Beneath An Autumn Moon - The Story

This is a very long fictional, preliminary, prologue to my poem. Though Witch hunts did go on in 1581 at Trier Germany, this family holds no connection with anyone living or dead.

It was 1581 when Fredrick and Agnes Becker evacuated their home in Trier Germany because of the growing fear of witch hunts that were spreading rapidly.

With them was their only daughter, thirteen year old Ciciley, or sweet Ciciley to her father, who thought she was the most endearing girl in all the world with her green eyes and hair so long and fine, he loved her dearly.

It was becoming clear that although Fredrick and Agnes were both healers and only did good, there was great misreading in the eyes of leaders who condemned their work, saying that it was evil and wrong, and they had such powers that only could come from the devil, which was breeding fear into many of their friends and neighbours who began throwing accusations at them for their concoctions. Because of this the Beckers had no choice but to leave their home and everything behind.

One dark night while others slept, taking only what they needed in hessian sacks, but having no form of torch for fear someone might catch sight of their light, the family stepped out of their home gazing into the gloomy darkness, with only the moon and stars to guide their way, hearing only the faint creak of their closing door. Ciciley's eyes were full of tears at the thought of never seeing her home or friends again, as they made their way along paths and out into the countryside.

As no other sounds filled the air on this night, they were nervous of the multifarious shades of black that enfolded them, from trees movement appearing mysteriously human like in a gentle breeze, with scary dark shadows as they slipped away unseen, not uttering a word.

After many days and nights of traveling they finally reached a harbour, having no real idea of where they were going, just that they needed to get away from the fear left behind by those in power. Journeying by ocean seemed the natural option, but with distress at the upheaval, it didn't feel safe to be anywhere, the family were afraid to speak lest they divulge who they were, so the Beckers kept their heads down and received much needed sleep.

It was a week into the journey when their ship capsized in a great storm, with waves and winds that were so severe it sent the ship sailing off course and being swept into huge boulders, leaving just the Beckers to survive by jumping ship before crashing into the rocks.

Swimming ashore off the coast of a desolate island, with no idea of where they were, the Beckers lay on the cold wet sand exhausted and scared, having lost everything but the clothes they wore. Fredrick tried to console his wife and daughter, who by now were shivering.

Knowing he would have to start a fire pretty quick because nightfall was on the horizon, Fredrick stood up and got to work immediately searching the beach for what they would need. Eventually Agnes and Ciciley joined in collecting some tinder and extra large bits of driftwood. They set up camp near a cave opening. Insight led Fredrick to some flint along the cliff top path, which they used to start a fire.

As they gazed out over the ocean, they became aware that the wreck of the ship was still floating, some of the supplies were retrieved easily as drifting in on the tide, they saved as much as possible.

It was some days before they'd fully assessed their new surroundings, after discovering an abundance of wild life and much fertile land, they felt as if guardians were watching over...leading them in the right direction and that they were meant to come to the island that had miles of craggy hills, filled with wild goats and other creatures that roamed the cliff tops and surrounding woods further in land where streams ran freely. Then there was the ocean that seemed to go on forever, full of fish as they later discovered. So it was on that faithful day the family began a new life.

Ciciley and her mother began having visions, it was as if the island was alive and telling them of the dangers they managed to avoid back in Trier. The family realized they'd had a lucky escape, village homes had been burned to the ground, men and woman were either burnt at the stake, or hung by the neck, these scenes were sent either in flashes, or dreams. So because they felt so blessed, it was decided to call this new home; Vision Island.

Years passed and much was achieved, Fredrick and Agnes with the help of their daughter built a stone cottage with a timber and moss roof just inside a wooded area, the trees gave protection from the weather that could become quite severe during the winter.

Sadly by the end of 1611 both Fredrick and Agnes died of old age. On her own Ciciley dug graves close to the cottage and placed stones over the top to show where they were buried.

Ciciley felt privileged to carry on the craft of her mother, helping the creatures that appeared in trouble. She'd been shown what to pick in the way of woodland plants and how to create potions with their healing properties. Also Ciciley knew how to covet a talisman with protection, which she infused into a small pebble with a perfect hole, and wore it around her neck to keep her safe.

Ciciley was in her 43^rd year on the island and never once yearned for her old life. She learned to communicate with the winged ones...as she liked to call them, especially the birds of prey that would liaise through thought rather than verbally.

Years passed and Ciciley now in old age herself stood on the cliff top gazing out on the sun setting over the ocean, once more recalling when she was thirteen, standing in exactly the same spot, awestruck at how beautiful the sky looked, with its vivid Autumn colours appearing in all their golden glory. Ciciley felt blessed and was glad to be alive.

***

Hope this helps with the understanding of my poem which follows.

Pixabay free image.