01 Hope in the Dark

 A figure leaned against a sturdy wooden fence post looking out at the green pastures and clear blue skies. He took his wide hat off and fanned himself against the warmth of the mid day. Rough hands rested on the small tree trunk that he used as a post, for the new fence he had just built. Worry wrinkled his face as he stared out into the forest that seemed to loom closer with each year. He would have to take his ax to the trees again just to keep the shadows back. That alone wouldn't have worried him, but seeing this section of fence broken and one of his sheep slaughtered this morning reminded him of why there weren't a lot of people living this close to the forest.

Behind him, he heard faint footsteps. He turned then waved his hat at the young boy in similar earth toned clothing as his running towards him with a plow. He replaced the worn hat on his head and bent to pick his tools up in time to see his boy panting with hands on knees and plow against his lean form.

"Good," the man's gruff voice greeted, resting his hand in the boy's head and mussing close cropped autumn hair before taking the plow.

"Thank you father," the lad beamed taking the wooden tool box from the man.

The man walked toward the plot nearby, seeing the filed of wheat it would become after days of hard work. For a brief moment, his family and his craft chased his fears away. Then the moment was over and his eyes strayed back to the death that waited for the sun to flee. Worry again creased his brow as his desire to stay in a land of his own warred with his instincts screaming at him to run.

"Father," was the soft inquiry of his son breaking the hopeless tumble of his thoughts.

"Let's go plow the fields." he said forcing smile on his face, completing the illusion by placing his arm across his boy's shoulders. "We need to work harder this year." he started then looked at sky blue of his son's eyes.

"For my brother." the boy said, not a question, but a statement.

"Yes," the man said smile warming as he halted and looked deeper into the wisdom in his child's eyes. "Or sister. The gods have yet to decide."

"Possibly, but a brother can help with my chores." he said hopeful.

"Have I driven you that hard boy?" the man smirked.

The boy's cheeks reddened at the selfish thoughts he just voiced. "And a girl can help mother," he conceded.

The man chuckled mussing his child's hair as they continued, child giggling at the show of affection.

Both work hard that day, determination and the possibilities that tomorrow may bring keeping his thoughts from the unknown dangers that night may bring.