“Lissom.” Judith turned the word around in her mouth. He smiled at us.
“I could’ve handled it.” Lucas sniveled. Lissom just kept looking at us.
“Yes, you may come with us.” I said quietly.
“Thank you.” He spoke solemnly.

We traveled a good hour before coming to a deep, churning river.
“Do we cross it?” The children asked.
“Of course.” Lissom put them on his shoulders, and waded across. Lucas had been in a sour mood from the very moment Lissom had shown up. In the middle of the river, Lucas freed himself from the soldier’s grasp, only to be swept away by the river.