The heavy door opened for Tara and she stepped into the hall. The fire lamps hanging on the pillars and wall of the hall all lit up as one, burning in different multicolored fires that cast the whole surroundings in a soft ethereal atmosphere.
She walked steadily on the smooth cobbled floor of the hall with the feeling that someone was beside her, giving her moral support, but she knew it was not really so. Two rows of tall, wide chairs lined both sides of the hall, and she passed through them till she arrived before the raised platform up front where a wooden throne-like chair sat.
Tara stood before the chair for long moments, picturing her grandmother seated regally on the seat and giving out commands. The tears trailed slowly down her cheek, and deep sorrow encompassed her. For long moments she stood there, crying until her heart felt empty.
“I must be strong,” she affirmed to herself and wiped her tears, taking the last step to the chair. She tur
