The following morning, Nathaniel awoke with one goal in mind: to talk to the man at the tree. The barman had said that folks who had questions went straight to the source, so that’s what he would do.
A sharp knock on the door startled him.
“One moment,” he called.
Completely naked, he hurried to the door and removed the beam from the braces, then returned to bed.
“Come,” he said.
It was the boy, carrying a tray with his breakfast.
“Where would ye like it?” he asked.
Nathaniel gestured for him to approach the bed. “Bring it here.”
The boy walked slowly towards the bed.
“Don’t be afraid,” said Nathaniel with a note of impatience.
If the boy had quickened his pace, it wasn’t perceptible, though eventually Nathaniel got his breakfast.
“Thank you,” he said, and as the boy turned to l
