I curse whatever madness got him to try and help a castle raid with such meagre equipment. I walk up to them, still dressed in my guard’s uniform, and ask them just what the hell they think they're doing.
The werewolf is the first to act, leaping at me with expected ferocity. I duck under the attack, leaving her to sprawl across the ground behind me, continuing my path towards the main group. The damphir and other boy raise their weapons, but my son recognises me.
"Dad? What are you doing?" I give him a hard look and ask what made him think he could be of any help inside a castle with such equipment. "W-what?" He's surprised, and I sigh, removing my helmet. If he thinks he's going to do anything but get in the way, he's going to be in a lot of trouble once the vampire finds out they're inside. Speaking of which, I look at the damphir. Does her mother know what she's about to do?
"If she did, do you think I'd be sitting here?" Sighing again, I ask them just what the plan is, and where my son comes into it.
"She took my brother, and we're getting him back." The other boy said, and I looked sceptically to the damphir. I take it she's the one in charge here?
"I'm the one who came up with a plan, yes." She takes out a roll of parchment and lays it on the ground, it looks to be a map of the castle, with scribbles drawn over it for some reason or another. "My plan is to use the servant’s entrance, they're used to seeing me going through there, occasionally with friends. From there, there are several hidden passages that will take us through the castle to the 'guest' rooms. That's where Shaun's brother is." I nodded, asking where my son came into the picture.
"I... don't know if I should tell you sir..." I give her a glare, and she looks at my son, who sighs and hangs his head.
"I can pick locks dad. And I can do it well..." He WHAT? There's an immediate defensive action from his friends.
"He's never used it to break into anywhere... well, okay, maybe the teacher’s desk once or twice, but never anything serious." The werewolf says. Where did he even learn something like that?
"I, uh, I promised I wouldn't tell you." It was his mother, wasn't it? His head drops even lower, and I curse under my breath, reminding myself to have a chat with my retired wife when this was over. I asked if they needed anything they didn't already have, getting a surprised look from Shaun and the werewolf.
"You mean, you’re not going to tell us to stop?" I laugh, are they kidding me? The vampire hires her own personal guard, and hates having us anywhere near the place. If they want to show those hired hands up, who am I stop them? They all share a grin, and I warn them to please be careful. They give me a nod, though mainly I'm looking at the damphir and my son.
Resuming my walk home, I step into the door and give my wife another hard look.
"What?" She says, a cheshire grin on her face. I think she knows what. "Oh come on, he was just curious. You know I can't resist when he gives me those eyes." As if to prove a point she then gave me the same begging eyes. I smile and drop my head. I remember the first time she used those eyes on me, when I was dragging her away from a bar fight. She ran straight back to the bar after I let her go. She laughs at the memory.
"Yep, I was a real handful, huh?" What does she mean was? This gets me a whine and a soft punch to the shoulder. I let slip that her lessons re being put to use right now. "What? Oh, please don't tell me you caught him breaking into someone's house, because if he was, so help me..." I ask if a castle count’s as a house.
"He's what?!" She asks, eyes wide. I explain what I saw, and what I was told. She sits down, looking somewhat bewildered.
"Huh, well, I didn't expect that..." I laugh and mention that he is her son. She looks up at me, smiling softly. "Yeah. He most certainly is." Then she gives me a coy look. "So... it's just the two of us then? Alone for the night?" I chuckle. Yes, I suppose it is. She then gets up and drops herself into my arms.
"Oh, brave guardian, would you ease a woman's pains for just a night? I would be most grateful of you in the morn." I can't help but laugh at the re-enactment of that first night, once I'd actually managed to drag her away from the bar. Unlike that night, however, her pains were of a very different sort.
The next morning I was woken by a thundering knock at our door. Getting dressed the visitor didn't once stop knocking. When I opened the door I was faced with one of the castle guards.
"We have reason to believe your son was involved in a burglary on our lady's estate last night." He says. "We would like to have him questioned." I put on my usual stern face. What exactly does he mean by 'questioned'?
"I assure you, there will be no harm, physical or mental." As much as I'd (not) like to help him, my son didn't come home last night. At least I hope he didn't. "Very well. Thank you for your assistance." He then left without another word.
"Well, looks like he really is my son." I hear my wife chuckle behind me. Yep, already getting in trouble with guards. "At least when I got in trouble I got something good for my efforts." She wraps her arms around my back and gives me a kiss.
While I'm on duty a boy gives me a note, saying I should read it immediately. I do as he said, and find out it's from my son.
'Dear dad.
We managed to get our friend out of trouble, but got into a little of our own. We're going for a camping trip, the five of us. We should be back in a week or so.
From James.'
I smiled at the little note. Boy was definitely his mother’s son.