The Valley

“Stay close to the river, and you can’t go far wrong.” These were the words that woke Molly from her sleep. They came from the next room, and the voice was strange to her. She crept out of bed and went to the door, which was partly open. Through the gap, she could see her mother huddled over the fading light from the fire in the hearth. She had a shawl wrapped around her shoulders and was listening to someone who had their back to the bedroom door. Molly could tell it was the voice of an old man, he sounded friendly but cautious. “It may take a week by foot in this weather, so here is some money to provide food and lodgings along the way.” With that, the stranger stood up and wished Molly’s mother, “Godspeed and may your prayers be answered.”