By the Grace of Blood, Part V

Hard times fell upon the land and the young woman was pressed to keep her home afloat. She saw the tree less often. The hard times became hard years. And even then, catastrophe struck. A particularly devastating drought grasped the land. Fire erupted. The forest the town relied on for wood and timber vanished into smoke and cinders. The willow survived. The young woman visited, grateful that the tree was spared the fate of the others. That was when the men came.

~

“The water is red. The sea is like blood. It must be an omen.”

“The Sanguinate sends us a sign!”

“Our gods are displeased with us.”

“Something is coming.”

“What have we done wrong?”

“Thy Sacred Sanguinate, protect us from evil.”

“The portent is clear. We are doomed.”

“Nay, we are blessed!”

“SILENCE.”

Lord Dallifred stood. He stared at the crowd gathered in the manor’s grand hall.

“Esteemed neran of Harbin, the reason we have gathered you today is obvious. That being said, we shall discuss with civility,” Lady Blyme said. She stood beside Lord Dallifred. They were dressed in green and tan robes, the colors assigned to Harbin’s ruling Lady and Lord. Dallifred had deep set green eyes and long dark brown hair. Blyme had monolid brown eyes with short black hair.

“We shall present the facts first. That way we can base our discussion in what we know before we make inferences about what we do not.” Lord Dallifred said.

“First, the land eels came to nest. They did so, but they did not return to the water in the time-frame they normally do. Instead they stayed two extra days and then came to our town,” Lady Blyme said.

“Secondly, the land eels attacked the townspeople. This is not outside their nature as wild creatures. This was only unusual in that they do not normally come this far inland,” Lord Dallifred said.

“Third, the land eels were killed thanks to the swift actions of the hunters and other townspeople. However, we still suffered twenty casualties,” Lady Blyme said.

“Fourth, after investigation of the beach in the morning, we discovered the sea around the beach had turned blood red. This appears to have been created by a blood magick that is capable of transmuting one liquid into another. Thus, the water was changed into blood. While there are many theories, the reason for its change is unknown. It may have been a blood master’s goal to scare the land eels into attacking town. Unfortunately we do not have evidence to substantiate that claim at this time,” said Lord Dallifred.

“Finally, we discovered that one land eel and one townsperson had been charred by a blood magick casting, as they were burned thoroughly despite the rain. This may have been the same blood master that transmuted the sea water, or it may have been someone else. We do not have the evidence to establish either way yet,” said Lady Blyme.

“Neran present, we now ask for your discussion. One at a time please,” Lord Dallifred said.

~

“Daughter! Where have you been? We feared something might have happened with the chaos in town, but we could not find you,” said Mother.

Clym’s mother and father sat at the table in the main room. They looked tired and worried, but seemed to ease at seeing her. The house was small but comfortable. The wooden table was most of the furniture in the main room besides a washbasin, four chairs, and some cabinets for dishes and cloth. There were two other rooms. One for Clym and one for her mother and father. The most expensive item they had within the house were their beds. They were wool mattresses, made by the best linen crafter in town, set in wooden frames made by Father. There was a desk in each room, also made by Father. The walls were decorated with Mother’s art. Landscapes of Harbin, its beach, and the different seasons were the focus of her art.

“I’m sorry. I was helping neran Halma with an errand when the land eels attacked. I hid once it started and didn’t come out until it was all over. Then I had to let neran Halma know that I was unable to complete the errand after all,” Clym said.

“An errand for that curio shop woman? In the middle of the night? What ever for?” Father said.

“Well, she’s asked me if I wanted to become her apprentice. I hadn’t decided yet, so I agreed to help her get a special product to a client to see if I liked the sorts of work I’d do there,” Clym said.

“Hadn’t decided? You mean to say you’ve already decided on taking a job and didn’t think to talk to us about it once?” Mother said.

“Well? What was your decision?” Father said.

“I…I think I want to work with her,” Clym said.

“Doing what? Does she not just work a shop?” Mother said.

“There’s more to it than that. She still has to obtain the items she sells, whether through trade or by going to get them herself. I think it could provide an opportunity for travel, maybe even adventure,” Clym said. Her eyes brightened.

“What about your True Path? What about the town and what it needs? Our customs have importance Daughter. They help us to preserve its prosperity,” Father said.

“I know, Father. I have thought about this. I intended to ask neran Halma if she could submit a stone for the casting. Then I could challenge or trade for it. I doubt anyone will wish to keep it,” Clym said.

“Hmm. It seems you have thought this over more than I guessed. We will not keep you from this. That is not our place. But tell me, is this truly what you want? To serve as a curio shop woman all your days?” Mother said.

“I don’t know. How does anyone know that they will always want to be one thing? What about those who end up with a true path they don’t enjoy? Do they deserve to never be something else? Something they desire?” Clym said.

“Ah. Yes, there is restriction with the True Path. Yes, there is uncertainty, perhaps even disappointment. I was like you when I prepared for the casting. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be a carpenter into old age. But I realized that whatever path lay ahead, things would work out. We cannot know our futures, they are held in care by the Sacred Sanguinate. But even so, we can make the best of our given life, of our time, and of our True Path. We must look for the good in all things. If the True Path you receive is not to your liking, then you can trade or challenge. Should you fail that, then you can still find happiness in things outside of your Path. Our community says one must rejoice in the True Path, but remember that a saying is only fulfilled in actions. Some may disagree, but a True Path is not what you receive from the stone casting. It is what you make of that profession and your life outside of it. There is more to life Daughter,” Father said.

Yes, Father. There is more. More than one town, one role, one chosen path. But how can I convince them? Even I don’t know what lies beyond our town besides what I’ve been taught or heard of from travelers.

“I understand. But I don’t think that there is room for much more in some of the True Paths I could receive. Was it not fortunate that both of you were able to get True Paths that you had trained in or enjoyed? Mother, you challenged and won apprenticeship as an artist. What if no apprenticeship had been available that year? Would you have been content working something else and only painting in your scant free time? Father, you trained as a carpenter with your father before you were of casting age. You may have been worried, but it was unlikely that someone would beat you in a challenge, and the town is always in need of such a profession. Neither of you were in my position. I do not know what I would wish to trade or challenge for. While I have enjoyed woodwork, it is not what I see myself doing. There are a number of True Paths I could manage but would not prefer. I have not been excited by any of them until neran Halma offered. I enjoy the different. The strange. The other. It intrigues me. Sure, it is odd to some, but it isn’t to me. Please. Support my seeking of her apprenticeship. I will ensure she offers a stone to the casting. I don’t wish to anger the gods. I only wish to have a chance at something that feels right to me,” Clym said.

“You argue your point well, Daughter. You should seek that which makes you most happy, not just what you can make the most of. I support your choice,” Mother said.

Clym beamed. “Thank you Mother. And Father?” she said.

Father looked concerned. He sighed heavily but smiled as well. “You really have grown, haven’t you Daughter? I cannot begrudge you your enthusiasm. I warn you to not get your hopes too elevated, but I support you. Be you, Daughter. No matter what, be you,” he said.

Clym’s face brightened ever further. “I will Father. Thank you. I love you both,” she said.

Father and Mother shared a smile. “We love you too,” they said.

~

“Then it is decided,” Lady Blyme said. It had grown dark. Torches lit the grand hall in an orange light. “We shall conduct a further investigation. We shall produce a writ of search. This will allow the town guard to enter homes they suspect of housing someone that wielded Blood Magick during the events of the attack.”

“Any details or evidence should be reported to Guard Master Pollway. He shall run the investigation. If we can, we will only enter houses and establishments with connections to the investigation. But if that proves unsuccessful, we may have to authorize a far reaching search that asks all townspeople to open up their homes. Hopefully this will not prove necessary. With that said, may you, honored neran of Harbin, go with the favor of our Sacred Sanguinate. Be well,” Lord Dallifred said.

~

Lindel eased out of his assigned bed. His wounds still throbbed, but he could ignore the pain as long as he didn’t touch them. He walked into the main chamber of the Sacred House. His violet eyes squinted at the daylight streaming through red glass built into the walls and ceiling. The chamber glowed a soft red, perfect for praising the Sanguinate. Some priests and priestesses walked about, donned in blood red robes and embroidered with the shape of a teardrop on the left side of the chest. Lindel held his side and ambled towards the door. The priestess who had attended him the last couple days walked up to him before he could escape.

“Neran Callifen. Are you sure you should be departing already?” she said.

Lindel sucked air in through his teeth and turned to face her. “Hello neran Priestium. Yes, I believe I am well enough to leave. I need not trouble you any further. Besides, the annual feast approaches. I’m sure you have much to prepare for,” Lindel said. Lindel looked at the priestess more intently and forced a smile. Oh. My vision certainly failed me when I first woke. She is beautiful.

The priestess nodded. Those who joined the House of the Sacred Sanguinate as a priestess or priest forfeited any assets they held along with their family name. They joined the priesthood and presented that as their family name as a sign of devotion.

“Very well. Don’t push yourself too hard. I don’t want to see you back here simply for reopening one of those wound,” the priestess said.

“As you wish. Please, neran, tell me your given name. I would like to know you beyond being like any other of House Priestium,” Lindel said.

The priestess blushed. While given names were common for referring to many townspeople, most did not regard priests and priestesses by more than the honorific neran and House Priestium. “How forward of you neran Callifen. While it is not customary to refer to a priestess as their given name, it is not forbidden. My given name is Myelle,” she said.

“Myelle. I like the sound of that. Has a good ring to it. Well, Myelle, should you have need of someone to take care of in the future, I’m sure I can find a way to get injured again,” Lindel said. He smiled. He ran a hand though his auburn hair. “And please, call me Lindel. I may be the last of House Callifen, but I do not prefer to dwell on it,” he said. He bowed slightly, grimaced from the pain, and walked away to the exit. Myelle shook her head slightly, but a smile formed at her lips.

Lindel walked out into the town center and stopped. Guards were everywhere. Two approached him immediately.

“You. You need to come with us for questioning,” they said.