“Bloody Hand” by Simon Howden

B is for the Blood-marked: In my A to Z of the World of Gossamer Steel, the superstitious people of The Country believe the Blood-Marked are dangerous nomads that have been possessed by a tormented spectral creature. However, when confronted with one, reluctant groom Bergwe moves beyond his superstitions and learns that the possession has great advantages when confronting evil as they have the power to summon Elementals.

Blood plays a crucial role in many cultural beliefs, from paganism through organised religions to New Age. Blood is central to our body and life, so it is not surprising that sharing our blood holds great significance, whether it is donating life-saving blood willingly or unwillingly. Blood carries DNA and perhaps the spirit. Is that why we are so fascinated by vampires? Is it the blood-sucking or the immortality?

There is also the sharing of blood to denote a bond beyond friendship – blood-sisters. In Gossamer Steel, being Blood-marked is a similar union of souls but more akin to a shaman and her power animal. [More on that perhaps tomorrow – C is for Corylus Avellana…]

B is also for the Blue Maidens servants of forest goddess Mielikki, and for Baba Yaga. And of course the Blood of murder victims in Spiral of Hooves.

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The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on. Please visit other challenge writers.

My theme is ‘The World of Gossamer Steel’, the SF-fantasy setting for a series of short stories and novellas that portray the tales behind the MMORPG that is central to my crime novel ,Wyrm Bait’.