Strangers from the stars

“And one for the luck of the mother…” Slender fingers reached out and plucked a bloom so deep a shade of purple it almost seemed black. Almost. Even Mab knew black flowers did not truly occur, and if they did they were a very bad omen. She didn’t add the bloom to the rest gathered in the basket at her side here in the glade right away, instead she simply stared down at it, trying to decide if this was the bad omen her wandering mind told her it was. Her lips quirked into the slightest of smiles, imagining the look on the elders faces if she brought such a thing back to the camp fire. Her slender fingers traced over the velvet soft petals in a loving manner, a cerulean light licking at the flower with the same care. “You’re not so bad, are you?” She mused before tucking the flower into the flowing layers of her skirt, finally deciding to simply keep it for herself, this flower was special. It deserved more than to be boiled down into a broth to ward off night terrors. Mab sighed softly and tucked some of her ebony hair behind her ear, revealing the silver jewellery that ran along the rim. A gift from her friend, a young man talented in working the metal of the earth. He usually used his talent to forge weapons for their scouts and warriors, but in secret he had thought she would enjoy something simply for the look of it, rather than it’s use.

Kek watched the falling star from where he stood on the hill, scowling at the odd tail that whipped out behind it. 
"A giant bird I would say." A tiny voice beside him announced loudly. "Maybe the one from the profession." The young child gazed up at his much older brother and nodded, pushing dark hair from his eyes. 
Kek could see the markings of his clan already beginning to appear on his face and he hated that for the boy. Being branded death in its cruelest form would only ruin a pure heart such as his. 
"It's no bird." He finally answered gruffly. "Only a dying star. It is certainly not a prophecy." He added, correcting the youngsters speech. "Now go get washed up. You've been out playing with that woman again." He shook his head. "Jabez, I have told you to stay away from their kind. We have only one use for them."
 The child pouted openly and crossed his arms, glancing back up at the dying star. "I still say it's a bird." He sniffed.

Mab was gathering up the flowers and herbs she had collected when a bright light in the night sky caught her attention. She turned her face upwards, noting that the moon had finally peeked from behind the cloud that marred an otherwise clear sky. It was no star, that she knew. No doubt the tribe mother would have some nonsense to spout about it being a terrible omen, just as she had about Mab herself. The young woman had been abandoned on the tribe’s land as a tiny infant, her parents clearly disturbed by her one grey, and one lavender eye. Though the tribe mother took her in, she never neglected to remind Mab that she was different, and different was not good. Even as she had grown into adulthood and her tribe markings had begun to show, it highlighted the fact that her parents had not been of this tribe. The tribe mother had only allowed Mab to remain upon seeing her magic awaken with a talent for healing, something their tribe had lacked since the witch doctor had taken a tumble off a cliff. Mab often sang to herself as she walked to forest path back to where the tribe had made their home. There was never anyone around to hear, though to those close enough, it sounded like the voice of a spirit come to steal the tribes souls. This brought Mab great amusement. Tonight was no different, and she danced as she moved through the forest. Though it was night, her day was far from over. The flowers she had gathered needed brewing into an ointment. One of the children had been bitten by a creature unknown while out playing that day.

Noema had been working all day in the cooking tent. It was hot and she hated the smell of it. Shoving her hands through her chestnut curls, she turned her eyes up to the sky. The moon had just risen and beyond it she could see the stars beginning to show themselves in honor of her. All except one. It was streaking across the north, leaving an angry streak in its wake. She cringed when she saw it. They would blame Mab. She had to get to the poor woman before the others did.

Mab was toying with the end of one of the many braids her long hair was styled into, the basket of flowers hooked in the crook of her elbow. She hadn’t really paid much attention to the sly behind first seeing the falling star. The young woman was still humming softly to herself, touching the silver in her ear every now and then. It was the only gift she had ever been given, and held great sentimental value. No doubt something the other would take from her as punishment for the dark omen they had all now seen.

Kek groaned as the elders called their emergency meeting and insisted the guards accompany them to the life bringers village. He truly had no interest in whatever they believed to be a threat. It was nothing more than a dying star.
He could already guess what both of the village elders would say. It was the fault of that strange looking woman with the braid in her hair. The one who had given him poultices when Jabez had fallen ill. 
Jabez would never forgive him if he simply followed the elders commands and condemned her to her fate. But he would learn to live with it. He had to learn sooner or later not to be so soft hearted.

Noema arrived at the back of the mob, hopping to see over the shoulders of a group of men from a neighboring tribe. She could hear the shouts and accusations. Surely these people knew better than to act the way they were. Gingerly she pushed her way through and managed to stand in between the enormous man from the death tribe. She didn't dare look at him as she sucked in a breath and grabbed for the other woman. 
"Oh no you don't." A deep voice commanded. A strong arm grabbed hers and held it tight, almost bruising it. "I know what you're doing and it won't work." He growled. "You cannot save her. Even if she should be saved. Fate has called her to answer for the sky's death. If you want to join her we can make it so." 
"That's not fair!" A small voice shouted over all the others. "She didn't kill anything and everyone knows it!" A boy marched into the center of the circle and pushed the female elder away from the group then turned to the other. Because he was distracted Kek had no time to stop his brother from his noble pursuit. 
"If you feel this way then you will join her, boy." The elder snarled, reaching out with a bone like finger and touching the child's forehead. Jabez had enough time to give his brother one terrified look before the life was simply gone from his eyes and he slumped to the ground.