Crow Bones by Nicola McDonagh

Author:Nicola McDonagh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oddly Books

***

A baby crying.

I tried to move, but something restricted my arms and legs.

The wailing continued.

My stomach churned, my heart beat fast and I gagged, retching up something glutinous onto my chin. I was unable to wipe it off as it slithered down my neck.

‘Good, at last you are out of your stupor. Many apologies for the bonds, you became aggressive and violent. Your neighbours tied you down, said it was the second time. Do not look so agitated, they have Plia.’

Then who was crying?

My breasts ached. I groaned. Jude leant over me and wiped the goo away. ‘They say you are unwound inside, partly because of the ritual, mainly because of what occurred two years ago. They say your forever mate cut his throat in the cornfields when he tried to get rid of your shame-child. You have suffered too much, no wonder your reason fled.’

I half closed my eyes. This alien looked less unusual through slits. I wondered why Corla and Dramal would lie to him. Tyvel did not die by his own hand, a sin of all sins that would mean his forever isolation in the life after this one. I would never meet him again and share his love. The eternal bond is forged when we marry.

I shook my head. ‘They fabricate the truth. I do not know why. Tyvel was sent away for speaking out against the Elders. One day we shall be reunited. I killed a crow to make sure.’

Jude scrunched up his face at my words. Perhaps he was a lover of birds and could not bear to hear that I had mistreated one.

‘It is my word that I have given and will honour. I shall see you through this time of unpleasantness. Know I do it because of my beliefs as set out by the great Lord of all things, who died so that we could live in peace and help those who need our guidance and expertise.’

‘Your words are clumsy and vague.’

‘Perhaps, perhaps. Are you quieter now?’ I nodded and he untied my restraints.

My wrists were chaffed from the cord. Jude noticed and produced a small container from the pocket of his flowing robe. He unscrewed the lid and swiped some ointment from it. Then he gently rubbed it onto my broken skin. It soothed away all discomfort. These outer star people possess things so advanced as to put our tribe’s medicine to shame.

‘Do your feet still hurt?’

‘No.’

‘Good you are healing.’

‘I heard a baby cry.’

‘Your child is not here.’

‘But I heard her all the same.’

Jude sighed. ‘Ah well. Are you in need of sustenance?’

‘No, but my little ones are. My paps are full, I need to feed my babes.’

‘Right, indeed, Corla said you would speak of such things. She gave me this,’ he said and went to the small cupboard at the back of the bedroom. He opened it and pulled out a mamsucker. ‘You are to siphon off your protein enriched juice at regular intervals. I will dispose of the milk for you,’ he said and handed me the contraption.

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