The Bitter Taste by Leanne Fitzpatrick Page B

There was no birdsong or
singing of crickets in the long sea grasses. She became aware of
eyes watching her.
    She looked up. They were there- one of them
within arm’s reach. Yau didn’t react, merely stating at them with
the same intensity they stared at her.
    They were hideous- their hair hung in lank,
tangled knots. Their skin was oily black and translucent like
jellyfish. There was no emotion in their fish-eyes and when they
opened their mouths, spindles and sharks’ teeth grinned at her.
    They made Yau feel sick, but there was
something enticing about them. Part of her wanted to reach out and
touch them.
    Slowly she pushed herself up to sit. The
maiden closest to her grinned even wider. Yau stared into the black
pit that was her pupil. It was ringed with the most beautiful
yellow bronze colour, but they were dead eyes, filled only with
hunger.
    “Come out of the water, Yau,” a voice said.
“Don’t look away from them and move slowly- please.”
    Yau did as she was asked, never breaking eye
contact with the sea maiden. The creature watched her, still
smiling.
    Strong fingers gripped her arms and Yau
finally broke eye contact with them. She heard their song start up
in her head.
    “How long have you been down here?” the old
woman that held her asked.
    “I don’t know.”
    “Do you hear their song?”
    “Yes.”
    “We must go. They know you to well- they will
taunt you and call to you until you break. Their hunger is
insatiable.”
    “I want to fight them, Nan. They killed
Tepil.”
    “I know, my child, but I cannot let you stay
here. Not now. Come with me.”
    Yau pulled back, but only half-heartedly. The
grip on her hand was much stronger than the maiden’s grip in her
mind. She allowed herself to be pulled across the beach and back
onto the grass, away from the maidens and their sirens song.
    “He’s gone... What am I supposed to do
now?”
    “You must endure, as we all must. The gods
now our pain and we must trust to their plan.”
    “How much more pain to the gods have in their
plan for me?” Yau asked bitterly.
    There was no answer as they walked, and Yaya
allowed herself to be steered away from her hut and towards the
healer’s hut that stood a little apart from the rest of the
village.
     
    *
     
    Smoke hung in thick blue-grey wisps in the air, heavy
with the scent of flowers and herbs. Yau ducked under it and made
her way to her accustomed seat. She had spent most of her childhood
in the corner, happily learning her craft; ready to be an important
part of village life. She picked up her old rolling board, stained
through with the juices from a thousand different leaves and
fruits.
    “Seems like yesterday,” doesn’t it, Nan said.
“Here. Drink this. You are exhausted and pale. You need to rest,
and with sleep the heart and the body can heal.”
    Yau took the earthenware cup and stared into
the dark liquid.
    “What is it?”
    “You should know,” the old healer said. “You
created it.”
    Yau nodded and breathed in the steam. It
smelled of fresh grass and flowers.
    “The priests will not be pleased, but I think
you need this… for your own piece of mind.”
    Yau smiled and sipped at it, feeling the
potion beginning to affect her from the first mouthful.
    She didn't fight it; she simply allowed
herself to slip into the drugged slumber. She heard the clunk of
the cup against the floor, and then heard nothing else.
     
    *
     
    She became conscious of someone humming. It was
muffled and distant, but it was pleasant if a little discordant.
There was heaviness to the sound that didn’t seem right to her
current perception.
    Yau rose, twisting in her seat to face the
room. Nan sat watching the fire. There was a damp sheen to her
cheeks and Yau knew the older woman had been crying. The song she
was humming was an old prayer. The words had been lost a long time
ago, but the melody and the sentiment remained.
    Yau stood and walked over to her, lifting an
ethereal hand to rest on the old