Tales of Folk and Faery Collection by Lana Axe

Author:Lana Axe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: magic, werewolf, shapeshifter, fairytale, faery, fantasy, fae
Publisher: AxeLord Publications
Published: 2015-08-04T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 2

The chill of death settled over Sybella, stealing the color of life from her face. Pale and stricken, she lay unmoving upon a simple wooden table as her body was prepared for burial. Her mother wept openly, her eyes swollen and red. Her father was not present. It fell to him to oversee the digging of his daughter’s grave.

In sweet serenity, the young maiden appeared to sleep. Though she drew no breath, her lips suggested the hint of a smile. Sybella was at peace.

Aided by her sister-in-law, Anne washed the body of her daughter. Gently lifting each finger, she cleaned the maiden’s hands. “So delicate,” she commented, breaking the silence. “My girl had beautiful hands.” Choking on her sobs, she could speak no more.

Cleaning her niece’s feet, Emma took note of the wound left behind by the urchin. It was only a small puncture, as if it had been a sewing needle and nothing more. Even the blackness that had spread up the girl’s leg had faded away, leaving behind only the faintest trace of the injury that had claimed the girl’s life.

Her mother retrieved a white chemise, one that had recently been washed. Her tears fell onto the garment, absorbing into the homespun fabric. With Emma’s help, she placed it over her daughter’s head and straightened it along her body. Positioning the girl’s hands over her heart, she stepped back to admire her.

“So beautiful,” Anne whispered.

Emma stepped away, seeking her sister-in-law’s sewing box. Choosing a sharp needle, she pricked her finger and squeezed it to release the blood. Taking great care, she placed a drop on each of Sybella’s cheeks and rubbed it in, giving them a rosy hue. She repeated the process for the girl’s lips.

“Much better,” she commented. Death had already claimed three of her own four children, leaving her callused to Anne’s fresh grief. This was a task she performed too often, and she shed no tears as she performed it.

Pressing a handkerchief to her face, Anne took a final look at her child. How could such tragedy befall someone so young? This was surely the devil’s work. Someone had brought evil into their midst. It was the only answer the mother would accept.

Three knocks sounded from the door, startling the grieving mother. The door swung open, revealing Jerrim on the other side, followed by two other men bearing the casket where Sybella would soon rest.

Anne wailed with despair and nearly fainted, but Emma caught her, ushering her to the side so the men could pass by. Pressing Anne’s face to her chest, Emma watched as Sybella was lifted and placed inside her casket. Jerrim placed two copper coins over his daughter’s eyes.

Positioning the lid, the men made sure the fit was snug. Together the trio lifted both box and young woman onto their shoulders and marched toward the open door. Into the sunlight they strode, their somber task nearly complete.

Anne followed behind, still supported by Emma. Many of the village’s residents gathered behind them, sharing in the family’s grief.

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