AN
Hi all.
This is just a small story, which came to me after watching the film 'TiMER.' It has a theme of supernatural, but is more geared around how ODC react to their destiny that dragons faeries and gnomes. 😃
- Prologue -
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..o0O0o..
Laws of the Land
In this year of 758 AD, Harmonia, the Immortal Goddess of Harmony and Concord, lays down the following Laws in order to bring back an equilibrium across the lands.
First Law
Each man, woman and child shall be custodian of the Sacred Stone of the Goddess, and subject to its mandatory adornment. Once the age of majority has been attained, the gem will be responsive to its surroundings and thus indicate new chapters in the bearer's life.
Second Law
It shall be law, that no man shall take another than his wife, if he possesses a stone which has clouded over or the deepest of red. Else he is permitted to lay with a woman who's gem has turned the darkest shade of night. Those who's stone is blood red, shall only be allowed to bed his wife.
Third Law
It has been written, that no woman may lay with another, unless her stone hath turned red and the said man be her husband. It is also permitted that those who adorn a stone, which is of the darkest shade may lay with another, but this must follow the second Law.
Fourth Law
Fornication before one's majority is forbidden. Any person who takes the innocence of a minor will be punished to the severest. Punishments are to be determined by trial. All evidence will be brought before the court.
Fifth Law
Each twain will have one month in which to marry and bond. Those who choose to ignore the laws will be brought before the Elders after the aforementioned interval has expired.
..o0O0o..
...
It had been over a millennium since Harmonia had intervened, delivering the Elders onto the earth. They scattered into the four corners, in order to disseminate her intent and sow the magical spell amongst the inhabitants.
The world had become unstable, precarious with the lack of honourable intent and respectability, where the feminine inhabitants were debased and then left for the next man. Maidens were pursued and easily caught. Menfolk were lecherous, with no regard for the women they had taken. The planet had become one prodigious bacchanal, with little time for the fundamentals, as to what kept civilisation alive. Advancements, improvements and culture sat stagnating in a worthless state. Food was scarce as few would nurture the crops and harvest their yield.
And so, Harmonia brought upon the world control and with it came a set of rules known as The Laws of the Land. The laws could not be challenged, for the spell that she had blanketed the lands and sea with was so powerful that it would not permit any persons to ignore their fate. Those who attempted to push aside their destiny, would feel the consequences severely.
The choice of each pair had been determined by the Elders before they were even born, and this bond could never be breached. Some felt this was forced upon them, others saw it as a gift, but all had to adhere to the rules.
It was from that day in 758, that the laws were laid forth. Each individual would be half of a bonded twain, a united pair who were to be bound together by the magical force that was in the air they breathed, the water they drank and the food they ate. The old tradition, which had become benign, came forth once more and the age old ceremony of officiating that bond by marriage, and consummation of such became popular once more.
The populous were given a stone at birth, that remained the purist of gems. Clear and white with a brilliance and clarity, the stone demonstrated the pureness of the bearer who wore it.
The gems themselves were subject to fluctuations in colour as soon as the bearer reached the age of twenty. A spectrum of shades would occur throughout one's existence, indicating the individual's chapter in life. When they discovered their true mate, the stone would react and cloud over. Once the twain had married the stone would deepen to blood red. This would remain so until the passing of one half, and so indicating the end of their bond. The last draw of breath saw both stones turn to the deepest of hues.
The first law had stated that the jewel must be worn at all times. The fairer sex had made it fashionable to wear it on a chain about their necks. Such a blazon show of their status was frowned upon by most of the stronger sex, who felt the need to obscure their own. It was seen as a hindrance, and those who wished to remain enigmatic would conceal it beneath their neck cloths or cravats, and so cloaking their situation from all.
Those who had suffered a loss of their mate, saw their stones turn as black as night. For some this was heartbreaking, but for others who revelled in life with optimism, found it opening new opportunities.
The Third Law saw that a select few widows turned to the oldest profession, as they were now devoid of the rules. In a cruel turn of fate, they no longer had the ability to bear children and without the impediment of the monthly curse, they threw aside all caution and followed their wanton desire. Those who chose the vulgar side, were permitted to bed men, but this had to follow the second law.
In a twist of fate, those who's stones had turned to that of night before meeting their intended, were able to follow the same path as widows. Under the same laws, if never the twain shall meet before death of the male, maidens were permitted to pursue opportunities laid before the widows. But as these maidens were virgo intacta, their demand was great, and so came the business of selling one's innocence to the highest bidder became fashionable.
It had been said that many tried to defy their destiny, but there had been no record of success in the many centuries that the laws had been in existence. Those who chose to fight against the rules laid down, were taken to the Elders, and assumed to the Goddess herself once they were found guilty. Those revolutionaries were never seen again. Some thought that they were sent to another part of the world to start over. Others, who were extravagant in their muse, thought that they had been executed on the spot.
And as such, civilisation became tranquil and balance ruled once more.
AN
I have shown below a more simplified version of above, as its all rather 'fluffed up' in the prologue. I have used actual gems for ease of reference.
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**** Stages ****
Birth until majority (20th birthday is majority in this story) DIAMOND but not responsive to surroundings (it has not been switched on)
Majority to meeting 'the one' - DIAMOND responsive to surroundings (now switched on)
Meeting 'the one' until marriage (engagement of sorts, less than one month) - OPAL
Marriage until death of one's spouse - RUBY
After death of a spouse or intended. (Where 'the one' dies before they are acquainted, the remaining woman or man is referred to as widow maidens or widower innocents to simplify explanation, I might even use this in the story) - ONYX/JET
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**** Privileges ****
Widows/Widow Maidens can bed Widower/Widower innocents
Widows/Widow Maidens can bed men who's stone is of Diamond and after their majority
Husband and Wife can bed each other.
...
**** The laws saw that: ****
1. No fornication before majority at all.
2. Virtue cannot be taken from a woman before her wedding night and only by her husband.
3. Men are permitted to bed a widow or widow maiden before they meet 'the one' in order to keen their urges. But once they turn Opal, they cannot do anything until they bed their wives, then only their wives until death. This will eliminate adultery.
4. After death of a spouse or intended, the laws are no longer applicable to them, but are to their chosen lover. The laws still do apply to the other. (eg, widow or widow maidens cannot bed an Opal or Ruby man, as he will be bound by the law that he cannot fornicate with anyone other than his wife when they are married and not at all whilst Opal)
5. Widow maidens and widower innocents are permitted the same rules as widows and widowers respectively. But as their virtue is intact, they can request a high price on their first time.
6. Widows and widow maidens go through a sort of quick menopause, making them baron and therefore not able to provide issue outside of wedlock.