Three days passed. Tim still could not recall the boy’s name so he called him Willow, in honor of the trees along the path that so often sheltered them. Other than objecting to being poked he was a quiet boy with blue eyes and rosy complexion. He was a little unsteady at times but did his best to keep up with Tim. Their progress was slow. Tim kept the close to the road, even though he knew it was dangerous. He guessed that the highwaymen would go north, so they headed south. Willow needed lots of rest and they were both hungry all of the time. Nighttime was the hardest. Tim was not good at starting fires. When they did spark, they were soon out.
It was late morning when Tim and Willow were huddling under a blanket after a small feast of berries. Their provisions were gone and Willow was getting weaker. Tim did not have the strength to keep carrying him. The ground began to pulse even before they heard the sound of approaching horses. Willow looked up at Tim and his bottom lip started to quiver.
Tim’s first thought was that the highwaymen had found them. Immediately he grabbed what he could and ran into the trees, dragging Willow behind him. His short legs could not keep up and he let go. When Tim finally stopped and looked back, Willow was on the ground looking rather stunned. Tim whistled and waved him over. Willow sat there not moving. The pounding of hooves was drawing near. Tim dropped everything and tried to go to the boy. His legs would not work. He tried to call out but his voice was gone. Louder and louder they came.
Tim ducked as they rounded the corner and filled the road. There were four of them. His heart pounded so hard he thought it would burst. He prayed that little Willow would stay down and keep quiet. The men were fiercely dressed. They had full armor and long swords. Their horses were powerfully built and looked capable of anything. They came to a stop.
“Did you hear something?” said the first.
“Nothing except those foul birds. Whatever has them stirred up is probably a good five miles up the road,” said the second.
“I heard it,” said a third.
Tim could hear only the thunder of his heart beating. He was the one who was going to give them away. Then Willow started to get up. He waved at him to stay down but the small boy ignored him and got to his feet.
“There Captain. Do you see it?” Said the third. “Something stirs in the bushes.”
“Probably nothing but a fox. We should be on our way.”
The first, the one the others referred to as captain got down off his horse and started toward Willow. Without thinking Tim jumped to his feet and ran toward Willow, shrieking like a crazed animal.
“What the devil?”
Willow started to cry. Tim he grabbed rocks and branches anything he could get his hands on and pelted the captain with them. The captain raised his arms to protect himself from the onslaught and his men drew arrows.
“Halt!” One shouted letting loose a warning shot.
It flew wide of Tim. He charged on, scooping up Willow in his arms. He lost his balance as he spun round and went down on one knee. He stumbled again as he started running back toward the trees.
“Cease fire! Cease fire!” The captain shouted. “It is only a small boy.”
It was too late to stop the next arrow. It sliced into a tree inches from of Tim’s face. He froze. He might be able to out run the men but he could not out run their arrows.
“I said cease fire! You there, stop!”
Tim clutched Willow tighter and felt his little heart racing even faster than his own.
“We mean you no harm. We are soldiers for King William.”
Tim swallowed hard.
“Where are your parents?”
“Gone.”
“How is it you are here, alone?”
“We were part of a caravan that was attacked. We are the only survivors.”
The captain’s face turned scarlet. “How long ago?” His voice became harder as his jaw tightened.
“Three days back. We were trying to get away. His legs are too short to go very far.”
The captain reached toward him and Tim jumped back instinctively. The captain took no offense and moved more slowly to take Willow from his arms. He offered Tim his hand. Tim let him lead them back to the road. The captain ordered two of his men to ride on ahead and investigate. He then handed Willow over to someone he referred to as lieutenant and got on his horse. He ordered the lieutenant to give them both his water and whatever other provisions he had brought with him. Before the lieutenant could comply the captain was back on his horse headed back where they had come from. They were all part of a scouting group and it seemed to Tim they had not expected to find any trouble.
“Who is this with you?” The lieutenant asked taken in completely by Willow’s sweet look.
“His name is Willow.” Tim offered not wanting to admit he had forgotten the boy’s real name.
The soldier glanced up briefly to meet Tim’s watchful gaze. He smiled before turning his eyes back towards Willow. “You are going to be a fortunate boy from now on. The royal personage we are escorting is magnanimous. If he’ll not make you his ward our prince has a soft heart. They’ll probably be fighting over you. Both of you,” he amended.
Tim smiled, very aware that his appearance made him easily forgettable. The entourage caught up with them an hour later. In the commotion Tim was able to slip away unnoticed and the lieutenant was afraid to admit his lost him.
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