Dancing with shadows (2)

Whispers and silent prayers were contained in a room illuminated by but a few candles. Diallo gazed at Maria, her mistress was in a deep sleep, the only guard she had was Bron. In life choices are made. Maria had no choice in being born, in being a slave in serving another and limiting her own existence, and even now she felt as though she had no choice.

Diallo spoke softly as though it would ease her acceptance of the situation. He hadn't enough time to concoct an antidote but he could still save them, he just needed her vitality, her life force.

Being a slave meant she had no hope for her own life but that didn't mean she didn't want to live, to love, to be a mother. It wasn't possible given her standing but she could yearn for a life beyond the limitations the society gave her. Her mouth refused to accept but she nodded her head in the finality of something inevitable. If she refused they would continue, this is how it would end.

Diallo placed the three children next to their mother and began to draw inscriptions with Maria's blood. The words twisted like ropes but moved as though they were alive. The candles flickered as though they were being deprived of oxygen and yet they failed to extinguish. Under the shadows brought by the dancing flames, Maria's face paled before it began to crease, her black hair falling to the ground as the colour leaked away into a grey. Her eyes were unresolved as her breath stagnated.

The cries of the little ones grew stronger with the aura of death transferring. Locks of blood and words twined around their bodies. Sealing the evil within them.

Their lives started with death, an ill omen to some but to Diallo so long as it was not their death it was justified.