Province of
the Blackwings
"You're all sixteen this
season, the year you become adults in the eyes of our masters," said the
inestimably ancient man. He was the mayor of a town in the Great Undead
Republic, located in one of the north-eastern provinces. He spoke to the assembled
youths of his town who would (or had, in a couple of cases) turn sixteen in the
current season.
"It is now your right to
know what happens to those they choose between their sixteenth and twenty-fifth
years. Some of you have had siblings chosen, or cousins. Some of you may have
heard rumours, or part of the truth from your parents if you are lucky.
Regardless, I am here today to tell you the entire story.
"Fifty-nine years ago our
country fell. A disease struck almost all of our people down at once; only for
them to rise anew as blackwings. Other blackwings came from across the seas to
lead them, and without any challengers they became our masters.
"You may wonder, why were
we not prepared? We had long known of the blackwings. You may wonder why the
blackwings turn us into them no more. These two questions have one answer: what
happened on that day, long ago, was impossible.
"Since before even the days
of the empire, it has been common knowledge that the dark curse of the
blackwings cannot be spread except while near their dreaded island home. Only
there will their infection take hold; and only there will the infection cause
the dead to rise again. Everywhere else in the world their infection cannot
spread.
"Yet for one day the
impossible happened. Some dark magic changed the very rules of the world. And
it was no accident - on that day, the blackwings struck our entire country. The
infection was in the water; wells, rivers, lakes, even some sealed barrels. All
died, all rose.
"The other countries, beset
by their own troubles, could not come to our aid. We were not the first to
fall, but we were the fastest. In one day our country was eliminated and a new
province was raised under the blackwings.
"Those who survived, like
myself, were reorganised. New towns were built, old ones demolished, and all
the land was converted to farmland. Even I do not know where the food goes.
Many say that it goes to their island, but doing such would be senseless.
"What I do know is that
those chosen by our masters are taken to the island as well, where they are
turned into blackwings. They do this because after that one day their disease
has no longer been able to spread here. I am afraid to say, children, that they
will choose some of you."
The gathered youths blanched at
the old man's words. The idea of becoming one of the soulless creatures that
were their 'masters' disturbed them.
A thoughtful youth raised his
hand, and at a nod from the mayor asked a question. "What happens to them
when they change? They don't act like they were every human."
"I don't know," said
the mayor with a sad shake of his head. "They lose something. I have only
talked to a few, and they were as passionless as those who keep watch over our
town. If they return here, they watch over towns other than the one they came
from. I do not know why. There is much about them no-one knows.
"There are rumours, from
the days before they took our country. That when someone becomes a blackwing
their mind, their soul, is crushed and replaced with another. An average amalgamation
of all the others. As you all should know their minds are linked; it is said
that through this the terrible deed is done. How this ever could be known I
cannot say; we have lost much knowledge over the years.
"You have likely heard
rumours of the other countries over the years. The truth of these rumours is
completely unknown, beyond one fact: all have fallen to the undead. I say this
to ensure that you do not hold out hope of an easy escape. Word spreads between
our towns poorly, so some may have escaped. But very, very little avoids the
eyes of the blackwings who watch us from above, and I have been told that they
watch our fallen neighbours as well.
"So now you all know the
truth, as far as I know it. Live your lives. Enjoy them, if you can. And hope -
and try - and plead - that you are never chosen."
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