Flash Fiction / writing prompts

Do you believe in faeries? ~ episode 10

Chris Hall54 Comments
Illustration from the Rose Fyleman Fairy Book

Previously

Bryony’s face itched from the thick hessian of the hood that had been forced over her head; behind her she heard the rasps of Mr Eyre’s breathing, as Captain Stinger and his guards herded them across the wooden bridge that crossed the Owl-King’s Great Divide.

They stumbled off the slatted planks and their forced march continued through what Bryony, from the late-season scent of autumn leaves, could tell was woodland, until eventually Captain Stinger called a halt; their hoods were removed and she and Mr Eyre were left blinking in the sunlight.

A towering, pink-stoned palace, surrounded by emerald-coloured lawns, rose up before them reminding Bryony of an illustration in ‘The Wizard of Oz’, a volume she’d been given as a keepsake by a favourite aunt.

‘To the dungeons!’ yelled Captain Stinger and once again they were on the move, escorted swiftly to a drab grey out-building set within a high-walled yard; ‘you will await your fate here,’ the Captain announced, glancing meaningfully at the gallows in the corner.

Dread welled up in Bryony’s stomach; Mr Eyre took a breath and squared his shoulders: ‘Surely your Owl-King will permit us a fair trial?

No reply came from their grim-faced captor.

/…next episode.

Written in response to two challenges:

Di of Pensitivity 101’s Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge – ALLOW, PERMIT, SEASON
Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge’s Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: KEEPSAKE

Bryony, Bethany and Mr Eyre first appeared in my historical fantasy fiction novel, Following the Green Rabbit. They’ve been begging to go on another adventure and now they’ve got their wish!

Join the party and read more #SixSentenceStories here!

54 thoughts on “Do you believe in faeries? ~ episode 10”

  5. Hiya Chris, can’t post my comment from The Atomic Mage due to WP issues today 😠
    I like the nod to the Wizard of Oz. But, oh no, a gallows (cleverly inserted there) … let’s hope they get chance to have their say in person via an audience with the mysterious Owl-King!
    Ford

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  11. Momentum is building and we Readers are beginning to have the same feeling experienced by riders of roller coasters, as their car nears the first peak.

    … and, btw, that Captain Stinger is a bit of a dick.*

    *compliment to the author, not the character lol

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  12. “.. late-season scent of autumn leaves..” the smell is in my nostrils as I read 😀. You’ve created a colorful mini-movie set, Chris. The visual of pink and greens clashing with underlying fear as Bryony and Mr. Eyre have finally arrived at the Owl-King’s Great Divide… I look forward to the next installment!

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  15. First of all, Chris, I want to apologise for not replying to your kind comment on my last story. I’m afraid moving house took over my life and everything else faded into a background that longed to be a foreground again! I’m now safely established at the seaside – bliss.
    I’m going back to read all the episodes I’ve missed of your story, intrigued by this episode to find out how they got where they are. This evening’s reading. You have a lovely clear style that knows exactly how to keep the tension going! Excellent.

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