Years Before…

Fervent chanting wafted up from the earthen temple in offering to the moonless night sky, floating higher and faster than the sage smoke burning all around.  Months of ritual and careful preparation were about to pay off.  In this one perfect night, new moon and winter solstice became one.  The power of their union cascaded from the depths of creation, bathing the hooded figures in the very same energy present at the moment the universe came into being.

Tonight, against all the odds, his child would come into the world, soaking it all in at birth.  In that single instant, his status would skyrocket from that of the general membership to that of the leaders.  Most spent the whole of their lives attempting to reach the coveted respect of Elder.  Yet, after only being granted full membership a few years before, he would soar to that rank with a single breath of the child.

Unless the damned Doula continued taking her time with the delivery, that is.  Precious little time remained until the window would again close.  There was no time to fear for the health of the mother.

She was doomed to die from the moment of conception… [Read more...]