Ghosts of the Sea Moon by A F Stewart

Author:A F Stewart [Stewart, A F]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A. F. Stewart
Published: 2018-01-12T23:00:00+00:00

FOG AND STORM CLOUDS assailed the island at the edge of the world. Overhead the moon shone in the twilight, though the sun caressed the lands beyond this rock in the sea. A goddess sat on the beach, making circles in the sand with a bone. She hummed to herself, a sad lullaby she had almost forgotten.

A crow chased by anger and storm clouds flew loops in the sky above her. Wisps of grey followed the bird as it swooped in for a landing beside the Goddess.

“You failed!” The crow’s enraged wail shook the treetops. “You could have destroyed him! Why didn’t you destroy him?”

The Moon Goddess didn’t look at the creature, merely dropped her bone, and curled into a ball, her face pouting. “I tried. But she came. They were too strong.”

“No, they weren’t! Not even together! He was weak! You could have killed them both if you wanted too!”

Now she looked at the crow, glaring. “Maybe. Maybe I didn’t want. No quarrel with her. With Lynna. Didn’t want her dead.”

The crow flapped its wings in a flurry. “She helped him! She’s the enemy!”

“No. Not my enemy. Only him.”

“Is he? Is he truly? You had chance after chance and he’s still breathing! I don’t think you want him dead either!”

“I do!” She scrambled on to all fours and shoved a snarling face at the crow’s beak. “I do want him dead!”

“Then why didn’t you kill him?”

She sat back on her haunches, her head bowed. “I-I’m not certain. It didn’t seem...right.” She sighed. “They defended him. They always defend him.” Her lip trembled. “But never saw before. Not with my eyes. Up close. It felt...different.”

The crow tilted its head. Its eyes staring, puncturing her soul like woodworm. “No, it cannot be.” The bird hopped up and down, squawking. “You care.” It almost spat the words.

“I don’t! Take that back!” The Moon Goddess glared.

“No, it’s true. Your heart...It’s not dead. Not like it was before. Not black and shrivelled. All light extinguished.” The crow hopped back as if she was contagious. “There’s a glimmer there now.” Disgust dripped from its hoarse voice. “You’re worthless! Worthless!”

“I am not!” She roared and swung her fist, smashing it against the bird’s head. With an outraged, squealing squawk, it rolled along the sand before taking awkward flight. It circled the scowling Moon Goddess, screaming.

“We are done, you and I! Done!”

“I don’t need you little bird! I don’t need you!” The Moon Goddess waved her fist and kicked at the sand. “Fly away! Be off with you! Take your gifts! Your power! All useless!”

“Bah! You are the useless one! Keep the magic for all the good it will do you! Your brother will come, and you will be weak! You will be weak!”

The Nightmare Crow screeched and flew towards the moon over the sea.

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