Prologue
The wails of mourning reachedHiren’s ears long before the news of her husband’s death did.Brightly clad women, their ...

Chapter 1
September 1835Bram Armstrong wandered the dirty side streets of King’s Port for over two hours before finally giving up an ...

Chapter 2: Sold
“Well boys, looks like we got ourselves a new bidder out there.” The auctioneer quickly recovered himself and resu ...

Chapter 3: Strays
Thinking of Thea always brought a smile to Bram’s face. She had been his wife for the last six years and she was more than ...

Chapter 4: The Long Walk
It was only a short walk to Abel’s shop but it felt like a hundred miles to Bram. He could feel the eyes of all of King&rs ...

Chapter 5: Life
Maybe things won’t be as bad as I’ve imagined, Hiren thought as she leaned against the building behind her and soake ...

Chapter 6: Hiren
Bram rose, ladled a cup of water, squatted down next to the girl and waited for her to take it. She paused only a moment before ...

Chapter 7: Necessities
Abel’s hand stopped in mid-smack on its way back to his older brother’s chest.“Hiren,” she said again ...

Chapter 8: The Bath
Hiren looked at the woman standing over her with fear in her eyes.“Stand up missy, time for your bath. By the smell of you ...

Chapter 9: Gone and Back Again
Hiren woke in the middle of the night to sounds of heavy breathing and the occasional grunting snore.“They’re asleep ...

Chapter 10: Love at First Sight
When Bram and Hiren reached Abel’s small house Bram was surprised to find Abel gone. Not pausing to wait, Bram gathered up ...

Chapter 11: Unfamiliar Territory
“Good morning, Abram. We saw that you returned. How was the journey?” Sarah Chellings asked as she walked in the doo ...

Chapter 12: Introducing Hiren
“Now let me get this straight, Reverend,” August Sweet stood from his seat on the pew and addressed Bram after he ...