Blood Moon

Chapter 1 - Some Introductions and Opinions

Chapter 1

 Some Introductions and Opinions

 

Leira’s POV

   I leave the nursery where most of the other girls from the village have gathered to play with the babies. The overwhelming noise from both their mindless chatting and vapid thoughts was giving me a headache.

     Locking up through the rock canopy above I can see the purple and gold dancing light display, rippling across the sky, under the scarlet moon, I try and regain my composure.

     Legends claim that when our ancestors’ came to this planet, they named Craium, they used the red celestrual giant to help find their new home. Once it might have been seen as a symbol of hope, but that honor has now been given to the much smaller golden moon absent from this nights work. Now it is a symbol of bigotry, hatred and loathing for all things different.

    Like me.

   I have always know I was different, even as a small child I knew it is not normal to hear the thoughts of those around me, I have taken great care never to share this fact with anyone except my future seeing cousin. Looking around the town square for her now I see Ariel dreamily helping others get ready for the feast.

   Crossing to her I stand in front of her before gently tapping her on the shoulder. She blinks twice, and then offers a weak smile.

   “What’s wrong?” I ask.

   “Siimon will reject his child,” she replies.

    I frown, and she places her hand in mine before showing me what she has just seen…

The temple shadowed and badly lit.

Siri poking the child then lifting it high.

Siimon approaching then turning away.

The child being lowered then placed across from the one before.

   “Moron,” I mutter before closing my eyes and widening my mind looking for his.

  The roar of so many thoughts is so loud at first, increasing my already aching head. I begin sifting through them as fast as I can, quieting each to an irritating buzz, till I find the one I seek. Though the temple is just on the edge of my limits. Siimon is such an opinionated man I can hear him clearly.

   “He has two boys at home, and is confident of having more. He does not want to waste good resources on a girl.” I say opening my eyes. “He’s an idiot. With the acceptance rate being what it is he should not be allowed to waste a perfectly healthy child for such stupid reasons.”

   Ariel shrugs walking off to grab another dish, “Ramon has claimed the unwanted child.”

    I’m glad, Ramon is a good man and his wife Marita still mourns her two failures. He must hope this child will help heal her.

   I look around and everything appears to be ready. Streamers have been strung from post to post, and the tables are full of food baked over the last few days. 

   A horn sounds, bringing out those who were still inside out and silencing all. Of the five who went up, only three have come down. Each child was raised and introduced with a cheer from the crowd. As the last child is returned to it’s mother, the ceremony is finished and the feast begins.

   I spot the High Chief Councilor walking away from the other council members, and jog to catch up.

   “Father, Siimon should not be able to reject a child for her gender.” He spins around faster then I thought, causing me to stumble back.

   “Why do you think he did that?” he asks harshly.

   I was so angry with Siimon that I spoke without thought.

   ‘How does she know? Witch! What does she know?  How dare she question!!’ I hear his hateful thoughts lashing at me.

   Backpedalling fast I adjust my tone I say, “I don’t know father, but why else would Ramon now be the father?” He still didn’t look convinced so I continued. “If there was something seriously wrong with her then Siri would have placed her with the others…. He claimed his sons.”

   “It is the mans choice to accept or reject his issue, you know this.” He replies exasperated.

   ‘God how I wish I followed Siimon’s example, years ago.’  His mind thought.

   I ignore it; I have overheard much worse, “But what of Ashley. Don’t you think she might have wanted her daughter! What of her choice!”

  We were starting to draw attention. Grabbing my arm he starts to drag me away. “We have been over this before,” he whispers harshly as we walk.“ It is written in the great book. It is law!”

   At the edge of the square we stop and I turn to face him, “It’s not right!” Stomping my foot for emphasis, “The tests are too strict. Last month a child was rejected for a small mark on it’s foot, how is that fair? Nothing else was wrong with it; we have more fails then passes. This has to stop!”

    "This is a trial our ancestors have been facing ever since we can to this planet and the law is very clear, no mutated creature is to be allowed to grow up and corrupt our gene pool." He replies savagely.

    "That is a stupid law, who is to say what counts as a mutation? I have blue eyes you have black, which one of us is the mutant?"

     A dangerous question to ask all things considered.

  "Don't be ridicules," he scoffs.

  "Fine have it your way, mutant are bad, scary, ooooh," I shake my hands in the air for effect. "But that had noting to do with Siimon's rejection. That baby was perfect I examined her myself. So what other explanation is there but that he rejected her for her gender. With acceptance rates as low as they are this cannot be allowed to happen.

   ‘What would you know about anything?’ He raises his hand but stops himself in time. “The law is the law, and I will not suffer those creatures to live.” With that he storms off and joins the party.

   This cannot be allowed to go on! We can own land, vote and run businesses but not claim our children. It is not right; father must be made to see reason. Our culture will not survive unless the council is made to see reason.