Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Farewell

Chapter 10

Farewell

As I left the town behind and made my way back toward the family farm, the road stretched endlessly beneath the night sky. With nothing but darkness ahead, the journey felt far longer than it had before.

I tried to steel myself for the confrontation to come, but at this point, I was running on pure adrenaline. The weight of the impending clash with my father left me tense and irritable. Even the unexpected blessing of my uncle’s contract and the inspiration I felt from Grace’s magic did little to ease the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.

Tonight wasn’t going to be easy.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, the familiar shape of our home finally emerged from the darkness. The soft glow of flickering candlelight pushed back against night, making the home a quiet beacon of warmth and refuge against the encroaching shadows.

As I stepped into the front yard, a faint ember flared to life in the darkness; I recognized it as the glow of my fathers pipe. My father sat in his usual chair, smoking his ember reeds just as he always did at the end of a long day.

I stopped just in front of the stairs that led onto the porch and waited to see if my father would speak first. The only response was silence, broken only by the soft crackle of his pipe.

As I lifted my foot to step onto the porch, his voice cut through the stillness.

"No."

I froze, my foot hovering just above the worn wooden step. The finality in his tone sent a chill through me, more cutting than any raised voice could have been.

“No?” I repeated, my voice quieter than I intended.

Smoke curled around him as he took another slow drag from his pipe. “No,” he said again, as if the single word was all the explanation he needed.

Frustration flared in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm.

“So just like that?” I asked, “you won’t let me explain or even give me a proper goodbye?”

He exhaled, the embers in his pipe glowing for a brief moment before fading. “You’ve made your choice, Sam. You’re no different than that damn brother of mine.”

I clenched my jaw. “I haven’t even had the chance to explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain.” His voice remained level, but the undertone of steel was unmistakable. “You chose your path. Now walk it.”

I swallowed hard, forcing down the lump rising in my throat.

“I’m still your son damnit.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. This conversation hadn’t gone anything like I had imagined. The warm glow of our home behind him suddenly felt impossibly distant.

“Your mother is out at the barn. Go speak with her and be on your way.”

The coldness in his words was unlike anything I had ever heard from the man; I had seen my father lose his temper countless times, but this was something else entirely.

Without another word, I walked away, turning my back on the man I had admired all my life. He was stubborn, short tempered, and one of the hardest working people I knew. I wished things had been different, wished he’d given me a chance to explain myself, but that door was now closed. I felt numb but the only choice I had now was to simply move forward despite the ache that steadily grew in my chest.

It didn’t take me long to walk from the house to the barn. I could have navigated this familiar path blindfolded, even without the faint lantern light spilling from the open doors.

Bracing myself for yet another cold exchange of words, I stepped through the doorway.

“Mom?” I called hesitantly. “Are you here? Dad said…”

Before I could finish, my mother rushed toward me, and wrapped me in her familiar embrace.

Hot tears streamed down my cheeks as she sobbed quietly into my shoulder. We stood like that for a long time before she finally let go.

“Sam” she said, voice filled with emotion. “You don’t owe me an explanation. Just let me take care of you before you go on your way.”

She took my hand and led me back towards the back of the barn towards Blue’s stall. Of course, the sound of footsteps prompted Blue to call out, desperate to receive some treats or at the very least some attention.

As we arrived at his stall, my eyes widened in surprise. A leather saddlebag, covered in multiple pockets and laden with odds and ends, was draped over Blue’s back. I spotted a sickle strapped alongside some provisions and other supplies, a simple backpack filled with clothing, a cast-iron pan, and a basic tent, all stowed away. It gave Blue the appearance of a poor trader’s pack animal.

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“What is this?” I asked, unsure of what to make of what I was looking at.

“Your stubborn father intended to leave you with nothing, but Seth and I wouldn’t allow it. I wish we could have done more, Sam, it’s far less than you deserve, but I hope it’s enough to get you started.”

She squeezed my hand, and Blue let out an impatient grunt as he stamped his hooves, demanding a treat.

I let out a bitter laugh and then patted the old donkey’s head fondly.

“I guess it’s just you and me, you stubborn ass.”

I turned to my mother as tears once again began to stream down her face.

“I’ll be alright, Mom,” I said reassuringly. “I’m heading south to a town called Salt Brine, Uncle Lucian left me some land to help me get started while I’m out on my own. I’ll write as often as I can, just make sure Dad doesn’t hide the letters away.”

Mom’s eyes widened in surprise as she processed what I’d just said. I could tell she was finally putting together what information the letter must have contained

She shook her head approvingly and wiped away her tears.

“Well, that does give me some peace, then. Sam, you should be on your way before it gets too late, you’ll need your rest for the journey. Head back to town and leave with the caravans tomorrow morning. They should have guards to make your journey a little safer.”

She stepped forward and took my hand. When she pulled away, I found myself staring at three gold coins, a substantial amount of money for our family.

Before I could protest, she was already shooing Blue and I out of the barn.

“Not a word about it, and don’t make me repeat myself, young man.” Her familiar stern tone entered her voice, a mask for the emotions she was desperately trying to keep at bay. “I love you, Samuel. Be safe, and make me proud, son.”

After one last hug farewell, I led Blue out of the barn and back towards the front of the house. As we walked, I didn’t dare look back at my mother in fear that I would once again lose control of my emotions.

Stepping around the side of the house I glanced over at the front porch. I could still make out the silhouette of my father and the glow of his pipe. I waited, hoping he might give a final farewell, but…he didn’t say a word as we passed by.

Blue, as if sensing my frustration, turned toward my father and let out one final, loud, obnoxious bray, cutting through the silence of the night.

Despite myself, I smiled and patted the donkey’s flank. The stubborn animal rubbed his head against me affectionately, which was out of character for him. Maybe he felt the tension in the air and was trying his best to be supportive.

Blue and I trudged back to town at a brisk pace, the cool night air nipping at our every step. I was bone tired and eager to secure a spot at the tavern, a rickety bed and a roof over my head were all I craved after the day’s events.

Over the next hour my stubborn companion complained endlessly, his loud, grating brays echoing into the shadowy dark. He only fell silent once I finally realized he was wanting the lantern dangling from his pack. Lighting it, he quieted instantly, as its flickering flame cast a warm, golden glow over the dusty path before us.

Eventually, Blue and I reached the town, where the remnants of the Choosing Day festivities were slowly winding down. Laughter and music faded into the night as groups shuffled off to their homes and lodgings, their lanterns bobbing like fireflies against the dark.

“I think we might be out of luck, Blue,” I muttered, my voice heavy with exhaustion.

He huffed in response, stamping his hoof impatiently, his breath misting in the cool night air.

“I know, I know, you’re ready for bed too. Just be patient a little longer,” I said, scratching his flank apologetically.

I led us to the front of a tavern near the town square. The wooden building loomed three stories tall, larger than what you’d expect in a small farming town like ours, but it served its purpose for the busy roads that led out from Wheat Hollow. A wooden sign hung above the door, painted with bright yellow letters that glowed faintly in the dim light: The Pale Mount.

“Blue, wait here a moment, I’ll be right back,” I said, offering him a handful of grain from the pack as I hitched him to the post outside.

The donkey neighed happily, greedily munching the grain, his ears flicking with satisfaction.

Upon entering the tavern, the rowdy scene I’d expected was nowhere to be found. Instead, a few small groups huddled together in various corners of the large open room, their voices low and warm, sharing pints and exchanging quiet laughter.

I approached the bar at the far end of the room, where Grace’s father, Mr. Fairfield, was wiping an empty glass with a cloth.

“What can I do for you, Sam?” he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.

“Do you have any rooms available?” I asked, my desire for rest swelling with every heartbeat, now that I was so close to securing lodging.

“I’m afraid not, we’re all booked up on account of the festival.” He looked at me sympathetically, his expression softening. “Did your father send you away?”

“Yes, sir” I said, doing my best to master my emotions. “You know how he is, once he’s made up his mind he doesn’t change it easily. I don’t want to speak ill of him, we just didn’t part on the best terms.”

Upon hearing my response, the older man poured me a pint of ale and slid it across the counter. He sighed, then spoke in a tired, age worn voice.

“As Grace probably told you Sam, I wasn’t happy with her either after she made her choice tonight. Not because I don’t want her to pursue what she loves, but for more selfish reasons, I just didn’t want my little girl to leave. But when I saw her dancing tonight, glowing like an angel, I realized I would be doing the world a disservice if I didn’t let her shine beyond the borders of our quiet little town.”

Emotions began to fill Mr. Fairfield’s voice which he quickly choked down before refocusing the conversation on my previous request.

“I’m sorry son, we don’t have any rooms, but you’re welcome to go to the stables and sleep there for the night. I’ll let the lad watching over the place know you’re coming. It ain’t a comfortable stay, but it’s a roof over yer head at the very least.”

Though I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be sleeping in a proper bed, I couldn’t help but smile, grateful for even this small kindness. I shook the man’s hand and reached for my coin pouch, only to be turned away by the tavern keeper’s firm shake of his head.

“You don’t owe me anything, son. Just get a good night’s rest if you can.” He looked at me fondly, his eyes crinkling with a trace of pride, and added, “And congratulations on choosing your path. Choices make a man, and I’m sure everything with your father will work out just fine, it just might take a little time.”

After finishing the ale, I stepped outside into the cool night air, the tavern’s warmth fading behind me.

I led Blue to the stables where we were greeted by an overworked youth who looked a few years younger than Seth, his face smudged with dirt and his eyes drooping with exhaustion.

“Give me a minute” the boy mumbled, then dashed back toward the tavern, his footsteps crunching on the gravel.

A moment later, he sprinted back, panting slightly, and took hold of Blue’s reins. He led us to the back of the stables, where he showed us a fairly roomy space that would normally have been set aside for larger mounts.

“It ain’t much, but if you need anything, just let me know” the youth said, as he yawned. “I’ll help you get that pack off the donkey before I head back out.”

After a few moments, Blue and I were finally free to settle in for the night. I knew we would only get a few hours of sleep, but it was far better than nothing at all.

Blue and I each made a nest within the hay and did our best to get comfortable despite the firm the ground beneath. I reached into the pack my mother prepared for me and pulled out a familiar woolen blanket that carried the faint smell of home. Moments later I drifted off to sleep.