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“A large troop of king’s soldiers passed by Thomas’s farm and wiped him clean of what little livestock he had and what food he had stored for the winter. And”—Albert stopped a moment as if he couldn’t believe what he was about to say—“They took Thomas, leaving Mary on her own with their two young daughters. They told him he was to serve the king and that other troops will be arriving soon.”
“I need to see where they camp for myself,” Trey said.
“Too dangerous,” Albert said, shaking his head.
“But necessary.”
Bliss and Teresa came out of the cottage and walked over to them.
“You need to leave, don’t you?” Bliss asked.
Trey nodded, feeling torn with leaving her behind.
“I must go with you,” Bliss said.
“No,” Trey said with a finality that had all eyes turning wide. “You have Philip to see to.”
Bliss turned to Teresa and took her hand. “I have done all I can for your son, I can do no more. The rest is up to him.”
“I feared you would say that,” the woman said, with tears gathering in her eyes.
“Nay, do not fear, keep hope strong and do not give up,” Bliss said. “I will return in a few days’ time and see how he does.”
“Promise?” Teresa asked, grabbing Bliss’s hand.
“Aye, I promise.” She gave the woman a hug, and Teresa had a difficult time letting Bliss go, but she finally did. She turned to Trey. “I will get my things, and we can be on our way.”
Trey took hold of her arm and walked a short distance away from the couple. “You’re not going with me. It’s too dangerous.”
“It’s too dangerous for me to stay. And we have no time to argue. We must leave now.”
“Why?”
Bliss didn’t answer, and she hurried over to Albert. “Hide some of your food and what livestock you can. The soldiers head this way, and if they don’t find something, they will destroy your place.”
Albert paled once again. “I cannot leave my wife and ill son.”
“No, you cannot,” Bliss said. “That is why we must make it appear that you are too ill to join the troops.”
“What do I do?” Albert asked.
Trey, with Teresa’s help, worked to hide some of the animals and food, while Bliss worked on Albert. She rubbed ash under his eyes until the area appeared gray and sunken. And she pricked his neck and arms with pine needles to make it appear that he had a rash.
“Make certain you cough more than talk with them and stumble once or twice. They may not even take any of your food or animals for fear all is contagious.”
“How can we ever thank the both of you?” Teresa asked.
“Stay strong,” Trey said. “The true king will soon rule.”
Trey and Bliss were off in a rush, having a good portion of open land to cover before they could reach the protection of the woods. They remained cautious as they traveled, keeping alert and keeping their pace quick.
Hours later, when they were finally in the bosom of the woods, they stopped to rest.
“We need to scout the area where the king’s troops are gathered and see for ourselves how many await his order,” Trey said.
“You can see for yourself, but you will learn more from the two we meet.”
“What have you seen?”
