The following morning after my mother departed, Velador and I walked in one of the city’s public gardens. I felt at ease in the calming ambiance and the threat of another assassination didn’t worry me. I was confident that I’ve proven myself to these people by now.

I held Velador’s arm while we stopped at all of the dormant fauna. No roses to smell there. It was winter afterall and he explained, “I realize this is a bad time of year to walk here.”

“Just a little ...