Marta was reading the most recent letter Ezra had sent her, a frown on her face. She was thrilled he had been able to find something to help him focus on and to help with his need to fight back. But she was worried if it was putting him into more danger, and hearing about the incident in the town only fueled that worry. Maybe it was going too far, maybe Ezra needed to step back for awhile, but she knew he wouldn't, he was too determined. He was out for blood. When she brought up her concern to Jeremiah, he just practically ignored her, only saying, "Ezra is a man. He does what it is needed by his people." Before Amelia could argue that they were just marching him to his death, Jeremiah left to go speak with Mrs. H. Glaring at the man's back, Marta went back up to her loft, kicking her mattress for relief. Atalia who had been sitting on her bed, writing her letter to Isiah looked up at her. "What is it Kiva?" They were still being careful about names, but even though it had been a few months, Marta still felt weird being called Kiva. Letting out a sigh, Marta slumped down onto the floor. "I am worried about Ezra, his last letter...it was...well it seems his rage is back and being fueled by the other men" she said, "At least all the men but Isiah. He seems to be Ezra's only salvation there." "I know" Atalia began, frowning, "Isiah wrote in his letter about Ezra. He told me about the incident in town, and how the other men thought it was exciting and thrilling. They were looking up to Ezra as a sort of icon. A image of blood lust." "I hate it Olive. He is going to be killed, I just... I hope it is what he wants too. If I found out he were forced into anything, I'd..." "I know Kiva, I know. It is so hard. But that is why it is important we keep writing these letters. They need us to be there for them, no matter what." "You are right" Marta sighed, standing to straighten out her mattress before getting her parchment and ink. [i]My Dear Ezra, It all sounds so beautiful. I wish I could be standing by the lake with you right now. Atalia and I have began to learn knitting from Mrs. H. It is a tad boring in my opinion, but it helps to pass the long evenings. Expect a horrible crafted sweater in the next four to six months, since at the rate I am learning that is how long one sweater is going to take. Ezra I know I say this in all my letters, but I do hope you are being careful. I know after everything you've been through, the rage inside is beginning to take over, but you can't let it Ezra. You are better than that. I know it is important to fight, and I want you to fight for you and your people. But most of all, I need you to fight for us. If you give into the rage, your vision will be shifted and you will start finding yourself in more and more situations like what happened in town. I need you to return to me Ezra. As every day passes, I tell myself it is one day closer to being in your arms. I may not know when that day is, but we can only move forward. So please my love, stay strong and remember how much I love you. With all the love in the world, Marta [/i] --------- Marta woke up six days later after sending her last letter to Ezra. It was usually the day Jeremiah came to visit, it also happened to be Marta's birthday. But Marta didn't even think about it, she didn't even tell Atalia or Mrs. H. She just started her day like always. Getting up she climbed down the loft and went into the bathroom. Marta was always the first to wake up, she had always been an early riser. She went into the bathroom and began her morning routine of washing her face and brushing her hair and pulling it up into a braid. The last few weeks, since the snow began to melt, they were getting ready to replant all of Mrs. H's gardens, So Marta put on her garden pants and an old button down shirt and was ready for the day. She walked out in the kitchen and put the kettle on to start the tea. She then stood by the counter cutting up some apples for breakfast.