The story began with an antique, exquisitely crafted wooden hairpin, which unraveled a long-forgotten past connected to Master Donovan.
Thus, the book was titled Big Courtyard Past, also known as Blood Hairpin.
From these two titles alone, it was clear this was a heavy and dark story.
The wooden hairpin, the key item at the source of all the turmoil and upheaval, was a token of love between Master Donovan and his first love, Miss Preston.
The two met fifty or sixty years ago in the city of Valoria. At the time, Master Donovan was just in his early twenties, a carpenter's apprentice who had left his hometown to learn a trade and make a living.
A sudden downpour stopped Miss Preston in her tracks. In that moment, Master Donovan fell in love at first sight with the girl desperately seeking shelter under the curtain of rain. He ignored the customer he was waiting on and gave Miss Preston the wooden umbrella in his hand, even though it had already been reserved.
