Chapter 8
April 1994
The harsh noises of the women’s bitter barks sounded as their feet shuffled to and from across the wooden planks of the floor in the kitchen of the monastery. “Where is she? I swear, if you have lost her yet again…”
It was a threat. The old woman was always threatening. Worse than that, she usually made good on them. She was just mean.
The younger of the two old women said, “I haven’t, I promise. She was just here. Likely she’s playing outside.”
“Find her and bring her here. He wants to see her.”
He? Oh, no. He was also a man who liked to make good on his threats, but his threats were usually worse, and cost her more dearly.
It was a good thing the vast monastery had so many wonderful places to hide. The little girl crouched in the shadows of the table, the tabl
