tonight. We'll start tomorrow. Come."
He led Tobia down a dark stairway. Tobia heard the large stone door screech shut behind them. He jumped and clung to his master's cloak. Runihura chuckled. I moved the stone, Tobia. Relax, we are home.
Tobia stepped into a large circular room. The walls, floors, and ceiling were all made of thick gray stones. Gray like your eyes, Tobia. In the center of the room two man sized crates rested. They were made of wood with intricate carvings on the lids, and shellacked to a high glossy finish. The lids slid open to reveal a silver, satin lining in one, and merely plain bare wood in the other. Tobia recognized the second crate. This was the crate he had been locked within for so long.
"No," he screamed. "No, you can't put me back in there. No!"
"Tobia, my child. This is your home, your bed. You can make it all you want, but you must seek protection here."
"No."
"The sun will creep in and destroy you. Now go." Runihura shoved Tobia toward the box.
"No!" Tobia screamed.
The master wrestled Tobia into his arms and tried again to push him into the box, but Tobia was not going into that box. He slipped away from Runihura and began running toward the stairs that led outside. Runihura caught him and spun him around. "Get in the box, Tobia. You swore your loyalty to me. Now obey."
Tobia dropped to his knees and reached up pulling on his master's trousers and cloak. Tears welled up in his eyes, "Please, I beg you. Don't put me back in there. Father, please."
Runihura pulled Tobia up into his arms and showered his face with kisses. No, my love. You don't have to go alone. You will come and sleep with me. You will be safe in my arms.
Tobia could hear his own heart pounding rapidly against the slow, meticulous beat of his master's. He took a deep breath and buried his face against his master's chest. He felt hot wet kisses on the top of his head and in a moment his heartbeat synchronized with his master's. A soft voice echoed in his head as he drifted off into sleep. Tobia, my gray eyed one. My precious love with lonely eyes. You will never be alone again, passionate one.
Making Tobia Page 3