Beside the collapsed tailor shop, a family of three climbed down from a battered carriage.
A husband, a wife, and a son.
All three were travel-worn. The adults wore expressions of relief at having survived and returned home, while the child bit his finger and stared blankly at everything.
He seemed unable to understand his parents' expressions.
Their belongings were unloaded from the carriage one by one, and the locked front door was opened again.
They had only been away for a few days, so most things needed no cleaning. What little dust there was quickly vanished under the hardworking wife's care.
The husband put their belongings back in place one by one.
But a tapestry was missing the piece of hardwood that weighed it down.
Nails, you say?
Don't be ridiculous.
As one of the most valuable things in their home, neither the wife nor the husband would ever damage the tapestry with nails.
Even if it was less than a third the size of an ordinary door curtain.
"Go find a piece of wood."
"There should be plenty next door at Old Jamie's."
"His house is already in ruins. Taking a piece or two isn't unreasonable. We can invite him to dinner when he comes back."
That was what the wife said.
The husband nodded and headed outside. As he passed their child, he patted the boy's head and gave him a gentle smile.
"Stay here. Call your mother if you need anything."
"I'm going over there to find a couple of pieces of wood."
With that, the husband walked toward the ruined tailor shop.
Looking at the wreckage, he couldn't help sighing.
"I hope Old Jamie never sees this."
"No, no."
"Better if he does. At least that would mean he's still alive."
The moment the words