Ultimate Decades Challenge - Day 32 - Year 1307 - Updated Nov. 17

Emma was becoming fast friends with all the chickens. She loved to play with the chickens while Kimberly worked on the rest of the farm chores.
https://i.imgur.com/FA2qVYh.png

Since it was a weekend, Kimberly took Emma to play at the park.
https://i.imgur.com/o3d5gSw.png
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She also couldn't help but take Emma to her special spot to see the birds.
https://i.imgur.com/4FAnzk8.png

"Your father and I used to come here," she told her.
https://i.imgur.com/UiLVtGw.png

"Is daddy coming home?" Emma asked.

"No sweetie...he's not coming home," Kimberly answered sadly.

"Is daddy mad at me?" Emma wondered.

"Of course not! Daddy loved you very much. Daddy can't come home now, but one day we will get to see him again."

"I miss daddy," Emma said.

"Me too, sweetheart."
https://i.imgur.com/MyuZDJo.png

While they were there, Benjamin noticed them and came to say hi.
https://i.imgur.com/QGmYHZj.png
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As they headed back to the play area, they happened upon a terrible sight. A poor man had frozen to death by one of the park benches.
https://i.imgur.com/oCHevij.png

Kimberly couldn't believe it. It was as if death were following her...
https://i.imgur.com/oTCR3jT.png

She didn't know the man, but she pleaded for him none the less. Grim did not listen to her pleas.
https://i.imgur.com/Gdim1Pt.png

Kimberly took Emma home, but she couldn't shake the dread that had come over her. She planted some roses and watered them with her tears.
https://i.imgur.com/vjJIxfK.png
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Anna came by and Kimberly welcomed her company.
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The two of them talked for awhile, chatting as sisters, and Kimberly felt much better after talking with her.
https://i.imgur.com/pNSnyY7.png
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Benjamin came the next morning to watch Emma while Kimberly went into town. She still had a lot of spring seeds to buy for her garden. For some reason, Sister Agnes was filling in for her cousin Agatha.
https://i.imgur.com/MFAU46r.png

After some shopping, she went to see the Creature Keeper. She bought a nice blanket for Theodore, the llama.
https://i.imgur.com/xj7JY6M.png

Kimberly thought it suited him well. He seemed to really like it.
https://i.imgur.com/0KoykqC.png
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However, the color didn't suit him too well after she fed him a veggie treat...
https://i.imgur.com/s2KckMK.png

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Over at the Harper residence Elizabeth and John were preparing for Camilla's birthday. She was turning 6 years old! John was singing to her, which he often did, to much delight from Camilla. She loved listening to John sing.
https://i.imgur.com/ElRWfxh.png

Then it was time for some cake.
https://i.imgur.com/G2bK9VW.png

That night Camilla asked Elizabeth if she would braid her hair.
https://i.imgur.com/s8SkvqQ.png

As Elizabeth worked Camilla gathered up the courage to ask the question that had been on her mind.
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"Mother?" she started. "Am I...really your daughter?"

Elizabeth hesitated, but then answered steadily. It was time she knew.
https://i.imgur.com/rG2fVaD.png

"Of course, you will always be my daughter, but...it is true that you were not always mine. Sister Agnes found you when you were very small. You were so hungry and there was no one to look after you. And so your father and I took you in. And we loved you from the moment you first came."

"What happened to my parents?" she asked.
https://i.imgur.com/Ndq58G2.png

"We don't know...there was no one with you when you were found."

"Did they die?"

"....that's very possible. That often happens to those who have no home, especially when it's cold out..."

She was silent for awhile, and then she asked, "Mother? Are we going to visit Auntie Anna tomorrow? And Maren? It's her birthday too."
https://i.imgur.com/s8SkvqQ.png

"No dear, I'm afraid we can't..."

"But we never go anywhere!" she whined. "Why can't we go? Is it because of...my powers?"

"If anyone were to find out about them," Elizabeth started, "it could be very bad..."

"But I'm learning to control them, I can..."

"No, you mustn't!" Elizabeth cried. "It's very dangerous. You must stop using them. We don't know what will happen."

"Yes, mother..." she replied. And then, "But it's my birthday, can't we please go see Maren? I promise I won't let anything happen."

She had finished her hair then. John had joined them and Elizabeth turned to him. "I don't know, what do you think?"
https://i.imgur.com/TIx4Tl4.png

"A vision of loveliness!" he cried.
https://i.imgur.com/D8kQAbe.png

Elizabeth laughed. "I mean about Maren's birthday party. Should we go?"

"I suppose...yes, this once. Let's go."

Camilla screeched with delight and hugged John and Elizabeth. "Thank you thank you thank you thank you!"

Everyone gathered for Maren's birthday. The children played and there was, of course, cake.

Camilla was so happy to see her cousins.
https://i.imgur.com/uwKvSOc.png

They were her only friends after all...
https://i.imgur.com/JFARXjl.png

Everyone was having fun at the party.
https://i.imgur.com/8j8xzOe.png

But then there came a knock at the door. Richard went out to talk with the messenger that came. He had a message for...Kimberly.
https://i.imgur.com/1FCZegg.png

Richard again had to be the bearer of bad news. He pulled her aside by the fireplace.

"A messenger just came from Finchwick," he said. "There was a fire at your father's place."
https://i.imgur.com/Dsgxe4o.png

"A spark from the forge must have started a blaze..."
https://i.imgur.com/7smFtgG.png

"And my father?" Kimberly asked. "Is he okay?"

Richard shook his head. "I'm sorry..."
https://i.imgur.com/0609kkp.png

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

https://i.imgur.com/B7AoY0r.png

Another sad chapter...I'm sorry! Benjamin rolled 3 extra years, putting his end of life at 43 years of life. :( Is death indeed following Kimberly? I hope not...

Maren and Camilla rolled 15 and 16. A 9, or a 19 and they die, so all is well there.