Its the start of my novel. This part, part one, introduces the main character Ana. Part two introduces Mae, who she then falls in love with and I won't give away any more. To read more of this story, go to: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AimF_lvX2MCwkJelM7dVgvfsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090704161058AA2WAsH
The time of year was unseasonably warm for the city of Pallaidia. The winter’s snow usually fell like grey bricks on the aged buildings, coating them with rat-grey ice, until the spring thaw let them emerge, sometimes as completely new buildings. The Lord’s Houses and the Palace were the only buildings that ever stayed uncovered by the snow, due to the toil of thousands of servants. This was the time of year the vagrants of the city, who almost outnumbered those with secure homes, sought shelter in abandoned buildings, in porches or under bridges. That was why the bench in the Great Garden was unoccupied; save for a small brownish lump, which on closer inspection was a child. That was also how the Guild of Assassins found its newest neophyte.
Two figures cloaked in shadow sat on another bench, conversing in whispers.
“The child obviously has nowhere to go,” hissed a young, female voice.
“We cannot risk another spy, Endra,” whispered a
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