A stranger

A cold wind took advantage of the opening, the uniformed man beyond didn’t seem to mind the chill. But Aria felt her blood turn to ice as she noticed the green robes and the snake facsimile that hid the guard’s face, the embroidered guard never brought good news. The guard sensed the new tension in the air and brought a plain gold star into view, “Matron Aria i’m both honored and saddened to present your husband’s final commendation.” Aria looked at the gold star in her hand, the metal seemed to suck away the heat with a never ending thirst, her hand shook as she looked back up at the guard. “And his body, master guard?” The guard rubbed it’s white gloved hands together hesitating if only for a second “Lord Hohenlohe has decided that the guard shall keep his body.” Aria tightened her palm around the star, “and why would the guard want my husband’s body?” Aria knew the answer she would get but the guard’s silence still left a pain in her chest “will my husband at least receive a state funeral after his service has ended?“ The guard put down it’s hood, the closest it could get to being personable, “matron Aria I will personally see to it.”