Page 37 of Dancing On Air

Chapter7

Connor returned to the cottage with Leoric, having caught nothing in the snares they’d set up in the woods. They’d also had to hide from Lord Sampson’s guards, who were patrolling the area. This wasn’t good. His father had used most of their money on whisky lately. Between that, and the fact that Connor would always pay off a lord at an execution so the dead wouldn’t be displayed, and Connor constantly giving the widows of the executed their coin back, it had put a strain on his family.

They entered the house to find their father at the table, barely able to hold up his head. In his hand was a wooden cup of whisky.

“Where were you two?” growled his father.

“We were checking the traps in the woods,” said Leoric.

“Dammit,” spat Wensel, swigging down the last of his whisky and throwing the cup across the room. “I told you not to risk it. One of you is going to end up in prison if Sampson’s guards catch you.”

“And if we don’t hunt, we’re all going to starve,” yelled Leoric, storming back to the door. “I’m going to hunt, no matter if it kills me.”

“Nay!” said Connor. “You’ll stay here with Father and your siblings.”

Ginevra and Alaric sat quietly at the other side of the room.

“Connor, Father is just a drunk and you know it,” spat Leoric. “Why don’t you do something about this? We can’t go on living this way.”

“Stop it,” said Connor in a soft voice.

“Nay, I won’t stay quiet about this any longer,” said Leoric. “Father has doomed us all by his poor decisions.” He looked back at his father. “I wish you would have died that day instead of taking the position of hangman and ruining all of our lives forever.” Leoric left the cottage, slamming the door behind him. Connor’s father got up and stumbled to the bedroom, slamming the door behind him as well.

“Connor, what are we doing to do?” cried Ginevra.

Alaric ran to him and threw his arms around him. “I’m scared,” said the little boy.

“Don’t be,” Connor answered. “Everything will work out.”

“How can it?” said Ginevra, crying now. “We have no money and we’re going to starve to death.”

“I assure you, I won’t let that happen—now calm down. Tomorrow I will go with Leoric to Marvane Castle to clean the garderobes. We’ll have money soon.”

“Marvane Castle?” asked his sister. “That’s where Mother died. I miss her, Connor. And I miss Francesca, too.”

“I know. So do I,” he answered.

Alaric tugged on his tunic.

“What is it, Alaric?” asked Connor, seeing his little brother staring up at him with wide, innocent eyes. “Are you going to shovel poop?” he asked. “That’s icky.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to provide for my family. Now, why don’t you two go visit Francesca’s grave. But don’t wander into the woods. And if you see Leoric out there, tell him to stay close to the house as well.”

“Will you come with us?” asked Ginevra.

“Nay. I’m going to talk to Father. Now go.”

His siblings left the house, and Connor walked over to the bedroom, not at all sure what he was going to say to his father. He raised his fist and knocked quickly, then entered the room. His father sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands.

“Can we talk?” Connor asked him.

“There is nothing to say,” the man mumbled, staring at the ground. “Leoric hates me and he has every right to. I can’t blame him.”

“He doesn’t mean it.” Connor walked into the room, sitting on a chair across from his father.

“I should have died that day. He’s right. I have ruined the lives of all of my children.”

“No one blames you for the situation we’re in.”