Chapter 53

“Might I interject?” he said walking alongside.

“Of course,” Harry said with a smile. “Interject away.”

Charles rolled his eyes. “We may need to clean young Julian up a little before taking him to the inn, he looks like a ragamuffin. When we get there, I will arrange for him to have a bed in your room.”

Harry peered down his chest at the boy and laughed. “He’s right. Come on.”

They found a wall and sat Julian on it whilst Charles fished out a handkerchief and a comb from his pocket. He dipped the handkerchief in some water that had collected in an upturned bucket and applied it to Julian’s hands and face. They dusted off his clothes as best they could and combed his hair. Nothing could disguise the bruising on his face though, or removed the pinched, hungry look. He also found it quite hard to stand without his legs buckling. A combination of hunger, fear, and exhaustion coupled with a severe beating had debilitated the child.