Chapter 18. Funeral Rites

Relian holds onto Kai as he stands on the street, staring at the wooden cart with two shovels already inside. “Something wrong?” Alexei asks.

He walks up and gently places Kai in the cart. “I’ll pull him. You make sure the way is clear, yeah?”

Alexei nods. “Okay.”

Relian gets behind the handle and walks down the bumpy street.

The man focuses on keeping his feet in rhythm with his breathing as he drags the heavy cart through the city. It was early morning, but the few passers-by who are out and about make sure to keep their distance with their distasteful stares and lowered murmurs. Relian just reached the city limits, but the joints in his hands were aching with the skin threatening to peel, he was gasping for breath, and he felt like he could fall asleep as he walked.

As the sun’s light shines over the horizon through the east gate, the bell of the clock tower rings clear. “Hey.” Relian snaps awake. Alexei continues, “Take a break. I’ll push the cart.”