The legend of Santa Muerte

Two young students shuffled through the door and gently placed the lifeless body down upon the stone dais. He stood quietly against the wall with his head down and hands clasped together. While this was interpreted as a sign of respect for the dead the truth was that after all these years it still took him a period of time to become acclimated to the stench of death. He gave himself a few moments then stepped forward to lead the process of cleansing and preparing the body.

The students worked effortlessly with very little correction required. Death was abundant as of late which gave ample opportunity for them to practice. The lifeless had been arriving in waves as wars and turbulence spread across the realms. Fortunately, the living had also been arriving in waves seeking an opportunity to learn the arts.

In all his years he had never encountered this enthusiasm. While the youth had always found motivation in rumors and folklore, this new legend of “Santa Muerte” — the Saint of Death — had grasped this generation tightly. It was whispered that Santa Muerte had learned the secrets of the dead and could exercise dominion over them.

He chuckled quietly to himself.

It was even whispered that Santa Muerte had learned these secrets through a lifetime of preparing the dead for burial. How coincidentally convenient…

He chuckled again and returned to the work, wrapping the lifeless body in linens soaked with spices and spirits and finally placing two copper coins over the eyes.

(To be continued…)