Village Kheshi, Svaneti, Kingdom of Georgia. December 21, 1351, 6:53am. Daguna is sprawled at the foot of the shrine. Her forehead numb from the cool stone, arms extended, fingers wedged in the dirt between the smooth slabs. At her feet, a reed basket bulbing with offerings. This is her oblation, her last hope. Barbol is benevolent, only last year had she saved Daguna’s favorite heifer from steppe murrain. She’ll surely take pity on Daguna too and sate her womb with …
Read more →