Conceived in Blood, A Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian Novel (17 page)

No one had abstained.

North stormed around the tent, shoving chairs out of his way and pausing every so often to pound on the table. Weapons jumped from the impact. “We need to hunt these Raiders down and be done with them, once and for all.”

Marshall’s chair creaked as she shifted on it. If she had known killing his two sons would have this effect, she might have done it sooner.

Around the rectangular table, the six member jury nodded. Pierce, an old ‘Vider of forty-four winters, cleared his throat. “We should not have let the raids go this long.” He fingered the patch of blond human hair over his missing left eye. “Already, the tribute whisper words of rescue.”

“They will learn their proper place after the Lesson.” Marshall folded her hands in front of her. The Lesson, her first to be taught to the tribute, had been postponed for this meeting. Fatigue filled her eyes with grit and she blinked to clear it.

The four men and two women glanced at North.

Damn them. She was Head Provider. The jury should look to her, try to curry her favor, not North’s. As much as she could use him in the battle to come, she must eliminate him. Perhaps she could use his anger to ‘help’ him make a fatal mistake.

North threw his folding chair against the tent wall. “The Lesson doesn’t kill the hope. Only time and repeated teachings do that. Last offering, we had four tributes attempt to escape.”

She licked her lips. “Yes, that was quite entertaining.”

Titan cracked his knuckles. “I’m willing to teach the shared tribute.”

North hurled his knife at his cousin before smashing his fist into his nose. “That was a waste of good food. Half of the meat spoiled.”

Jumping back, Titan lapped at the blood trickling from his fat lip and glared at his cousin through blackened eyes. He resumed his place by the door.

The six other ‘Viders at the table nodded. Her advising jury was firmly behind North.

That would have to change. Marshall’s nails dug into her palms. “The waste of food is deplorable, yes. But since my sire set us on this Northern course, our pantry has never been empty. This is the land of plenty, just as he promised those who chose to follow him during the divide.”

The two female jurors nodded. The one on the right shrugged, baring the scars on her shoulder. “While the food is abundant, our numbers are growing smaller.”

Heat flashed through Marshall. Her throat tightened until neither air nor words could squeeze through. That was the real reason the jury favored North over her. He had sired six children out of one pathetic tribute, while she, the rightful heir to the ‘Viders, had yet to produce one.

“And we’ve lost two yesterday.” As one, the jurors glared at Titan.

The ‘Vider shrunk into himself. The weakling preferred to face tribute over his own kind. He caught her eye, flashed her a warning.

As did she. If the jury decided to hand Titan over to North, he would rat her out before an hour passed. They all knew she collected raiders’ arrows as keepsakes. Cold fear swept away the burning rage. One or two she might be able to kill, but not all of them.

And not a healthy North.

She would not lose the position she’d worked so hard to gain. Licking the sweat beading her upper lip, she cleared her throat. As for ‘Vider Brolyn’s comment, perhaps the woman’s words could be turned in Marshall’s favor. “We know that the first round of tributes are always a poor lot.”

“Sickly,” ‘Vider Brolyn agreed. “Not much good for even eating.”

“Yet, we chose from this lot.” Marshall swept her attention over each of them before landing on ‘Vider Stake. The black tattoos on his head were tipped with red. A nice touch, but a symbol of his weakness toward his tribute. One who should have been slaughtered long before the jury demanded the female be used as a lesson. “And sometimes we keep them alive longer than necessary. We waste food and water upon them when they are not even good breeding stock.”

White tipped Stake’s knuckles.

The fool hadn’t even taken a new tribute to his bed. It was such weakness that was destroying their kind. “I propose we make a new ruling. If the females do not become pregnant within the first year, they are to be discarded.”

“Many are doing so already.” Brolyn agreed.

“And still we are barren.” Marshall smiled at the woman. “It may be time for the females to take a mate among the Chosen.”

“No!” Stake pounded on the table. “When blood ‘Viders mate, the off-spring is rabid. Those mad progeny lead the Chosen astray. Many always die.”

The male jurors nodded.

Only the men. Perhaps this was their way to insure the female ‘Viders never achieved the same level as they. It would explain why females who chose the Warrior way rarely produced children. Could it be they actually wanted weak females in their beds?

Only Titan shook his head.

Marshall straightened.  “Given the lack of fertile female tributes, perhaps they should be shared, once they produce a worthy child.”

Titan cut a glance at North.

North’s jaw clenched.

“No.” Stake crossed his arms over his chest. “Property is property, not to be shared unless the owner decides.”

The jurors nodded. “The rights of ownership must be respected.”

North stalked back to the table, braced both hands on the surface and leaned forward. “Perhaps our Head Provider should focus on planning our war against the raiders, instead of trying to undo five generations of guidance.”

Embarrassment blazed in Marshall’s cheeks. She would find a way to kill him slowly. And when he was weak and helpless before her, she would tell him exactly what would happen to his precious Mirabelle. Not even ‘Vider code would protect that bitch. Marshall swallowed the bile surging up her throat. “You are correct, ‘Vider North. We must make war preparations.”

Brolyn consulted with the woman on her left. “With the murder of North’s children so close to camp, we must relocate immediately.”

Stake opened his arms, gesturing toward the ridge beyond their camp. “In the open as we are, the enemy could attack from many directions.”

“There was smoke in the air yesterday. It might be a new village.” Titan clasped his hands behind his back.

Marshall glared at him. He was not supposed to speak to the jury, unless specifically asked. “Tribute villages are easily overrun.”

Instead of agreeing with her, the six jurors turned to North.

Son of a bitch. He needed to die. They all needed to die. Damn the old ways and their stupid safeguards. If she was to save her people, she needed the power to make changes, without waiting for a consensus.

North stroked the stubble on his chin. The bastard enjoyed the power, her power. “While tributes are no match for the blessings the Great Spanner has given us, their buildings are able to stop the flight of a raider’s arrow. Living in such shelters will mean fewer ‘Viders need remain behind to guard our young ones.”

Brolyn smoothed her hair shirt. “I shall take a scouting party to find this new village and plan our attack.”

Stake set his sword on the table. “We will not be able to cull the fringes of the herd this time. Is the Jury giving permission to waste food?”

Men and women exchanged glances. Wasting food was never to be taken lightly. Despite Marshall’s earlier boasting, there had been perilous times, when she thought they might never find another crop of tributes. The jurors stared at North, waiting for an answer.

He stared at her.

The bastard. If she gave permission and it ended badly, he would have reason to strip her of her position. And if she refused to make a decision, he would strip her of her position. “Do what you must to minimize spoilage. A cut across the back of the heel wouldn’t kill the tributes, just immobilize them."

“But the needs of our people must come first. The Great Spanner is watching.”

Gathering their weapons, the two women and Stake strode across the tent.

Titan held the flap open as they marched through.

North righted his chair and planted it near the table. “I will track the Raiders to their camp.”

Perfect. She would have him alone during the journey. All she needed was bait for the trap. And he had provided it. “I——”

“Why bother?” ‘Vider Pierce twirled his knife in his hand. “We know the raiders traveled to Abaddon.”

Marshall’s heels drummed on the dirt floor. Abaddon. After so many years, the village was within her grasp. If Mother told the truth, there would be food for many, many years to come and plenty of breeders for all.

“The mayor has betrayed your father, Head Provider.” ‘Vider Pierce scraped the gray hair off his knuckles. “He promised to deliver the raiders to us. Instead, our innocent warriors were murdered.”

 Spilling ‘Vider blood required a ten-fold payback. She smiled. “North and I will travel to the village.”

His eyes narrowed. “For the raiders, or the mayor?”

“Both.” She might even allow him to kill a few raiders before eliminating him. Of course, he would never find the one that murdered his sons. She’d only reveal Titan’s actions right before North drew his last breath.

Her special gift to him.

North jerked his head once, picked his axe off the table and headed for the door. “I shall be ready to leave within the hour.”

It was time he learned he wasn’t in charge; she was. “Are you sure you wish to go so soon?”

He paused, raising his axe to his cousin’s throat. “Are you saying I am not capable of avenging my sons?”

Titan paled, when North pressed the blade to his skin and drew blood.

The other three jurors kept their hands off their weapons. They would not intervene. ‘Vider code forbade it. Titan had been the boys’ guardian, charged with watching over them on their maiden hunt. Since they died, the warrior way allowed him to suffer the same fate at the hands of their sire.

She rather liked that rule. Marshall drummed her fingers on the table. North had plenty of opportunity to kill his cousin. But had refrained, time and time again. She doubted he would do so now, doubted he’d do so from the beginning. Not with the raiders blamed for the deed. “Your tribute is weak.”

North smeared Titan’s blood on the axe’s blade. “Mirabelle is a ‘Vider now.”

The jurors nodded.

Fools. Tributes were weak. They should never dishonor the Great Spanner by being allowed to become a ‘Vider. “Nattie broke after her ascension, after the loss of her sons.”

After the death of her ‘Vider.

The bitch Mirabelle wasn’t half as strong a Nattie and would break long before Marshall could toss North’s body at her feet. Everyone heard her sobbing through the night. It was just a matter of time before she broke. Then her children would be unprotected.

None of the North line could survive her revenge.

That too was ‘Vider code.

North bared his teeth. “Mirabelle demanded I kill them. Kill them all, for her.”

No. No, that couldn’t be. The bitch had never even watched a welcoming ceremony and refused to eat meat. She was weak, pathetic. She would never demand blood.

The male jurors chuckled, gathered their weapons and followed North out.

“Damn shame she claimed him last night. I would have enjoyed putting a child in her.” Pierce spat near Titan’s feet as he walked from the tent.

The others mimicked the old man’s action.

Titan’s face reddened, but he did nothing.

The coward. She should slit his throat now and be done with it. But he still had his uses. For now. Holding her knife, she crossed the floor.

Titan slapped the tent flap closed in front of her. “Mirabelle was supposed to be mine. I deserve her. I——”

Marshall backhanded him. Her skin stung from the impact. She loved that feeling. “You will have the bitch yet.”

Given how many men wanted to fuck the female, maybe Marshall should loan her out. That would win many to her side.

“When? How? North still lives.” Titan fingered the imprint of her hand on his flesh.

“He and I travel to Abaddon today. My father said it is a dangerous place.” It would prove lethal for North. “In the meantime, you may make use of my dame.”

Titan’s nostrils flared and he stepped close enough so their chests brushed. “She is too withered to grow any seed, even one as strong as mine.”

Marshall trailed her hand down his coarse shirt before grabbing his balls and twisting.

He gasped and folded over. Spit dribbled from his mouth, a shiny string that nearly reached his knees before it broke.

“It is an honor to lay with my dame.” She released him.

Holding himself, he fell to his knees.

“Now, go. Mother is waiting.”

He nodded and struggled to his feet. Knees locked together, he lurched toward the door.

“Oh, and Titan.”

With his hand on the flap, he paused.

It wouldn’t do to let him leave angry. He might blab while she was gone. Of course, Mother would keep an eye on him, but Mother couldn’t watch him all the time. Her duties would prevent it. Best to give him an incentive. A taste of the power he could have, until she killed him.

“Since I’ll be leaving within the hour, I wish for you to teach the new tributes the Lesson.”

He blinked then smiled. “Thank you, Head Provider. I will make sure it is one no one forgets.”

Walking a little straighter, he left.

A heartbeat later, Marshall followed. Dawn cracked the horizon in half, light and dark. Shadows moved across the campfires and the smell of roasting meat filled the air. Yawning, she stretched. The pens were full of tribute. Her people were preparing for war. She sashayed to her tent.

And today, North would die.

Chapter 19

Belle winced as each shovelful of dirt hit the tiny bodies in the grave. Thud. Her sons. Thud. Her babies. Thud. Dead. Her heart mirrored the beats of a dying heart. Her eyes burned but no tears fell and her throat was raw from trapped screams.

“We return the bodies of our brothers to the earth. Stiletto North who’s blade was always true. Hammer North although small had great strength inside.” Head Provider Marshall threw stones into the graves. “We ask that the Great Spanner accept their blood sacrifice given in gratitude for all that has been given us.”