Historical setting: 588 C.E. Forest Primeval Tall and pale, he flicks an orange lock of hair away from his eyes so I can’t ignore his glint of terror. It’s true. Empathy is a fearsome pain if it goes unfed. “I need to be tougher than all that.” He says. “Toughness Thole? ApparentlyContinue reading “Post #27.8 Thurs., December 16, 2021”
Author Archives: J.K. Marlin
Post #27.7, Weds., December 15, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. Forest Primeval The druid told me Thole stayed at our so-called camp while I was in the village, and they loaned him fleeces and straw for warmth and shelter. I find him there still sleeping in something he constructed of a lean-to. “Good morning, my friend. I hear youContinue reading “Post #27.7, Weds., December 15, 2021”
Post #27.6, Tues., December 14, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. Forest Primeval Druid Largin is preparing for a sacred ritual of harvesting the mistletoe. For this he will wear a white robe, and use a golden sickle.[Footnote] The sacrificial animal is a white bull, already tethered in a stock. I don’t expect any of the others of us, Jewish, ChristianContinue reading “Post #27.6, Tues., December 14, 2021”
Post #27.5, Thurs. December 9, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. Forest Primeval Night is already down on us, but here in the thatched house we finally have light and warmth. The tea was set outside in a steaming bowl. “Your sisters brought you this tea and a biscuit too; they are offering non-stop chants and incantations – they areContinue reading “Post #27.5, Thurs. December 9, 2021”
Post #27.4, Weds., December 8, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. Forest Primeval She isn’t dead and I see she has no bubos or signs of plague. She is fevered and thirsty the same as was the count that night when she brought him tea. I’m not sure what she says, but she seems to mumble some form of gratitude. MaybeContinue reading “Post #27.4, Weds., December 8, 2021”
Post #27.3, Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. Forest Primeval Druid Largin blames us for bringing them what he believes is plague and also for breaking the promise to return the child. I’ve offered to go to the woman who is ill and take her the tea that healed the Count, then I can see for myself ifContinue reading “Post #27.3, Tuesday, December 7, 2021”
Post #27.2 Thurs. December 2, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. Forest Primeval Here is the place where once we kindled a fire. It’s a cold little mound of ash without a whisper of smoke. We eat leftovers from the great feast of victory this noon day. It is still and very cold. The sun only pretends to prod its tenticalsContinue reading “Post #27.2 Thurs. December 2, 2021”
Post #27.1, Weds., December 1, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. Jesse’s Farm It’s an early rising for chores long before the night is broken. Thole and I milk the goats and fill the oats in the horse’s trough as silently as we can not to waken Jesse and whomever else he has in his bed after yesterday’s feasting. We drawContinue reading “Post #27.1, Weds., December 1, 2021”
Post #26.13, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. Forest Primeval Thole is defiant. Grieving for Eve who raised him through his childhood, then he left her in her blindness to go back to his father to take the responsibilities of a farmer. Maybe he feels the same guilt as I, who also abandoned Eve in her silent, uncomplainingContinue reading “Post #26.13, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021”
Post #26.12, Thurs., Nov. 25, 2021
Historical setting: 588 C.E. The Count’s Mansion A victory feast at a fine estate is a great spread of meats and bold porridges, an abundance of saved melons and dried berries, honey and cream spreads, wine and mead flowing free. Possibly, in the other room at the women’s table they have these same indulgencesContinue reading “Post #26.12, Thurs., Nov. 25, 2021”
Lazarus Ink 