A day in mourning

The weather that sombre day fitted the mood well. The snow blanketed the town in a thick fog and the church and its graveyard looked as if they covered it in blankets of White Stag pelts. Looks like the entire village turned out for this, Grace thought, stepping into the small stone building that dominated the lot. The warmth of many people in an enclosed space enveloped her, like one of those handmade blankets that Nana Melarin used to make. Making her way to the front of the church, Grace felt the truest extent of the love of her community both for herself, and for her mother and siblings. The village leader started the ceremony.

"Dearly beloved, I gather here us today to mourn the loss of Mrs Juniper Melarin, apothecary, wife to Mr William Melarin and mother to Grace, Riker and Addalyn." The leader said. "We are also here today to mourn Riker and Addalyn, children to Mr William and Mrs Juniper Melarin and brother and sister of Grace. The lives of these three beautiful souls, stolen from this world far too soon. May the universe let their souls rest in peace." The leader droned on, making what should have been a ceremony that should have been half an hour go on for two.

As Grace got out of her seat to leave the church to go to the plots prepared for burial, she saw a familiar figure in the doorway. He made it; she thought. Falael actually came. She didn't know why, but somehow every time she saw him a sense of being at peace, like everything was going to be okay, came over her.

"I see I am not too late," He whispered, a sly smile danced across his features.

"It's interesting," Grace mused aloud. "As sad as this day should to be, I, the one who should be the saddest, somehow have joy in my heart."

"Today isn't a sad day," Grace looked at him confused. "Yes, sadly, your mother and siblings died, but today is really a celebration of the lives that they lived." Falael finished, reflecting on his own experiences with death. Just then a man, tall and willowy, bumped into Falael, slipping something into his pocket.

The pallbearers, carrying Juniper, Riker and Addalyn came out of the church bearing their loads; the crowd, including Grace and Falael, gathered around the three burial plots. They lowered the caskets into their ultimate resting place, and Falael put his arm around Grace to comfort her. Grace picked up the spade that stuck out of the nearby mound of dirt and, one by one, started filling in the holes surrounding the bodies of her mother, brother and sister.

One by one, other members of the community, friends of the family and customers at Juniper's apothecary did the same, only stopping when there was no more hole to fill and the pile of dirt used to bury the caskets had been all but used. Grace, after saying one last goodbye, turned to leave the cemetery and lead the mob back to that fate-filled cottage for light refreshments and to share stories about Juniper, Riker and Addalyn.

The cottage appeared just as it had been that cruel night. The snow-covered roof and that unassuming red door looked as it did before Grace had opened it that night. Bracing herself, Grace led the party up the garden path and into the cottage where pastries, sandwiches and drinks had been in the kitchen. The very room where they died, Grace thought, realising that she had made a mistake by not specifying that the kitchen was not the most ideal place to eat, not if she told anyone where her family had died. Noticing her concern, Falael came to Grace and gently led her out of the room before she burst into tears in a fit of panic.

"They didn't know, and the guests don't need to know," He tried to soothe her but Grace shrugged him off.

"You don't understand. I have been doing everything I can to avoid that room," she wailed, pacing the floor of the empty front room.

"I understand, I know what it is to lose people you grow up knowing, been there, done that. I know what it is to see bodies, freshly killed and still warm," Falael stated, earning a curious look from Grace. "Heaven only knows how many people have died either by my hand or because of the actions that I have done. And I know how traumatic it is to revisit the scene of the crime, I have done that too many times to count. But Grace there are only so many places in Penrith, and if you stop visiting one spot because of one poor memory, you will find your world getting smaller and smaller. Plus, just because there is one bad memory in that kitchen doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the good memories that you have made in that room and it certainly doesn't mean that you can't continue making good memories in there," He reasoned, holding Grace as if she was a child who needed a good talking to. Grace sighed, realising that he was right.

"If that's true, why is it so hard to enter that room?"

"Because the trauma is recent. But, it will get easier. Maybe not today, but it will eventually." Falael enveloped Grace into a hug. Breathing slowly to calm herself, Grace felt like she was smelling one of those teas that her mother had made many times during winter. He smelled great, like candied oranges and roasted chestnuts with a little chamomile and peppermint. After what felt an eternity, Grace pulled away.

"Falael, can you stay tonight, please? I don't feel safe here." It was a half-truth and Grace knew it. Yes, she didn't feel safe in her own home, but she wanted to get to know this charming young deputy that had consistently been by her side, making her feel safe and who was there to talk some sense into her. Falael slid his hand into the pockets, leaning back as if he was pondering the question.

Feeling an unfamiliar item in his pocket, he pulled out the note that the shadowy figure had slipped into the said pocket during the funeral. Opening the note, Falael went a ghostly shade of white. It was from Rinomve.

"I wish I could stay Grace, but truth is that neither of us is staying in Penrith tonight," Falael answered the now very confused Grace. He read the note again.

9th December, year 11 of the reign of Queen Envano

Dearest Falael,

I, your forever friend Rinomve, wish you are well. However, in saying that, I don't have any glad tidings for you. My aunt, Queen Envano, knows that you are currently living in Penrith and working as a sheriff's deputy. As I understand it, you are currently working on a murder case. Knowing the ways of the court, it would not surprise me if my aunt or someone close to her had something to do with it. If I was you, I would get out of Penrith.

Good luck, Falael, and send my best wishes to the poor soul who has just lost their family.

Rinomve, improper Crown Prince of Asharia.

Falael looked back at Grace.

"This note was sent from a dear friend of mine. For his safety and my own, I will not tell you his name. He has just informed me that some powerful, angry and dangerous people who want me dead know where I am. I will not tell you who they are however, I will tell you that my friend suspects death of your family may involve them in the, and I am inclined to agree with him."

"So, what's next?"

*****Author's note*****

So, chapter 5 is out! Over the next few weeks updates may be more irregular, I am going back to university and a lot of my time will be used to study and write essays. I hope to continue posting once a week, but if I don't please know that it is simply becuase I am swamped with work. Thank you.

Abi