Once Upon a River

Armstrong returns home from the market to find his animals disturbed. His middle daughter runs from the house to collect him. Bess and the children are distressed, and Bess sends the youngest children to feed the pigs. Bess tells Armstrong that Robin asked for a large sum of money, claiming that he needed it or else he would die. Susan, their oldest daughter, states that Robin said terrible things to Bess and she tried to intervene. Robin pulled Armstrong’s slaughtering knife on Susan and threatened to kill her until the other sons stepped inside, giving her a chance to escape. Robin fled, leaving a message for Armstrong to bring money to an oak tree near Brandy Island. Armstrong leaves for the island, talking to his horse as he tries to understand why Robin is the way he is. When Armstrong reaches the river, he realizes it has flooded.

Those who live along the river prepare for both the flood and the arrival of river nomads. Vaughan finishes preparations and finds Helena resting on the sofa, late in her pregnancy. She asks Vaughan to accompany her and The Child—Milly—to look at the river, but