Chapter 31 Touching Freedom

• I looked around the shore trying to spot more of the men but not seeing any I headed for the first place I could see firelight coming from. As I got closer, I saw it was a tavern. A dark sign depicting a dog with a limp ear was entitled The Hound’s Ear. It was splintered gray wood and the paint was dulled to a light green. It swung creakily in the slight breeze coming in from the sea. I knew people would stare and that I would look a ragged mess, but I was in too poor of shape to care. I stumbled in and found my way to the warmth of the fireplace which very nearly covered an entire wall. I held my trembling hands out to it. Feeling somewhat dead inside and unsure if I was grieving the loss of Lucien or who I’d been before I met him.
• Everyone was staring at me. I could feel their eyes.
• After a moment, the weight of a blanket was settled over my shoulders. I peered up and saw a young girl of about ten and two blinking at me. She pulled it over my shoulders in a motherly fashion. I immediately began sobbing. So grateful for such a small kindness.