Changes of Life

By Julia H. West

Fantasy short story. The villagers of Lexby have barely survived a magic-induced plague. Sarah lost her husband to the flesh rot that nearly killed her and her daughter. She's not about to let the Pantaj do more damage to the village. But what can a handful of women and children do against an invading army?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Callihoo Publishing
• Release date: Oct 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466084070

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Changes of Life

Julia H. West

Published by Callihoo Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Julia H. West

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Cover design by Danica B. West

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The stench of death filled Goody Sarah Albright's nostrils and the bawling of unmilked cows rang in her ears. On the pallet near the cottage's fireplace Kate stirred, but Goody Albright caught her daughter's hands and held them before the young woman scratched at her face. Wishing it would stop the pain, Goody Albright washed the wound along Kate's cheekbone yet again. Kate moaned, and Goody Albright gritted her teeth. She knew how this felt, all too well—a week ago she had moaned and thrashed while Kate had done the same to her wounds.

She closed her eyes to still rising tears. She could not lose Kate, too.

A knock on the door, then the inquiry, Are any alive within? She limped over to lift the bar and open the door.

Two elderly women stood without—one gaunt, with thinning gray hair pulled back in an untidy bunch, the other plump and dressed all in black. No one Goody Albright knew. Why had they come to this village of the dead?

Are you healers? she asked. Don't risk yourselves; I have this well enough in hand.

Their gaze dropped to her bandaged foot, touched her scarred forearm. We aren't healers, goody, and we don't fear the pestilence. We've come because magic created the flesh rot, and only magic can remove it, said the thin woman.

Magic. That would explain how quickly the pestilence had fallen on Lexby, and how none of the surrounding villages seemed to be afflicted. You're wise women? Goody Albright asked. They looked like anyone's grandmothers, threadbare and wrinkled.

The plump one answered, Indeed.

Now, said the thin one, Show us your sick, and we'll remove the disease.

It left my flesh, Goody Albright said, and you're much too late for my man. But my daughter.…

They followed her to the