Will loved the quiet morning before the rest of his family woke up.
He checked on the cows, walked along the stone fences of Northumberland, and looked for anything unusual—a broken rail, fox tracks, or something else that didn’t belong.
But today, his mind was somewhere else. He kept thinking about leaving the farm to find work in the busy town of Hexham.
His sister Emma wanted to go, too. Will wanted to leave most days, but he knew that if either of them went, the brothers and sisters left behind would have more work to do.
Father already knew what Will wanted. Will didn’t want to run away. He wanted his father’s blessing. But leaving would change things for the whole family.
All of Will’s friends had already left the Shire. Now it was his turn to leave—even if his father didn’t agree. That thought sat heavy on his mind.
Will finished his chores and walked back to the house. Breakfast was waiting. Soon, everyone would put on their best clothes for the long walk to chapel.
🥾 Join the Journey: Will is stepping out the front door. Close this box and look at the map above. Can you find the next pin to follow Will down the trail?