At the first hint of dawn, Rud was feeling tired. Worse, his mule had been pulling the cart all night and was exhausted. They needed to stop and rest.

He passed a stream with a small round top hill just beyond. It looked like the stream followed the base of the hill, so Rud drove the cart off the road and around the hill. On the opposite side of the hill was a secluded spot well out of view of anyone traveling by.

Rud stepped down, unhooked the mule, and put an extra helping of grain in the feed box. He brushed down the mule, hobbled its front legs, then left the mule so it could eat, drink, and rest.

The adrenaline rush from the fighting and escape had long since passed, and Rud's body ached from sitting on the driver's bench for so long. He needed sleep but knew he first had to deal with the young girl wrapped in his furs.

She had seen her father killed, her mother attacked, and after escaping her captors had been knocked out by a punch to the jaw from the very same man about to wake her up. Rud had no idea what to expect.

He was surprised she had not regained consciousness before now. Rud was glad they had made it this far without her waking and screaming. But only now did he realize how long it had been, and Rud was suddenly afraid he might have hit her too hard.

The boy was awake and stood up, still wrapped in Rud's old coat. He looked at Rud with a deep sadness in his eyes. Rud helped the boy from the cart then pointed to a large rock where the boy could sit. Breakfast would be flatbread and jerky as Rud would not start a cooking fire.

When offered, the boy slowly took a piece of bread and a couple of strips of jerky. Rud handed him a canteen filled yesterday at Rud's favorite stream. The boy said nothing, just nibbled on the food, and took several slow drinks from the canteen. Once the boy was settled, it was time for the main event.

* * * * *

As the cart left the road, Patience had been jarred awake, but she still did not move. The furs had kept her warm and comfortable, but being wrapped up all night was not to her liking. She was scared but determined to fight for her and her brother's life with everything she had.

Rud carefully picked up the fur wrapped girl and set her down on the grass. He slowly removed the furs hoping she was alright. As soon as the last fur was removed, Patience was ready and sprang up, knocking Rud backward. Patience picked up a good-sized stone and held her arms back, ready to pummel poor Rud.

When she saw her brother sitting peacefully with food in hand, she cried out, dropped the stone, and ran to her brother, wrapping him in her arms. Her glare at Rud would have melted iron in an instant. And there they sat, Rud on his backside, the boy wrapped in his sister's arms, and the girl glaring at Rud. Rud broke the silence with "Well, that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

Another few minutes passed, Patience checked her brother over for injuries and looked at Rud. The questions started. "Who are you?"; "Where is my mother?"; "Where are we?"; "You need to take us home"; "You better answer me or my father...." Her eyes began to moisten at the mention of her father. She held her brother tighter as tears started rolling down her cheeks. She started anew with the questions, but Rud stayed silent as she slowly broke down and cried.

* * * * *

Rud knew what the girl and boy needed was assurance they would be be safe. He put more flatbread and jerky down next to Patience. Rud said, "My name is Rud, and I am a woodsman. I am not one of the men who attacked your family. I could not save your mother, but I was able to save you and the boy. I did not believe you would be safe if I had left you in the town. We are a day's ride from town heading to my home where you will be safe. You and the boy have nothing to fear from me."

Rud could see Patience's expression had softened. Rud continued, "I know what it is like to lose your family. My family was murdered seven years ago, just like yours was yesterday. I did the best I could, and right now, staying with me is best for you and the boy. I need to rest and am going to sleep for a while. Please be here when I wake up."

Rud sat by the cart, leaned his head back against the wheel, closed his eyes, and then added, "I killed all of the men who attacked you and your family."

* * * * *

Patience said nothing, just watched as Rud drifted off into a deep sleep. She looked at her brother and saw the sadness in his eyes. She started to tell him it will be alright but remembered that is what her father had told her mother the evening before. It was not alright, and Patience could not bring herself to pretend even for her brother's sake. She held her brother tight as the last of her tears rolled down her cheeks.

She watched Rud sleep and wondered what type of man he was. Although she had only a quick glimpse of the large, rough-looking man who had knocked her out, she suddenly realized Rud was that man.

Why had he done that? Fear crept into Patience's mind, especially when she noticed the traces of blood on his clothing. She thought to take her brother and escape while Rud slept. Better yet, hit him with a stone and take his mule and cart.

Patience picked up the stone she had grabbed earlier and crept towards Rud. She looked at her brother, who was shaking his head emphatically from side to side. The sadness in his eyes was replaced with a look of desperation. Patience raised the stone above her head, ready to strike as Rud slept. Rud was completely vulnerable.

Rud's vulnerability caused Patience to question her plan. She looked at her brother and whispered: "Did he save us?" Her brother nodded his head up and down, Patience was still wary of Rud but set the stone down at her feet. Relieved, her brother came over and wrapped his arms around her as she stood looking at Rud.

Looking at Rud's face, she knew she had made the right decision. He had saved them and kept them safe so far. They would stay with him for now. Patience looked again, and this time saw a young man, a bit rough, yes, unkempt, definitely, but tall, strong, and he was undoubtedly brave. His face so hard and serious just a moment ago looked soft and peaceful now as he slept.

As she looked at Rud, she was surprised when her cheeks suddenly blushed. She took a deep breath, turned to her brother, and whispered, "Let's finish breakfast, and then see what we can do to help."

* * * * *

Rud awoke with a start. It was mid-afternoon. Neither the boy nor the girl was in sight, his heart sank. A moment later, Patience and the boy came out of the woods with a load of firewood in their arms. Patience said, "We were collecting wood for a fire tonight. It looked like you might sleep for the rest of the day."

They added the wood in their arms to the pile they had already collected. Patience said, "We refilled your canteens and made sure everything in the cart was stored properly."

Rud was still groggy from sleep and, without a word, stood and went to check the mule. When he returned, Rud, for the first time, really looked at Patience. Rud had seen her as she ran out of the warehouse, had picked her up and wrapped her in the furs. But he had not really looked at her.

Even after being wrapped up all night, she was still the most beautiful young woman Rud had ever seen. It was more than her looks, though. Rud saw strength and determination too. She stood straight and looked him in the eyes when she spoke. He felt his heart beating in his chest and a nervousness in his stomach as she looked back at him.

Suddenly aware they were staring at each other, Rud looked away. Patience looked down and towards her brother. She spoke first, stating there was something he left out of what he had told them.

She raised her hand to her jaw and began rubbing the spot where Rud had punched her. Rud said, "I'm sorry, but there was no time to explain. I did what I had to do," then walked over to check the cart. There was sadness in her voice, but Rud did not hear any anger.

He turned back towards Patience and looked at her torn and ripped clothing. Rud said, "A young woman and a boy dressed in fine clothes in the back of an old cart are going to attract attention. You will need to stay hidden until I can find you new clothes."

Patience, sensing he had their best interests at heart, nodded in agreement and pulled Rud's old coat around her brother. She asked if this was good enough for her brother, and Rud nodded yes.

* * * * *

Patience asked, "Did you say your name was Rob?" Rud looked back and replied, "Rud, R. U. D., sounds like mud but with an R." Patience said, "That's an unusual name. Is it short for something?" Rud said, "Rudolph, my name is Rudolph. Only my mother called me Rudolph. My sister called me Rud when I was little, and it stuck. Call me Rud."

Rud had barely spoken a word to anyone in the last seven years and had not told a soul his name. Rud was angry at himself for giving up so much information. At the same time, though, Rud was glad she knew his name.

Rud was conflicted between his need to remain apart from everyone, and this sudden desire to know more about Patience and have her know more about him. But Patience would not give Rud a choice. With Patience standing close and looking him in the eye, Rud knew she was not someone he could ignore.

How old are you she asked? Rud said, "Eighteen." Patience said, "I turned sixteen yesterday. It was my birthday." Rud responded with a hint of sarcasm, "Mine too." Patience said, "Oh, the same day as mine. My name is Patience, but my father would call me Pat sometimes. You can call me Patience or Pat. And this is my brother William." Rud nodded and said, "Patience."

Patience handed Rud the jerky and flatbread saying, "You haven't had anything to eat, have you?" Before Rud could respond, Patience said, "We've had plenty, thank you very much for the food and for saving us." Rud did not know what to say, so he nodded, took a bite of the bread, and turned back towards the cart.

Rud looked at the pile of wood and said, "We need to keep going and won't need wood for a fire." Rud saw the disappointment on the boy's face and added, "You did well and collected a lot of wood. Maybe that can be your job from now on." Rud noticed the boy tried to smile, but there was still too much sadness in his eyes.