Toby (Ferret)

Toby (Ferret)

---

Description

Toby was a small ferret with whiskers, a wet nose, and the capacity to make a variety of vocalizations including chittering, chirping, hissing, squawking, and purring. He was capable of fitting through the bars of a prison cell. He typically perched on Zaira's shoulder or in her hair, and was known to curl into a small ball when sleeping. He hissed when displeased and hid when frightened, often retreating beneath furniture or into concealed spaces. Around people other than Zaira, he was described as timid and skittish, though he displayed a particular loyalty and attentiveness to her. He appeared to possess a keen sense of smell and demonstrated an ability to sense the approach of guards, hiding under a cot before they arrived. He was also noted to have a fondness for the smell of horse dung. In The Blood of Giants, he was described as preferring meat over vegetables, having sniffed a dipping sauce but lost interest in a carrot.

In The Fight for Rislandia, Toby was described as having a short attention span and a tendency to veer off sniffing at any chance. He felt at home aboard the Liliana and followed Zaira around the ship and her apartment. He was described as uncanny, seeming to sense Zaira's moods. He required stern reminders to keep up with the group when moving through open terrain.

In The Iron Wedding, Toby was described as a "little, furry tyrant" who had already torn half of Zaira's clothes to shreds with his claws. He was noted to run circles around the couch, press against Zaira when sensing her depressed thoughts, and try to cling to her dress. He chirped and squeaked, and chirped in contentment. He was also noted to run from sudden loud sounds and scurry back into Zaira's bedroom.

Spoiler: The Crystal ConspiracyClick to reveal

---

History

Early Life and Life at the Farm

In For Steam and Country, Toby was established as Zaira's pet prior to the main events of the novel. He survived an earthquake by hiding beneath a fruit basket while eating a half-eaten apple. He was known to scurry up Zaira's pant leg, perch on her shoulder and in her hair, and lick her face. His chittering and chirping noises were noted to have frightened some children in Plainsroad Village.

When visitors arrived at Zaira's home, Toby was frightened and retreated to her room. He was welcomed at the Gentry family home, where Mrs. Gentry gave him carrot pieces. He scampered through the Gentrys' barn and paused at the horses, and was noted to enjoy the smell of horse dung, at one point rubbing horse manure into Zaira's coveralls. He also poked his nose between Zaira and James Gentry during a close moment between them, and hissed at an assailant who threw tomatoes. He climbed atop Zaira when she dropped to the ground in fear, and licked her face.

Separation and Recovery

When Zaira and James were forced to flee the Gentry farm on Lightning, Toby was left behind. Zaira was deeply distressed by his abandonment, and Captain von Cravat promised to send someone to look for him once circumstances allowed. Zaira stated she no longer had Toby after losing her farm, and expressed that she would not be surprised if someone told her Toby had invented the airships—a remark made in passing connection with airships generally.

Toby was subsequently found and recovered by a Liliana scouting party near Plainsroad Village. Upon being reunited with Zaira, he leapt from a crate onto her shoulders, nuzzled against her hair and neck, and gave a curious chirp.

Aboard the Liliana

Following his recovery, Toby spent time aboard the Liliana. He rummaged through the storeroom on the airship. During the enemy airship battle, he hid inside Zaira's jacket and later between decorative pillows on Baron von Monocle's bed, with only his snout sticking out and sniffing. He sniffed the body of a dead Wyranth soldier and slid across the floor and struck the wall when the Liliana was struck and tilted. He was also observed sleeping curled into a small ball on a decorative pillow, and scampering onto Zaira's chest to rub his wet nose against her face when she woke.

The Wyranth Mission

Prior to the rescue mission departing the Liliana, Toby stowed away in Zaira's pack without her having brought him intentionally. Talyen von Cravat had previously told Zaira not to bring him, noting his propensity for getting lost. During the march, Talyen ordered Zaira to release him in the foothills, but Zaira refused. Toby remained quiet throughout the march, as though understanding the gravity of the situation.

When Wyranth soldiers captured the group and brought them to the dungeon of Wyranth Castle, Zaira's pack—containing Toby—was tossed aside. Zaira did not reveal his presence to the soldiers, fearing they would kill him. Toby subsequently found his way into Zaira's dungeon cell, fitting through the cell bars. He licked her face to wake her and brought her Talyen's pen as though it were a present, apparently attracted by its shininess.

Zaira used Toby as a messenger, passing notes between cells by sending him back and forth among the imprisoned crew members. He had previously traveled between Zaira's cell and her father's cell on his own. He hid under the cot when guards approached, appearing to sense their arrival before they came. He also led Zaira to her father's cell by scent, and sniffed Baron von Monocle's hair from Zaira's shoulder.

Escape and Aftermath

During the escape from Wyranth Castle, Toby scampered away during sudden movement in the fighting. Zaira called him back with a click of her tongue. She moved him under her arm when entering a large chamber, and he squirmed from her arms and bolted back toward the last room during a firefight, though he was already in the entry room when James and Zaira retreated. He stayed near Zaira throughout. After the escape, he was observed sniffing Zaira's pistol by the campfire.

---

Role in The Blood of Giants

In The Blood of Giants, Toby continued to reside with Zaira, staying in her apartment when she was away. He was described as skittish and seeking attention, chirping, sniffing, licking, and scratching Zaira. He curled up with her at night and perched on her shoulder.

When Ivan, the Iron Emperor visited Zaira's apartment, Toby hid rather than greeting her at the door, peeking his nose into the room from the bedroom before scampering back when Zaira and Ivan began talking. After the Iron Emperor departed, Toby scampered onto Zaira's lap. When Zaira left fresh food and water for him and went to the palace, he was left behind in her apartment.

Aboard the airship during the events of the novel, Toby was frightened by a communications funnel call and hid under pillows. He ran in circles in the mess until he smelled food, and sniffed a dipping sauce but lost interest in a carrot, demonstrating his preference for meat. He stayed faithfully by Zaira's side on deck. He squawked at James Gentry and Ethan von Lantern during sparring. He slept in Zaira's bed during the day, and Zaira shut the cabin door carefully to prevent him from escaping. He played in the ash that fell on the deck after an eruption.

During a boarding battle against the Nightmen, Toby escaped from the Baron's quarters and scampered across the deck. He leaped from the deck below—apparently having had a running start—to attack a Nightman who was about to strike Zaira. He clawed at the Nightman's face, causing dark blood to trickle down his cheeks, and distracted the Nightman long enough for James Gentry to deliver a killing blow. He squawked in protest when shaken off. He also hopped into Baron von Monocle's arms, followed the Baron onto the bridge, and dug his claws into the Baron's pants, breaking skin. After the fight, he ran in crazed circles.

When Zaira was on a mission away from the ship, she worried about Toby being lonely and hoped others were feeding and caring for him. She believed Harkerpal would check on him. During her recovery from injury, Toby remained with her, described as warm and cuddly; he did not squirm around too much and chirped when she spoke to him, though he scampered away into the closet when Harkerpal arrived. Zaira thought of him during battle and planned to give him the best scraps from the crew's dinners.

Upon Zaira's return to her room on one occasion, Toby rushed out from under the bed, scampered to her ankles, sniffed her, and burrowed under her skirt. He squawked when squeezed. Zaira's observation that Ethan von Lantern's eyes brightened like Toby's when she came home from a mission was used as a point of comparison for Ethan's reaction to her return.

---

Role in The Fight for Rislandia

In The Fight for Rislandia, Toby continued to accompany Zaira aboard the Liliana, where he felt at home and followed her around the ship and her apartment. He was described as a small animal companion and referred to as a "little critter." He had a short attention span and would veer off sniffing at any opportunity, requiring stern reminders to keep up with the group when moving through open terrain.

Toby was carried off the ship by Marina du Willet on at least one occasion. His little feet pedaled in the air while held under her arm, and he leapt from her grip before being placed on the ground, scampering toward Zaira and climbing up her skirts like a tree to perch on her shoulder, where he rubbed his wet nose against her cheek.

During periods of fighting, Toby was locked in Zaira's cabin aboard the airship. Zaira worried about him during a descent and hoped the crew would remember to feed him, reflecting on how he must have been worried, cooped up in her cabin. He had a noted habit of escaping during battle. When Zaira returned to her room, Toby skittered out from beneath her bed, leapt onto her stomach, dug his claws into her blouse, curled into a ball on her, and fell asleep. When she woke, he was tilted off and squawked in protest. Zaira squeezed him tightly and laughed when he tried to wiggle free.

Toby was also described as uncanny, seeming to sense Zaira's moods. He peeked his head out from under Zaira's bed out of curiosity when there was a knock at the door. He chirped in response to Zaira talking to him, hopped onto her stomach when she lay on her bed, nuzzled her playfully, gnawed on her fingers, and crawled onto her chest to sniff at her chin. He also skittered onto Zaira's lap as she dressed.

Following a crash, Toby survived and was subsequently in the care of Rhys, who took him to Cliffside Castle to recover.

---

Role in The Iron Wedding

In The Iron Wedding, Toby remained with Zaira and was described as a "little, furry tyrant" who had already torn half of her clothes to shreds with his claws. He ran circles around the couch, pressed against Zaira when sensing her depressed thoughts, and tried to cling to her dress. He chirped and squeaked, and chirped in contentment when settled.

When Zaira slapped Ivan, the Iron Emperor, Toby ran from the sound, scurrying back into Zaira's bedroom. He subsequently shuffled back from the bedroom when Ivan shut the door, and came sniffing around Zaira's ankles.

Zaira ultimately decided not to bring Toby with her to the Wyranth Empire. He was given to Talyen von Cravat to care for, with the intention that he would serve as a pet for Lilly von Monocle. During this period, Toby stayed in the palace. The palace servants did not like him, but Lilly took to him, and Talyen grew fond of him as well.

---

---

Relationships

Zaira von Monocle

Baron Theodore von Monocle

In The Blood of Giants, Toby escaped from the Baron's quarters during the boarding battle, hopped into the Baron's arms, followed him onto the bridge, and dug his claws into the Baron's pants, breaking skin. The text of The Blood of Giants also refers to Toby as "the Baron's pet ferret" in addition to Zaira's pet ferret.

James Gentry

Toby was left in James Gentry's care when Zaira first departed for Loveridge. He was noted to squawk at James on at least one occasion and intruded on a close moment between James and Zaira. In The Blood of Giants, he squawked at James during sparring, and James delivered the killing blow to the Nightman Toby had distracted.

Talyen von Cravat

Lilly von Monocle

In The Iron Wedding, Toby was given to Talyen von Cravat in part to serve as a pet for Lilly von Monocle. Lilly took to him.

Marina du Willet

In The Fight for Rislandia, Marina du Willet carried Toby off the ship on at least one occasion. Toby's feet pedaled in the air while held under her arm, and he leapt from her grip before being set down, scampering back to Zaira.

Rhys

In The Fight for Rislandia, following a crash, Toby was in the care of Rhys, who took him to Cliffside Castle to recover.

Ethan von Lantern

In The Blood of Giants, Toby squawked at Ethan von Lantern during sparring. Zaira used Toby's brightening eyes upon her return as a comparison for Ethan's reaction to seeing her.

Mrs. Gentry

Mrs. Gentry welcomed Toby at the Gentry home and gave him carrot pieces.

Harkerpal

In The Blood of Giants, Zaira believed Harkerpal would check on Toby during her absences. Toby scampered away into the closet when Harkerpal arrived during Zaira's recovery.

Ivan, the Iron Emperor

In The Blood of Giants, Toby hid from Ivan, the Iron Emperor during his visit to Zaira's apartment, peeking his nose into the room before retreating. He scampered onto Zaira's lap after the Emperor left. In The Iron Wedding, Toby ran from the sound of Zaira slapping Ivan, scurrying back into the bedroom, before later returning to sniff around Zaira's ankles after Ivan shut the door.

---

Notable Abilities and Behaviors

• Could fit through prison cell bars
• Demonstrated an apparent ability to sense the approach of guards
• Led Zaira to her father's cell by scent
• Carried notes between cells as a messenger
• Stowed away in Zaira's pack undetected
• Remained quiet during a covert march as though aware of the need for silence
• Attracted to shiny objects, as evidenced by retrieving Talyen's pen
• In The Blood of Giants, leaped from a lower deck to attack a Nightman threatening Zaira, clawing at his face and distracting him long enough for James Gentry to deliver a killing blow
• Preferred meat over vegetables
• Described as uncanny in his apparent ability to sense Zaira's moods
• Had a short attention span and a tendency to veer off sniffing at any opportunity
• Had a noted habit of escaping during battle
• Tore clothes with his claws
• Survived a crash and was taken to Cliffside Castle to recover