Pompeia had walked back with her by his side. They had talked much inside. Her tears had dried up, and she had already cried up all the tears that she had.

They had said little till they were inside again, the inn. The other refuge in her life, as she took a seat.

Zariya, who had gone to find something, put some beer on the table. “It’s about to start the dinner rush. But we have sometime if you want to chat. I wouldn’t mind if you continue to stay. Here.”

“Well, we could catch a drink. I don’t fall drunk easily.” She smiled. “But yes, I would enjoy the prospect of remaining.”

She didn’t know whether she could even find shelter anywhere else. Better not to tempt fate when she had such a good relationship. They were friends now, two women who understood their own plight without ever rendering judgment.

Pompeia had no right to, for she was no saint either.

“Thank you for doing that.” Pompeia told them, when they were at the back.

“I can be honest with you in a way that I otherwise cannot.” She admitted it to her. “It’s hard to find anyone, be they men or women.”

“Because you shouldn’t exist. Neither should I, most thought that I should have let my brother by marriage do the honourable thing which was to take the exile.”

“But you didn’t,” Zariya gave a smile, knowing there was more to the story.

“It’s my fault. My family wanted to protect me by pushing the blame onto him. They were desperate to rid themselves of any trace,” she said. “He was eighteen when his brother got involved and twenty by the time he did it. I did not want him to become implicated.”

“Because he was young?”

“And innocent. He barely even knew the details.” Pompeia downed a cup of wine. “It would forever be a mark that he would have to bear, for whatever his beliefs were, he did not act on them. It may push him over the edge, and I felt it was my duty to help him.”

She was fond of him, a dutiful boy, diligent and eager to prove himself but never at anyone else’s expense. He was kind too, lacking the naked opportunism that always marked her family.

Nothing beat them like furthering their name, no matter the cost. Even if they were sacrificing the family they married into.

Or Lorenzo’s cousin, who always made her uncomfortable. Cold, calculative and always eager to improve his own standing.

Zariya nodded. “How long do you plan to stay here?”

She would not be long for the country. It was too foreign, and her children would always bring her back. Pompeia wouldn’t abandon the thought of meeting them again. Soon, as soon as she could.

And with a sea separating them, it was much harder. It depended on the winds and luck sometimes, pirates, bad winds, could lead to a boat capsizing. But above all, it’ll be years before she could afford passage again. Now she was just barely above starvation.

Zariya waited for her.

“I don’t know, probably when I have enough for passage elsewhere. I’ll figure it out, one step at a time.” Pompeia was honest with her plans.

“I’ll miss you, to be honest,” she said. “But I understand why. As a mother, you would go back. But where exactly? Since home looks to be out of the question?”

“Actually, my husband and I came from different countries. He was from the Duchy of Paserta while I was from the Duchy of Marallo. I could go back home, but I wouldn’t as everyone would know who I am and tell my family.” She closed her eyes.

“Surely, there must be a place.”

Pompeia gave a smile. “I’ll probably head to Rancie. I’ve heard that they had recently conquered a lot of places, including plenty of Itoro.” ”

“Is that why you gladly talk to a lot of them?” Zariya asked, aware of the conversations that she’s had with them.

“They tell me stuff that’s happening on the continent.” She looked. “They also tip well, when it comes to handling their clothes, either washing or mending them.”

Zariya gave a laugh. “Indeed, they do. I wonder is it reminiscent of home.”

“Yes, it’s like home to them. But I guess, I’m fine even if I have to do hard labour now. My life is different, but I’m not afraid of the decision.” She looked. “If I wanted it easy, I would have surrendered my pride and simply did as they were told. Surrender my conscience as I let an innocent man take the fall for what I did myself.”

“It’s almost time to begin preparations. Well, I’m sure I’ll pay you if you continue to do whatever you’re doing with the foreigners. It’s been improving business massively.”

“Is that a good thing?” Pompeia asked, knowing. She had started to also cook too, and helped out with the preparations.

“It means I still need you, not just bed and board. Well, you’ve been a great help either way, even when you didn’t need to.”

Pompeia then simply thought she could help. But perhaps that was what a job was, simply filling in a need that had to be met somehow. Here, she was given all she needed to survive and most importantly, peace and quiet.

“I will gladly accept it then.” She smiled.

“Well, I’m glad that I helped you. I had my doubts initially.” Zariya held her hand.

“I think most did, but thank you for giving me a chance.” She walked before going to the kitchen.

Pompeia walked out at the end. It wasn’t quite what she envisioned, but she could appreciate that she had all she needed to survive. That is enough. The next steps, she could find it all on her own.