It is the sixteenth century, a time when witches are real and people live in fear of them.

A young childless couple are given the opportunity to adopt a baby girl who they name ‘Samantha’.

They live in the walled area of Port Town. There, stories are told about the threat from witches. The King has decreed throughout the land what action will be taken against witches and those who carry out witchcraft.

 

Here is a sample from the novella ‘A Tale Of Witchcraft: Birth’.

 

1. BIRTH

PART I

Lucinda gripped her husband’s hand tightly as she grimaced and pushed and tried desperately to control her breathing. Her waters had broken thirty minutes ago and the stress of being in labour was clearly written on her face. Without being able to help it she screamed out loudly as she pushed once more.

“I know it’s hard love but try to be quiet, you must be quiet. We cannot have any of the others hear this,” said Jeremiah as he released her hand and hurriedly ran to the opening of their small tent. He looked out and frantically gazed both left and right but fortunately no one came running towards their tent. The scream had not alerted anyone.

In the past nine months Lucinda and Jeremiah had lived in fear of discovery of her condition. In the first few months there had not been much sign that Lucinda was with child. In the second trimester it became evident and she had worn heavier clothes to conceal this. Only Jeremiah had been aware of their secret. He wanted it to remain that way. With the panic over he stepped back into the tent towards his distressed wife.

“Not much longer love, you’re doing great. No one was alerted but let’s just keep it like that. Now make sure you keep breathing and keep pushing,” said Jeremiah taking Lucinda’s hand again and trying to reassure her.

“I’ll keep as quiet as I can love,” said Lucinda between deep breaths. ”I’ll try my best, but it just hurts so much.”

As she felt the next jolt of pain she clenched her teeth tight as the tears came out of her eyes and down her cheeks. She knew as well as Jeremiah why the secrecy was imperative. She carried the greatest burden, but it was one that she had gladly accepted. Right now however, mid labour the secrecy part was proving tremendously difficult to uphold. Nine months without discovery seemed miraculous and these past hours were even more so. With legs spread apart she took in as much air as she could through deep breathing and began to push.

“Good Lucinda, well done. Keep pushing and it will be over before you know it,” said Jeremiah as his hand was being forcibly crushed by Lucinda. He kept it there as he urged her to keep on pushing.

Lucinda’s face was bright red and covered in sweat. Her hair had started to mat and the fringe was stuck to her forehead. With great effort she gave another almighty push. She was finding it difficult to breathe now but fought with what she had to stay awake and conscious. She did not want to pass out on her husband and she wanted this delivery over with as quickly as possible. She pushed again and this time the crown of the baby’s head came visible.

“I can see part of the baby’s head now love. Soon the hard part will be over with. You are doing so well, just keep on pushing and our baby will be delivered,” said Jeremiah encouragingly.

Lucinda clenched her teeth and held tightly onto her husband’s hands. She held so tightly that Jeremiah believed that it would be crushed to a pulp, the bones would protrude and that blood would gush onto the floor. However his hand was stronger than his mind thought it was. The pain of the crushing was constant but he did not remove his hand as it was needed by his wife who was in dire circumstances.

“You’re doing fine love. Deep breaths and keep on pushing,” said Jeremiah excitedly, almost forgetting to keep his voice down.

As the baby’s head came out more Jeremiah moved to the front of Lucinda. He remained there as he held onto the baby to stabilise it.

“Big breaths and another big push and that should be it,” said Jeremiah.

Lucinda was in torturous pain as she gulped in air and pushed for all she was worth. With all the effort the baby seemed to slip out with ease. Jeremiah held its blood covered body and raised it up so that his wife could have a look.

“See Lucinda it was worth the effort. You have given birth to a precious beautiful girl. She is perfect,” said Jeremiah raising his voice in excitement and at the last second remembering to lower it.

Lucinda lay back, breathing in deeply from her exertions and trying her best to ignore the pain of the birth. A broad smile broke out form her face as she fully saw her child for the first time.

“Let me see her Jeremiah, let me at least have the chance to hold her,” said Lucinda reaching out with her hand.

“Wait a second love. I’ll just tie off the cord and cut it with a knife to free you from the child,” said Jeremiah as he took strands from a rope and tied the cord in two places. He took a knife from the nearby table and cut the cord between the ties.

Miraculously although the baby had moved, she had not cried which was most fortunate for the couple. Jeremiah smiling with pride handed the baby over to his wife who rested the child on her chest and placed her arms around her.

“Let’s hope the baby remains quiet by herself. If she does not then we may have to cover her mouth to hide her cries,” said Jeremiah.

“This is so unfair. Why can’t we keep her? Why can’t I have the chance to be a proud mother and you a proud father? Everyone else gets to have children, why not us,” said Lucinda.

“You know why love, because it’s dangerous. I hate to think what would happen to us or the child if anyone found out what we have done. We have kept her secret for so long. We will quietly remain in the tent for another three or four days. I’ll tell people that you are not feeling well and that I am giving you good care and that you should be better and up and about within a week. If we keep the baby quiet no one should be any the wiser,” said Jeremiah with a serious demeanour.

Lucinda looked down on her miracle baby, the lovely girl that they would have to abandon soon. She wrapped her arms round her and kissed her on the forehead, believing for a small moment that all could be well and that they could be a normal family. That they would be accepted by everyone and that their child would grow up healthily within the community.

“Look love, she’s opening her eyes and they are so green,” said Lucinda.

The baby looked up at her mother smiling and moving her arms.

“I’d best give her a wash love to get some of the blood off her. After that I’ll wrap her up with a woollen shawl to keep her warm,” said Jeremiah looking lovingly down on his wife and daughter. “It does look normal and it feels normal, but you know that this is the way it must be.”

Jeremiah left the hut and came back a few minutes later with a full bucket of water, a cloth and a shawl. Lucinda handed the baby to him and he gently received her in one arm as he took the cloth immersed it in the water within the bucket, wrung the excess off and dabbed it onto his child. She gave out a small cry which concerned him however the cry died down to a contented gurgle as the baby became accustomed to the cold water from the sodden cloth.

“I spoke to some people who were asking for you. They seemed concerned about you but I informed them that you were getting better and that I was using the cloth and cold water to calm the remaining signs of fever that you had. They seemed content with that explanation,” said Jeremiah as he continued washing his daughter. He dried her off with a towel wrapped her in a shawl and handed her back to Lucinda.

“When must we give her up love?” asked Lucinda resigned to having to ask the dreadful question.

“You’re still weak from the delivery love, so we’ll have to wait a few days. At four days at the most we will have to make our move. We’ll slip away at night time when everyone is asleep and no one can hear us. We shall return about two days after that with the task complete and no one should ever know,” said Jeremiah.

“I’m getting used to her being here already love. I’m forming a bond with her and after four days I think this bond will be all the greater. She’s so soft and gentle and much like other babies I have seen. The task of giving her up will be too great for me,” said Lucinda with a lump in her throat.

“That’s why we’ll be doing it together love. I’ll be with you every step of the way and as her father it will be equally as difficult for me as it is for you. We’ll get through it and we’ll survive. I’m sure that some loving charitable people will take good care of her,” said Jeremiah comforting his wife.

Over the next few days the couple did their best to keep the noise they were making to a minimum. The baby seemed content and not too demanding as she would look up to her mother with emerald eyes and smiling, strengthening the bond between mother and daughter, the bond that Lucinda needed so much to resist. Miraculously her crying was kept to the minimum. Lucinda would hush and cradle her if there was the slightest hint that she would burst out into tears. The baby also fed well and to Lucinda’s delight this was not too painful for her as the babe suckled her breast.

Jeremiah kept regular contact with the others as if to appease their caring but inquisitive natures. He assured them that his wife was on the mend but to avoid any contagion they should not in any circumstances enter into the tent. She was looking forward to being up and about and mingling with them but for now rest and privacy was the best medicine for her.

Then the fateful day came when Lucinda had recovered from her labour. She was able to stand easily and the couple realised that if they were to maintain their secret and not draw attention to themselves that had to act now. The baby was getting stronger every day and it may have only been luck for them that she had refrained from crying. It would only take one little tantrum and one good cry for her to be discovered. Lucinda held her baby closer that day as the thought they would soon be departed crept up on her. She could at least say that she had loved her as long as they were together.

They could hear the others from within their tent as the day went on. Lots of bustle in the morning, less in the afternoon and then the sound of them taking to their own areas so they could rest for the night. The couple waited for the continued silence which would be their signal to leave. Jeremiah stepped out of the tent and had a good look round. Satisfied that everyone would be settling down for the night he stepped back into the tent……………….

 

 

This novella is available as an eBook on Amazon.

Kind Regards.

Alan

alanrove@hotmail.com