Understandably, the holidays left us with few submissions besides my own. Even so, as always I had a very difficult time choosing. However, choose I did.
My choice this week is Antonia Woodville with Infinity 81: One thing I'm always impressed with, when the Captain speaks, is the ease with which you convey his mood with so few words. Each new submission is a frightening delight. Thank you.
The tome has enjoyed its little break and is ready with new words to get us started for a new year of Prediction. Let's see what it has for us.
Rank
Spark
Legend
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 9th. Winners and words on Saturday January 10th.
Happy New Year! The Gates are Open!
I entirely agree with what you say about Antonia's ability to create character and mood of her complex Captain - well done for Infinity 81!
ReplyDeletethank you!! I had a few problems reducing that one to 100 words, he had much more to say...
ReplyDeleteI've just slid over to the critique site Legendfire and told Foxxglove the address, the prompts and the closing date. She wants to play. Looking forward to seeing her writing! (shhh... don't tell her I said so, but she's good...)
Right, having a poorly not well day (bad head) so sliding off the computer now and going to go sit. I will be back with the next instalment as soon as the Captain shows himself...
Happy New Year, Predictioneers!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Antonia!
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteHero
ReplyDeleteIt broke through, decimating our ranks with sweeps of its mighty paws. Swords broke on its scaly hide in cascades of sparks as we endeavoured to prevent the monster from reaching our queen, until only our captain stood between it and its goal.
Dwarfed by its bulk he stood firm, spear raised as it dove over him to its prey. They fell, locked together in death.
Thus the legend was born.
Superb use of the prompts Michael, especially 'rank', and tight, tidy tale.
DeleteReads like a bystander to Beowulf - in the best way possible!
Deletegood one, Michael, a myth encapsulated in so few words. Like it!
DeleteA definite epic feel to this which is not easy to achieve in so few words. Leaves me wondering as to the final fate of the Queen. I'm hoping she survived, given the obvious sacrifices made.
DeleteI love the movement in this. The story leaves me longing for more, yet it's complete on its own. Well done.
DeleteI agree with the others on every point! Excellent use of the prompts. So much action conveyed in so few words. The last line changes the whole feel of the thing, right at the end. I loved that. Thank you!
DeleteThanks for all your great comments - sorry I haven't replied earlier
DeleteBirth
ReplyDeleteThe air was rank with the smell of overheated metal. Sparks fly as I apply the emory wheel to the item on my table. Tiny embers alight on my arm, singing the hair off. I don’t feel it.
She’s coughing in her sleep. Her tiny lungs don’t like the smoke. I place a wet rag over her head to block out the worst of it. Sorry.
With a surgeon’s care I connect the glimmering, polished legs.
Almost done.
This morning, my darling, you were a rumour. Tonight though … you become legend.
Ma chère. Ma belle. Ma petite homunculus.
Oh! Breathtakingly beautiful, from the understated but effective scene-setting to the kick at the end. Raises the bar for the rest of us - thank you!
Deleteoh hell, how can anyone compete with that?? superb story told in so few words, as polished as those glimmering legs. What an image!
DeleteThe intense creator in his element here, but with a nice touch of sentimentality. This was quite lovely and a very interesting read.
DeleteWow. This is mesmerizing, gorgeous, and just frightening enough to give me chills.
DeleteMy first thought upon reaching the end was simply..."Oh my god!" Please take that as the absolute compliment it is meant as! This is a terribly, wonderfully, disconcerting little tale that had me considering the implications of the word "homunculus", literally for hours after reading it. Wonderfully shivery stuff. Very nice use of the prompts. Thank you!
DeleteWorth Its Weight
ReplyDelete(100 Words)
"An article of of much significance, my liege," croaked the harridan, breath rank with soured wine.
"Worth its weight in gold, no doubt," scoffed the overlord.
"Such treasure does not come cheap," snapped the crone. "But I swear by this virgin child, it is authentic."
She cautioned her wretched ward to stifle the caterwauling and unfold the filthy sacking to display the exquisite spark of invulnerability. The girl sobbed. It broke her heart to recall how the innocent creature had remained resting in her lap while the cruel blade had severed the precious prize from the forehead of the legend.
:::Foxxglove:::
Heavens, so very deep and thought-provoking! And another brilliant use of rank. Welcome Patricia - hope you join us regularly.
DeleteI love the atmosphere here. One can smell the foul breath, and hear the creaking voice of the harridan. Nicely done.
Deletethis is such a good little tale, it conjures pictures, which good writing always does. Nice one, Foxxglove!!! good to see you here.
DeleteThe horror of this crept in bit by bit, culminating in that last, terrible image. I had to read it again immediately.
DeleteWelcome Patricia! It always seems strange to me when I'm prompted to describe horror fiction as "beautifully woven", but I can think of no other way to describe it. The entire scene, including things not described, comes very easily to mind while reading this. And again, I must agree with Sandra, very creative use of the word "rank". I do hope you''ll continue with us as often as you can. Thank you!
DeleteA change of focus [112]
ReplyDeleteA man holding a rumoured letter bomb trickling potential gunpowder is liable to become alarmed at the slightest spark.
Even though Vanessa ranked above him DI John Pettinger, already frustrated at his inability to pin the death of Edward Cherrystone on his youngest daughter Charity, did not hesitate, ‘Put that match out, you stupid moron!’
Defiantly – overly-reliant on her legendary Teflon reputation – DCI Quintain instead flicked it towards him.
In truth she’d assumed the flame would go out. Had not thought there’d also be a sprinkling across her desk.
The speed at which she was proved wrong was truly illuminating.
There's a wicked edge of humour here that brings the rest to life. Great stuff!
DeletePettinger in another of his situations, one day he won't get out and then what will we do each week for cliff hanger stories????
DeleteSeems as though this might be part of an ongoing series. However, I believe this stands alone quite nicely and I had no trouble in picking up on the plot. It has already been noted, but I have to comment on the wicked humour and that last line had me chuckling.
DeleteSandra! What fun this was to read! I really do feel sorry for Pettinger sometimes. Great use of the prompts and I love how it moves. I'm dying to know what happens next! Thank you!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is episode 49 of Threshold, which began as a one-off!
ReplyDeleteLong distance echo from the past
I’d thought reward the stuff of harmless legend but the spark of avidity in the cider-maker’s eyes disabused me. I’d assumed his ignoring my nudity evidence of homosexuality. Better to discover who was offering money for my safe delivery. Ravenscar had made it clear he wanted nothing of me – had I the money I’d pay reward for being returned to him.
‘Who offers for me?’
‘Several.’
‘Who?’
‘By rank –‘
‘Of reward or status?’
‘Reward. I care naught for status –‘
‘Who?’
’Helvinsson. Also a far-off Civilised. Says you and some savage slaughtered six, one being their son.’
Burke’s parents!
Great dialogue!
DeleteAgree with Chris, great dialogue in this. A one off... best one off I've been reading for weeks in a long time... (LOL)
DeleteThis was entertaining in its dialogue exchange, but I think I lost something by not knowing what went before. Hopefully, I'll be better able to connect with this ongoing tale as time goes by. Nonetheless, as I said, magnificent dialogue.
DeleteThank you all for commenting - it's what makes this site so worthwhile..
DeletePatricia - apologies, I'm an inveterate serialiser and the tales necessarily convoluted as I incorporate each week's words. While not in any way suggesting you do so - life is short! - the preceding episodes of both 'Threshold' and John Pettinger's 'Change of focus' can be read on my blog sandra-linesofcommunication.blogspot,co.uk.
Oh, this is a fantastic entry! I like that the initial action has come back into play, the death of those horrible boys not forgotten.
DeleteSandra, I've put a link to your blog on the sidebar. If anyone else would like us to do the same, please let me know. I'm always glad to help people find such good writers.
DeleteThanks RR - I'll try and write more regularly!!
DeleteSandra, another fine piece! You have an amazing skill with dialogue. I love the first line. It is truly, like a first sip of good cider! Lovely work! Thank you!
DeleteThe Captain has been here this eve, giving me his next instalment. It came easy so he has been pondering long on it, methinks. I didn't have to cut any words out to make the 100 limit, as I usually do. That also makes me think he's been pondering long on it. Makes a change, but I haven't told him that. No need to rile the man who in himself is a legend. I mean, who hasn't heard of Blackbeard??
ReplyDeleteAnd so the adventure goes on...
Infinity 82.
That mound of whatever left a rank smell even when the decks were scrubbed. It’s going away now but it were bad for a while. It was as if a spark would set the deck afire and that would never do. Odd smell, I baint been able to say what it were really like, but sulfur were in it, that I be knowing.
I also been wondering if the Creature be sommat from a seafaring legend, one we would dismiss but which were real after all. Now there’s a thought to conjure with at night when sleep won’t come.
Easy-come indeed - it certainly reads that way, Was Blackbeard a Devon man? because that's the voice I hear.
DeleteOh, what an easy "read" this was. Adore the atmosphere that was conjured and the clever use of dialect. Indeed, who hasn't heard of the infamous Blackbeard and he doubtless strives to ensue that we never forget his name...or his legend.
DeleteI love the Captain's introspection and guesses at the nature of the things that plague his poor ship and crew.
DeleteAs always, I am darkly enchanted by the Captain's musings. This is lushly descriptive, but as always, you've left plenty of room for the Captain, and your readers, to ruminate on. Last line is just gorgeous! Thank you!
DeleteWikipedia says Blackbeard was probably born in Bristol, but no one really knows and he, true to form, isn't saying. All he wants to talk about is the Infinity, this motley crew and the Creature on board.
DeleteThanks for all the good words! He loves compliments, does Captain Edward Teach.
I LOVE that phrase, "a thought to conjure with". If every anything was to crystallize the power of words, it's that phrase. The rest of the tale's a cracker as well, but the last line is perfection itself.
DeleteFor those who are new, this is serial story in which I write one character, Seth, and Colleen writes his foster-brother, Nate. Easier to follow if you realize that. The previous volume can be found at the link on the sidebar for Push Comes to Shove (my blog), but you don't need to have read it to enjoy their second great adventure.
ReplyDelete______________________________
Stick and Carrot
“Can’t you take a hint?” Nate focused on his pie.
“Six months is long enough to sulk.”
That got his attention.
“After dealing with legions of undead, a hive-mind violating me, and the rank invasion of your consciousness in mine, I deserve time off.” His spark of anger was like coming home to a fire in the hearth.
“You’ve had it.” I slid a file to him. “Uncle Jim called me.”
“Some legend risen to screw up our lives?”
“Nope. Weird weather in a small town.”
He sighed. “Okay. How bad could that be?”
Some questions shouldn’t be asked aloud.
Oh, I have missed our boys! As always, you gave me so much to work with in so few words. "...rank invasion of your consciousness in mine." has to be my favorite line. As always, great use of the prompts. Now, I just hope I can keep up! Thank you!
DeleteWhat a truly "novel" idea . I love it. A two-party continuation tale. Well this portion was certainly intriguing and something of a cliff-hanger. Can't wait to read what follows. That last line was classic.
DeleteA bit of the "Supernatural" vibe here - but the sheer variety of their adventures (as it seems) lends it a humorous world-weary tone! Nice.
Delete" like coming home" - you haven't lost your touch in the interim, and once again I'm trying to see exactly how you do what you do so effectively. Kick of a final line too.
ReplyDeletegreat instalment to carry on this endlessly intriguing serial!
DeleteLike Sandra, I dissect the writing to find out how you do it... so far, I'm failing!
Never Take the Bail
ReplyDelete“C’mon, really? Funky weather? That’s low rank crap. Tell Jimmy to have Ronny Sparks check it out.”
Seth raised an eyebrow at me, but otherwise didn’t move a muscle. I know that look. He wasn’t going to give an inch. It occurred to me that the whole thing might be a convenient excuse engineered by Jimmy, to get us talking again. If it was, he and I were having words.
I sighed heavily and pointed at the other chair with my fork.
“Fine. But this apple-rum pie is rumored to be legendary around here. You can talk while I eat.”
Nate shouldn't cast aspersions on his Uncle Jim, even if they are probably based in truth. ;)
DeleteAnd once again I'm pulled this way and that between these two. So much enjoyed the simple impact of "I sighed heavily and pointed at the other chair with my fork."
DeleteThe idea of a fork being pointed at a chair conjures something that seems both comedic and dramatic. Never heard of apple-rum pie, but I'd give it a try any day of the week. Do these follow the continuation path or are we left to wonder right here? Either way, I simply love the concept.
Deleteand a second superb instalment. You're both enjoying getting back into this!
DeletePatricia, this is definitely a continuing serial. The last one ended up being 142 entries, which was quite the surprise to us, as we hadn't known what to expect when we started! This episode will take however long it takes the boys to sort out whatever awaits them in that small town (and places in between, no doubt).
DeleteAnd that's the game for this week, my friends. The gates are closed! Winners and words tomorrow!
ReplyDelete