Blood and stars

Chapter 11

The sky was a deep orange color signaling the first signs of dawn where the sun shines down on a valley with a village at its center. Several small reptiles, rabbits and critters move around through the tall grass as crickets can be heard chirping amidst the foliage. A nearby rabbit squirms in pain when a spear plunges through its body the spear is held by a younger version of Duncan's father who is clad in leather clothes alongside a group of other men who are moving around in the valley.

???: "Is it true the chiefs son can't get his wife pregnant?"

One of the men whispers while glancing at Duncan's younger father and the other nods.

???: "Yeah the big fella over there chose a poor wife because she is afflicted with some with some kind of disease."

The other man whispers while pointing at the younger version of Duncan's father. And the men continue to whisper among each other while the chiefs son walks further away.

???: "Turns out she has a strange blood disease its like her own blood is killing her from the inside out."

Another man whispers while they follow the younger father of Duncan the scene then shifts where he is slightly older and waiting outside his house as two other women and the shaman of the village encourage his wife Duncan's mother to keep pushing. She groans and squeals for several moments before a loud crying is heard. Duncan's father enters the house and sees his wife cradling a frail looking boy.

???: "He doesn't look strong at all."

Duncan's father says as his mother eyes the baby with a mixture of disappointment and love.

???: "Your right he doesn't."

She says in response to her husband's words the scene changes again revealing a very young looking Duncan sitting in his room with a blood soaked cloth next to him.

Duncan: "I'm weak...too weak."

The younger Duncan clenches his fists angrily while grinding his teeth together. Suddenly his mother comes into the room coughing a few times as she sets down a tray of unique looking herbs, vials of liquid and tools.

???: "Time for...our medicine again."

She says eyeing her son with a hint of resentment as they both reluctantly begin preparing their medicine together.

Duncan: "Why are we sick mother?"

Duncan asks his mother and she is silent for a moment seemingly annoyed.

???: "A long time ago my side of the family was cursed. I was part of a household of 7 sisters. I was the youngest and ugliest of them all one day my fourth sister was gravely ill because she brought a plague home from her travels. She caused many deaths so our shaman came to give us knowledge. It turns out she was cursed by a vengeful blood spirit. We were told to appease the spirit by sacrificing her and our family refused. As a result my bloodline is cursed with a sickeningly terrible blood disease."

Duncan's mother reluctantly explains to her son as she glances at him distastefully every few moments.

Duncan: "Blargh!"

The present Duncan wakes up on his knees as blood spews out of his mouth and onto his hand. He looks at the crimson goop dripping from his fingers as he clenches his fist and grumbles.

Duncan/mind: 'D-Dammit...I've been too long without that medicine. The symptoms are resurfacing again.'

Duncan wipes himself clean with his ragged clothes and he glances around noticing Agatha's home is a mess. Without a word he stands up and starts tidying up cleaning the living room, kitchen and anything else that looks messy. After a while he goes back to the living room and notices Agatha walking in wearing a one piece made of black metal woven like cloth. She tosses a shirt and pants made from similar material at Duncan.