Terrie’s surprise , at the unexpectedness of Raven’s companion wearing a skirt, echoed mine when I I saw her readying herself for Raven’s healing applications. I saw her complete and vivid, recognised the likely input of Westerns but carried on regardless, which is one of the glorious charms of being a writer. Reading other’s creations is the other side of a valuable coin, for which I thank you.
Words
for next week: starch, steam, stonemason
Entries
by midnight Thursday 25th April, new
words scheduled posted Friday 26th
Usual rules: 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. Serialised fiction is, as
always, welcome. All variants and uses of the words and stems are fine.
A BETTER IDEA
ReplyDeleteMy wife needs the starch taken out of her sails – permanently! And I’m not just venting steam… she deserves what’s coming to her!
She has no idea that I’m aware of her infidelity, but I’ve known of her affair with our neighbor Hesmeth Fent for months. Imagine – an affair with a stonemason… with a low-life plebian! How degrading! What a slap in the face! You’d think she’d choose a guy within our social circle!
I wanted to butcher her with an axe but became convinced that would be too sloppy and beneath me.
My mistress suggested using a lethal injection.
Both blinkered and cold-blooded your protagonist, Jim. Hope his mistress is more sensible.
DeleteGreat use of the prompt words, Jim. I can easily hear the tone of his voice as he bemoans the situation
DeleteDaniel Was Cast In The Lion’s Den
ReplyDeleteThe stonemason steamed and starched his shirt before he went into battle. He oiled his hair and tied pleats into his beard. He had amassed a huge following. It was important to keep up appearances.
The arena at Trafalgar Square erupted into wild cheering as he swaggered between the fountains, mallet and chisel raised in salute.
The air hummed as the alchemist wove her eerie magic. On their plinths four monstrous stone lions lumbered into life. They were badly scored and pitted from previous encounters. But, as yet, he had not succeeded in shattering one completely.
I love the imagery of lions lumbering into life.
DeleteI suspect he won't have better luck this time. This is yet another example of your splendid imagination, David.
DeleteBrilliant imagery throughout this cleverly crafted offering, David.
DeleteThresholds new [18]
ReplyDeleteFirst sign of habitation not the mist I’d earlier wished for but steam. Rising from a vent high on the wall of a single-storey building nestling in a gully beside a fast-running stream. I’d gritted my teeth as we rode; the once- cherishing fabric of my skirt prickly as though starched with nettles. I’d opened my mouth to ask as Raven spoke, ‘We’ll break here.’ Gratefully, I let him lift me down, then watched as he finger-tip examined indentations on the building’s walls.
‘A message?’
‘’Stonemason’s marks. Signatures. Bad news is I know them –‘
‘And?’
‘They’re cousins.’
I do enjoy how cleverly you pack so much information into the conversations of these two characters . A mark of a good storyteller, Sandra, as it keeps me invested in both them and their adventure.
DeleteFirst two sentences are such a great introduction to this episode, Sandra.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jim.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 269
ReplyDeleteSarg pursed her hairy lips and her snout whiffled, ‘we’ll need a couple more diggers wiv strong stomachs an’ a bit o’ steam an’ starch in em. One of 'em needs t’be a stonemason an’ all.’
‘I know just the diggers fer the job, Sarg, an’ kin get em here in the flick of a tail,’ the big ‘Dillo said quietly.
Sarg looked thoughtful, ‘but, don’t tell ’em about the task, the fewer ears and eyes know about this opening the better.’
The big ‘Dillo saluted, ‘won’t be long,’ he said, scuttling off in the direction of the main force.’
It's been said many times, but hard not to see these 'dillos as competent as humans (and sometimes more than!). Sarge's 'whiffling snout' has something of a medieval instrument about it . (and thanks for your comment on my post)
ReplyDeleteAll the prompts in the opening sentence - very clever, Terrie.
ReplyDelete