Prompt: Dressed in nothing but a necklace of human skulls, Part 1

Note: H/t to my dear friend Vivian, who’s Facebook post prompted a truly horrific story idea…But after mulling on it for the day, I think it may actually be pretty kick ass. Gonna try to hammer it out this month on my blog for Halloween...

I pressed my bare foot onto her hip, below her swollen belly, and leaned against my spear, buried in the sand beside her head. We both gasped for breath as the crowd roared. The noise slammed against me, and I wanted to close my eyes and fall beside her. I lifted my head and met her eyes, the yellow clay streaks smeared across her dark blue skin. She kept her wide eyes locked on my. My move.

Pushing against my spear, I looked up to the only person in the crowd who mattered. Alone in the largest box overlooking the arena floor, she stepped forward to hear victory cry. I straightened my shoulders and spread my arms wide, leaving my spear wavering in the sand. “I call rights to the unborn child!”

The crowd hushed, and I almost laughed aloud. She met my gaze for a long moment, then lifted her head up. The crowd roared louder than ever. I knew I would pay at her hand. Queen or priestess--I still did not know--her black hair piled in coils upon her head, and her slight body draped in row upon row of beaded necklaces. I’d been thrown at her feet enough to see them in detail. No gems, no stones, no delicate beads. They were--I shuddered again as I tore my gaze away—they were babies’ teeth. Her power bought by the blood of hundred—thousands—of infant sacrifices. Without another sign, she turned and walked away.

I dropped to my knees and pulled a hidden dagger from my armband. The woman beneath me lifted her hand, and I slashed her palm, then mine. Gripping her hand, I pressed my forehead against hers. “The baby will have my blood,” I whispered urgently as the guards pulled me away. Before they wrenched our bloody hands apart, we both threw back our heads and screamed a long victory cry.

Continued in part 2…

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And so, with a loving heart, I offer you

Namaste

I’ve heard many translations. Here’s one I love:
The light of the universe that shines within me recognizes
the light of the universe that shines within you.

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Dogs in House	Houdini
Time writing	20 minutes
October word count	1,670