His Uncle Tom.

"So this is where you got to, lad. I was getting worried."

Standing up, Jason stretched his cramped muscles and then bent down to collect his tools. "Sorry, Uncle Tom. I guess I lost track of time."

"I'll say you did, lad. It's dinner time already," Uncle Tom said, laying a calming hand on the neck of King, his stallion. "I'm amazed your stomach hasn't sent you scampering back to the house already."