Caleb wiped the sweat from his brow as he weeded the garden near their cottage. Sitting back on his haunches, he still couldn’t believe he was here.
Doing this.
Some would see this as a downfall, but he’d never been happier. Every day he woke up beside Lil was a miracle. Her eyes still glowed with warmth and love whenever she looked at him. He’d never understand that. He was only grateful to have her.
Funny how he could still see that day all those years ago when her father had built them a room on to their cottage.
Their own private room with an area for a nursery.
While they still didn’t have that child they craved, he was more than content. He tried to tell himself that it was for the best. Surely, he wasn’t father material.
But Lil would be an incredible mother. He hated that she had yet to fulfill the role she craved.
We have time. Eternity, actually.
The baby would come when he or she was meant to. There was no need to worry about it.
He glanced to the cottage where Lil was baking. Then, he looked back at their garden. He really needed to finish weeding.
Screw it, the weeds weren’t going anywhere. He wanted to see his wife.
Rising to his feet, he headed for the door. But he’d barely reached the halfway point when he heard someone rushing toward him on horseback. Since they seldom had visitors, and never unexpected ones, Caleb ran to the door so that he could put himself between the rider and Lil.
As the rider skidded to a stop, he recognized him from the village.
“We’re under attack! We need every man capable of holding a sword or club.” He didn’t wait for Caleb to speak before he rode off again.
“Caleb?” Lil came running up to him.
He caught her against his side. “Don’t worry. I won’t leave you.”
She drew a ragged breath. “They’ll need you. None of them are trained.”
“I don’t care. Let them fight it out.”
“They’re our friends, Caleb. We can’t let them die.”
Of course, they could. It really wasn’t that hard. Just stand back and do nothing. People and demons did that every day.
But he couldn’t do that to her. She trembled against him, and her eyes shone with unshed tears.
“Fine. But I’m taking you to our cave so that you can hide until this is over. Grab what you need and prepare to stay there for a few days.”
“Very well. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me for being stupid. Just pray we don’t regret this.”
Against his better judgment, he went to the bedroom and did what he’d sworn he’d never do. He removed his sword from the wall.
Maybe this’ll be enough.
If he went to war with this sword, any demonic army would know him. Maybe that would scare them off.
Or antagonize them more. He had no idea what kind of bounty would be on his head. He’d deserted his post. There was no way his masters would forgive him for that. After all, they weren’t known for forgiveness.
Gutting enemies and allies, definitely.
But never giving anyone a pass.
