before. When I asked him what was wrong, he told me that he hadn’t seen a coin like it since the days of his grandfather.”
“So how long has it been since you were here?”
“That, my boy, is a question I desperately need to answer.”
“That’s all very interesting,” said Ethan. “But how does this help me find Markus?”
“It doesn’t,” he replied. “Your quest to find your friend is not my concern. Keeping you safe and alive is. And if the Emperor discovers that the son of Illyrian has returned…”
“But if what you say is right, and many years have passed, shouldn’t the Emperor be dead by now?”
Jonas shook his head slowly and grimaced. “There is a reason he is called The Eternal Emperor. The one thing I know for certain is that he still rules. That much I could gather, even from the short conversation I had with the farmer.”
The sound of footsteps approaching from outside the front door drew their attention.
“Until I know more, say as little as possible,” Jonas whispered.
The door swung open to reveal a plump woman with shoulder length, mouse brown hair. Her simple, olive green dress was worn and stained from years of labor. Her weathered, sunbaked skin denoted the hard life of farming the land and tending to her home, yet her steps were still nimble and carried a slight bounce. A warm and welcoming smile formed on her face.
“Ah!” she said, her eyes on Ethan. “You’re up and about at last. And not a moment too soon. Rodger and Nate could use some help. And your uncle says you’ve a strong back and willing spirit. That is, assuming you’re up to it.”
Ethan forced a smile and gave Jonas a sideways glance. “Yes, ma’am. I’m fine. And I’m glad to help.”
She walked over to the table, looked at his half-eaten breakfast and frowned. “You’ll need to do better than that if you expect to keep up your strength. What’s wrong? Don’t you like porridge?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied. “I like it just fine. I’m just not that hungry right now.”
“Nonsense,” she scolded, sliding the bowl closer. “A young lad needs food to grow strong. She squeezed his right bicep. “And you could do with some meat on those skinny bones.”
She turned to Jonas, who was clearly amused. “And don’t think you’re getting off easy. There’s plenty to do around here.”
“I’m happy to help,” said Jonas. “And we appreciate your hospitality.”
She smiled. “Well, Rodger’s been going on and on about that bloody copper piece you gave him. Anyone would imagine you’d given him an Imperial gold korona. Anyway, I think it earns you a few days’ shelter. And I promise you’ll find it more comfortable here than the traveler’s lodge in town.” She gave him a friendly wink. “That’s assuming you’re not leaving us right away.”
“We’ll be leaving in a day, possibly two,” said Jonas. “But we’d be pleased to stay here until we are ready.”
“Good,” she said. After giving a quick nod, she moved off to retrieve a small sack of potatoes from the pantry.
“Ma’am,” said Ethan. He had just swallowed the last of the porridge.
“Call me Cynthia,” she told him, at the same time beginning to peel the potatoes with a small knife. “We’re not formal here.”
“Yes ma’am…I mean Cynthia. I’m ready to help now.”
“Then off you go. Just walk around the house. You’ll see Rodger and Nate.”
Ethan thanked her and stepped outside. Though the sun was only midway to its apex, the heat was already enough to measure up to any summer he could remember. The exterior of the farmhouse matched the simplicity of its interior, with a front porch boasting two modest rocking chairs but little else. A narrow path led away into the distance, where he could see a line of tall trees.
Following his instructions, he moved around the side of the building and quickly spotted two men repairing a wagon outside a dilapidated barn. The older man saw Ethan and waved him over.
“I see Cynthia’s put you to work,” he said. “I guess that knock to the head wasn’t as bad as your uncle thought.” Ethan assumed him to be her husband, Rodger. Leathery skin and a gruff disposition was just what he would expect from someone who made his living by working the land.
The younger man, Nate, still bore the ruddy complexion and bright eyes of youth. In fact, Ethan guessed that they were about the same age, though Nate was a bit taller and far broader in the shoulder.