chapter ten
Estranged Family
Eramus lifted a large sack from the wagon onto his shoulder. He hauled it through the door and tossed it on top of the pile of burlap bags in the corner, sending a cloud of fine dust into the air. Returning to the wagon, he wiped the sweat from his brow before lifting another. Having carried twenty sacks into the bakery already, his muscles protested the exertion.
For the last two days, Eramus had assisted the village baker, Thermak, when flour arrived from the mill. He had Ordin to thank for the temporary work. Without the man's recommendation, Eramus might have never found a job, and although Thermak agreed to the arrangement, he had clarified that Eramus would keep things hushed.
With the flour unloaded, Eramus wandered into the bakery in search of Thermak. It didn't take long to find him, as he stood a few feet inside the door, his brown eyes watching Eramus's every move.
"All finished," said Eramus with as much cheer in his voice as he could manage.
Thermak grunted and removed a few coins from the cloth pouch hanging at his waist. "Here," he said, thrusting them into Eramus's hand. "Shop will be open soon."
Eramus nodded. That was Thermak's way of saying he needed to leave. With Arnan's warning, no one in the village wanted to hire him. Thermak was taking a risk, and Eramus couldn't blame the man for urging him to leave before people took notice.
Walking through the village grew easier with each passing day. Fewer people darted away upon seeing him, and some even offered him small, polite smiles. It wasn't the same as before—it would never be—but any progress was better than nothing.
He turned the corner and froze. Two covered wagons blocked his path, and Arnan stood at the rear of them. Soon, he and a small group would leave to sell the apple harvest at the coast. Eramus welcomed a few days without the man constantly glaring at him. Perhaps he would even get a few moments alone with Evree.
Eramus turned to retreat, but it was too late; Arnan had already spotted him.
"Just a second, Eramus! You and I need to have a word."
Eramus's fists automatically clenched. He drew a deep breath and spun around. "What do we need to talk about?"
Arnan was close…too close. "You know very well what. I'm leaving for Olgetha, and you better stay away from my niece. Don't think I'm not watching you even while I'm gone. I always have eyes on my village."
"I'm happy to stay away from Evree when she asks me to," said Eramus, his fingers digging into his palms. "It's not your place to dictate what she can and cannot do."
"Perhaps I need to have a discussion with my brother before I go?"
Eramus scoffed and shook his head. "Because that went so well last time?"
A fist connected with his face, striking between his nose and upper lip and sending his body to the ground. Warm liquid flowed from his nose, and the back of his head throbbed. Arnan towered over him with a wide smirk, his tall figure engulfing him in shadow. "I'll see you soon, Eramus."
Eramus pushed himself from the ground just in time to watch Arnan climb into the wagon. Both carts pulled forward and disappeared out of sight. He wiped his nose with the back of his hand, coating it in crimson. Arnan had attempted to push him to the breaking point, but Eramus would not allow the man the satisfaction. He refused to give his people any reason to consider his banishment.
He wiped his nose several times before arriving home, staining his skin even more red. Arnan had socked him good. He pushed open the cottage door, and in seconds, Inara was at his side, fussing over his bloody state.
"What in Virgamor happened! I thought you were working for Thermak this morning?"
Eramus massaged the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. His vision was a bit fuzzy, and his head throbbed. He could do with a nap. "I was, but Arnan demanded a discussion with me before he left for Olgetha."
Her forehead furrowed. "I'm sure that didn't go well." Eramus pointed to his nose, and she sighed. "He can't continue treating you this way. It isn't right."
"As the village leader, he can treat me however he wishes."
She wrinkled her nose. "Well, no one nominated him. The man just assumed the position, and I'm willing to bet few people actually want him at that particular post." She crossed her arms, grumbling. "Perhaps a leech collector or manure sweeper would be more suitable."
Eramus chuckled. "Can't say I disagree."
Inara glanced up at him with glazed eyes and took his hand. "Come, let's get you cleaned up. We have company, after all."
"Company?"
His eyes darted around the room and landed on two blurry figures before she could answer. He squinted, forcing his eyes to focus. They sat at the wooden table, a man and a woman, both wearing smiles that stretched the width of their faces. The woman stood and flicked her long, blonde hair over her shoulder before clasping her hands at her waist.
"Hello, Eramus," she said, her voice melodically cheerful.
