopped only when necessary as they rode away from the only place Matthew had ever known. The short stops they did make were to let the horses rest and drink from one of the many streams that were found throughout this area of land. Alexander had taken those opportunities to stretch his legs and get a drink for himself. There had not been a single cloud in the sky their entire trip, so the sun beat down on them mercilessly.

Though the sun was low in the sky when they stopped to make camp, the shade of the small group of trees they had found was still welcome as they set up their small camp. Alexander had had to take care of Matthew’s horse, but walked him through the process of removing the saddle. He had also covered how to properly hobble a horse and other various ways of keeping it where you wanted.

Now the four men sat around the small fire. Each one remained silent, but the looks on their faces made it clear that they were deep in thought. None of them had said much since leaving the city. Miktan had tried sparking conversation with each person, but nothing ever really took off.

“We had better get some rest,” Alexander suggested, “We made good time today, but I expect we won’t reach my family’s farm until late afternoon tomorrow.”

“Rest sounds good,” Miktan said as he stifled a yawn, “But I dare not let us all sleep at once.”

Alexander nodded in understanding, “I’ll take first watch, Jaron, why do you take second and Matthew third. Miktan, would you be willing to take a turn?”

The older man chuckled, “I may seem old, but I am more than willing to take a turn. The more people we have rotating through watch means more sleep for everyone.”

Alexander gave a smile to Miktan as the other three lay down on their bedrolls. Alexander stood and moved out from the fire light. His eyes quickly adjusted to the dark and the twin moons were bright enough to let him see farther than he would usually be able to. He made his way to the outer rim of the thicket, looking towards Garlin. If anyone was pursuing them, they would no doubt come from the city.

Alexander gazed out over the grassland before him. Other small groups of trees dotted the landscape but Alexander had chosen this one because of it’s distance from the road. Anyone that might be tracking them would have to venture from the road to get to where they were and would easily be spotted before they arrived.

He continued to think as he watched. Surprising to him, his mind wandered not to the events of the day past, but instead to what was to come. He thought over how his family would react to his sudden appearance. Alexander had not contacted him since the last letter he sent just short of a month ago. At the time he had not yet received the orders sending him to Garlin, and so they did not know he was in the area.

Alexander thought over the last time he and his father had spoken. The words exchanged that day had not been pleasant. He wondered how his father would react when he saw him again. Theman Varros was always a hard man. When he told someone what to do, it was rare that they did not do it.

Alexander’s brother, Nathan, had always followed their father’s commands. Alexander had too, until he was of age and decided to leave. His father never actually said that he could not leave, but usually, what Theman did not say was just as clear as what he did. The man disapproved of Alexander’s leaving.

Alexander worked harder than his older brother. It was not a rivalry between the two so much, it was just that Alexander knew that the work needed to be done and the longer a job took the less one was able to finish. Nathan was a hard worker too, but he had a knack for getting caught up in something and ending up distracted from his chores.

Alexander smiled as he remembered his childhood and nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a twig snap from behind him. He spun around to find Jaron walking towards him.

“My turn,” the young boy said with a smile, “get some sleep.”

Alexander nodded. He had not realized how long he had been standing there until he looked up at the moons. They stood almost directly above them now, Neomet bright blue and Lauros a red crescent. Alexander looked away from the sky and started back into the thicket.

He wasted no time settling on top of his bedroll. It was too warm to get underneath any of the layers so he laid on top and closed his eyes. He focused on the sounds of the night. Crickets chirped and could heard birds of the night flitting from tree to tree. He began to drift into sleep; drift into dreams.

Alexander stood out in the field south of the farm house. He was aware that he was dreaming, but he did not care. The scene was familiar to him. It had been one of the many possible lives he had experienced underneath Garlin. It was unsettling, being aware of knowing that what he saw and felt was not real, but at the same time it was comforting.

The sun beat down on him as he leaned against the spade he held. He looked down at the hole he had dug. It seemed the right size for the post. Picking up the fresh cut post, he dropped it into the hole. Steadying it with one hand he maneuvered the spade with his other, pushing dirt in around the post. He packed the dark soil down tight and tested the firmness of the post, nodding in satisfaction.

He made quick work of the final two posts, digging the holes and setting them in place. Tomorrow he and Nathan would bring out the boards to box in the small pasture. Alexander was pleased with his work. It had taken him less time than he expected.

He walked back to the farmhouse. The wooden building was not large, at least not compared to any of the residences in Garlin, but it did for the people that lived in it. Theman and Anara, Alexander’s father and mother; Nathan and his wife Caren, as well as their daughter and son; and finally Alexander and Myra, his beautiful wife.

Alexander smiled at the mental image of his wife, now carrying his child. Alexander’s mother was certain that Myra was carrying a son, but only time would tell. Alexander could not think of a time that he was happier than when Myra had told him the good news nearly four months ago.

The worn back door to the house creaked as Alexander pushed it open and entered into the kitchen. He thought again that he should replace the door before the winter came and the cold winds that came with it. The door had fallen to the back of his mind when he found out he was having a child.

The week after the announcement, Alexander, Nathan and their father had begun a new addition to the house for Alexander and Myra to move into instead of the small bedroom they shared now. The project was moving along at a decent pace, but as there always was on the farm, other things need to be dealt with too. Things such as the new pasture.

Gathered around the small table in the kitchen, Caren, Myra and Alexander’s mother sat preparing the evening meal. Alexander smiled at the women and spoke, “A lovely site.”

“Alexander, always ready with compliments. Don’t think that they’ll keep you out of trouble like they did when you were still a boy,” his mother commented. She stood and walked over to him, placing a light kiss on his cheek as they hugged.

Alexander moved over to Myra, standing behind her and kissing her forehead as she looked up at him, “And you are the loveliest of all.”

Myra smiled as she looked back down at the dough she was kneading, “Did you finish your work?”

Before Alexander could speak, his mother answered, “Of course he did. Have you ever known Alex not to finish a task set for him?”

Alexander just laughed, “Where’s father?”

“Last I saw he was in his chair reading a book,” Caren said as she sliced some carrots.

“Thank you,” Alexander said as he placed another kiss on Myra’s head and exited the kitchen.

He moved through the simple hallway towards the living room. All that decorated the hall was a single painting that had been handed down through the family for as far back as Alexander’s father could remember. It was simple painting, which fit the house, that depicted a field of wildflowers. Alexander had wondered as a child if the field actually existed, or if it was just an image from the painter’s imagination.

Entering the living room, Alexander looked around. A fireplace made up of smoothed river stones was set into the wall directly across from him. A wooden bench that had been fitted with a backing sat facing the fireplace, parallel to it. A few chairs created a half circle where the family would often gather at night to talk or listen to stories while enjoying the fire.

In the corner to Alexander’s right stood a tall, hand carved bookcase. Various books lined the shelves, mostly things that had been gathered here and there as the family travelled into the city. Alexander’s father considered books to be a great treasure that were just waiting to be shared with others.

Next to the bookshelf, sitting in a high-backed rocker was Theman Varross. He was not a large man, shorter than Alexander and thinner that Nathan, but one would be a fool to anger the man. His skin, worn and tanned, was tight around well toned muscles that made up his arms. His gray hair, still speckled with the darker color it use to have, was cut short so as to beat the heat of the summer sun.

The man looked up from his book as Alexander grabbed a chair from by the fireplace and moved to sit nearer his father, “You get those posts all put in?”

“I did father,” Alexander replied nodding.

Theman nodded. He placed a bookmark in the book, marking his page and placed it in his lap, “Good, not that I thought you wouldn’t finish. You and Nathan will need to make sure to get that pasture finished soon. Jonul should be here end of the week with those sheep,” the grizzled man barked a laugh, “Never thought I’d find myself raisin’ sheep.”

Alexander grinned. His father had always had a few animals around on the farm. A team of horses to work the fields. A cow or two for milk, as well as to breed and sell off any calves. A few chickens roamed the farm, which were great for eggs as well as the occasional meal. When it came to sheep or other herd animals, Theman had always said he would never take them. But when his long time friend Jonul said that he was moving in to Garlin and that he would sell Theman his flock at half its worth, Theman took the offer. He said he would have been a fool not to buy them.

“How’s your knee doing?” Alexander said, noted concern in his voice.

His father rubbed at his right knee, “Oh it’ll be fine. The healer said I could be up and around next week, long as I take it easy.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow at the last part, “I find it hard to believe that you can take it easy.”

“With you around boy, I could retire and live happy,” his father said, rolling into his gruff laughter that had always made Alexander smile as a boy.

“I don’t think you’ll ever retire da,” Alexander said, joining in his father’s laughter.

Alexander awoke from his dream as he heard someone returning from their watch. He sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes as he saw Miktan step into the small campsite. The fire was nothing more than coals as Miktan kicked dirt over it. Through the trees, Alexander could just tell that the sun was beginning to rise.

As Alexander stretched, Miktan moved to both Jaron and Matthew in turn, shaking them awake. Alexander was surprised as Matthew pulled one of his daggers out from underneath the thin pillow under his head at being shaken. He was more surprised at how quickly Miktan moved to grab the young man’s wrist.

“Easy boy,” Miktan said soothingly, “It’s just me. It’s morning and we need to be on our way.”

Matthew groaned as his head fell back onto the pillow. Alexander smiled. He knew that the boy had to be tired. Alexander still felt as if he could sleep for a few more hours, but he knew that they could not spend their time sleeping right now. Not yet at least.

Alexander made quick work of gathering up everything and returning it into the pack that held their supplies. He moved to the horses, saddling Cirrus and tying the pack to the saddle, and his bedroll behind it.

When Matthew lazily walked up to Belle carrying his bedroll and saddlebags, Alexander joined him. The boy was a quick learner, remembering what Alexander had shown him the night before and reversing it to saddle the mare with only a few instructions. Alexander was impressed. Even after only a day around a horse, he seemed much more comfortable.

“You have to adapt and learn quick when you live a life like mine,” Matthew said when Alexander complimented him.

Before long the group was headed back towards the road. There were a few others on the road, as there had been during the day before. None of them were threatening however. Most appeared to be farmers that had taken goods to Garlin for sale and the rest were either just travelers or merchants.

The day was cooler than the previous one. Clouds dotted the sky that allowed for periods of shade. The group seemed to have relaxed with the cooling temperature, though it probably had to do more with the distance from the city. Conversations sprung up about the landscape and the weather. Alexander was glad to see that everyone seemed to be worrying a little less about what had happened. At one point of the journey, Miktan had begun to tell tales. Epic stories of heroes and saving damsels.

A few hours past midday, as the sun off in the western sky leading their way, Alexander spotted the familiar farmhouse. He announced that they were near and kicked Cirrus into a trot. The building sat on a short hill, half a mile off of the road. A small barn sat at the bottom of the small hill and Alexander could make out a pair of horses grazing in a fenced in area near the barn.

Chickens scattered as Alexander drew Cirrus to a stop near the barn. He dismounted and tied the gelding up at the tack posts. What had been a fresh log set on two posts when Alexander left was now well worn and would probably need to be replaced next spring.

The others did the same as Alexander but he paid them no mind. He noticed from the house that someone was standing outside the door, watching them. Alexander recognized the man as Nathan, even from fifty paces a way. As Alexander walked up the hill, followed by the three others, another joined Nathan, leaning against the doorframe. It was his father.

Theman Varross’ face was set, marking that he was ready to dismiss anyone that was there to trouble him. Nathan’s eyes widened as he recognized Alexander coming up the hill and he disappeared back inside the house. Alexander’s father however remained where he was; watching.

“Father,” Alexander said as he stopped a pace from the old man standing in the door.

“Alex,” the man replied, his voice stern and relaxed in only the way Theman Varross could manage.

The two just stood there eyeing each other until Alexander’s mother pushed his father from the door. Anara Varross had always been plump and kind. She was no different now. Her dark blue eyes locked on Alexander, looked him up and down once, and then she was there embracing him. Alexander was shocked at his mother’s strength. She held him so tightly that he was finding it hard to breath.

“I’m so happy to see you,” she said, still clutching him, “I wondered if you would ever come back here.”

Alexander was returning the hug now, a smile on his face, “I wish I could be here under better circumstances,” he said.

Anara released her son and took a step back, “Why? What’s wrong?” Her stance was that of a mother bear ready to kill to defend her cub, but she soon shook her head, a smile returning to her face “Never you mind that right now, you and your friends come inside and get comfortable while I fix you all something to eat.”

“Anara,” Theman’s voice seemed to force silence from everything, “Who are you inviting people into my house?”

Alexander’s mother spun, staring at the old man. Anara had always been the only one Alexander had ever seen able to cow Theman and she was doing just that right now. The old man’s eyes tightened at her stare as if to argue, but they soon dropped to the ground.

“Now Theman, you may own this house, but I am the one that cleans it. I am the one that cares for it. And if you have any intention of eating anything anytime soon, you will invite your son and his friends in right this instant, do you understand me?” Alexander flinched at his mother’s words. Alexander had always respected his father, but his mother’s anger was something to be feared.

Alexander’s father took a deep breath before speaking, “All right then, come on in and introduce yourselves.”

His father then turned and disappeared into the house. His mother however, herded them all through the door with her kind words. Soon they were all sitting at the small dining table off of the kitchen. Alexander’s father sat in his carved chair at the head of the table, just as he always had. His mother busied herself with Caren at the table, cutting up vegetables and throwing them into a pot with some water and dried meats. Caren was slicing a loaf that had probably been baked that morning.

“So, can I know who now sits as my table?” Theman asked, his voice still holding a tone of anger.

“I am Miktan Lonstrat,” Miktan said placing a hand on his chest and managing to give a slight bow from his chair, “These two are Matthew and Jaron,” he motioned to the two younger men.

Jaron seemed a little disappointed at not hearing his last name, but they had discussed that it would probably be better if they kept that unknown for the time being. People would take note of a noble’s son, especially when word got out that he had suddenly disappeared in the night.

Alexander’s father nodded at the introductions, “I am Theman Varross, my wife is Anara. The man that spotted you all and has seemed to have gone into hiding is my son Nathan and the young lady helping my wife is his wife Caren.”

“A pleasure to meet you all,” Jaron said politely.

“I hope we are not intruding too much,” Miktan said with a smile.

It looked as if Theman was about to make a comment, but at a sharp look look from his wife, he gave a quick shake of his head, “It’s no trouble. We have plenty to share.”

“And we thank you for your generosity,” Miktan said.

“Now, while I don’t necessarily mind your being here, I would like to know what brings you here so suddenly,” Alexander’s father said, not even sparing a glance to his mother.

It was Alexander that answered, “I was recently ordered to move, along with some men, to Garlin. While in the city, I met with Jaron, Matthew and Miktan. Something came up in which they were leaving the city. I haven’t taken much time away lately, so I informed my superior about a leave of absence and decided to join them.”

Theman’s eyebrows rose a bit as he listened to Alexander’s explanation, but they soon relaxed and his father nodded, “It’ll be good for you to have some time away from the army. Maybe you’ll come to your senses and finally leave.”

Alexander was relieved that his father had taken the lie as truth. Alexander had never really been able to lie to his parents effectively. They quite often saw through his lies and confronted him about it.

“Leave the boy alone Theman,” Alexander’s mother said as she placed some bread and a dish of butter on the table, “Alex is well aware of your feelings on him being in the army. That doesn’t mean you can harass him about it now.”

“I was just saying Anara,” Theman began to defend himself.

“No, you drop that subject right now. You all eat some bread while the soup finishes. Go on, help yourselves,” Alexander’s mother returned to the kettle that was now over the small fireplace hanging on a hook.

Everyone seemed to wait until Alexander’s father nodded before reaching in for some of the bread. They sat in silence while they ate. The bread was just as Alexander remembered it.

“This is very good,” Matthew said before taking another bite.

“Well, the boy does speak,” Alexander’s mother commented from the soup kettle, “Caren, why don’t you fetch the boy something else to snack on. It looks as if he only eats every other day.”

Alexander thought he heard Matthew say something about that being close to truth and smiled. It was good to be home again, even if his father was avoiding looking at him. They continued to eat as Caren set a plate of vegetables on the table.

Alexander could not help but grin as his brother entered the room herding his daughter in before him. Kari was taller than Alexander had pictured her. It had been almost two years since he had last seen his niece. He stood from his chair and knelt down as she rushed him.

“Uncle Alex!” She exclaimed as she charged. The two hugged, her arms wrapping around his neck.

“Kari,” He held her out in front of him, “you’ve gotten big.”

Her grin seemed to cover her entire face, “I didn’t believe him when daddy told me you were here.”

“Well, it’s true,” Alexander said as he stood.

“It’s good to see you Alex,” Nathan said as he stuck out his hand.

The two shook hands, “You too Nathan.”

Nathan took a seat at the table and Alexander returned to his, Kari climbing up to sit on his lap. Conversation sprang up as bowls of soup were placed in front of everyone. It all reminded Alexander how much he had truly missed his family.