T here is a stone hut in the corner of the garden; it would be the perfect place for Aster to hide the rough map she has been creating under Jocef’s tutelage. As Aster approaches she hears a thud from within.
Who could it be?
She gently pulls the door open.
Clara.
Clara kneeling in the corner over one of the storage trunks. Aster feels bad for a moment for Clara is oblivious to her presence — unable to hear she has no inkling she is being watched. Quickly Aster puts the rolled-up map into her sash hides it with a fold of blue fabric. She walks over and touches Clara on the shoulder. Clara startles. She turns.
“Clara what are you doing here?”
Clara jumps up defensive. “What business is it of yours?”
“It’s none of my business.” Aster’s heart squeezes. They used to be so close. And some of their distance comes from her; she has been preoccupied of late she has not been a sister. Aster holds out her hand in their old gesture of sisterhood. “Since when have we had secrets from each other?”
