Valiant Valerie (the Ballad of Valerie of Mor Book 1)

Chapter Ten

Jonathan led Perry into the town, limping, with Valerie slumping beside him. They looked in a sorry state. Or at least, they had better.

Jonathan had spent the better part of the last hour making them even more dirty than they already were. He had torn their clothes, rubbed mud on them and even aggravated their wounds to elicit more bleeding.

They had barely passed the welcome sign when someone came running from a house, waving at them. Another person followed behind him at a slower pace.

"Ho, there! Are you all right?" It was a young man, perhaps in his mid-twenties.

Jonathan stopped and affected an air of exhaustion. "We were ambushed on the road. My sister and I are traders, but we lost nearly everything, our cart and other horse, our goods and valuables and all our clothes."

A woman came shuffling up behind the man and Valerie could see she was heavily pregnant.

"What's the matter, Lawrence?"

"Emme, these poor people have been attacked. Quickly, put the kettle on and I'll help them inside," he replied, ushering Jonathan and Valerie to follow him. Emme waddled back to their house.

Valerie looked to Jonathan and he nodded for her to follow. He led Perry over, tied the reins to a pole outside the house, and went inside. Valerie followed.

Inside was one room made up of a kitchen area with table and chairs, and a lounge area with a sofa and chairs. There was a staircase on one wall. It was small, but homely. Pillows, flowers and doilies were scattered here and there, and one picture hung on the wall.

"Thank you so much for taking us in," Jonathan said, taking off his hat and holding it as though he were nervous. "My name's Jack, this is my sister Vera." Valerie nodded in greeting.

"A Vera in Veram! Well how would you be?" Emme laughed, her hand rubbing her belly absent-mindedly.

"Lawrence. My wife Emme." Lawrence smiled and shook Jonathan's hand.

"You were attacked? That's awful," Emme said.

Jonathan nodded. "They took everything but the clothes on our back, one horse and its saddle bags, and some of our money."

"That's dreadful." Emme shook her head. "So much of that going around these days."

"What?" Valerie blurted out. Jonathan had told her to keep quiet and follow his lead, but she had not been able to stop herself.

"Mmm..." Lawrence replied, "It's been terrible. So many brigands running about the countryside, it's becoming very unsafe to travel."

"Not that we would at the moment anyway," Emme giggled, indicating her stomach.

"No, I imagine not." Valerie smiled.

Emme brought over four steaming mugs and indicated they sit at the table. Valerie did so and wrapped her hands around the mug, breathing the tea in deeply. She was sure it was just the act, but she was feeling very tired and sorry for herself, especially in the face of this couple's obvious happiness.

"After you've drunk, I'll take you upstairs to bathe and change," Emme said. "You're taller than me, but I'm sure we'll find something for now."

"Likewise, when they ladies are done," Lawrence said, and Jonathan smiled in thanks. "You'll be looking to purchase some new clothes, I suppose?"

"Yes," Jonathan said, "we were hoping to, indeed. We should have enough coin for the basics."

"Ah, well you're in luck! Emme's father is the tailor here abouts, he can fit you out with what you need. You're lucky to have made it to Kailan. We may be small, but you'll find everything here the same as in a big town!"