Ragnarök, Eternal Tragedy.
Chapter 53: A nature of some sort

Chapter 53: A nature of some sort

The quiet tension in the room is broken by a soft knock on the door. Tobias stiffens, his hand instinctively moving to his revolver. The boy glances nervously at him, his small frame trembling under the weight of the situation.

"Answer it," Tobias whispers, his voice low but commanding. "And remember—keep it calm."

The boy nods quickly, swallowing hard as he steps toward the door. He cracks it open just enough to see who’s on the other side. His mother’s voice filters through, warm but tinged with concern.

"Dinner’s ready," she says gently. "Come down soon, alright? And don’t forget to close your window. There’s a man being searched for in the village, and I don’t want to take any chances."

The boy hesitates, glancing back at Tobias, who gives him a subtle nod. Turning back to the door, the boy replies, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. "I’ll come down when I’m done, Mom. I... I’m not dressed yet."

His mother chuckles softly. "Alright, but don’t take too long. And close that window, okay?"

"Okay," the boy says quickly, shutting the door before she can say anything more. He turns back to Tobias, his breathing shallow.

Tobias exhales slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Good job, kid," he mutters, leaning back in his chair. "You’re smarter than you look."

The boy doesn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the floor. Tobias takes another puff from his pipe, the smoke curling lazily in the dim light. He glances toward the window, the faint sounds of the search party still audible in the distance.

"Guess I’d better take her advice," Tobias says, standing up with a wince. He moves to the window, peering out cautiously before pulling it shut. The room feels even smaller now, the air thick with unease.

He turns back to the boy, his expression softening just slightly. "Don’t worry, kid. I’ll be outta here soon enough. Just need a little more time to figure my next move."

The boy nods silently, his small hands gripping the edge of his bed. Tobias sits back down, his sharp eyes scanning the room as he plans his next steps. Outside, the search continues, the voices of the guards growing louder as they draw closer.

Tobias adjusts his hat and exhales, the faint scent of tobacco lingering in the air. He looks at the boy, who remains frozen near the bed, his wide eyes betraying his fear. With a faint nod, Tobias leans against the doorframe, his voice calm yet firm.

"Kid," Tobias begins, his tone softer than before, "you’ve been a help to me—a good help. I appreciate that." He steps closer, his sharp eyes locking onto the boy. "But I need you to understand somethin’. If I hear even the faintest whisper that the searchers know about me, I’ll know it came from you. And when that happens, reckon I won’t be so kind. You understand?"

The boy nods rapidly, his throat tightening as he tries to speak. "I—yes. I promise I won’t say anything."

Tobias’s expression softens, and he places a firm hand on the boy’s shoulder. "Good. You seem like a smart kid. Got a kind heart, too—it shows in the way you handled all this without so much as a complaint. But let me give you some advice, and I mean it with all sincerity." He pauses, puffing lightly on his pipe before continuing.

"This village—it ain’t made for folks like you. Kind hearts don’t last long in places like this. You need to be a man of God, kid. It suits your nature. And believe me, you’ll need that strength to carry you through, long after I’m gone."

The boy swallows hard, his lips trembling as he nods slowly. "I’ll—I’ll do my best," he whispers, the weight of Tobias’s words settling deep into his chest.

Satisfied, Tobias steps back toward the window he had closed earlier. He peers out carefully before pulling the curtain aside just enough to catch a glimpse of the torchlight flickering outside. The search was closing in, and time was running out.

Wincing slightly from the pain in his side, Tobias straightens up, adjusting his revolver in its holster. He casts one last glance at the boy. "You stay quiet, kid. And maybe next time, keep the window shut like your mom said. Reckon it’ll keep you safer."

Without another word, Tobias unlocks the door and slips into the night, his footsteps soft yet purposeful. Though his body protests with every movement, he focuses on his mission, ignoring the gnawing ache of his injury. The shadows of the village swallow him as he disappears into the cold, moonlit streets.

Tobias crouched in the shadows of the castle’s outer walls, his sharp eyes scanning the patrol patterns of the guards. The cold stone pressed against his back as he calculated his moves. The pain in his side was a nagging reminder of his injuries, but he pushed it aside, focusing only on his objective.

"Alright," Tobias muttered to himself, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Let’s see how rusty I really am."

The cowboy moved silently, weaving through the dimly lit pathways that led deeper into the castle grounds. He kept low, using the shadows to his advantage, his revolver always within reach. The guards stationed near the gates were attentive but predictable, and Tobias easily found a gap in their vigilance.

Sliding through an unguarded archway, he ducked into the cover of a narrow corridor. His breath came in steady, practiced rhythms as he pressed onward. The faint murmur of voices caught his attention, and he froze, straining to hear.

Two guards stood a few paces ahead, their conversation drifting through the still air.

"I’ll tell you what," one guard said with a chuckle, "locking up those boys might’ve been the smartest thing we’ve done all day. Keeps the situation contained, y’know?"

The other guard snorted. "Yeah, especially after everything that’s gone down in the village. Having them inside the castle makes it easier to keep things under control. Wouldn’t be surprised if the king deals with them soon."

Tobias’s brow furrowed as he listened, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. So the boys were inside the castle, locked up in the prison. That narrowed things down. He waited until the guards moved on, their voices fading into the distance, before slipping out from his hiding spot.

"Thanks for the tip, boys," Tobias murmured, a faint smirk crossing his face.

Navigating the labyrinthine corridors, Tobias kept his movements deliberate, his senses sharp. The occasional glances from passing guards were easily deflected as he blended into the shadows. His instincts eventually led him to a part of the castle that exuded the heavy air of confinement—iron bars, reinforced doors, and the unmistakable chill of captivity.

Two guards stood stationed outside what could only be the prison entrance. Their stances were rigid, their eyes scanning the corridor with practiced precision. Tobias lingered in the shadows, studying them carefully. His hand hovered over his revolver, his mind weighing the options.

Shooting them would be the easiest solution—at least, it would’ve been if he were at full strength. But the pain in his side and the risk of drawing attention made him hesitate. A gunshot, even a single one, would echo through the castle like a thunderclap, bringing every guard running to his location.

For a moment, Tobias’s grip tightened on the weapon. Then, with a quiet sigh, he released it, stepping back further into the shadows. This wasn’t the time for recklessness. His priority was getting to the boys and completing the mission.

"Reckon I’ll have to get creative," Tobias muttered under his breath, his mind already spinning with potential alternatives.

He stayed hidden, observing the guards and their patterns. Tobias’s sharp mind began piecing together a plan, one that would keep him quiet, swift, and deadly efficient.