REAPERS - Book Two: The Hunger and the Sickness

38

Mulia watched through the curtain of her rented coach at a city transformed by catastrophe. Though her journey skirted the worst of the damage, the effects of the rupture were widespread. Fires raged for blocks. Nayte had protested her decision to strike out for Mother Blacklove orphanage at this dangerous hour. Let the chaos pass, he urged. But curiosity and a desire for closure eclipsed Mulia's fear. Now in the midst of the storm she began to question her wisdom. Looters crisscrossed the avenues. Fights randomly broke out in the streets. Hooligans rocked her own carriage as the coachman swatted at them with his whip. Mulia feared they would topple the vehicle until a Diluvian patrol chased off the aggressors. As draconian as the Diluvians could be, she was thankful for the armed policemen in this time of need.

Finally they reached the orphanage and went through its gnarled metal gates. Mulia had never visited before but was aware of the place. It was perhaps the city's largest such home and rumored to be haunted by Mother Blacklove herself who took possession of the nuns within to personally administer harsh penances.

As Mulia waited in the lobby she looked over the damaged building. Though some of the destruction predated the recent blast, it was clear the orphanage had not gone unscathed. The entire city seemed to be falling to ruin, her own manor included. Mulia was soon greeted by the stern old prioress who had penned the letter, Sister Chalice. This woman took her to see the wayward girl that she had written about. They sat in Chalice's sober office as Dimia told the story of Marrow and Halo's heroism. Mulia was astonished the youngling had not been more traumatized by her experiences there and since. She expected the child to be withdrawn, insane, paranoid. But this one was strong-hearted.

"Halo and his Reapers stopped Skelen and ended the curse of Marrow," said Dimia. "And though I escaped before he could return, I am sure he did come back for me."

"And that was the last you saw of my husband?" asked Mulia.

Dimia nodded. She told of her capture and of meeting Shroomer in Fort Stowerling's infirmary. "He got me passage to Camshire, and asked that I bring you this." Dimia held out the locket Mulia had sent to Fort Nothing so that Donric would have it to remember his family by. Tears brimmed in Mulia's eyes as she took it and opened it and looked at herself and her daughters frozen in time by the painter's brush. The heirloom had gone full circle now, first sent to Fort Nothing by Mulia to remind Donric of his loved ones back home while he fought monsters out in that wilderness to keep the rest of the Nation safe. And now here the locket was, back in her hands. And Donric back in the hands of the wild gods. The portraits within reminded Mulia of better times. If Donric was still alive out there, how his wife wished he could still have this locket in his hands to keep close to his heart and admire under the moons that shone on them both no matter where in the world they were. Mulia held back a sob as she closed the locket. Sister Chalice held out a handkerchief which Mulia took and used to wipe away the teardrops. Chalice sent Dimia outside the office so the adults might decide her fate in her absence.

"There is the matter of the girl's future," said Sister Chalice. "More orphans pour in by the day, their parents lost to war. We have already run out of beds and now some of the poor minnows must sleep on the floors. Soon we will have to turn children away—those with truly no other place to go."

"I'm sorry," said Mulia, sensing where this was heading. "I'm in debt, our finances are already so strained. I can't—"

"You live in Sablewood, do you not?" said Chalice. "I assure you, if you can maintain a home in that rich district, feeding one small girl will not empty your coffers."

Mulia looked down and turned the locket over in her hands as she thought. How would Astrid and Amelie respond to the new addition to their home? Halo would want her to look after this girl, wouldn't he? After all he gone through in Marrow to save her? And what did it say of Mulia's own humanity if she turned Dimia away? But she was not sure she could handle the new and unexpected responsibility. Leofrick would surely not approve if she brought the girl in. And that decided it.