Tom Bailey

Tom Bailey, born Thomas Bailey, is one of the main characters in the Blackthorn Key book series. He is an excellent swordsman and best friend to Christopher Rowe, and Sally Deschamps. Tom's family owns a local bakery. He is currently 14 years old.

## Tom (Thomas) Bailey

### Relatives

William Bailey (Father)Molly Bailey (Sister)

Cecily Bailey (Sister)

Isabel Bailey (Sister)

Emma Bailey (Sister)

Catherine Bailey (Sister)

## Early Life

### Apprenticeship

As a baker's son, Tom was automatically given an apprenticeship by his father. During this time his father hit him often, as masters often do.

### Meeting Christopher

Tom was first introduced to Christopher when the latter accidentally catapulted him with a rotten pomegranate fruit, while he was playing with Molly. After advising Christopher on the best tree to use as a catapult, they went to the cemetery to build a new one of yew, and they quickly became fast friends.

## Blackthorn Key series

Tom is shown to be extremely kind, giving bread to delusional Dr. Parrett for free when he can so that the doctor has enough food to survive. He also uses a rolling pin as a weapon. It is, according to him, the only weapon he knows how to use.

In the Assassin's Curse, he learns how to use a sword. Later in the book, he receives a new sword from the templars, named Eternity. When he spins the sword, she sings a single note, loud and clear.

Tom used Eternity's "song" to scare off wild dogs in Call of the Wraith. Eternity has a moonstone in it, and it made Katrijn/Katherine/Moppet trust Tom in Call of the Wraith, earning him the name ‘Maanman’, which when translated, means "Moon Man".

## Personality

Tom is very kind and loyal to his friends and country. In *The Raven’s Revenge*, he was willing to sacrifice himself so Christopher could live. However, sometimes he can have a temper, such as when he got angry at Christopher in *The Assassin's Curse*. Despite his large size, he can be shy and scared, however, throughout the series his confidence and bravery has grown significantly.

He is quite easily exasperated, especially by Christopher's various 'schemes.' Although he gets annoyed, he is also trusting and (most of the time) helps Christopher with whatever he may need.

## Appearance

Tom is often referred to as a 'giant' due to his extremely tall height, at least six feet. He has long hair, which Christopher comments on, thinking it makes him look like a Viking. While initially a little pudgy due to consuming much of his family bakery's goods, he has since exercised off the extra fat when he started practising swordplay.

## Relationships

### Christopher

Tom is best friends with Christopher, and have been for 3 years. They are as thick as thieves and would never leave each other voluntarily, such as when Christopher refused to leave Tom with the pirates in *Call of the Wraith*, or how Tom supported his best friend in *The Blackthorn Key* even when he was accused of the murder of several apothecaries.

### Sally

Tom is also friends with Sally Deschamps, after bonding in *Mark of the Plague*. When Christopher was shipwrecked in *Call of the Wraith*, the two worked hard together to find their lost friend. Despite having only known each other for a few months, they are good friends.

### Family

#### Father

William Bailey has a very tense relationship with his son. In addition to being a cruel person in general, he didn't hesitate to hit Tom, as was common in those days. Tom has a more healthy relationship with his mother, who was upset when she believed he had the plague. Tom also loves his little sisters very much, and is quite protective of them.

## Quotes

“You know what I want? I want to be a baker. I want to buy a house next to Christopher, and build a big kitchen, and have my own shop in the front, where I can smile at all the customers who come in. I want to get married. I want to find a nice girl and have a big family. I want ten children. And Christopher could marry Sally and have children of their own. And of course my kids will have to look after his, because you know with those two, anyone they create will be an absolute disaster. So I’ll teach my sons to watch over them, and I’ll pray every night that they get to have even a small part of what we’ve shared. And we’ll grow old together, and we’ll die together, surrounded by people who love us, in friendship and peace. That’s what I want.”

“I feel so sad for you. You had Master Benedict. And you could have had Christopher- could have had all of us- on your side forever. Instead, you threw it away.”