The Son of Light

Chapter 11 The Drûhadda

Hannah and her mother continued on with an inner pain that felt like an internal wound that would never heal. The Ekklesian Tabernacle paid in full to them 167 gold Ducats which was the remainder of John Gretchen's pension. Hannah's mother had also received 200 gold ducats in life insurance from the policy that John had set up for them in the event of his death. With the crops now spoiled and many of the hired hands dead from the plague, Hannah's mother had sold their farms 300 acres for 100 gold ducats, (which was only a third of what it was worth due to the decline in the valley's quality of life) while keeping only the remaining six acres and the house. In summary, Hannah and her mother were well taken care of financially, But both would have willingly traded all that gold in exchange for John Gretchen to return to life again.

The Plague raged on, killing well over 40 percent of the total population of their valley. A direct consequence of this sudden depopulation was widespread poverty, and famine. Food prices had tripled, and food had to be imported from other sides of the country, but many refused to even come for fear of the plague and the roads. The roads that had once been safe became the target of thieves and highway men. In this sudden chaos many who had lost everything had turned to crime out of desperation to secure food. The Sheriff and his deputies couldn't to anything about this sudden change in public safety. Mostly because they were all dead. Hannah and her Mother had spent a whole day putting bars on their house's windows in the attempt to prevent robbery, and whenever they went into town, (Quiet frequently now as they needed to purchase their food from vendors) they were accompanied by a young man by the name of Sam Bruiser who had lost everything but now resided with Hannah and her mother as part of his payment as their bodyguard. Carrying the late John Gretchen's shotgun, Sam would stand to one side while Hannah and her mother did their business, brandishing the weapon to all in warning, puffing constantly on a fat cigar. Hannah's mother was not at all pleased with Sam's chain-smoking habits, but as they needed his protection, she was obliged to look the other way.

Carla's family had thankfully been spared the plague's wrath, however they had lost their farm due to the crop failure, and had been evicted from their land. Carla's father had been murdered by highway men that had attacked them on their way over to Hannah's house. They had buried him in the front yard and now both Hannah and Carla suffered the same agonizing pain of loss and seeing their home changed to an unrecognizable dystopia. Since Hannah's mother and her skills as a physician were still needed throughout the valley, she was hardly ever home to do the cleaning, so Miss Freond took upon the responsibility of running the household, working herself to the bone. Hannah suspected that she was ashamed at having lost her own home and felt like she had to earn her and Carla's keep, and was continually subservient to Hannah's mother, even though Miss Gretchen would constantly insist for her to rest. 

One evening on the rare occasion that they had supper together, Miss Freond announced that she had received a letter from her sister in Albanhaven. "She has invited us to come and live with them there. As they have no children of their own, she has offered to pay to have Carla enrolled into boarding school, and I into a program for widowed women to become governesses for wealthier families. I have accepted. We shall be leaving soon," Hannah's heart sank, Albanhaven was four days journey by train. And if Carla was to be sent away to boarding school, she and Carla would most likely never see each other again. Carla swallowed hard, and Sam with his feet on the table puffed away with complete indifference to the whole conversation. "I see, how soon?" asked Hannah's mother. "Next month, I just received the tickets with the letter today." Carla began to cry softly. "Be quiet!" snapped Miss Freond. She had been very short with Carla ever since they arrived. "We've overstayed our welcome here, and you knew this situation was only temporary! We have been shown kindness by your aunt and we'll take full advantage of her Husband's generosity!" Hannah's mother gently placed a hand on Miss Freond's. "You will always be welcome here, Macy" Miss Freond burst into tears. "Thank you, Julie. But it isn't right for us to stay here. We have eaten much of your food and drank much of your milk. I can never repay you. And you still have your daughter to feed. Take my advice dear and leave this place. A curse has descended upon it. I can feel it." Hannah's mother nodded understandingly. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I have plans to sell this house. Unfortunately the value has decreased with what the situation and all but it will be enough." Hannah looked in horror and her mother. Sell the house? their home? Hannah's mother gave a her sympathetic, but firm look. Their would be no argument, they were leaving too. "Seconds dears?" asked Hannah's mother, as if she wished to change the subject.