The Marble Palace

By Hannah James

Murder , betrayal and strife are common in the Marble palace. When a lowly trader is murdered together with his son after mistakenly stumbling over a plot to assassinate the emperor, his daughters take matters into their hands and vow to avenge their family.
Anya enters the Marble palace with one intent, revenge. However, she is plunged into the terrible world of palace politics and discovers her enemies are more powerful than she imagined at first. She becomes the emperors lover thinking having more power will give her an advantage against the influential enemies but that puts a larger target on her back.
With the threat on her life, will she ever get justice for her family?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hannah James
• Release date: Jul 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463501702

Hannah James

I have stories that need to be told.

Book preview

Copyright

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © Hannah James 2019

Dedication

To my sister Carissa, you continuously give me strength when I need it.

Prologue

Just pick her up slowly and lay her on the side of the streets. The female voice whispers in a harsh irritated tone. Her eyes land coldly on the three year old girl.

Are you sure Lora? She is not very hard to take care of. How can you be so cold? She is your blood. Elmont answers her sadly. The chubby cheeked sleeping girl just lost her mother two months ago. Her father is unknown just like many of the children born to circus performers.

Lora squints her eyes while looking at her lover, Elmont has always been soft hearted but they agreed when they arrived in the large city that they will get rid of the child.

Don't you start thinking about abandoning our plan Elmont. She remains here.

But she is such a small little thing and doesn't take up much space. What if she dies in this city? He asks Lora sadly.

Then she dies. I will not be saddled with a brat Elmont, if I wanted one I would have had one. We leave her. She says with finality.

Elmont opens his mouth when the little girl stirs and wakes up from the loud whispers. It is very early in the morning and sunrise will not come for another two hours.

Lora gives Elmont a sign and walks out, the camp will awaken soon to pack up and proceed on their journey. Elmont sighs heavily and picks up the little girl who looks at him with large green eyes full of trust. She has been his little shadow these past weeks, it hurts him that she will be left behind but insisting on carrying her will mean he loses Lora. At least she hadn’t considered selling the child, but what fate does she really have on the streets on Dunbria?

He reaches out to the girl who clings on to him and lays her head on his shoulder with so much trust. A part of his heart breaks as he walks out of the camp to the still sleeping streets of the big city. The little girl raises her head and looks around with wonder at the quiet dark streets.

Her eyes look at him with so many question, what are they doing out here this early? Elmont bites his jaw hard, he cant bear to look into her eyes.

He finds an abandoned safe looking street and puts the girl down, handing her a small piece of bread and comes down to her level.

With a sad smile he looks at her Wait here for a while sweetheart, I will be back soon alright?

The child nods her head in agreement, her trust in him absolute, if Elmont says he will be back, he will be back.

Elmont straightens and begins to slowly walk away, tears streaking down his face. He looks back and the little child has sat on the cold paved ground looking at him with a piece of bread in her hands. The look of innocence is the last one he sees when he turns a corner and heads back to camp.

When Elmont arrives, he finds most of the circus performers awake and packing with Lora looking at him with question. When she sees the child is not with him, she is slightly surprised. Lora didn't think Elmont had the guts to leave the girl. His eyes are red from crying and walks past Lora.

Elmont. She says his name to stop him in his tracks.

It's done Lora, it's fucking done. He says walking to the other side of the wagon to begin loading it up.

The young child continues waiting for her newly acquired protector. Elmeet. She whispers his name, it had been dark and empty when he left her but now the sun is up and the streets are filled with people, all going about their day and casting a by the way glance at the green eyed little girl with a piece of bread in her hands.

The young child wonders where Elmont went. A cold realisation of him abandoning her settles at the back of her young head. She wonders if the kindly Elmont, the man who always insured she was clean and had something warm to wear even though her aunt Lora scowled every time she looked at her, has disappeared just like her momma did. He said he will come so he will, right?

A filthy boy of seven stands in front of her with a sneer, his eyes locked on the piece of bread in the little girls hand. This will be the easiest meal he has ever gotten.

He walks up to her and grabs the piece of bread from her. The girl easily let's go of it and looks up to the boy wiping her hands nervously on her small red pants. He looks down at her and sees the black rimmed eyes look at him with tears gathering in them. Pity covers him and almost hands back her food when his growling stomach tells him otherwise and he walks away.

The little girl sits for an hour more until she realises that Elmont will not be coming back. Her stomach is growling and wants some food. She walks in the direction she last saw him go but everything looks unfamiliar. There are different roads leading to different directions. The young child does not know where to go from there and starts to walk blindly in one direction. A commotion starts in the distance and the way is paved, horses begin to walk past and the little girl pastes herself close to the wall. She is completely terrified of horses, her momma had been able to stand on one while it moved but one day the horse went crazy and her momma felt off, that was the last time she had ever seen her momma.

People align the streets and shout out in celebration. Their emperor has come back from his latest conquest and taken another new land. The little girl looks on at the young man on the black beast walking ahead, he seems happy and proud of himself, waving at the jubilant crowd. The procession passes and the activity in the streets gets back to normal.

It is noon and after wondering about all morning she finally stops at a cloth mercantile. The vast array of soft colourful fabrics captures her attention. There is portly, red cheeked man laughing heartily with his customer and his attention is drawn to the small girl standing outside his shop looking entranced with the material. His attention is taken back to the customers and after he finishes dealing with them and they walk out.

The lady exclaims Look, she is a child of those circus performers. What is she doing here? The circus camp left hours ago before the sun rose.

The two walk away and the words of the two customers draw the attention of the wife of the mercantile who comes out with her six year old son. She looks at the young girl and she doesn't seem thin or dirty like the usual street urchins.

Are you lost child? She ask a coldly.

The girl looks at her with out an answer silently. The boy steps closer What's your name? He asks her.

Anya. She whispers.

The boy looks at his mother triumphantly as if he has given her speech.

Where is your mama and papa? He asks again.

She doesn't know where her momma is Papa? She whispers in question again, wondering what a papa is.

Yes, papa. Look that man is my papa, where is yours? He asks again.

His mother has taken a step back as the little girl seems more comfortable with talking to her son. Her clothing is really the style of the circus performers. Her wide but cuffed at the legs pants and a fringed vest on top of a grey shirt and beads in her head say so.

I don't know. She says.

The lost look on the child's face confirms her suspicions, this child has been left behind.

My name is Milo. The young boy says after seeing the worry on the girls face.

Milo's mother pulls him back in the mercantile, leaving the little girl outside alone. Hoping she will grow tired or bored and walk away somewhere.

She must be hungry Cecily, can't we at least offer her something to eat? The portly man asks his wife.

She looks at him in surprise Absolutely not Godwin. If you feed a stray once, they will not leave. Ignore her, she will go away. She says.

But mother, she is just a small little thing. Her ten year old daughter Margery tries to speak and receives a cold wordless rebuke from her mother.

She probably has lice on her. I don't want lice in my shop. Margery, we have work to do still. She says ushering the young girl to the back room where they are embroidering. Godwin remains at the front with his son who both look at the little girl with pity.

Godwin takes out an apple and hands it over to his son to pass it to the little girl who after three hours is still sitting right outside their mercantile. His wife walks out of the back room of the store where they embroider cloth and sees her son hand the apple to the little girl.

Cecily makes a disapproving sound at the back of her throat, however inside, she is glad something has been given to the young girl. Her parents should have realised she is missing right now and started looking for her as it must not take more than an hour before parents realise such a small child is missing.

The family of four closes shop and begin to walk back to their home at the end of the day. Anya slowly follows them, she does not know where to go, only to follow the family who own the store filled with colourful fabric.

I think we have a we have a tail mama. Margery comments after noticing Anya following them.

Cecily looks back to confirm and looks at the husband I told you not to give food to the stray.

What did you want me to do Cecily, let the girl collapse right in front of our store from hunger. He says with irritation.

You should have told her to move along, that's what you should have told her Godwin. She answers stubbornly.

Oh really? How come you did not do it yourself woman?

Cecily thinks about the pitiful innocence on the girls face earlier, she couldn't bare to chase her off. Many call her cold, even she acknowledges she is a cold woman but not to a small toddling.

They family walks the short distance to their home and close the door. The sun is about to set and Cecily begins to prepare supper, wondering if the girl is still outside.

After supper, the sound of Thunder makes the three family members look at Cecily. She is not our problem. Cecily says stubbornly.

The night is completely dark outside when the first drops of rain fall. Uneasiness settles upon Cecily and she finally walks out the door. There is a downpour and she squints her eyes to see if she can find the young child. Dread begins to grow at the pit of her stomach. A small child like that can easily die in weather like this.

She looks around and her hope of finding the girl almost fizzles out when she sees a piece of red in the shrubbery. Cecily runs there and finds little Anya hugging her small legs close to her chest. Her clothes wet and she is shivering.

Cecily chastises herself for being cold-hearted and picks up the young girl. Walking back to the cottage into the dry embrace of a clean cloth being held out by her husband at the door.

Cecily looks at her husband who has a self satisfied smirk on his face. You are a cold man Godwin, letting a child stay hungry, cold and wet like this. She says to him.

I had to let her worm into your heart first you wicked woman or else if it was I who brought her in I would have never heard the end of it. You would have even accused her of being my bastard.

Cecily scoffs while taking off the wet clothes off the girls body in front of a fire Your bastard indeed, dream on. Such a lovely girl being your bastard. It must have been a very attractive whore you slept with which is impossible. I have seen the calibre of whores in Dunbria. She comments, after taking off the girls clothes, she begins to cut the girls hair.

What are you trying to say about your children woman? He asks with mock offense.

I am saying they are lucky they have a beautiful woman like me for a mother that's what am saying Godwin Webb. She answers him while feeling a small bucket with warm water and scrubbing the little girl clean from her shaved head to her toes. Cecily Webb does not like lice at all, the girls clothes have been wrapped in a cloth to be washed on the morrow.

She dresses up Anya in old small clothes that once belonged to Milo and begins to feed her. The girl eats greedily at first attesting to the level of hunger she had. Cecily holds her like she holds a baby, still mentally beating herself for being cold towards the child.

Anya comfortably sits, leaning on Cecily’s bosom feeling safe and comfortable for the first time in a long time and she doses off to sleep. Cecily looks up to her husband who still hasn't wiped off the smile on his face.

This doesn't mean she can stay, her parents will definitely come for her so don't go on getting attached Godwin Webb. She says to him though the words she says are meant for herself. Her heart is slowly being stolen by the sleeping child in her arms.

Her black long lashes are resting on her chubby cheeks, she will be a great beauty when she grows. What sort of people abandon such an adorable child?

Then we will put her out tomorrow? He asks

Put her out? How evil you are Godwin, no she will stay with us for now until her people come for her. She answers, the words seem empty because Cecily knows the parents of this child will not be coming, Anya will have to stay with them and she finds herself surprisingly fine with the whole situation.

Chapter 1

Fourteen years later

This is a beginning of new things Cecily. Godwin announces proudly to his wife Big things my dear, big things. He repeats.

Don't go and get ahead of yourself Godwin, this is just your first commission of sale to the marble palace. Cecily chastises though extremely proud of her husband and the new opportunity.

Anya puts the last bolt silk on the wagon All done papa. She says.

And here is the soft fine leather you asked for. Tanner, Margery's husband says.

Don't tarry papa, Milo is coming back today. Margery comments.

Godwin nods to his daughter with a smile and looks at Anya who is dressed like a boy with a hat covering her head. You only notice her striking beauty once you take a close look at her then you'll see she is a woman not a boy.

You don't have to come with me Anya, why don't you stay back and prepare for your brothers arrival? He suggests to her.

She shakes her head with a smirk I'll just be in mama and Margery's way. You know am not very good at all the domestic rubbish. She pouts, knowing her father will let her follow.

Let her go with you Godwin or she will drive us crazy with her fidgeting. Cecily says.

A large smile covers Anya's face and Godwin laughs at his mischievous daughter. Unlike Margery, Anya is not a calm soul and it will not be easy for her to find a husband.

No man has approached him and his wife to ask for their daughters hand in marriage. None of them want to get a wife who prefers to haggle with customers and dress up like a boy. Her lack of prospects are a cause of worry to Cecily who openly laments how Anya's mischief will be the death of her.

Get on up then. He says moving aside on his wagon sit to give space to his daughter.

The two move slowly across the city heading to the white and brown palace. It can be seen from a long distance and as they approach the palaces large outside grounds , excitement grows in both father and daughter.

I've never been this close to the Mable palace father. She whispers.

Me too. He answers her.

As they move closer to the large gates, Anya takes it all in. Though she can only see the high walls and tops of the buildings inside, that is enough for her. The Mable palace is not just one building but a whole small city inside with the Golden palace being the official residents of the emperor right in the heart of it. The smaller palaces surrounding the emperors residence are occupied by his wife and concubines together with their workers and guards. The whole place is collectively called the inner palace.

The outer buildings are occupied by other workers and the guards many offering support service to the inner palace. Very few are allowed to go into the inner palace unless with invitation. Men who work there are all eunuchs and only the most diligent women attend to the wife and concubines.

As they approach the gates, father and daughter are stopped by the guards Pass. The guard says seriously.

Godwin nervously takes out the metal placket and hands it to the guard.

This is for one, what about the boy? The guard asks.

Hey I am a girl. Anya answers with great offense.

The other guards look at her face and smirks at his friend for not seeing that it was indeed a girl.

He bites his jaw in irritation You might be an elf for all I care He raises his eyebrows to add the last part slowly like he is speak simpleton you need a pass.

Who told you I want to come in to this retched-

That's enough Anya, we agreed you'll go back here. He says gently to his daughter. Anya has an explosive temper which makes her forget her superiors most of the time.

Listen to your papa little one. The guard taunts.

Anya takes a deep breath and releases it then gets down from wagon I'll see you when you get home papa. She says with a soft smile don't go on and become late, it will upset mama. She finishes.

I will see you later firecracker. He adds with a smile as the smaller side gate is opened for him.

She watches his back as the gates close once more and the guard nods for her to clear off. The journey away from the palace is much more lonely compared to when going. When she reaches the market, the streets are cleared and people are lining up the sides. Women especially, all trying to catch a glimpse of the returning victorious soldiers.

Among them is Milo who has been quickly raising in the ranks. His agility and quickness  coupled with brains makes him standout. After seeing his ability, it was easy for his parents to let him join the army as a foot soldier as he wasn't a noble, but three years in the army and he already has under his command a strong five hundred. Him being a fabrics merchant would have been a waste of his talents.

Anya tries to squeeze in between the crowd to catch a glimpse of her brother, they have always been close and this is the first time she will see him in two years.

The clean line up of soldiers on horseback enters the city gate and there is jubilation all around. The heroes of Dunbria are back. The emperor decided to not be part of the parade as he is giving the victory to his men. This is the last war he is fighting himself, after many years of conquering and victories, the cries of praise from his people do not excite him anymore.

A large smile cracks Anya's face when she sees her brother and begins to shout at the top of her voice for his name. At first she thinks her voice might be drowned out by others but he hears her and scans the crowd until his eyes land on her. He smiles largely and waves.

His friends snicker at him Milo, I think I specifically remember you telling me your tastes don’t drift in that direction. One of them comments.

Shut up Gert. That is my sister. He says the smile not leaving his face as Anya's draws further away.

The other two friends look at the claimed 'sister' and then at each other bursting in laughter.

I was told women in the capital were mild mannered and had a lot of feminine charms. Casper comments.

Continue talking if you are tired of having teeth. Milo warns.

Calm down Milo, we were just jesting, am sure your sister is very pretty. Gert says.

The comment annoys Milo more She is not pretty she is my sister. He says with irritation, realising how much his words don’t make sense only after leaving his mouth.

They all burst out in laughter as they continue their way to the marble palace. They are going for a large feast to celebrate the victory but all Milo wants to do is go back home to his mother's cooking.

Anya runs back home and by the time she arrives she is panting and out of breath.

Do not tell me you've been running across the city like a vagabond Anya. Margery chastises.

You know Anya if you acted more lady like, your father wouldn't have so much trouble to find you a husband. Her mother says while standing in front of a cooking pot.

Forget being a lady and husband mama. I just saw Milo, I saw Milo mama. Anya tells her in the middle of catching her breath.

Cecily looks back at her youngest daughter, her face alight wiping her hands on her apron Tell me child, how does your brother look?

Very well mama, he is a man now. She says.

Oh, that means we have to be quick with preparations mama, Milo will soon be here. Margery becomes busy cutting vegetables again.

Won't you clean up Anya, you can wear a dress for your brother today can't you? Cecily suggests, she gave up trying to get Anya to wear feminine clothing daily.

But mama he already saw me in-

It doesn't matter, please Anya.

Anya looks at her older sister for help who seems to be suddenly paying extra attention to the string beans. Margery completely agrees with their mother.

Traitor. Anya whispers as she walks past Margery to go and clean up.

With the return of the emperor, the marble palace is in an uproar. The traders who came earlier in the day are still waiting to be paid, the palace always pays the traders the same day.

Godwin looks around anxiously, he wants to get back home to his family to see his son. It is sunset when the steward comes out to sit at his table My apologies, as you know the emperor is back in residence so we were preparing for him but we will have all of you paid today. He says taking out his accounts book.

He pays out each one of them and  by the time Godwin is paid, it is dark. He walks slowly to the stables happy with the amount of gold he has made, the palace always offers the best rate. The gold he has made is a good sum.

He hears whispers in the dark The emperor was mildly injured, I thought you said the people you hired were professionals. One male voice says.

They where, he is an agile man and always has a guard with him. The other man answers.

Godwin tries to quietly step back but the pebble behind his foot makes a noise that makes the two conspirators stop speaking.

The well dressed man walks to the corner and smoothly stops when he sees the frightened expression of the fat trader. Dropping eaves are we?

No, no eaves were dropped good sir. I am just a lowly trader heading to the stable to peak up my beast.

The other man who turns up is a muscly, bulky man. Godwin swallows when he sees him and continues to walk back slowly.

What did you hear peasant? The finely dressed man asks.

Godwin shakes his head Hear? No nothing.

Father? Milo asks coming from behind his father.

Relief coats Godwin's features Son, look at how you've grown. He says, momentarily distracted from the mess he walked into. The two embrace and when they let go Milo looks asks the two men.

Do we have a problem here? Milo asks.

A smooth smile covers the well dressed man's face. Anger is bubbling underneath, if the fat man talks, they will all lose their heads.

No, not one problem lieutenant. He says.

Good. He answers then turns to his father.

I saw Anya earlier, she is still walking around dressed like that? He asks as they walk to the stables.

The two saddle their horses to the wagon and sit. Milo has a win flask and is slightly inebriated, his senses are not as sharp but who would attack him back in Dunbria? They are not in enemy lands anymore.

They leave the palace gates into the dark road, Godwin is still nervous and hopes to get home soon. A part of him hopes and begins to think that the two men believed that he didn't hear anything. He wonders who they were.

Hoof beats are heard in the distance and Godwin looks over to his son who is singing joyfully. Before he could warn him Milo is pulled off the wagon and falls to the ground.

Milo! He shouts his son name and he is immediately also pulled to the ground. The attackers insure not to use any weapons as they snuff the lives out of both father and son by squeezing their necks. On the cold dark streets of Dunbria, Godwin and his son, the war hero breath their last.

Well those two are surely taking their time. Cecily comments, both her husband and son were supposed to be here hours ago.

Maybe they went to a tavern for a drink and then a few ladies for Milo. Tanner says wagging his eyebrows.

Anya laughs out loud but Margery and Cecily look pensive. Her son and husband are not womanizers and Godwin bought enough wine yesterday to drown both of them in.

Since you seem to know where they are, why don't you go and pick them up from the sordid tavern. Margery says to her husband with irritation.

But do you know how many taverns they are in Dunbria Marg? He asks in horror.

No I do not, but luckily you seem to know hence you are the best person to go. She answers him.

Not willing to argue with his wife, he goes out and hopes to join the two men when he finds them instead of three females.

Do not stay out late with them Tanner. Anya shouts while straightening her dress, a part of her is happy to be dressed in the feminine clothing she is wearing, it brought a proud smile to her mother's face.

Tanner is walking down the dark empty streets when he hears the clopping of hooves on the stone pavements in the streets. As he is drawing closer, he recognises the light brown mare of his father in law yoked with the grey horse belonging to his brother in-law.

He gets close to Milo's side who is laying down and Tanner could smell the alcohol on him.

You two had a happy night. He comments as he gets the reigns of the horses to lead them back to the house.

The three women at hearing the horse hooves come out. A smile is on Tanners face Drunk as fish these two. He points with his thumb behind him.

Margery raises her lamp higher to look at them. An uneasy feeling settles at the pit of her stomach.

Anya goes ahead to help Tanner take Milo out first. He does not stir and is a dead weight. They put him on the couch but he is still out cold.

Margery looks at Tanner who indicates for her to get her father.

As they drag the bulkier Godwin in, he too does not stir and has a similar strong smell of alcohol on him. One would think the two had been swimming in it.

Margery puts the lamp down and gets a bowl and cloth to clean up her brother while Cecily does the same for her husband. Margery kneels next to Milo but even after she puts the cold cloth on him, he does not stir. His skin is cold too and when she reaches to feel for a pulse on his neck, red marks are around his throat, his clothes are dusty. There is no movement at all under her fingers to indicate life in him.

Margery sits back in horror gasping, knocking out the bowl of water she had been using.

Margery? Anya asks slowly, Margery's actions have captured the attention of her mother and husband as well.

Check papa. She says and Tanner moves at lightening speed to check his father in law. A stone drops in his stomach looking at the three women, Cecily especially who looks to have turned completely white and on the brink of death.

He shakes his head and there is a silence then a loud wail of female voices. He looks on helplessly as they all become paralyzed with grief.

Miserable thing that has happened here and to our local hero Milo too when he just came home. Anya can hear the voice of the inspectors standing a good distance away.

She is sitting in a chair with a blanket around her shoulders next to Margery, two purses full of gold coins sits in front of them, one taken from the corpse of Godwin and the other Milo.

Corpse. That is what they are now, Anya cannot believe just yesterday she was on a wagon joking with her father. Milo had looked so handsome and brave on his horse in uniform. Both of them are gone now.

Their mother had fainted with grief and is currently in her bed chamber resting.

It's pretty obvious what happened here, father and son indulged a little too much last night and met the company of vagabonds. Terrible way for these two good souls to go, but things like this happen. The constable explains to a tired looking Tanner. They were not only going to celebrate Milo's return last night but Margery is currently with child. They should have told Godwin before he left for the marble palace.

The constables explanation does not make sense, if they were attacked by thieves, why did they still have their coin purses on them? He wants to ask the question but looking at his wife and sister in-law makes him refrain. He not only has to take care of a pregnant wife but a deeply grieving mother and sister in-law.

Thank you for your help. He says walking the man out.

When Tanner comes back to sit opposite the sisters who are opposite in looks, Margery with her soft blonde hair and grey eyes and Anya with wild shoulder length hair and green eyes. It is obvious to everyone who sees her that she isn't the true born daughter of the Webb's. Both Cecily and Godwin have fair features which they passed on to their two children. Many whisper about Anya and her wild blood, that of circus performers. Her origins are the main reason Tanner has heard why she hasn't found a suitor yet, too spirited, is what they claim she is, ideal to dally with but not to marry.

I am going to get someone to prepare He posses, failing to say bodies because Godwin had been a father to Tanner, welcoming him into his family when his own parents both died in a fire when he was fourteen someone to handle everything for the cremation before dusk. He says.

Local laws state that dead bodies must be burned less than twenty four hours after they were found. They will be fined if they kept Godwin and Milo’s bodies in the house.

It wasn't thieves or vagabonds who killed papa and Milo. Anya whispers, these are the first words she has uttered since Tanner confirmed her brother and father's death.

Tears streak down Margery's face afresh, she too had been wondering why the thieves would leave perfectly good gold on them and only kill them.

Anya- Tanner begins.

You should get going Tanner, it will be noon soon and we need people to shroud papa and Milo. Margery cuts him off.

He nods and leaves the women alone, Margery subconsciously rubs her hand over her belly. The act doesn't go unnoticed by Anya, she started suspecting that Margery is pregnant as her and Tanner had been giggling over jokes only the two knew the past weeks.

You should eat something Marg. Anya says.

Am not hungry.

No but your babe probably is.

Margery looks at her sister opens her mouth but no words seem to come out, this is not how she wanted this joyful news to be announced.

Papa would have been happy. Anya supplies in the silence that had been born.

Margery doesn't say anything still and gets up to make herself some food, Anya goes to check on Cecily who is lying in bed staring at the ceiling in emptiness.

Mama, we have to get ready. We need to send off She pauses, her insides shaking we need to send off papa and Milo. She manages.

Cecily looks at her then turns on her side, not wanting to get up and confront the horrible truth once more. Anya slowly steps back, it has been a particularly hard day for her, her son and husband all gone in one go.

The three prepare and leave to go to the cremation centre. Many of Milo's and Godwin's friends turn up, following Tanner, Margery and Anya slowly behind as they lead the dead bodies being carried on the crematoriums horse drawn hearse. Many of them in shock, yesterday the two men had be hale and laughing, today nothing more than empty shells.

The two bodies are burnt and placed in jars, a tree will be planted for each of them and the ashes will be poured to fertilize it. Friends of the two dead men all approach the sisters to offer their condolences, for Anya their voices are all a loud buzz, she does not even know if she is responding to them.

When she looks up to her sister, Margery seems to handling the situation better than her. She has Tanner by her side and a babe in a few months. All Anya has now is mama, dear mama who couldn't