Later that night, long after dinner had passed, Jarek sat alone in the living room with his mother. Reynard had left to give them some privacy, and the girls had fallen asleep some time ago.
"So, now that we're alone, do you mind telling me why you came back" His mother asked. "You were supposed to stay in the city for five years, but you've only been there for two. You couldn't have completed your training so quickly, right?"
Jarek shakes his head with a small smile. "No, I haven't. Master Osric got a commission to deliver something to Emberfield, and since the village was along the way he offered to allow me to follow him so I could visit you guys. He went on ahead to deliver the package but on his way back he'll branch here to pick me up and then I'll return with him."
His mother nodded thoughtfully. "So you only have a week to spend with us. He must really favor you to do something like this."
A bashful smile appears on Jarek's face. "He does. He once said that I'm his most talented student in two decades."
"You're just like your father. A walking talent," his mother laughs, before becoming a bit somber. Any reminder of Jarek's father tended to have that effect on her.
His father had died seven years ago, in unexplained circumstances. Jarek had tried asking his mother for the specifics numerous times, but she had never told him. Of his siblings, Jarek was the only one who knew who his father was. A historian, and sometimes author, who worked for the Library of Thanetos. A good man.
Back when his father was still alive things had been good for the family; but after he had died, it seemed as though the universe had tried to wipe away all traces of his existence. It was then that they moved here to Silverwoods Village. As of now, nothing existed of his father except a book he had been working on before he died. A book that his mother never let them read. One that she read on certain nights before crying herself to sleep. She didn't know, but Jarek had noticed.
His father's death had pained him deeply, and in the first two years after his death, Jarek had been a wreck. But then one day, he realized that he had to move on, not for his own sake, but for the sake of his mother and sisters. With his dad gone, he had to step up as the man of the family.
Eager to move the topic away from any reminders of his dead father, Jarek remarked, "How do you feel about living in the city?"
"What?" His mother asked, appearing confused. He then explained that Master Osric had offered to move the entire family to the city after he got back. For a moment, his mother was stunned, then she shook her head slightly. "Your Master must really like you. But, the city is not for me. Not anymore."
"But," he tried to argue when she raised a hand, silencing him.
"However," she continued, "I believe it will be good for your sisters to go. I don't want them to remain limited by staying here all their life, especially Alisa. She's getting old, and I want her to have at least a good education so she might have a choice in how her life goes. So, your sisters will go, and you will take care of them, but I'll stay here."
"But who will take care of you?"
His mother snorted, giving him a disbelieving look. "How old do you think I am? I'm younger than you think, I can work to take care of myself. Besides, with you kids gone, taking care of myself will be easier."
"Won't you be lonely?"
She gave him a sad smile. "What is a little loneliness compared to the future of my children?"
Despite his unwillingness, Jarek was eventually forced to accept her decision. Leaving his mother behind while the rest of the family went to the city made him feel like they were abandoning her, and he didn't like that feeling one bit. But he also couldn't disregard her choices.
Wanting to clear his mind and his complicated feelings, Jarek went outside to get some fresh air. As the cool night breeze brushed against his skin, he was immediately struck by the great darkness outside. Aside from the slender crescent of moonlight, the rest of the world seemed consumed by shadows. It was a stark contrast to the city where light always seemed to penetrate the darkness at night.
A soft sound suddenly caught his attention, and he turned around, instantly on high alert as he scanned his surroundings. At first, he saw nothing, but then he noticed a silhouette on the roof of the house. He froze, but after several seconds in which the silhouette did nothing, he began to wonder. This wasn't the city where thieves and robbers were rampant. So if it wasn't someone malevolent, who could it be? A guess came to mind.
"Reynard?" he hazarded a guess.
Reynard's smooth voice answered him. "Hey."
"How did you get up there?" Jarek asked as he relaxed his guard. Reynard didn't answer, choosing instead to stare into the distance.
After waiting a few moments and receiving no answer, Jarek asked another question. "What exactly are you looking at?"
For some time, it seemed as though Reynard wouldn't answer, but then he jumped down from the roof, landing lightly on his feet. "Dark clouds," he said to Jarek. "They should be arriving tomorrow."
Jarek frowned a bit. "Dark clouds? Rain? Wait, if you can see them, doesn't that mean they'll be arriving sooner?"
"No, they're slow."
Jarek looked up into the sky for a few moments. "I don't see any dark clouds," he said, then looked down to find that Reynard was no longer there.
After checking around and seeing no one in sight, Jarek shook his head before sitting against a wall, fully intending to enjoy the coolness of the night before going back into the house.
The next morning, Jarek woke up early to assist his mother with some chores. By the time his sisters rose from their slumber, he had already completed most of them, which brought smiles to his sisters' faces.
Breakfast was a mostly quiet affair, with the exception of when Reynard announced that he would be departing that morning. Jarek's mother tried to convince him to stay for another day, but he refused, stating, "I've overstayed my welcome. Besides, my destination is still quite far away, so I can't afford to linger."
As Reynard prepared to leave, Jarek couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Sharing his house with a stranger had kept him on edge, even though Reynard had helped his family in several ways. But regardless of how he felt, the man had undoubtedly been a blessing, and for that, Jarek was grateful.
Before he left, Jarek handed him something his mom had made. "Thank you for everything you did for my family," Jarek said, a hint of gratitude in his voice. After a short pause, he added, "If you ever pass through these parts again, you're welcome to stay with us."
Reynard accepted the bundle with a nod and a gracious smile. "Your family's hospitality has been a bright spot on my journey. I'll remember your offer."
Jarek expected him to leave immediately, but instead, Reynard's gaze shifted, fixating on the distant horizon. "Is something wrong?" Jarek asked, noticing the concern in Reynard's expression.
"Jarek," he began, his voice now laden with a deeper concern, "don't stay at home today. And tell your mom to go shopping."
About to walk away, Reynard felt Jarek's grip on his arm, holding him in place. When he turned around, Jarek's eyes bore into him with distrust.
"Yesterday," Jarek said, his voice tinged with skepticism, "you mentioned dark clouds. Now, you're advising us not to stay home today. Are you implying there's a threat to us?"
Reynard gently but firmly pulled his arm away from Jarek's grasp. "I have no intention of harming you, I promise. But... it's not my place to say more. Please, do as I suggest, and your family should be safe."
With that said, Reynard walked away as Jarek watched his retreating figure with a mixture of uncertainty and distrust. As Reynard disappeared from view, Jarek began to contemplate the situation. While Reynard had been in their home, he had shown no inclination to harm them. He had been generous and helpful. But his words now indicated potential danger.
During dinner last night, Reynard displayed a great familiarity with the city and the Kingdom in general. Could there be an impending event that would put them at risk? Was that why Reynard had chosen to leave? To avoid getting caught up in it?
Jarek pondered it all, but his thoughts led to no concrete conclusions. Despite his misgivings, however, he decided to take Reynard's warning seriously.