I Read Stories: Wyrd-Woman of Bellam by Shay Schmida

 

Wyrd-Woman Of Bellam by Shay Schmida in Crow And Cross Keys

The Wyrd-Woman comes to Bellam, where she buys a small cottage and sets up as a weaver. Her cloth brings colour to Bellam. And also charms, magic, protection.

One day a woman comes to her asking for protection for her son who will go off to war. She weaves him a coast, one that may be enough. The woman can’t pay, so she takes eggs from her geese, and goslings when they hatch.

The army comes back after fighting and starts foraging, stealing the Wyrd-Woman’s sheep. She complains to the captain saying Bellam will offer what it can spare. He’s arrogant, and more, a glory-hound according to the son who went off to war. He won’t wait, throwing his men into battle.

She might make him a garment, one that will save them all.

Read This: Story of a witch woman and how her bright weaving makes her part of her community and her dark may save it
Don’t Read This: Magic clothes and grim war