The service for George had been brief. At least the Teacher had mentioned how George had raised her after their parents had died in the plague. Venta"s arm was still held securely in the sling and Marika had come to accept the fact that she would have to wait until Venta sat before crawling up into her lap for comfort or hugs.
The gravesite had few onlookers. The women from The Haven were there and the Brothers from The Silver and The Green Institute. Those that knew George in Donaldson were either dead, in jail, or hiding. The Mechs had hung Bentz. His reign of raids and burning were over. Even Newton was returning to life.
Venta saw Andy and Susan Trenton with their toddler getting ready to leave in their buckboard and hurried over. “Are you planning to continue to run the hold now tha
