Prologue

The child had horns. That was the first thing every single person in the temple noticed. The mother, the midwife, the grandfather, grandmother, and the priest were silent. The only sound in the temple was that of the horned child. Anna, the mother, could be seen to slowly descend into the realization. On her face you could watch as the exhausted smile changed to a blank expression, and the neutral expression to one of raised eyebrows and an agape mouth.

“Is that my baby?” asked Anna.

The midwife gingerly handed over the bundled infant.

“Seems to be.”

Out of everything Anna imagined her child would be, a demon was not one of them. At no point did her and her husband ever consider this.

Anna’s father, Michael, pushed his wife aside reached violently towards the baby inAnna’ hands. Anna pulled the baby out of her father’s reach and the midwife made space between Anna and Michael.

“Father what are you doing?”

Michael swallowed down his anger.

“This thing… is an omen. A curse. A blight! We should rid ourselves of it, before something bad happens to all of us.

“This is a baby! My baby! How dare you!”

Michael turned to the priest, expectantly.

“Anna, may I see the child?”

“No, you’re going to kill it! I saw the look my father gave you!”

The priest, an older man, put on a most solemn of faces, gripped his holy book, and held his hand against his heart.

“I swear in this temple, I swear upon this book. I swear upon The Ten. My intent is to observe, and advise to their will.”

Anna reluctantly handed over the child as the priest examined the child from head to toe. He touched the horns, and looked over every inch of skin on the infant, all of which was a fall crimson. Finally, he looked at the child’s eyes, which were brown, like her mother’s.

“This child is only half demon. It has human eyes. To rid ourselves of her would be a grave error in the eyes of the The Ten. Yes, it is demonic, but to harm a human, even something that is only half, would be a grave mistake. The child must live.”

The priest gave Anna the child back as Michael spoke up.

“This thing is going to get us all killed! This is a blight, a cu-”

“Respect the Ten or be damned Michael!” The priest snapped.

Michael stopped talking, and let out a long sigh.

“I apologize for my outburst father.”

The priest nodded, and put his hand on Michael’s shoulder.

The grandmother, Yvette, put her hand on Michael’s other shoulder and pulled him to the main chapel.

“Michael. Please, we need to be here to help Anna and Jonathan. Anger isn’t going to help us guide them. I know you are concerned for her safety and our own, but I need you to be concerned with the child’s safety too. This is not our child, but Anna is.”

“Yes, Yvette. I just wish things were different.”

Yvette and Jonathan walked back into the birthing room of the temple.

“Mother, Father, have you heard anything from Jonathan?” asked Anna, holding the child over her shoulder.

“No, he said he had something to grab from your home before he came back to the temple.” said Yvette

“That’s odd, that’s not like him. Father, can you go check on the cottage?”

Michael nodded, and left the room.

It was around ten o’clock, when Michael arrived at it Anna and Jonathan’s cottage. It was near the tavern and inn that Anna owned and worked in. A simple structure made of stone, its front was being caught by the moon, high in the south. The ground in front of it had begun to frost, and it too was reflecting the full moon. 

Michael opened the door to the cottage with a candle in one hand, to find the cottage in disarray. The wood in the hearth was burnt, the drawers to the dresser were open, and several of the large food and water pots Michael and Yvette had made for the couple when they had married were missing. Whoever had taken things seemed to have been in quite a hurry. Michael pulled at the fake stone he had made for the couple to store their money in, and upon finding it completely empty threw it at the ground in anger.

“Damn you! I knew I was right about you!”

He kicked the bed frame, hurting his foot. 

He knew.

Michael left the cottage and headed towards the temple, his hot breath visible in the winter night.

Back in the temple it was still quiet. Anna held the sleeping child, while the priest donned the accoutrement for the naming ritual. The midwife had left several minutes ago, her job done.

“Do you know what you are going to name it?” asked Yvette.

“I’d like to hear what Jonathan has to say, but we did have a name in mind.” Anna said, staring past Yvette to the wall.

“I am glad to hear that.”

Michael walked back into the room.

“He’s not at your home right now. Maybe he got lost in the woods?”

Confusion showed itself on Anna’s face.

“He should be fine. He hunts a lot.” Michael offered.

The priest walked back in with a lit censer and brought it face to face with the child

“What will this child’s name be?”

Anna thought a moment, and then nodded.

“Her name will be Sarah.”

The family and the priest all maintained a moment of silence. The censer was doused in a bowl of water, as Sarah roused from slumber. She looked at the priest, Michael, Yvette, and finally up to Anna.

“Anna, your father and I will help you raise this child, as we promised. However, to protect her and your family, we are going to need to plan.”

Jonathan did not return.

Chapter One

I heard Grandpa clanging one of the pots as I began to get out of bed. My first task for the day is to check on Grandma and Grandpa’s pots in the brick kiln next door. We live outside of town, about a league or so. A good hour or two along the path in the woods is usually pretty lonely. We like it that way. 

The kiln itself wasn’t much to look at, just some bricks that leaned inwards to a point, and a metal hatch on the side to shovel some of the coal into. I thanked my lucky stars that the heat seems to be going strong, so I don’t have to pick up that shovel. Instead, I got to go inside and enjoy breakfast with Grandma and Grampa. 

Grandpa was at the large pot, stirring the porridge, while Grandma was at a low table, working on one of the larger storage pots that we make. 

Grandpa turned to me and said “Child, grab me another log.” So I did. The morning outside, now that I had more time to look at it, was just beginning. The sky was barely purple, the moon and the stars were still visible. I could see my breath, and the ground was frosted. It was getting close to winter. Probably a couple of weeks before the first snow. Mornings like this were special, because it meant I didn’t have to cover my skin and face until a bit later, when it was warmer. Meaning, if I was lucky, I’d get to feel the sun on my skin. I grabbed one of the logs from the side of the house and brought back in, throwing it onto the fire in the center.

“You’ll have to be going into town with me today, child. Your mother ordered some new plates for the inn, and the temple is preparing for the equinox celebration.”

I wouldn't get to sit in the sun today. I kept a straight face, I knew better than to complain in front of him.

“Yes, sir.”

Days like these, were among my least favorite. I got to see my mom, which was nice. But, I would have to spend all day with gloves, and a scarf over my face and hair. We said I had a skin illness. Something that made the wind burn me. The priest confirmed it, and I was told to live with it. It has been this way since I can remember.

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“Sarah, we do this to protect you.” I remember my mom told me when I was around five. That was eight or so years ago. I don’t really get to talk to the other kids, especially now because my grandparents are so far out of town. Once in a moon, usually during things like the equinox, I get my chance to talk to them. I never remember their names, I’m pretty bad at those.

“Grandpa, sir. Could I go by myself? It’ll be faster that way. You could stay here and help Grandma with the big pot. I’ll just throw it all on the cart.”  

Umo was our mule. An old lady, but she was still holding on, probably had a couple more winters in her. 

“No. I don’t want you to get hurt. I promised your mother that I would protect you, and so I must come. Anyways, you'll get into trouble.”

I decided to suggest something that I had suggested many times in the past year.

“Grandpa, I’m older now. I have done this so many times. Plus, it’ll make mom happy to see me do this myself. I”

“Michael, wouldn’t that be wonderful for Anna?”

Grandpa thought a minute, and looked at Grandma.

“Yes, child. If you promise to be careful. Remember ta-”

“Talk only when spoken to. Don’t take my gloves off until I’m inside. If anyone bothers me, talk to Benevolence.”

He went back to his room with a one of those small runs people do indoors, and came back with a kinfe.

“This is for your protection.”

I took the knife from his hand, it was heavier than I thought it would be.

“Yes sir.”

We ate breakfast in silence, and then began to pack for my trip. It took us a bit to load everything into a couple of crates, and put those in the small cart that Umo pulled.

“Child. This is a privilege of age. Now go put on your outfit.” 

So, on came the gloves, scarf, and the coat that concealed me in these trips.

“Thank you Grandpa!” I shouted as me and Umo began walking towards town.

He looked at me briefly, and then set his gaze downward as he chopped firewood. I couldn't tell if he was scowling.

It had been about an hour when I had to stop with Umo,she was already tired. Couldn’t blame her, she was old. I found a nice spot off the path near the creek, looked carefully around, and took my scarf off so I could feel the sun on my face through the oaks. I was also tired, so I decided to close my eyes for a bit in the sun. Grandpa would have never let me do this. 

I was asleep too long, I think. I woke up to the crunch of leaves, and the shouting of some of the kids from the village. I quickly reached for my scarf and wrapped my head in it, some of my hair was sticking out, but it was better than nothing. I threw my coat’s hood over my head as they ran into vision at the far end of the creak, just in case. 

“Up Umo,” I said as I tugged at her reigns. She had decided to nap too. She reluctantly stood up, and I again fastened the cart to her harness. We got back onto the path towards town, and began to progress again. I really hoped Grandpa wouldn’t be disappointed in me for my lateness. 

In the forest, I could hear the laughter of the other kids as they chased each other all around. I looked towards the creek again. There were five of them. One of them was soaked, but she was still smiling as the sun lit her face and reflected off the creek below her. They looked at me and waved, so I waved back.

“Aren’t you the Dewsworn girl?” the soaked girl shouted at me, cupping her hands to project better.

“Yes!” I spoke back, and continued down the path.I was not going to be late. Not this time.

I heard the crumple of small footsteps as they all ran up to my left.

“Is it true the wind burns you?” One of the younger boys with bright blonde hair asked, as he tapped on my arm for my attention. I could see that Umo was getting nervous from the crowding of the other kids.

“Yes.”

“Does it hurt to wear clothes?”

“Yes.”

The questions were starting to lay on top of one another, and some of the kids had now gone in front of Umo, who was beginning to try to back away, making the cart almost tip.

“Everyone away from the cart, you’re scaring Umo!”

They all made a little space for me and Umo.

“Yes. It hurts. My skin hurts. I need to go into town with my family’s plates.”

The soaked girl, still smiling, the sun poking from behind her, asked me one last question.

“If it won’t matter if you’re late this one time, would you like to join us?”

I hadn’t thought about this question. 

This is to protect you. 

I could hear my mother’s voice in my head. I looked at the girl, at the creek, and then at the crate of ceramic. I really wanted to. I almost did. But then, I thought of my Grandpa’s reluctance, and his anger. If I were late,  I would never get to do this again.

“Sorry, I have to take this into town. Next time.”

I don’t know why I said “next time”, I figured that Grandpa wouldn’t let me have a next time. I think I was trying to be polite. Anyways, the girl gave an exaggerated frown, drew a fake tear from her eye to her cheek.

“Next time!” she smiled at me, and beckoned to her posse to run off back towards the creek.

“Okay, Benjamin, you’ll be a wanderer of the platinum dragon, and I’ll be the bandit queen this time! Joseph, you’ll be the…” her voice trailed off as Umo and I walked on the shady path to town.

It was just after midday when me and Umo got to the inn. Mom was outside kneeled at the wash bin, working on some dirty linens. “Sarah! I didn’t realize you and your grandfather were coming today.”

She set the cloth she was washing back into the basin, and ran over to hug me.

“Speaking of your grandfather, is he still lagging a bit behind?” she asked, with a bit of trailing laughter.

“No.” I said “He let me go alone today.”

A big grin hit her face as she tied her brown hair behind her head.

“That’s great! Now let’s unload these plates.”

We unhtiched Umo from the cart, and brought one of the crates into the storeroom that was next to the main sitting room in the inn.

“You didn’t run into trouble on your way here?” Mom asked, while examining one of the new plates

“No, just some of the village kids asking me about the condition. I told them it burned and all that. Like I tell everyone.”

She looked concerned.

“Do you know who?” her tone of voice was much more serious.

“Sorry Mom, you know I’m bad at their names. There was a girl with black hair, about my age? Though she didn’t bother me with any of those questions. Can’t say I remember who else was there.” 

She stopped to put her hand on my shoulder.

“Sweetie, I’m very happy that you were able to get here by yourself. Remember, these kids, -if they saw you without your outfit- would shun you, or worse. You are a smart kid, so I know you won’t be seeing them much. Just be careful if that happens again.”

She started putting the plates on the shelves again.

“Also, they should know better than to bother you with questions about your illness.I thought their parents raised them better.”

“I didn’t think the questions were...invasive.”

“You might not be worried, but I’m worried-”

She turned to me again, to emphasize her point.

“I’m worried that these questions could be signs of a deeper curiosity as to how things are. Too much attention-”

I cut her off, finishing one of Grandpa’s often said phrases:

“Too much attention makes doubt, doubt creates curiosity. Curiosity will get me and the family hurt.”

She relaxed.

“Smart kid.”

We unloaded the rest of the plates meant for the inn, and before I left I promised to visit Mom again soon to go foraging for mushrooms. I wasn’t very good at it-I usually found the poisonous ones-, but sometimes when I was far away Mom would let me lie in the sun without my hood and scarf. Next was Benevolence

Benevolence, the priest, was pretty old. He was definitely older than Grandpa. He was the only other person that lived in the town proper that knew of my condition, the midwife, Joanna, had passed a number of years ago, before I can remember. I didn’t know his given name, but the name he took on when annointed to be service to The Ten was Benevolence. Not all who worked on the behalf of The Ten took on new names, but there had been many before him who had. Some for reasons in the writings of the god they represented, some for other personal reasons. 

True to his name he would always invite me to talk to him over tea and lunch when I visited, and this time was no different. He usually asked me if I had any strange dreams, or if anything I experienced felt different. 

“No strange dreams, sir.”

He pulled his steeper out of his mug.

“How is living with your Grandparents?”

“It’s fine. Grandpa is how he always is. ‘Don’t talk to people or you will die’, I was surprised he let me go by myself when I asked this time. Normally he just scolds me.”

“I’ve been telling him he needs to give you more room. That is why your mother moved you out there in the first place. Good news for you is that he seems to be turning a new leaf.”

Benevolence smiled at me as he blew on his tea and took a sip.

“That would be nice. Would you mind if I-”

“Of course.” He said gesturing to me, as I began to take my hood and scarf off.

“I really wish I didn’t have to wear this all the time. It’s stuffy.”

“Unfortunately, that is how things have to be.”

I sighed and leaned back in my chair.

“Benevolence, how do you get people to change for the better?”

He took another sip of his tea and set it down.

“Truth be told child, carefully. At least in my experience. Change is not easy.”

He sat further back in his chair.

“When I was much younger I was an underling at a chapel in larger village. I really truly thought I was doing a good job. I was attending to my mentor and her needs, and spent much of my time studying the writings of the The Rake. However, whenever I tried to teach people the lessons I had learned, they would just tell me that I was young. I didn’t understand why the stole, or fought. For years, I remained as an underling because I could not get the people of the community to respect me. I was bitter! Surely, they were the wrong ones! Ha!

“However, in my sixth year as underling, a famine hit my village. I would go days without eating. It got so bad, that one night I snuck into the loft where we stored wine, looking for anything to eat. I was so hungry, I lost sight of my teaching. Thinking I had been sneaky, I took a bottle of wine and drank the whole thing by myself. Boy was I in for a surprise when I woke up with my mentor looking at me. It was the most embarrassed I have ever been! To my surprise she didn’t scold me. Instead, she took me to her quarters, and shared some of her bread with me. She didn’t say it, but through that action she told me exactly what I was missing. I finally understood what these people were feeling. How they could ignore the teachings. So I met them in the same way my teacher met me. With bread!  A little food goes a long way!”

He set his tea down quickly, before finishing.

“And that’s why I call myself Benevolence. To remind myself to get my head out of these damn books and think about bread!”

Benevolence broke into a fit of laughter at his own story. I waited a bit for it to end. 

“But what has this got to do with me?” I asked.

“ If anything, Grandpa needs to be the one to change, as you’ve been telling him.”

He handed me some bread and cheese.

“Lunch takes two people!”

He laughed deeply as he poured me some more tea. Now that I think about it, he never told me what it had to do with me.