I glance at my guards standing a few feet away ready to jump in if needed. "It's time to begin." I raise Marinah's hand and kiss the backs of her fingers. "Stay with Axel." I search her eyes for just long enough to see if she's handling herself before I glance away.
"I'm fine, really," she assures me.
Axel nods, letting me know that he has her. I walk forward and face about two hundred people who came to say farewell to Boot. A few "hushes" sound and small talk quickly dies.
"Death is always a tragedy," I say loudly enough for everyone to hear. Marinah grimaces but otherwise doesn't react. "Boot died saving his young son's life." I look to the children standing in a group and find Che. "He loved you and he was proud to call you son." Che's tears stream down his face when I continue. "Y
