An eerie silence filled the room as Joseph Tutt waited for the news alone. The last nine months went like a blur for him that now led to this very moment.

“Nurse, how is she,” Exclaimed Joseph. He had chewed the fingernails off both his hands.

“She is coping sir” Said the nurse. “I am proud to inform you that you have a baby boy”.

Tears of joy filled Joseph’s eyes. His little bundle of happiness has finally arrived after many hours of nervous waiting.

“Can I….,” Joseph began.

The nurse finished his sentence for him. “Go for it.”

A smile spread across his face as he gently pushed open the door to find his wife fast asleep with the baby in her arms. She did not wake even when Joseph lifted the baby out of her arms and sat on the chair next to the bed. He could see it in the eyes of his son that he would do great things. It was a strange feeling, much like a sign from another realm connecting with him telling him that this child was not ordinary.

“I know what I will call you.” Joseph whispered. “Niclov…Nic Tutt.”

Nic looked up at his father not understanding a word from his mouth before his eyelids grew heavy and he entered his dream zone.

***

A golden carriage limbered up with pristine white horses that were dressed in magnificent headdresses rolled up the small hill in the direction of the home of the Tutt family. The wooden wheels constantly hit the deep potholes that littered the road. At first glance a bystander could easily mistake this carriage as royalty but then again, no royalty would ever enter the low-life areas hours outside the capital of Ranvar.

Joseph Tutt was no ordinary bystander. The small dust storm kicked up by the carriage caught his attention instantly. It’s not every day that a carriage pulls up to your front door. The thing that caught his eye was not the wealth displayed but rather the crest on the carriage door. This crest belonged to the family of the Delcroix’s. Joseph has fought under Delcroix for over a decade but now his days of fighting were over.

Three hard knocks echoed through the hallway. Joseph Tutt made his way to the door to find a silhouette of a tall man wearing a suite through the side tinted glass.

“Mr Delcroix?” Joseph was taken aback by the clear importance of the message as it is very rare for Mr. Delcroix to turn up with the message himself.

“Mr. Tutt I have a very urgent letter for you. Can I come in?”

“Sure.” Joseph answered still startled by the surprise visit.

The shoes of Mr. Delcroix echoed off the wooden floorboards as they both made their way to the table.

“Everything in this letter is to be kept a complete secret. The whole fate of Ranvar rests on this not getting into the open.”

“I completely understand.” Joseph exclaimed nervously as his palms begin to sweat.

Mr. Delcroix placed the envelope containing the letter on the table before making his way back to the front door.

“Ranvar needs you Mr. Tutt.”

“I…I’m retired” exclaimed Joseph.

Mr. Delcroix stopped in his tracks. He lowered his voice as he sees Nic in the cot at the side of the room.

“The boy has your eyes.” He says. I am sure you would want him to live life in the best way possible.”

“Look, if you come out retirement just this once ill make sure you are paid handsomely. You can start a whole new life, you and your boy.”

“I also may have a potential job offer for your wife to work as a maid. The possibility to set your family up for the rest of your life is here. The choice is yours Mr. Tutt.”

“I’ll… think about it.” Joseph mutters. “But if I decide to, this will definitely be the last time I step foot in the barracks.”

Mr. Delcriox makes his way back to the front door.

“Everything is in the letter.” He says as he opens the door to his carriage.

Joseph Tutt picks up the envelope and breaks the ceil. Walking over to Nic, Joseph decides to give the decision a bit of time to think.

“Joseph. Was there someone here?” Mary, Joseph’s wife asks as she enters the kitchen.

“Why do you ask?” Joseph replies.

“Well, he left dirt stains on the carpet.”

“Mary…I have something to tell you.”