by GG Shalton
“I wish I had some brothers. Some of this work is backbreaking.”
Sara cracked a smile. “Be careful what you wish for.” They giggled as Sara took a cloth and helped Joslyn dry the dishes. “Speaking of my brother, Samuel has been asking me about you again. He is ready to take a wife, and my papa said he would help build him a small house on our property.”
Joslyn wrinkled her nose. “I have no interest in marrying.”
Sara shrugged. “Just saying. You will have to marry someday soon.” She folded the cloth and smoothed the braid over her shoulder with her hands. “You know, you could do worse than Samuel. He won’t beat you or treat you bad. He practically falls all over himself whenever you are around.” She smiled. “Think about it. We could be sisters, and he will take over the farm when my father is too old to work.”
Joslyn didn’t answer back. The truth was that she wanted to wait for marriage, although she knew she would have to marry one day—she was already a burden on her parents.
Finishing the dishes, she dried her hands and looked over at her sisters as she opened the front door. “Do you want to come with us?”
Mary and Susanna followed them outside. Joslyn noticed a cool breeze as they ran along the path through the fields and hoped the weather would not be too cold for the parade tomorrow. Sara took her hand and pulled her toward the woods. They had found a secret place with Sara’s cousin James a few years ago. James was from the mines and used to visit in the summers. But he was married last year and would not be coming anymore. His new wife did not like to come to the villages—she thought they were too dangerous.
Overgrown trees hid the familiar trail. It was a beautiful place for them to visit without being disturbed. The hideout was an old abandoned cellar that used to store fruit years ago. Sara was the first to arrive and started climbing down with Joslyn close behind. Mary and Susanna crawled down next as they closed the makeshift door. Sara leaned against the wall and took off her shoes, releasing an exaggerated sigh.
“Finally, a second to rest. My mom complains of idleness if she sees me take my shoes off.”
Joslyn laughed. “Mine too. Although, I did sleep late this morning. Mama was preoccupied with preparing food for my papa. He went to the shop early this morning to make some pieces for the parade. Apparently, the Royal Duke is coming.”
Sara gasped. “What?”
Joslyn nodded her head. “Yes, I thought it was odd. I don’t think Merle has ever seen royal visitors before. My father received a message last night from the mayor along with the other blacksmiths.”
Sara bit her lip contemplating her friend’s news. “Did they say why?”
Joslyn shrugged. “No, but it’s probably to show off his wealth to the poor villagers.”
“No one wants to see him.” Mary rolled her eyes in disgust.
Sara tilted her head. “I wonder if it has to do with court.”
Joslyn’s brows furrowed. “What court?”
“I heard the mayor is having court in the morning before the parade.”
Joslyn bit her thumbnail. “Why would they have court and hand out punishments the same day as the village celebration?”
Sara snorted. “Since when does the mayor care about the people? He probably wants to show off in front of the nobles that he can be a stern and feared leader.”
Joslyn hugged her knees to her chest. “I don’t like it. I’m not sure if I will attend. They only have court twice a year and they choose the one day of celebration to punish people. Can you imagine if someone gets hanged in the village square? How will that look with the parade?”
Sara shook her head. “It is brutal.”
Joslyn prepared cabbage stew for dinner. They had no meat left, but she managed to bake some flatbread. Her mother had not returned from the village yet, and part of her began to worry. It had been several hours since breakfast. Her sisters were sitting by the fireplace and had finished their chores long ago. She figured in her mind that if her mother did not return soon, she would go to the village and look for her.
A few hours later, Joslyn sat beside the window hoping for any movement outside. Darkness filled the sky and the stillness was eerie. There was still no sign of her mother or father. They would never worry them on purpose. A sinking feeling filled her chest and she prayed they would come home.
“Are they home yet?” Joslyn tore her eyes away from the window and looked at her younger sister Susanna.
“Not yet, probably soon.” Joslyn looked away, hoping to believe her own lie.
“That is what you said before dinner,” Susanna whined. “I need Mama to sew the hem of my dress, it keeps dragging the floor.”
Joslyn sighed loudly, trying to concentrate on the window. “Put your other dress on and leave that one on my bed. I will sew it for you later.”
Mary joined Joslyn by the window. “Do you think Papa will bring us any sweets? I bet the stores are preparing many for the parade tomorrow.”
She reached out and rubbed her sister’s shoulder. “He will probably be very tired, he has worked for many hours. Why don’t you both try to get some rest? It will be a long day tomorrow.”
“We can’t rest, we are too excited.” The girls giggled and sat back down by the fire.
After another hour, she couldn’t take her sister’s questions anymore and decided to take matters into her own hands. She knew she was forbidden to walk to the village square by herself at night especially with the extra soldiers in the village due to the parade. That was a rule she could not break. She needed a man to escort her as there was a strict curfew for women. Not having any male relatives close by, she swallowed her pride and decided to ask Samuel. They lived only a half mile away and if she hurried, she could make it without incident.
“I want to go check on Mama and Papa. You two stay here in case they return. Keep the door latched and hide in the loft if anything amiss happens.” Joslyn grabbed her cloak. “I will ask Sara’s brother to escort me.”
Mary looked up worried. “Please hurry back soon.”
Samuel was in the barn when she arrived. He dropped his tools he was holding and fidgeted with his handkerchief the moment he saw her. She noticed his broad shoulders filling out the sweat-stained shirt he was wearing. It was too small, and he would need a new one soon. He held out his calloused hand to greet her and she took it thinking about how hard he must work in the cotton fields. Not an overly attractive man, his disheveled black hair and brown eyes met hers ready to give her anything she asked.
“Samuel? Pardon me for interrupting you. It’s just that my parents are missing and should have been home hours ago. Would you go with me to the village square? I need an escort.”
He wiped his forehead. “Of course, Josie. I would be honored to escort you to the village. Let me get the cart saddled with the horses and we can leave in a few minutes.”
Sara came out of the house and walked to her. “What happened? You were talking to Samuel?”
Joslyn looked down. “My parents have not returned. It’s not like my mother to be gone all day. I am beginning to worry. I can’t go to the village at night by myself.”
Sara reached over and rubbed her arm. “Do you want me to come too?”
Joslyn nodded, and Sara walked with her to the horses. Samuel shot a glare at his sister but helped them both up into the cart. “How long have your parents been gone?” he questioned.
“My father went to town very early to prepare for the parade. My mother took him breakfast but never returned. She would never leave us for that long.”
“Are you sure your parents are not visiting some friends?”
“I don’t think so. My mother left her sewing and was supposed to help us prepare for the parade tomorrow. I am at a loss.”
Sara reached for her hand. “I’m sure they are fine. They probably had more pieces to finish and are wo
rking through the night. Perhaps your mother is helping him.”
Joslyn looked away not answering. She knew her mother would not stay to help her father. Blacksmith work was hard, and her mother would only be in the way. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she pulled her cloak closer hoping to block the wind.
The roads were rough, and she was thrown a few times, her mind blocking out the mundane pleasantries they spoke about on their way to town. Joslyn’s thoughts were preoccupied with her parents.
Upon arriving in the village square, they saw very little activity. Most of the shops had closed for the night and people were going to bed early to prepare for the parade. Joslyn could see the platform where the mayor and his court would stand the next day. A few tents were set up at the edge of the village square to sell merchandise and treats. Other than that, nothing seemed out of place. Samuel parked the cart and helped Sara and Joslyn out. They walked to the blacksmith’s shop and it looked abandoned until they got closer. Upon further inspection, the doors were slightly opened, and the shop seemed in disarray.
A panicked feeling entered Joslyn’s stomach. Samuel looked around the shop and picked up some broken copper pieces scattered on the floor. He examined the damage to the table and then looked up with concern in his eyes. “We should ask some of the neighboring shops.”
Tears threatened Joslyn’s eyes as she held her stomach. Samuel looked at Sara and then touched Joslyn’s arm. “You stay here. I will go ask Charles at the stables across the road. I saw him when we came in.”
Samuel left, and Joslyn looked up at Sara. “I don’t understand. What could’ve happened?”
Sara rubbed her back trying to reassure her. A few minutes later, Samuel returned with Charles. “Miss Rhodes? Are you Pete’s daughter?”
Joslyn nodded. “Yes, sir. I am. Do you know where my father is?”
The man took off his hat and fidgeted with the brim. “I am sorry to be the one to tell you, but he was arrested along with your mother earlier today.”
She couldn’t stop the ringing in her ears. Her breath caught in her throat as she reached for Sara’s arm. Samuel scooted a chair over and helped her sit down. Sara held onto her hand. “What did you say?”
Charles shook his head. “It was a mining commander, I am told. He was visiting here from the mines getting ready for the parade tomorrow. They had heard about some nobles attending and he came with some of his friends.”
Joslyn lifted her eyes trying to understand what he was talking about. “What happened?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Miss Rhodes, I don’t wish to cause you distress. Maybe you should see the guards at the jail.”
“Please, sir. Tell me.” She cried out covering her mouth.
Samuel placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed in reassurance. “Please tell us, sir.”
“I didn’t see all of it, just when your papa punched the commander.”
Joslyn gasped. “He punched the commander? That doesn’t sound like him. My father is a gentle man.”
He wiped his brow with his dirty hand. “My boss Carl told me he was protecting your mama. I guess she was looking real pretty and brought your papa some food.”
Joslyn nodded. “Yes, he skipped breakfast and she was worried about him.”
Carl shook his head. “If I had a wife that looked like that, not sure I would let her wander around the village on her own. I guess, one of the commanders from the mines noticed her. She ignored his greetings and he got angry and grabbed hold of her.”
Sara gasped. “Did he hurt her?”
Carl spit and then wiped his mouth. “Seems so. There was some sort of squabble between them and her dress ripped. She started screaming and many villagers came out of their shops. A few seconds later, she slapped the commander across the face, he backhanded her in retaliation, and she fell to the ground. Merle soldiers were close by, but no one wanted to say anything due to him being an official from the west. Your papa came out of his shop and rushed over to help her stand up.”
Joslyn’s hand was shaking as she wiped a tear away. “What did he do?” The tremor in her voice caused them all to look at each other.
Carl took a moment before answering. Samuel nodded for him to continue. “The commander’s guards shoved him when he tried to help your mother stand up. His men were laughing and kicked your father is what I was told.” He sighed and slanted his head. “That’s when I came outside to see what the commotion was about. Your father tried to ignore the west guards and walk away with your mother, but the commander grabbed hold of her saying she owed him. Your father shoved him and when he tried to punch your father, he blocked it and knocked the commander out cold. His men attacked your father, and he tried to run from them back into the shop, but they tackled him inside. Your mother’s hands were tied from behind as well as your fathers by the Merle guards. They arrested them for assault on a west official. The punishment is usually death, and they are being tried tomorrow in the special court session before the parade.”
Joslyn covered her face with her hands. “This can’t be happening.”
Samuel rubbed his chin seemingly thinking about what Charles had just told them. “Do you think they would let us visit the jail?”
Charles shook his head. “Nah, you best just show up to court tomorrow. It starts before the midday meal. If you’ll excuse me, I need to lock up for the night.”
Samuel walked outside with him. Joslyn watched them walk away from the window until she could not see them anymore. Sara had taken her hand, yet she could feel nothing but numbness inside. Not able to digest what she just heard, she rocked back and forth trying to think of a plan.
A few minutes later, Samuel appeared back at the door. “I will bring you back tomorrow for the court.”
Sara rubbed Joslyn’s back. “How can they try them tomorrow? When I was helping Mrs. Elliott with her sewing a few months ago, I found a copy of the Marches of Mallard. I remembered an old law that stated that crimes punishable by death had to wait seven days before administrating. It was to assure a fair trial.”
Samuel leaned against the doorway. “I have never heard of that law. They hung Jasper Dolloff last year and they didn’t wait seven days.”
Joslyn closed her eyes. “I have to tell my sisters. We must be up early.”
Samuel walked over, offering his hand to Joslyn to help her stand. She took it and allowed him to help her walk to the cart. The three of them rode silently back to the farm country. It was known as one of Merle’s poorest sections of the village, but they had grown up there and did not fear it the same as outsiders. The cover of darkness gave Joslyn some comfort as she wanted to hide from the world. How could she one day be running through the woods carefree and then the next day have her parents on trial for assaulting a west official?
Samuel helped her down and walked her to the door. Sara had fallen asleep and was stretched out in the back of the cart.
“Josie, I will be with you tomorrow no matter what happens. I will help you and your sisters.”
“Oh, Samuel. You are so kind. But I could never be a burden on you.”
He reached for her hand. “I would gladly pick more cotton every day if I could help you, Josie.”
Joslyn’s heart hurt so much, she couldn’t speak. She let go of his hand and opened the door. “I’m sorry, Samuel. I have much to think about.”
He nodded and took a step away. “I will see you in the morning.”
Sara arrived early before her brother. “Josie, my brother will be here shortly. He had some morning chores, and my papa wanted him to help with some of the horses. Mama is not feeling well so they won’t be coming. Henry is going later with some friends.”
Joslyn nodded and counted out the few coins they had hidden in a jar. “I am praying they will only charge my parents a fine and I will have enough coin to pay it.”
“Do
you really think they will only give them a fine?” Sara spoke gently, biting her bottom lip.
Josie shrugged. “It’s better than going there empty-handed. I have to try.”
Sara sighed loudly. “Sometimes honey makes money look better.”
Letting out a frustrated sigh, she looked up at her. “Sara, stop talking in riddles. I am trying to count.”
She changed her tone. “Fine. But I have an idea. Please don’t get mad.”
“Sara, I really don’t have time for dramatics today.” Joslyn rolled her eyes. “My sisters have been crying all night and now are in their rooms praying. I need to find anything that I can sell in a hurry.”
Sara lifted her hand and took Joslyn’s wimple off. “I am not being dramatic.”
“What are you doing?” Joslyn grabbed for her wimple as Sara held it away. “What is wrong with you?”
Sara kept the wimple behind her back. “Think about it, Joslyn. Our council is nothing but men including the mayor. Not to mention the mining commander.”
Joslyn stopped trying to grab it and took a step back as the realization of what Sara was saying flooded her face. Shaking her head in response, she said, “I will not.”
“Not even for your parents? It may be your only chance to save them. At least, don’t rule it out. I brought the dress that I bargained for last year from the traveling caravan. The one I have never worn, and my mother would never approve of.”
Joslyn’s mouth hung open for a moment. “Are you mad? I could never wear that.”
A mischievous smile crept across Sara’s mouth. “Yes, you can. I have it in a bag on the front porch. It will fit you, and I can help you fix your hair and clean up your face.”
She rubbed her temples. “Why did she have to go to town?”
“Josie, you have to be strong. Your parents would want you to hold everything together.”
She moaned. “Sara, if my parents die, what will I do? How can I take care of my sisters and provide for them?”
“One worry at a time.” Sara used her most reassuring tone. “Right now, you must convince the court to free your parents.”