"Are you from the town of Ausburn?"
Just when they were about to move, a farmer passed by them, and eyed them from head to toe. Anthony assumed that he was referring to the city they were taken from. He did not answer immediately, wary of who the man might be.
However, Irene was not as cautious.
"Yes." she said enthusiastically, "Is there a village nearby we could stay for the night?"
With their identity revealed, Anthony raised his guard. He closely watched the farmer's reaction, and the old man noticed.
"Do not worry, my lord. We are your fellow Thelessians, we hate the empire as much as you do." the farmer said with passion and several thumpings of his walking stick.
Anthony lowered his guard, having been corrected. He wrongly assumed that the caravan had entered enemy territory.
If he was indeed Thelessian, then his patriotic fervor would keep him away from the temptation of betraying them for silver.
Irene waited for Anthony's reaction, which he was not quick to notice. When he did, he immediately responded.
"Then we will have to trouble you. We will only stay for one night." he said, and the response brought a smile to the wrinkled face.
"Well, then follow me."
To match the pace of the old man, Anthony made Irene and Child ride the horse while he guided the animal on foot. She was hesitant to take the kind gesture at first, but when Anthony pointed that no one would be using the horse if she did not, she reluctantly gave in.
"Do many people know the location of your village?" Anthony continued to ask questions, knowing that his doubt was rude but also necessary.
"You don't have to worry, my lord." he said in between heavy breaths, burdened by his load and weakened by his age.
"Our village only have ten families in it, our presence is almost negligible. No outsider knows where it's exactly at."
"I can carry the firewood for you."
"No… no, I wouldn't dare. I do this everyday, please don't mind me."
The old man continued his labored steps while Anthony and Irene continued to suffer watching him. David, on the other hand, was fast asleep in the young woman's arms.
They went deeper and deeper into the path as the village was further than they expected. And although this meant that the location was harder to find for the imperials, the remoter it was, the harder was it also to ask for help if the man turned out to be leading them to danger.
As the day grew even more late, they became more worried. Irene repeatedly glanced at Anthony, expressing her growing suspicion on the man. Anthony had the same feeling and drew comfort in the fact, that if push comes to shove, they still have the horse.
Before they could think ever worse of the farmer, a clearing appeared in the distance. And as they draw even closer, they saw the first of the stone houses.
"We're almost there." said the old man who miraculously didn't breathe his last during the walk.
Soon enough, they emerged from the path and revealed to them was the village. When they saw children playing, all their worries disappeared, and silently reprimanded themselves for the evil thoughts they have had of the kindly man.
The villagers, upon seeing them, stopped from their chores, and looked at the farmer for explanation. They were an odd sight in the village because although their fancy clothes were torn and filthy, it still showed their status.
The farmer led them to the village square, and there, in front of the curious villagers, he introduced them.
"They have escaped from the fall of Ausburn and sought refuge with us for the night." he announced jubilantly. He then pointed at Anthony to introduce him, but remembered he forgot to ask for his name.
"This is lord… "
"Ro- Anthony, you can just call me Anthony." he corrected the slip and rather convincingly as few had noticed.
Then it was the woman's turn.
"I am Irene and this little dear is David."
The people, upon learning their names, greeted them by bowing their heads, and even with their insistence, they still called them lord and lady.
But still, they enjoyed the welcome, especially Irene, who was delighted to see friendly and happy faces for weeks. During the siege and their the subsequent capture, the people around her could not afford to smile.
"I am Basil, I'm the chief of this village." the farmer finally introduced himself. "I will provide you anything I could, my lord… my lady."
"Thank you, my friend." Anthony patted his shoulder in gratitude. At last, they could finally relax and dropped their guards, being in the midst of friends.
After the introduction, the farmer led them to an abandoned house. It only had one room, but had everything. A bed, a fireplace, and a table. It was also under good condition, with the stone walls and the roof intact.
"This belonged to a father and son who went to visit relatives in Ausburn. Unfortunately, they got caught up in the siege and had not return."
"Let us hope they are safe." Anthony comforted.
The old man nodded, pursing his lips. After a brief silence, he spoke again.
"Well, I'm sorry, this is all we could provide. Call for me if there's anything you want."
"It is more than enough. We will repay this kindness, if we could get the chance." Irene chimed in, as she covered the sleeping baby in the bed.
"By the way, where do you plan to go next?" the farmer was about to leave when he remembered to ask the question.
Anthony himself had no idea. All he knew was that he was in the territory of Thesally and within that territory was a city called Ausburn.
Irene looked at Anthony, again awaiting his answer.
"Well… where's the closest town we could go to?" he asked Irene, hoping that it would only appear as him asking for her idea.
"I'm thinking we should go to the capital."
The village chief raised his brow in surprise.
"Phericuse have fallen, my lady."