Wolfsbane

I woke up with dad kissing my cheeks. I had no clue how I ended up in his arms, but I was glad to see him. I giggled in return.

"Richard, he was sleeping!", said mom, coming inside the bedroom.

"I wanted to see him so much! I spent the entire day with him, but I still can't get enough. How are you, my little boy?"

"At least, get changed to more comfortable clothes"

I could see in dad's eyes, that he was still worried about me after what happened at the choking event. He wanted to avoid leaving me by myself again. Mom seemed not to know what happened.

"The kids are taking a bath now, but I am planning to go back to the woods. I guess they'd never walked so much in their lives". Dad looked at mom with an evil smile. "We need to make sure they don't skip lunch to sleep"

"You are evil!", said mom, giving a gentle slap on his shoulders. "I saw you carrying Jonathan's on your back. I didn't think you would go so far away"

"The herbs don't like much sunlight, and I had to go deep in the forest". Dad sat on the bed with me in his arms and looked at mom. "I also wanted to talk to you privately". Mom nodded positively and closed the door behind her. "I've found some wild animals and small feybeasts, not a big problem though, but they are migrating farther away from the river. There were closer in the past few weeks. I think they know something is on the other side of the river, and they want to be as far as they can".

"We will have a chance to speak with Mrs. Hubson after lunch, but she said a man was attacked yesterday in the village, and no one could find any traces".

"We would need further information on that. Also, after lunch, I'll take the kids again to plant some herbs around our land"

"We can leave them sleeping. I'll go and help, Richard"

"You and me in the woods… It brings some memories."

"I can still handle a bow", said mom, giving a kind smile to dad. "I'll check on the children. Since we are going back to the woods, you should take a short rest".

"Yes, ma'am," said dad, bowing his head. I used this chance to grab dad's beard. He moved his head in my direction, avoiding me, not pulling too much. Mom laughed.

"I'll let you know when lunch is ready". Mom kissed dad and left.

Dad removed his boots and laid with me on the bed. He laid on his side and started staring at the window. I was near to his chest but still grabbed his beard. It wasn't bothering him anymore because he didn't seem to be present at the moment. His thoughts were taking him away. I slapped his face with my wet hands, bringing him back.

"Ew, baby drool on my face!". He tried to protect his face with the blanket. "Oh no! Somebody helps me!". He said with a funny voice. I giggled. "But I have a secret weapon". He grabbed me and put me in the air, facing him downward. "I have long arms to keep drooling babies away from me!". I kept giggling until a drop of my drool hit his face. "Argh! You are stronger than I thought", said, putting me on his side again. He cleaned his face and closed his eyes, defeated. His arm was on my back, working as a barrier to keep me closer and not wandering around. He touched his forehead with mine, and put our heads on the pillow. I had no other choice rather than facing him.

He looked tired and worried. His face had some stretches and sunburns, and some dark circles around his eyes. His deep green beard and hair were all messed up, as he hadn't taken care of himself for a long time. He preferred not to let mom know his feelings, but his eyebrows were knitted as he was trying hard to find a solution for something. I could guess his mind was storming with thoughts and worries. It might sound strange for a baby to do that, but I felt empathy for him. I wished I could help somehow. Therefore, I stayed quiet. His eyebrows went back to normal, and I noticed he slept because he snored a few times. I guess I slept too. Mom arrived with a soft voice, calling dad for lunch.

"I slept, and I didn't notice…", said dad, yawning. He looked at mom with a funny face. He put his boots on and grabbed me before standing up.

"You looked calm that I left you to oversleep. You were in good care. Henry was guarding you while you were sleeping", said mom, pitching my cheeks. "Such a great little boy!". Dad looked at me with a surprised expression, and mom continued. "I came here a few times, but he was quiet and fine. He seemed that he didn't want to wake you up".

"Really? That was a really nice nap. Thank you, buddy! I feel energized again". Dad tickled my belly.

"We have already eaten lunch. The fourth bell just rang, but I kept the food warm for you". Dad kissed mom as if he was thanking her. "Mrs. Hubson is about to leave, and she wanted to see you before that". Dad nodded and we went to the kitchen.

Alice was by Mrs. Hubson's side. She was holding a basket with some strange flowers. Dad gave a half-smile to Mrs. Hubson, who started talking right away.

"It's good to see you well-rested, Richard", said Mrs. Hubson, getting ready to leave.

"I have such a great companion to keep watching my back, that I ended up sleeping", said dad, looking at me.

"It's a busy day that I don't want to bother you too much. It was an interesting idea to fetch those herbs. It's been quite a long time since I saw them".

"Dad said they are a gift from the god of light to the goddess of darkness, and they are her favorites", added Alice with a big smile.

"That's true, my dear. They are not pretty now, but once the night comes, they will blossom to the moon", said Mrs. Hubson, gently patting Alice's hair. "The goddess protect those who keep the flowers near. We say wolfsbane are good to keep evil things away", she turned to dad as if she knew what he was going to do with them.

"Wolfsbane is rare but indeed a beautiful flower to keep around, but, please, handle it with care, it's also poisonous", said dad, looking at Alice. "Alice, give some to Mrs. Hubson. We have more than enough". Alice turned the basket to Mrs. Hubson, letting her take some with her.

"Oh, thank you. I'll plant those near the bridge to the village". She put the flowers in her basket and turned back to dad. "As we talked earlier, I'll send a message to Elbert. I hope to get an answer before spirtusday".

"Thank you, Mrs. Hubson. We look forward to hearing his answer, and please consider moving in with us for the time being. It's dangerous times, and we need to look after each other", said dad, inviting her to live with us. Mom grabbed his arm as a way to show support for his idea.

"Oh dear, thank you. I'll consider that. Once we have Elbert's answer, I'll come back here. For now, stay safe, my boy". She said putting her hat on. Mom walked her to the fence, and we saw Mrs. Hubson walking down the path to her house.

"Does she, for real, intend to die in her house?" Dad asked mom.

"She said she wants to live her last days, where she raised her children and lived with her late husband," said mom, coming back from the front fence.

"I hope she considers moving in with us. At least, she wouldn't be too far from there", said dad, coming inside.

"I was surprised, and you told me your idea yesterday to let her stay with us. You always wanted to keep her away, but now, you want her moving in…". Mom put a hand on her mouth and laughed. Dad gave her a troubled smile, and we went inside.

Alice did not seem sleepy at all. She helped mom set up the table with the leftovers for dad. He had a quick lunch and mom breastfed me. It didn't take much longer and both were heading out with the baskets. Dad had his quiver on his back, a bow in his hand, and on another, the basket with wolfsbane herbs. Alice was with me in her arms, and mom came closer to speak with her.

"We won't be too far, sweetheart", mom said, kissing her forehead. "I think you won't need to change, Henry, but if you do, you know how to do it, don't you?". Alice nodded, answering mom that she knew what to do. "We can put a wolfsbane on a vase later"

"Alright, we will let you in charge of the house", said dad. He gave her a salute. He made a fist with her right hand and hit her chest, and she did the same with confidence. "You have a whistle. Don't open the door of strangers, and don't leave the house, either. We won't be far. Please keep this on your neck". Dad kneeled on his left leg and looked her in her eyes. "This is a whistle. You can use it in case of emergency. I'll hear it and come as fast as I can". Alice's eyes from her were bright to see that little wooden thing made by dad. Dad helped her to put the whistle's string on her neck and kissed her forehead.

"See you later, mom and dad!", said Alice, waving them at the door.