Lullaby

[Heiwako]

Althea wiped the sweat from her forehead. The Isle of Demise was hot today. The volcano rumbled, giving warning of its impending eruption. Althea could sympathize. Her arms wrapped around her swollen stomach, heavy with the tiny miracle it held.

Almost a year ago travelers had washed ashore from a storm. Most of the people who had been on their boat had been lost at sea, but a handful had survived the torrential rain and deadly waves. The survivors had taken shelter within the labyrinth, even bringing their wounded with them.

Tassos had been the worst of the wounded. He had hit his head against driftwood after being capsized, leaving him blind. His right leg, arm, and several ribs had been broken from the tossed pieces of ship. It was a miracle that he had lived long enough to make it to shore.

Althea had observed the survivors as they tried to escape the labyrinth, hoping that they would find the exit so she could join them. But the twisting branches and leaves left them as dazed and confused as her. They started to falter, unable to find food or supplies for the wounded. Althea knew how to find what they needed. She couldn’t leave, but this was her home and she was comfortable enough.

Althea decided to take a risk and approached the group to let them know that all was not lost. That they would be saved. They wouldn’t be able to leave, but maybe they could be friends and not so lonely. Unfortunately, the survivors reacted as all strangers did when they saw Althea’s monstrous medusa form. They either fled in terror into the labyrinth to be swallowed by it and never seen again–or turned to stone under her gaze.

Althea tried so hard to hide her horrific face, to keep others from looking upon her visage and dying. But it never worked. Only Tassos survived, ironically saved by his wounds. He had been sleeping when the rest of the camp perished and upon waking he was unable to be harmed by Althea’s form.

She explained to him as gently as she could that the others had been lost. That something terrible had caused their deaths, but he was safe. She couldn’t tell him the whole truth. It would hurt him too much and he wouldn’t trust her to care for him.

The months passed slowly as always, but much more happily. Althea was no longer alone and her knowledge of the island’s herbs made Tassos’ recovery smooth. She built him a crutch to use for when he was healthy enough to walk. She hand fed him fruits she plucked from the trees. She brought him cool water to quench his thirst and wipe his brow. And after a time, she fell in love with the man and he with her.

Their lovemaking was as awkward as two teenagers, with Tassos being unable to see how to please her and her holding back lest he felt the snakes that composed her hair. Despite Althea’s best efforts, Tassos brushed one of the serpents and it bit his hand. He screamed in terror, finally realizing his savior was not human. He accused her of killing his friends. She denied it–for in her heart, it wasn’t her fault they had died–but he did not care. He swung his crutch wildly in her direction as he fled back into the labyrinth to disappear with the rest of his companions.

Althea had wept. She was alone again. Or so she thought. A month passed and her flows didn’t come. Tassos might be gone, but he had left a little miracle with her all the same.

“Rock a bye baby,” Althea sang as she rubbed her stomach. She could feel her little one respond to her touch, its small foot pressing against the palm of her hand through the skin as it kicked. “Not yet, darling. You’re not ready to come yet. Soon. I promise. I love you.”

The volcano rumbled, heaving the earth. Althea gasped as a cramp rippled through her body. Too soon. It had only been seven months since she had lost Tassos. But almost as if she and the land were tied together, another cramp tore through her body as the land quaked from the imminent eruption.

Sweat poured down Althea’s body as she quickened her step. She had a place to go to for birthing. She just had to make it there. If she could make it to her safe place, everything would be fine. Her baby would come early, but it would be fine. The baby would be healthy and she wouldn’t be alone. She would have someone to love who loved her unconditionally.

Althea cried out, a long, mournful wail as her spasms worsened. Liquid coursed down her legs as her water broke. Unable to go on, she fell to her knees. “Go to sleep, close your eyes,” she continued to sing. The all too familiar pains of childbirth wracked her body. Althea thought of her birthing nest waiting for her with its clean clothes and soft blankets. Items she could use to deliver the baby safely and to protect its gaze.

Althea cried out, losing her place in the song. Rather than try to find her place, she started over. “Go to sleep, cl-close your…” She was unable to continue as the last wave of contractions crashed through her. She screamed as she felt the tiny form pass from her.

For a long moment, Althea laid on the ground. Sand was smeared on her face, dried there from her sweat and tears. She was terrified to look below. But then a cry pierced the air, and it was not hers. Her baby lived!

Althea wept. Her baby lived! But even as she rejoiced, she could hear the cries lessening, weakening. Her baby needed her! But how could she reach for it and nurse it without damning it? Its tiny foot kicked against her calf, demanding attention.

Far above, she could see the volcano had also given way. Lava flowed down the mountain side as black smoke filled the air. Already she could taste the soot as it started to drift down. There was no time to wait or make a plan.

Althea sat up, praying that the baby was turned away. She reached for her child, who rolled towards her instinctively. For a moment they locked eyes. Her beautiful baby boy with his wide blue eyes smiled at his momma… and turned to stone.

Althea wept bitterly as she gathered the small form into her arms and ran away from the volcano’s wrath. She fled deeper into the labyrinth, to its very center. She could never find her way out, but she never failed to find her way in.

The whole way, she sang to her lost child. “Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,” she murmured as she stroked its head. She imagined she could feel the soft down of hair that crowned the brow. The rustling of the trees seemed to sing back to her as she traveled.

All too soon the center opened before her. An altar dominated the middle of the opening. Althea walked up to it and gently placed her baby–Theo, meaning a gift from god–on the cold marble surface.

Surrounding the tiny granite form were dozens of others, babies of various genders, appearances, and sizes. Some even appeared to be as old as a few months. Circling the altar were even more statues of numerous humanoids. Their expressions were frozen terror, but for Althea it felt like damning judgment.

Althea stroked Theo’s head one last time. “I’m sorry, my little miracle,” she whispered, her voice hitching. “But at least you won’t be alone. You’re surrounded by your brothers and sisters. Always and forever.”

She slid to her knees, resting her head against the cold stone form of her son. She drew a breath and sang, “Rock a bye, baby…”

[Rock of the Fraternity]

This is heartwrenching, and well-written.

[IanFordam]

Of course darklords suffer, but this tale provides a poignant reminder.

[Heiwako]

This is heartwrenching, and well-written.

Thank you!

[Heiwako]

Of course darklords suffer, but this tale provides a poignant reminder.

Thank you!