Hexe - The Great Exodus

[CH. 0037] - Echos of Love

Rotblut

Noun

Translation: Red Blood / Death Blood

Definition: It is the sanguine fluid that courses through the veins of beings who are viewed as ephemeral; their lifespans markedly brief when measured against the ageless creatures of blue or green blood that inhabit the world. Rotblut is thus perceived as a harbinger of death, a sign of an innate 'sickness' or impermanence. Creatures with Rotblut, or those who become contaminated by it, are pitied and seen as afflicted, for the red essence marks them for a destiny bound by the inexorable decay of their short time.

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Noctavia woke up alone on the bed. The gentle rocking motion of the nest was a stark contrast to the room's stillness. She searched for any sign of Yeso or the usual morning breakfast. Still, she found neither, a pang of disappointment settling within her.

Sitting up became an ever-increasing challenge, her body adapting slowly to the monumental changes. Her belly, now immense, seemed as if it bore the weight of the nine moons, its heft rivalling the dwarf's steadfast mountains of Skoe Scana.

Inhaling deeply, gathering strength from the very air around her, Noctavia gracefully jumped from the bed to the floor. Each step was slow and plump. She started to believe her child would be as huge as a double-sized pumpkin.

She made her way to the kitchen. Upon entering, she heard the clink of porcelain and the soft swish of water and saw Yeso's godmother immersed in the simple task of washing dishes.

The faerie, known to Noctavia simply as "godmama," was indeed a very old fairy, embodying the unique faerie trait of ageing in reverse. Thus, to Noctavia's eyes, she appeared as a child, small and sprightly, standing on a stool to reach the sink.

Despite her youthful appearance, her gaze held the depth and wisdom of many lifetimes, her smile warm and knowing, slightly out of place on her otherwise jovial, childlike face.

"Oh, I see you woke up," the godmother said, her voice tinged with a mirth that seemed to fill the room. "I made some fresh pie," she added, nodding towards the table with a playful tilt of her chin.

Noctavia's eyes were immediately drawn to the pie covered with a cloth on the table. She approached and carefully lifted the cloth, curiosity piqued about the contents. The sweet aroma of apples wafted up to greet her.

"Don't worry, it's apples! Not mushrooms," the godmother chuckled, referencing Noctavia's recent adventure with star mushrooms. "Yeso told me about it the other day."

"Oh, it's my fault. I should have known better," Noctavia responded, a hint of sheepishness in her voice.

"Eat up before he comes back. You know how he is with apple pie," the fairy warned playfully.

"Where did he go?" Noctavia asked while slicing a piece of the pie.

"We have two faeries about to sprout, so he's helping set things up," the godmother explained, turning back to the dishes with a smile. "We're going to have a welcome party."

"Oh, that sounds nice," Noctavia replied, sitting down at the table to enjoy the pie. The godmother added, "I made some tea for you as well. And soon, we'll be having a party for you and your little one."

"You think I'm almost due?" Noctavia asked, her mouth full of the delicious apple pie.

"I hope so. Otherwise, you'll be rolling!" the godmother joked, her laughter light-filled with joy resonating in the cosy kitchen. The room, brimming with the scents of home-baked pie and freshly brewed tea, felt like a sanctuary, a place where worries seemed to melt away, even if just for a moment.