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About the Author
erry de Luca lives in Canberra. He
has been a teacher all his career and likes his students to enjoy their studies.
Terry has taught mainly Social Science, Religious Studies and English.
He started writing when his children
were much younger and his family has been the catalyst for his ideas. BloodSigns
is his first publication.
Terry comes from an Italian/Irish
background, which explains his passion for music and stories. He is married to
Christine and has three very diverse children, Claire, Justin and Dominic.
Prologue
he walked upon this grassy shore,
her tender feet will carry more.
Like rain that washes silt away,
in hidden form the pernicious play.
What if the cosmos sang with art?
On bended knees the stars do part.
So much can one deem in time,
to split the awkward senses fine.
Feelings rare, don’t dare to see,
a craving heart for simplicity.
A languid touch this trodden path,
while fires rage in vexing hearths.
To flee this temporal shell so thin,
Adelaine searches from within.
The Journey Begins…
s the boats slid
through the choppy waves, the time had come for these depraved mutations to
begin their final act of revenge. Once ashore, each craft was quickly pulled up
to drier ground.
‘Where’s da nears’t village?’ cried
Seth, looking in bemusement at Noll.
‘Not far, ya fool. Can’t ya see dose dim
lights ta da soudeast over dat hill?’ Noll pointed, as if helping Seth to
understand the simplest of requests.
‘Will we kill ’em all?’ asked Seth
maliciously.
‘O’ cors nut! Our mizzion is ta find
members of dis clan and bwing dem to Gozan,’ Noll replied angrily.
Seth realised what was about to happen.
Stories about the thrill of torture meandered through his mind, his heart now
pumping faster with excitement.
‘Will we torcha da childrn?’ Seth
enquired with tragic enthusiasm, rubbing his hands and laughing like a manic
miser.
‘Iv we hav ta; Gozan has forbidd’n us to
r’turn unless we capcha at least one of ’em.’
A hundred Krell soldiers had prepared
for months for this insurgence, and now they were glad the day of the
confrontation had finally arrived. The objective of the manoeuvre was to capture
members of Savion Fare and bring one of them back to Gozan, for interrogation by
torture and horrific probing, if necessary.
The pre-dawn darkness made it difficult
for the soldiers to find their way. They groped and fumbled along the sand and
through the saltbush. As they were approaching the village, Noll took out three
bottles of blackweed from his knapsack and told his men to take a swig.
It was not long before the Krell
soldiers arrived at their destination and assembled outside the simple Castarule
village, which was made up of fifty three dwellings. The assailants’ plan was to
enter each house one at a time, and with swords at the occupants’ throats, bring
them to the square to seek the information they desired. The Krell soldiers knew
that this time, there would be little resistance.
They quickly found the largest dwelling,
entered easily, and lit their torches from the smouldering fire. It was not long
before a family of five was standing outside in the chilly autumn dawn, scantily
dressed, and shivering with fear as the Krell soldiers held their cold swords
across their tender pulsating necks.
Now, outside in the open, Noll yelled
out to all the villagers: ‘Git out, ya scum! We’ve got a pres’nt for yus.’ He
repeated this several times, turning in all directions, getting more agitated as
he spoke. One of the Krell banged his sword against a nearby bell, adding to the
mayhem.
People slowly began assembling outside
their homes, only to find the Krell soldiers standing gigantic and looking
terrifying in their battledress.
‘Who’s ’n charge herr?’ Noll screamed.
‘Qwickly, we havn’t got all day!’
As dawn was breaking the shocked
townsfolk realised what was happening. Some of the children were crying, as they
were woken from sleep. A pall of fear and despair descended over the village;
the adults knew what was at hand.
Jayce spoke nervously. ‘I am the village
leader. What do you want from us? We mean you no harm.’
‘No ’arm is it? What about de BloodWars
and de banishmn’t?’ Then, mockingly: ‘We will be great agin. Today is goin’ ta
be de beginnin’ of a new era…let da fun begin.’
Noll looked over to Kant – one of his
soldiers – who was mimicking with his hand across his own neck, as if to slice
his throat. The blackweed had taken effect on him.
‘Doit, doit now!’ yelled Noll, looking
at Kant with his eyes glowing like red-hot embers.
Kant had the father of a young family in
his grasp. Yanking the man’s hair to force his head backwards, he slowly dragged
his cold sharp sword across the captive’s neck. Blood spurted profusely like a
wild snake, before the man’s legs collapsed and he fell to the ground dying,
without a sound…his life source pooled by his face.
A sigh rose up from all assembled. The
fear had now reformed into an angry tension. Jayce had to do something, or they
could all be dead within minutes.
Pleading now, he said, ‘We will give you
what you want, but please leave us alone…we mean you no harm. The BloodWars are
over and we spared your people’s lives. Take what you want, but please, no more
bloodshed.’ He was trembling like a child as he spoke.
‘Yeh, we’ve come for somethin’, and I’m
so glad ya asked,’ Noll spat out, smiling with ugly sarcasm. ‘We’re afta someone
who b’longs to da clan of Savion Fare. Savvy? Make it quick, zo we can be away.’
The crowd, fearing for their lives, shot
awkward glances at the family of Ban. The women wept, while the men held their
children tightly in their arms. Ban started to vomit – only recently his teenage
daughter, Clea, was showing signs of belonging to Savion Fare. Fraya, Ban’s
wife, grabbed Clea and ran as fast as they could in a bid to escape, but one of
the Krell soldiers grabbed them both and tied their hands.
Noll, now laughing freakishly, cried,
‘Tak ’em both! Two are betta dan one.’ The Krell snickered loudly. ‘All too
eazy! Right men, it’s ’ome we go.’
Ban had tried in vain to free his
family, and had paid for his efforts with his life. He now lay dead on the
ground with a deep gash through his shoulder. Within seconds of eliminating Ban,
the Krell soldiers had left.
The men and women gathered at opposite
ends of the square. The men stood dumbfounded, though both groups were
conversing softly. Jayce was shaking…he had never witnessed murder before, in
fact no one had!
‘How can we help Clea and Fraya?’ said
Lane, pleadingly.
Sickened, the men could only imagine
what might be happening to the women – such horrors were alien to them.
Briar said, ‘I will ride to Laven and
inform the Talion Elders what has happened. There’s little we can do until we
get help.’
The gathered men nodded in agreement.
Briar left immediately, while the others pondered alternative plans.
‘We must comfort the women and children.
They’ll be traumatised by what they’ve just witnessed,’ Jayce said, speaking now
with more confidence.
Although numb and in shock, the men took
it upon themselves to comfort each other. The bodies of Ban and Mar were taken
to the meeting hall by Jen and his brothers, while their neighbours cleaned and
prepared the bodies for release.
‘Let us support each other until sunset
and meet again for the blessing tonight. I will look after Ban’s and Mar’s
children, until we get help from the Elders,’ Jayce said, with a glimmer of
hope. The gathering dispersed.
1. BloodWars
lease Credo,
tell me more,’ Adelaine insisted.
‘Not now,
Adelaine, some other time,’ Credo said absently, preoccupied with other matters.
‘I need to know now!’
‘You must be aware that the clan leaders
don’t want me talking about such things,’ said Credo, more sharply.
‘I won’t tell anyone,’ she whispered.
‘If I tell you about the BloodWars I’ll
get into serious trouble. I may not be able to teach again,’ Credo said.
Adelaine was caught out; Credo knew what
she was up to. She had been trying for months to get him to tell her about the
BloodWars.
‘How about I ask my mother for
permission? If she lets you, you won’t get into trouble,’ Adelaine pressed on
relentlessly.
‘Adelaine, if you really must know, I
suggest you ask your father to tell you. He is a clan leader.’
‘You know what he’s like. He says I’m
not ready for such things and that I have to wait until I’m officially betrothed
to Giff next springtime.’ She paused and gazed mournfully into the middle
distance. ‘It’s only just turned autumn…I can’t wait that long! I have to know
now!’
‘Then maybe your mother will tell you,’
Credo replied, hoping to end the conversation.
‘My mother will go straight to my father
and that’ll be that.’
Tears were now running down Adelaine’s
cheeks. She sniffled, hoping Credo would melt at the sight of her tears. He
wanted to tell her everything, but he had sworn to abide by the Law of the
Talion Elders, who forbade imparting such things to young people until they were
nearing marriage. Credo was in a bind. He had great admiration for Adelaine, his
favourite pupil, but he could not think of a solution.
‘Please don’t ask this of me, Adelaine.
You’ll just have to wait until spring.’ Then he added, ‘Maybe, if you went to
Laven and asked Banestaff, he might give in and tell you.’
‘I have a better idea,’ replied
Adelaine. ‘What if I ask Banestaff to give you permission to tell me? You
know more about this than anyone, and you are a great storyteller.’
‘If you can get Banestaff’s permission,
I will tell you what you want to know. Now off you go and help your mother. It’s
long past the finishing time.’
‘But this is our last lesson together. I
need to know more about everything. This misery is driving me crazy.’ She was
pleading now, grabbing at his coat and wiping her tears.
‘I’m sorry that this is our last lesson
together,’ Credo said gently. ‘I have enjoyed teaching you. You are very
talented, like your parents, and I’ll miss having you in my class. I wish you
every happiness for the future and I’m sure you will make a good wife and
mother. You can always visit us at home.’
‘So that’s it? Can’t you come and teach
me at home?’
‘Adelaine, off with you now!’ Her
persistence was a sign of strength, but right now he’d had enough. There were
new students to teach, and constant demands on his services. ‘Don’t forget you
have to ask Banestaff,’ he added, knowing she couldn’t.
‘You know as well as I do that my
parents won’t take me to Laven!’
Adelaine walked off in a huff, upset and
disappointed about many things: her last day at the learning place; her last day
with Credo; not finding out about the BloodWars, and how this had shaped Ealion
and its customs. She was leaving a familiar lifestyle and entering the strange
new world of responsibility, with so much still unresolved in her life.
Now, Credo felt distressed. He knew that
women did not usually become teachers until after they had raised their
children, which would be a long time for Adelaine, since she was only fourteen.
Children with such dogged curiosity were rare in Daile. Credo himself was
married with two children. He taught at the ‘learning place’ or ‘schola’, as it
was commonly known, one day a week. He also had an established reputation as a
carver, which was how he made his living. Teachers were not paid, but were
supported by the villagers with food and other items. It was a great honour to
be asked to be a teacher and all the villagers held Credo in high esteem.
Adelaine dawdled on the way home to do
her tasks, daydreaming and looking at the sky for birds. She had always
diligently completed her chores without complaint, but today was different – she
felt turmoil within her. The time had come for her to learn, as was the custom,
more about the craft of her foremothers. Adelaine belonged to the northern clan
of Saffron, who lived in the village of Daile, a prosperous region of Alarne.
She could not imagine what obligations
lay ahead, as her future had already been chosen. Although she was only fourteen
years of age, Adelaine was promised in marriage to Giff, a member of the Mordan
clan…a destiny she readily accepted. Adelaine’s father, Aramon, had already paid
her dowry and Giff’s family had built a house with the money. Many of the women
of Daile were busy assisting with the nuptial preparations: rings had to be
cast; dresses made from rare silk fibres; fruitcakes baked; and special flowers
from the lakes region of Maine, picked and dried.
Adelaine burst through the front door.
‘Mother, are you here?’ There was no
response, so she went out the back door and headed to her mother’s craft room,
where Lialane was working on a tapestry.
‘Mother, this is the saddest day of my
life!’
‘What’s bothering you? Sit down and tell
me all about it.’ Lialane knew it was Adelaine’s last day at schola and had
expected her to be upset.
‘Credo wouldn’t tell me about the
BloodWars,’ she said, ‘and this is my last chance to find out before I become
betrothed.’
‘Is that all, my darling? It won’t be
long until spring,’ Lialane said.
‘No one understands. I must know now.
Would you take me to Laven to see Banestaff, so that I may seek his permission
for Credo to tell me?’
‘Adelaine, you know we can’t just leave
everything and go to Laven. Banestaff is a busy man and I am sure he does not
want to be bothered with such trivial matters. All good things come to those who
wait,’
‘I knew you would say that. Where’s
Father?’
‘He’s down with the cows, making cheese
as usual. Let him be, this is the busiest time of the year.’ Adelaine ignored
her mother and rushed out to see her father, her distress rising.
Adelaine’s father was as gifted a dairy
farmer as her mother was a weaver. The cheeses he made were famous throughout
the region of Alarne; they were quite unusual, soft with holes in them, and
people would travel leagues to buy them. They were very popular for
celebrations. The tapestries her mother wove were so fine that one had found its
way into the court of the Talion Elders. Adelaine was the youngest of five
children. Her four brothers were at different stages of learning the farming
arts. They were all married and living in Alarne. After her fifteenth birthday
she was to be married, as was the custom in Ealion. A family would follow
marriage, and so the cycle would continue with the procreation of many children,
who in turn would work the farms or continue their family trades.
Before a young girl was wedded it was
customary for her to spend time learning about the adult traditions and ways of
her people. Once a young girl married their life would take a different twist,
and there would not be time for schola.
There was, however, something that
needed to be taught, but not in front of the younger children at schola. Instead
of returning to the learning place, the tradition was that girls and boys who
were nearing the marriage time were to be given special lessons about life’s
deeper issues, if and when a teacher could be found. Adelaine was to be taught
the shadow side of her land’s history and how her people had defeated the Krell
centuries before. Learning about the BloodWars was not for children, as it
opened up an unimaginable world of atrocities, and also revealed the mysterious
ways of how Savion Fare was chosen to deal with it. Adelaine was set to learn
about the full impact of evil and how her people had survived those terrible
times.
A sense of security now pervaded the
region, but the Talion Elders held back much knowledge of the BloodTimes, for
fear of traumatising the young ones. They worked hard to keep Ealion in
harmony, but the memory of the BloodWars was so devastating that the Elders
tried to keep the details about this war hidden. The bloodshed and brutality had
nearly destroyed the whole of Alarne, together with the lands of Navarre, Prenn
and Guille.
Over the years the Talion Elders had
reflected on the impact of the war and had decided not to teach children about
it until they were approaching marriage.
‘Why can’t I know about the BloodWars?’
Adelaine demanded of her father.
‘What brought this on all of a sudden?
You’ll find out all you need to know when you are formally promised to Giff. It
won’t be long now,’ Aramon replied, feeling confused.
‘No one seems to understand that I need
to know now! Won’t anyone listen to me? I’m going crazy! Father, you are my only
hope of finding out. Please take me to Laven to speak to Banestaff.’
Aramon was worried…not only was his
daughter crying, but she shivered and shook like she was sick with fever.
‘I think you need some rest. Mother will
make a soothing broth to help settle your stomach.’ He went over and embraced
her. ‘You have an ailment and rest will make you better.’
‘I’m damn well not sick!’ she shouted,
pulling away from him. Adelaine stormed out, cursing like a soldier and Aramon
ran after her, leaving his milk to curdle. They both headed straight for Lialane
to discuss what had happened, but then Adelaine ran outside again.
Aramon entered his wife’s workroom.
‘What’s bothering Adelaine today? I’ve never seen her so upset.’
‘She wants to know about the BloodWars
and you know what that means. I feel very anxious for her. I went through this
when I was her age. Can’t you take her to see Banestaff?’
Aramon wiped the sweat from his brow.
‘This is the busiest time of the year,’ he muttered. ‘We have to get ready for
winter.’
Lialane looked everywhere for Adelaine,
without success. Eventually, she made her way to the barn where she found
Adelaine watching her pet owl, Babu. Adelaine sensed that her mother had come
in, but remained silent.
Lialane sighed and addressed the back of
Adelaine’s head. ‘I will take you to Laven to see Banestaff.’
Adelaine turned and rushed to her
mother, embracing her. ‘Thank you, Mother. I love you. Can we go today?’
‘Not so quickly, my dear. I have not
spoken to your father about this. He will take some convincing, but I think we
can do it.’
Eventually, they were able to convince
Aramon to let them go and they left two days later, travelling with a produce
merchant who was going to Laven. In Laven they could stay with Aramon’s cousin,
Bragg, and then link up with produce carts back to Daile. It would not be easy
to see Banestaff, but Aramon’s position as clan leader in Daile would add weight
to their request, making it easier for them than for other audience-seekers.
Banestaff was one of the Talion Elders who represented Alarne. He was also on
the Seat of Five and a very influential man.
Banestaff knew Aramon quite well and
would welcome Lialane and Adelaine. He could not give them much time, but half
an hour had been set aside for discussion. He was a tall and impressive man,
though he wore a permanent stoop that alluded to his age. He had a short,
peppery beard and wore a long cape made of fine wool.
‘Well, my dear Lialane,’ he said kindly,
‘why have you journeyed so far with your daughter to see me?’
‘Thank you for giving us an audience,
Banestaff. Aramon sends his regards and is sorry he could not come, but as the
winter approaches he must get the supplies ready.’
‘I understand. I hope nothing is the
matter. You have come far to see me, which is most unusual.’
Lialane was nervous, but she remembered
that Banestaff was well liked by the people of Alarne. ‘I have come to seek your
permission to teach my daughter about the BloodWars.’
Banestaff looked perplexed. ‘Adelaine is
nearing the betrothal time,’ Lialane continued, ‘which will be this spring. She
is pestering her teacher to find out everything about the war. She has been most
upset lately, to such a point that it is causing her great distress. I know it
is an unusual request, but given the circumstances, and knowing my family tree,
I thought it would be wise to tell her now and save her the anguish.’
‘I understand your request. You have not
told her about other matters, have you?’
‘No, of course not, that can wait until
summer.’
‘I suppose it will be alright, but I am
apprehensive about this. The other Elders do not like the Law being changed
without negotiation, but since she is your daughter I guess it will be fine. Has
she been showing signs?’
‘There are a few signs. Aramon and I are
pretty sure she is—’
‘What are you two talking about?’
interjected Adelaine, rather rudely. ‘What signs?’
Lialane was so embarrassed by her
daughter’s outburst and could feel the colour rising in her cheeks. She
whispered to Adelaine, ‘I’ll tell you all you need to know on the way home. Bite
your tongue and be thankful, child, that Banestaff has agreed to your request.’
‘What about Credo?’ Adelaine demanded.
‘What do you mean, Credo? Banestaff
asked apprehensively.
‘Well, I wanted him to tell me about the
BloodWars. Please, Banestaff, may my teacher Credo tell me about the BloodWars?
He is such a good storyteller.’
Banestaff thought for a while, knowing
the other Elders would challenge his decision. ‘I suppose it will be alright. I
will write a brief letter to him outlining the frames of reference – but only
the BloodWars for now. Is that understood?’
‘Oh yes, I understand,’ Adelaine
replied.
Banestaff and Lialane talked a little
longer, but the conversation was cryptic and Adelaine burned with curiosity
about these other unmentionable matters. She daydreamed about seeing Credo. A
load was beginning to lift from her shoulders, but she wondered where all these
strange feelings were coming from. She didn’t understand why she was so upset,
so insistent. She wanted to talk about them with her mother, but was afraid she
would not understand.
On the journey back, they talked about
many things, but Lialane kept certain fundamentals hidden.
Adelaine sensed that she was holding
something back. ‘Why don’t you trust me, Mother?’
‘I do trust you. It’s just that the Law
of the Talion Elders must be adhered to – it helps to keep good order in the
lands.’
‘With so many secrets abounding, the
BloodWars must have been dreadful.’
Lialane did not respond immediately.
‘They were difficult times, but they’re over now and people can get on with
their lives.’
‘When you and Banestaff were talking and
you said “Does she know yet?” and “Is she showing signs?” what did you mean by
that? If you won’t tell me I’ll find out from Credo. He is one of my best
friends and friends don’t keep secrets from each other.’
‘I know it is hard for you, but it was
hard for me when I was your age and I had to wait. I wasn’t given the privileges
that you have – you’re a very lucky girl. Just be thankful that you’re going to
find out soon.’
When she arrived home Adelaine went
straight to Credo’s house and showed him the letter from Banestaff.
Credo could not believe his eyes. ‘Your
family has great influence amongst the Talion Elders. I have not heard of such
things happening before.’
‘Can you tell me now?’
‘Adelaine, I am in the middle of my work
and I have many orders to fill. Come back after lunch and I will tell you all
you want to know about the BloodWars.’
‘Please, Credo. I’ve gone to a lot of
trouble to get this far, so the least you can do is stop the suspense.’
‘Alright then,’ he said, surrendering.
‘I’ll tell my wife that I will be detained a little. Come into the house, have
some cider and get comfortable.’ He sighed to himself and muttered under his
breath, ‘This is going to be a long afternoon.’
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