Liam reached the final village, Marbon, before the Salatia-Glessic border. He had tried to cross the border at a different spot each time so he would not have a recognizable pattern of travel. This was his first time going through Marbon, a small fishing village with a little farmland. The main part of town was a single road with shops lining it. It seemed a metropolis compared to some of the other villages he’d been through.
Tempting as it was to stop, Liam ignored his growling stomach when he smelled the bread coming from the bakery at the end of the street. He would fish for his dinner tonight, not stop at any stores. It didn’t take long to walk around the main part of the village and into the farmland not far outside the village limits.
He passed a worn house on his way to the river, noting a few shingles missing from the roof. His hands itched to fix them as he would have when he had lived with his parents, but it was not his home and not his business. Liam needed to go to the river, catch his dinner, and move on. The village was separated from Salatia only by the Frasisca River, and Salatia was his next destination. Some of the smaller farming villages in their neighboring country were much more welcoming to farm hands, even if they were from Anatalia, than the larger towns. He’d been to a few of those already and quite enjoyed their relaxed atmosphere. They always reminded him of his father on the vineyard.
Liam stopped at a branch of the river for easier fishing. The water gurgled lazily compared to the rushing waters of the wide Frasisca River that cut through almost the entire continent. He found an empty dock and went to the end before getting out his twine and hooks. He’d set a few hooks to the pilings so that he could relax. Once they were set, Liam lounged back on his elbows and breathed in the fresh air the river brought.
It wasn’t long before Liam was lost in his own thoughts. He longed to be able to settle and live his days in peace, if only he weren’t wanted by the crown. If only he could find the evidence he knew was out there to clear his name. If only this, if only that—he’d had many thoughts that started out that way, but in reality, he was the only one preventing himself from having those “if only”s. He could easily find a town where no one would care who he was in Glessic or Salatia, where Anatalian soldiers weren’t welcomed, and spend the rest of his days there, but he couldn’t seem to stay away from Anatalia. He didn’t understand it. He should want to stay away, but she called to him whenever he was out of her borders, and he could not help but return. Even if he had to hide his face and live as a beggar, he could not stay away.
“Philip?”
Liam jolted, his foot dipping into the river. He grimaced and looked behind him where the voice sounded. An older gentleman with gray hair around his temples stood at the end of the dock, clutching a fishing pole with white-knuckled fists.
“I’m sorry, I’ll leave.” Liam pulled his empty lines from the water.
The man shook his head as he moved closer to Liam. “You can stay. It’s not my dock to tell you to get off.”
Liam settled back down and took off his boot to dump the water and let it dry out.
“Any luck?”
“Nothing yet,” Liam said. “I haven’t been here long, though.”
The man’s mouth pursed. “The river’s higher than usual, and the current looks stronger. I don’t think you’ll get much today.”
“I’ll give it a while longer. I’m tired of squirrel and berries.” Liam placed new bait on his hooks. The little bastards had snuck up and taken the food without having the decency to get caught. At least one of them was going to get to eat, and it better be him.
After a long pause, the man said, “Why don’t you take supper with us tonight? My wife would like to see you…you look so much like our son Philip when he was your age.”
Liam hesitated. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“I won’t take no for an answer.” He held out his hand. “Aram Gollack.”
Looking around for anyone near them, Liam shook his hand. “Liam.”
“Do you have a family name, son?”
He took in a deep breath and swallowed hard. He didn’t want to lie to the man and have him end up like the other villager. “Fulton. I’m Liam Fulton.”
Aram shook his head. “I’ve not heard the name. Have you been in the area long?”
Liam almost laughed—someone hadn’t heard of him! He was the most wanted man in the whole country, and this small little village had no idea. And if Aram had no idea, that meant soldiers didn’t come frequently to Marbon. Liam’s shoulders relaxed a bit, and a small smile formed. He could afford to stay for a dinner. “I’m just passing through.”
Silence passed between them for a while, the river bubbling on.
“You look like you haven’t had a good meal in a while,” Aram said finally. “You’ll enjoy my Beth’s cooking”—he patted his larger middle—“she feeds me like a king.”
Liam smiled. “You’re a lucky man.”
“Indeed I am, son. Indeed I am.”
It was nice to be called son again. Liam closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment while it lasted. By the time they were done at the river, they had only four fish between them. It didn’t matter much; it would be enough. They were decent in size.
“Come along then,” Aram said as he walked away. “Beth’ll be pleased with the haul.”
Liam looked around again and saw no one. He’d barely even seen villagers when he passed through. Had they been ravaged by the war and not recovered? As they walked, they came close to the home, and Liam noticed it was the one with missing shingles. If these people were already suffering on their own, Liam couldn’t let them welcome him into their home without giving them the full story.
“Aram, wait.” Liam stopped on the front porch.
Aram turned, his brows furrowed. “What is it?”
“I don’t think I should go in,” Liam said. He didn’t know why he had let himself get carried away. He shouldn’t have accepted the offer in the first place. He’d gotten someone killed over some bread in the last place he had talked to someone—even if the soldiers didn’t come often, he shouldn’t risk their lives.
“Nonsense!” Aram harrumphed, pulling him inside. “You’re welcome in our home.”
“Aram, I—”
“Who do we…” The woman speaking trailed off, her eyes wide. “Aram?”
Aram went to her side, kissing the top of her head. It was easy for him; she only came to his shoulder. “I found him by the river, Beth. Meet Liam.” He motioned to Liam, then back to his wife. “Liam, may I introduce my wife, Elizabeth?”
Liam looked between the two before slowly saying, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth looked expectantly toward Aram, her brows rising.
“I invited him to stay for dinner,” Aram said. “He looks as if he hadn’t had a proper meal for weeks.”
“About that—”
“He does look thin.” She looked him over, turning her head this way and that.
“I don’t know—”
“Go on and wash up,” Elizabeth said as she grabbed the fish from Aram.
Liam looked between the two. He had to tell them before they bowled over him the entire night. They seemed nice enough, if a little chatty. “I—”
“Do you—”
“I’m wanted by the crown!” Liam’s cheek’s colored when they fell silent and stared at him.
“What?” Aram turned to him, confusion coloring his face.
“I’ve been trying to tell you,” Liam said shyly, “but I couldn’t get a word in.”
“What’s your crime?” Elizabeth asked.
“Treason and—”
“And?” Aram demanded.
In a small voice, Liam said, “Murder.”
Silence hung in the air before Elizabeth asked, “And did you do it?”
“Only one of the crimes,” Liam said. “I killed my guards to escape so I wouldn’t be executed for treason. I was the fall man for one of the lord generals during the war, and he forged information to use against me during my trial.”
“But you didn’t do it?” Aram asked.
Liam shook his head. “I love Anatalia too much to betray her.”
“If it hadn’t been for your treason charge, would you have killed someone?” Elizabeth asked.
Liam looked her over. She didn’t look fearful, only curious. “Only if I had no other option.”
Aram and Elizabeth looked at each other.
“Wash up for dinner, will you?” Elizabeth said before she walked into the kitchen with the fish. “Food will be on the table in a short while.”
Liam furrowed his brow. “I shouldn’t stay. The penalty for helping me is death. If soldiers found—”
“Son, soldiers haven’t been here in over a year,” Aram said. “As soon as the war ended, we were left to ourselves, and they haven’t taken a second glance our way. They likely think we’re all gone. There’re hardly any of us left, anyway.”
Liam sighed. “Where do I wash?”
One night turned into two; two nights into a week; a week into a month.
Liam stared at the ceiling. He rubbed his hands over his face in frustration. He’d been at the Gollacks for too long, but it was so easy to fall into a life with the Gollacks. It was like he had parents again; they reminded him so much of his.
Sighing, he got out of bed and packed his things. He’d leave today. He couldn’t let himself slip into bad habits.
When he reached the main room, he found Elizabeth sewing a shirt that was far too small for Aram. “Beth,” he greeted.
Her smile dropped when she saw his rucksack in his hand. “Are you leaving?”
“I really shouldn’t have stayed so long in the first place.” Liam set down his bag. “You and Aram have been so kind to me, but I can’t take advantage of that kindness.”
“You’re not taking advantage,” she countered, “you’ve been helping us more than we’ve helped you.”
“Beth…”
“Please stay, Liam,” Elizabeth begged. “It’s like having Phillip here again.”
Liam sighed heavily. “Beth, it’s not safe for me to stay.”
“You’ve been here for a month already, and we haven’t seen a single soldier from either Salatia or Anatalia.” She put her sewing into her lap, a determined look hardening her face. “Be honest, how many times have you actually encountered people searching for you since you left?”
Liam frowned. “Two.” It felt like it’d been more than that. Had it really been only two in a year?
“See?” Elizabeth looked defiant, her mouth set in a line. “I don’t think you’re being searched for as hard as you think you are.” She pulled the sewing from her lap and stood, grabbing onto his arm. “Please stay, at least through the winter. It’s already Semonat. It’s going to start getting cold soon, and you shouldn’t be outside on your own.”
Liam sighed heavily. “All right—just through the winter. I can help make sure you have enough wood for the colder months.”
Patting his cheek affectionately, Elizabeth grinned triumphant. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.” She returned to her seat, picking up the shirt she was stitching. “I’ll have this finished for you by the end of the day.”
She was making him a shirt? Liam swallowed hard. The last time anyone had made him anything was his mother. “Thank you, Beth.” He swallowed again before saying, “Where is Aram?”
“Outside, dear. You can help him with the fence.”