A shadowy figure runs as the sleet pounds down. The wind drives it almost horizontal, but that doesn't stop the man who pursues the woman. They are both shrouded in black cloth, but as the wind blows the man's cape up, you see a hint of silver strapped to his belt.
The woman turns into a cobbled side street, slipping on the icy cobbles. A door is flung open, and she hurries inside, reaching to close the door behind her. But the man is quicker, and he slips in. She slumps, exhausted, onto a thread bare couch, and tenderly pulls a bundle from under her cloak. She lovingly kisses its head. In a mouse voice, she asks
"What do you want?"
"Your child's life"
"No, please!" She cries. But the man is harsh and unrelenting, and leaves no room for argument. A single, silver tear rolls down her sweet cheeks as she hands over her child. She knows what will happen if she refuses this man, for his hand already rests on his knife.
"Ah, good, you got the child." Rasps a voice.
"I did"
Leader takes the baby into his arms, none too gently. He begins to speak a strange incantation, and waves his hands over the child's head in an intricate pattern.
'Øblįgare mēûm fač proptėr mē inveniet pędibuš revertiß, Be bound to me. Find your feet alone, but always let me be your master. Use your power for me, me alone'
Then he uses his ornate knife to cut a slit in the child's forehead. He runs his finger over the blood, and places his finger into his mouth, sucking thoughtfully. Leader is satisfied, and so he roughly bundles the child into a wicker basket, and says to the man who has been patiently waiting
"Take it to the river. Leave it behind the reeds, out of sight. And hurry."
I hope you like the start, let me know in the comments!
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Bewitcher
Ficción GeneralRosa is a Bewitcher. She knows nothing about this, but in a moment of blind rage, she changes her entire world with one sweeping hand movement. For better or for worse? I couldn't tell you that. All I can say is that Rosa is used to lush bubble bath...
