"This cannot be... Anthony...my husband... he was surely innocent! There must be some mistake!" Amanda exclaimed.
Written in bold letters within the new scroll was:
"Anthony Tenel;
Large Male, 6 foot 2 inches, very pale skin
Supposed Occupation: Blacksmith"
A picture of Amanda's husband, Anthony, lay smack dab in the center of the post. There he lay on the executioner's block. He was tattered with blood and a good percentage of his skin was seared with nasty boils. Amanda was only able to recognize him due to his face and name.
"Surely... this must be false..."
Amanda was heart torn and flustered, and still couldn't believe what had happened. She screamed loudly blocking out the frail whimpers of Cipherus crying in the background. She continued reading the new scroll.
"Anthony was an independent turncoat who betrayed The Citadel. He worked undercover as a blacksmith and it seems very few people knew of his true identity. His enhancements were extraordinarily high in both stealth and various other offensive techniques such as poision. He had the capabilities of a first class assassin and had made two attempts to infiltrate The Citadel."
Amanda was shocked. She could hardly believe it, however, she began to think about her situation. Her husband constantly was out due to "business trips" which she believed to be standard blacksmithing business. He had never invited her to go with him on said business trips though and when she had asked it was turned down quickly.
She then remembered what her Aunt Judith had mentioned. Anthony was extremely successful for a simple blacksmith, almost as if he had another side job that she didn't know about.
Amanda burst out in tears. As the facts slowly began to add up, she understood that her husband was truly a wanted man who defied The Citadel. She also began to understood the increasing pressure he must have faced to live such a dual life.
Sudden reality came back. She realized that Cipherus was still screaming and crying in the other room. He was most likely hungry, so she went to get some milk from the kitchen and heat it up over the fire.
As she did this she pondered...
"Why must this have happened now...? Life was so happy... and I was getting ready to live a life with my son... I was so happy to finally get the chance to start raising a family... and now this happens..."
More and more tears formed in her eyes. She finished heating up the milk and continued on to Cipherus' room where she could feed him. She began feeding him the milk and he soon settled down.
There she stared at Cipherus. He was an innocent child. A baby, who knew nothing of his current circumstances.
She then began to ponder how they would get by without Anthony around. Amanda had never taken up a full occupation, and although she did know a little bit about blacksmithing, it never stood out to her. It seemed that she would have to become a bartering saleswomen, selling different types of foods that she enjoyed growing in the local market.
Just after Amanda finished feeding Cipherus, she heard a loud knocking on the door. Amanda quickly put out her tears and wiped them with rag, to pretend she was alive and well this entire time.
When she opened the door, her Aunt Judith stood there weeping, just has she had been moments before.
"Amanda.... they...they executed... th-!"
Amanda responded, once again shedding tears, "I know... I saw in the news... I can't believe Anthony was a turncoat. There was never even the slightest signal..."
Aunt Judith continued, "Oh girl! So you already know! Oh my my my... but there is worse my girl! They know about you...you must hide... You and Cipherus must find somewhere safe to live!"
"What do you mean? I didn't see anything like that within the news. I hadn't read the final section, however, I couldn't concentrate afterwords and Cipherus was crying in his room."
"Read what it says here... at the end... it's truly disastrous!" screamed Aunt Judith.
Amanda begin to read the last bits and pieces of the story on Anthony. It read:
Anthony had one known family member. Her name was Amanda Tenel, his wife. Once found, she will be sentenced to death as well. No public execution should be held for Amanda, as it has not been proven that she was aware of her husbands deeds.
Amanda's mouth dropped even farther than it had originally. Not only was Anthony put to death but soon she would too.
Her thoughts immediately shifted to what would soon happen and how Cipherus would make it out alive.
Her Aunt screamed while crying, "Listen!!! We cannot hide you. It is simply impossible. What The Citadel declares, goes in the society, and you would put us all at a great risk! We wish we could... however, it's just not possible..."
Amanda responded, "How could this be! I cannot believe it! I am a wanted women for no reason, just association!"
At this point, Amanda was still thinking about Cipherus and not herself. If she could save one thing it was him, and not her. She approached her Aunt with a plan.
"Listen... Aunt Judith... There is no way I can escape this, but, if we try, Cipherus can! Please do as I say!!!"
"Amanda, I will help you and Cipherus in any way I can. What is your plan dear? Please, allow me to assist you."
"I need you to take Cipherus. Nurse him for a few days to ensure he is healthy, and then bring him into an orphanage. Say that you had found the child on the streets with nothing but a name tag...one that said Cipherus. Bring him in for me and allow him on to live on..."
The plan certainly had risks however it seemed the most logical at that point. Cutting connections with Cipherus' two wanted parents was the only way to keep him safe.
Amanda urged Aunt Judith to hurry with Cipherus and be on her way. She listened, and left the home.
Moments after Aunt Judith left with Cipherus Amanda heard knocking on her door.
"OPEN UP! We are Citadel Agents! You are under arrest in the name of the law!"