olly ran in with a pitchfork from the barn, prepared to use it the moment she saw Charles. She looked down as both boys stared at Charles lying lifeless on the floor. She quickly shut the door and bolted it, then set aside the pitchfork and hurried to see to him.
"He's dead," she told them as she sat on a nearby chair. "Oh, thank the heavens, he's dead."
She looked up to find Garson staring at her for her words. She knew it was him. Radnor was too frail and she'd never seen him so much as hurt a fly. Garson had protected his brother so many times and placed himself between them, he was accustomed to the violence.
"Gar," she said softly and took his hands in hers.
He helped her stand and brought her to the chair Radnor straightened from the floor.
"I want you to listen to me, Garson," she told him. "You, as well, Radnor," she said as she pulled him to stand beside her. "You did nothing wrong, Gar. Do you understand me? Nothing wrong."
"Yes, Mother," he replied.
"Killing is wrong but you had no choice," she told him, afraid of the guilt that would traumatize him.
"I know, Mother," he said with a pat to her hand. "I would do it again to save you and brother."
"Father was going to kill us this time, Mother," Radnor told her. "He's never been this angry. He said he would kill us all. If Gar hadn't stopped Father, he would have done it."
"I know he would have," Molly told him. "Garson did the only thing he could, but the people around here won't see it that way. They'll use it as an excuse to hurt him. That's why you have to leave now. Charles can't hurt you anymore, but they can and will. They'll say it was his devil eye and receive permission from the Church to kill him, probably burn him to death like they do witches."
"What do we do?" Radnor asked fearfully as he held onto her hand and Garson's arm.
Garson only looked down at her and the single purple flower stuck to the lace of her bodice. He didn't care what they did to him, but they might believe what Charles believed about his mother laying with a demon. He reached down and pulled the flower loose, then slipped it into his pocket.
"We have to leave like we planned," he told Radnor. "All three of us have to leave now."
Molly sighed as she looked down at Charles' body.
"Gather your things," she told them. "Only bring what you can carry in a small sack."
"What about you?" asked Garson as Radnor quickly did as he was told.
She looked up at him and chewed her lip, unsure of what to say.
"You aren't coming with us, are you," he said.
"I have to tell them what he did," she replied. "If I leave with you, they'll make up stories that will put you in more danger. They won't care about his death as much as having something this serious to blame on you. I won't let them do it. I'll make them disinterested in looking for you. If I can't stop them entirely, I can give you time to get far enough away from this province."
"I packed yours, too, Garson," announced Radnor as he joined them again. "There wasn't much, so it was easy. Mother, do you need help packing yours?"
"Mother isn't coming," Garson told him. "Don't argue," he said to stop Radnor as he opened his mouth to say something. "She has her reasons. It's better for her if we leave."
Radnor dropped the two bags and held his mother close.
"Garson, go to the oak tree in my garden," she instructed as she patted Radnor on the back. "I set a box with money in a hole inside. Take that on your way out. Be careful of anyone seeing either of you carrying your bags. I don't want anyone visiting to ask questions. I'll wait for as long as I can before telling anyone about Charles."
Garson hugged her close and took a long whiff of her hair to remember her.
"I'll get us somewhere safe, Mother, and I'll look after Radnor," he promised. "We'll come back when we can defend ourselves and take you with us."
She smiled and stood to hug them both goodbye.
"I know you will, my beautiful boy," she replied. "Both my handsome, strong boys will make a wonderful life in this world. I know you will. You'll make me proud whatever you do. Always stay together and always look after each other."
She pulled away and smiled again when she saw the flower in Garson's pocket.
"Have a garden with my favorite flowers when you get where you're going, all right?" she told him. "I'll always be with you whenever you look at them. They'll remind you that you're special to this world, not a devil. My strong, proud angel."
She kissed his cheek and then that of Radnor before giving them a final hug. She pushed them toward the door and watched as they disappeared down the darkening road.
With a deep breath she turned toward Charles' body and sat down to wait for the right time to call the constable. She knew they would likely hang her for his death, but she wouldn't have her sons knowing what fate awaited her. The distraction of the shocking incident and her trial would give her sons the time they needed to get away. It was the last thing she could do for them, and she prayed it would be enough.
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