「Four days later.」
A fine, ceaseless rain fell over the cemetery at Green Shade Manor.
Yor's funeral was simple and solemn. A few old servants, holding black umbrellas, stood quietly before the fresh grave.
This once-loyal Knight's Attendant had spent the last twenty-three years of his life in a wheelchair. Now, he was finally at rest.
Standing in the fine rain, Murphy said to Linus, "I apologize. Because of Aurora's wedding, we couldn't give Yor a grander funeral."
Linus's temples were streaked with gray, the corners of his eyes etched with the marks of time.
Twenty-three years had passed. The young Copyist he once was had become a middle-aged man in his forties.
No, perhaps in an age of such short lifespans, he was already considered an old man.
"Lord Baron, you are too kind," Linus said with a deep bow. "If you hadn't promoted me to Steward all those years ago, I might still be a Copyist today. We will never forget the kindness you've shown my uncle and me over the years."
