Hope and Darkness

Chapter 13

Toby woke up inside a tent. Beside him Charlie and three sailors from the Silver Eagle. He tried to sit up but was almost instantly pushed down again. He turned his head and saw Lucy, who obviously looked like she hadn’t gotten enough sleep. She smiled at him. “How are you feeling?” He tried to move his head but couldn’t. “Can’t feel my neck or my legs,” he said weakly. “What happened?” Lucy was cleaning her sword, and Toby felt slightly proud that she had remembered what he’d taught her. “After the fight that strange ship launched a volley of arrows at us. It hit you and one of Tommy’s friends, then your friends and I took out our bows and started pummelling their ship. Another sailor was hurt and one killed when they tried to do the same. The dead one was buried at sea. Another two tried to follow them and one was wounded. By them we found out it was a black navy vessel. Charlie was hit in the shoulder after he managed to hit 4 men.” Toby coughed, then pushed himself onto one elbow. “I think there was a wizard on that ship. When I was fighting you I suddenly wanted to kill you in the middle of the fight.” Lucy nodded. “That’s why I was so surprised. I could see it in your eyes. They suddenly changed from dark brown to dark blue.” Toby smiled, but winced from the pain. “I thought you were surprised because of my master sword fighting skills.” Lucy laughed. “That might be one reason, but I will admit I was scared when you knocked me to the ground. Lucky that that elf save my life.” Very lucky, Toby thought. Not a lot of people had managed to slip away after he was enraged, which he had been. A companionable silence began after that, only broken when Charlie began groaning softly. Lucy stood. “I should go tell Jeremy you’re awake,” she told him. Toby frowned. “Jeremy?” Lucy gestured outside. “We’re camped outside the palisade. After the battle Tommy decided to come back. It was too dangerous, and besides, we can’t lose those three sailors and Charlie.” Toby interrupted. “Don’t forget about me!” Lucy smiled and walked outside. A moment later, Samuel and Jeremy walked inside. “Glad to see you’re out and about,” Samuel grinned. Toby snorted. “Ha-ha, very funny Samuel. Very funny.” Jeremy smiled at the two of them. “Actually there’s someone who wants to see you more than us.” Toby put his finger to his head. “Let’s see. Lucy, Samuel, and you are off the list. That means it must be Matthew, Justin or Harley.” Jeremy grinned. “He told me you’d find it unexpected.” A shadow from the doorway appeared. Tommy stepped in to the tent. He looked around, and then when he saw Toby, he walked over and smiled at him. “Thank you, Toby. I’m sorry I was suspicious of you at first. Without you bandits, half my crew might have been lost. They had bows and we had a much slower loading crossbow, so I guess... Thanks.” Toby knew the words would be hard to get out, so he decided it was a piece offering. “You shouldn’t thank me. Thank Matthew, Justin, Charlie, and Lucy.” Tommy waved it away. “No. I just wanted to say sorry for treating you like a second class citizen. It’s just... When your militia were outlawed, the village they’d raided, my parents were in there. I was found on a rough track close to here, so when I saw you outlaws I thought you were trying to steal the emerald or something. Sorry,” he said sheepishly. Toby smiled, although when he tried to sit up his back screamed. He winced and lay back down. “It’s okay, because you were able to save the boat.” Tommy smiled. “Thank you. Also know that, if you ever need anything, The Silver Eagle is at your disposal.” Toby smiled. “Thank you. Will you be leaving soon?” Tommy nodded. “William gave me a job in the navy. He says I might be able to command be able to command more ships then the Silver Eagle! Thanks again. Take care of Samuel and Lucy while I’m gone.” Toby smiled. “Don’t worry, I will.” Tommy left just as Jeremy came  back in. “Toby, William’s offered to make the town a protectorate of the Church of Hope. That means that the town will have to enlist in the army, and I’m wondering if you’ll join.” Toby was already shaking his head. “I’ve made up my mind. Ever since the town was destroyed, I’m going to go hunting for these churches of darkness. I’m going to ask Matthew to go with me.” Toby, with great difficulty, managed to get out of bed. Jeremy studied him. “I was hoping you wouldn’t say that. Some people in the town are going to miss you very much. But Matthew, Justin, Harley and Charlie have already packed for the journey. Matthew had thought that you’d say that, so they’ve taken with them a large amount of equipment. I just got to say, you might not see us again.” Toby nodded. “I’m sorry about that, but I have to. No-one’s going to command me to my death. I’ll miss everyone here, including Lucy.” Jeremy grinned. “Only including Lucy?” he asked innocently. Toby waved his hand weakly. “Okay, a lot.” A voice sounded at the door at the tent. “Who said I wasn’t going without you?” Toby whirled around to face the voice, but stopped suddenly because of the pain. Slowly a grin spread across his face. “You’re awesome, you know that?”