The insect army parted as Beetle-Queen Florigia led Bethany, flanked by Greta and Lobelia, onto the emerald-green lawn, where they were bathed in the unforgiving brightness reflecting off the pink walls of the Owl-King’s palace.
Seeing her sister, Bryony dashed from the poplar grove, followed by Mr Eyre and Hildebrand, to be greeted by Florigia, beaming in all directions from her multi-facetted eyes. Their reunion was interrupted by a blare of trumpets emanating from the palace, as the massive front doors swung open to reveal a towering figure, wearing golden robes and a richly-decorated helmet in the shape of an owl’s face.
Florigia advanced on the palace; perhaps it was a trick of the light, but she seemed to grow in stature with every stride, ‘Owl-King, we have had enough of your unwarranted acts against those who use words.’ She beckoned to Bethany, ‘we present the golden-haired child, who has returned to reclaim her queendom!’
The Owl-King swept his arm forward as though swatting a fly; a shrill whistle signalled the advance of a swarm of blue-clad troops clutching sinister-looking spray cans; Mr Eyre’s eyes widened, wishing he had a plan in reserve which might save them from the Stingers.
/….to be continued.
Written in response to two challenges:
Di of Pensitivity 101’s Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: PERHAPS, SINISTER, FORGIVING
Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge’s Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: RESERVE
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!
MORE SIX SENTENCE STORIES HERE!
luna's on line 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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You’re using the prompts so well to advance this adventure. Enjoyed reading this installment
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Thanks very much, Sadje. At least I didn’t have to sharpen a shoe horn to jam them in this week. Fortunately, Hildebrand, the shoemaker’s wife, has an impressive selection should I need to use one in future.
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How lovely.
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Spray cans?! It’s one surprise after another. I’m having such fun!
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So am I, Liz!
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😀 Looking forward to the next installment!!
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Another great job advancing your story 👍
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Excellent installment!
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Thanks, Di 🙂
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Sinister looking spray cans!😱 Yet another pest control related reference!🤣
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I thought I might be safe with this well-known reference, although possibly not the best choice of weapon for the wasp-based Stingers.🤔 We’ll see…
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You can’t leave it there, how will I cope. This is entirely unfair Chris 😣
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Oops, sorry Pam! 😁😉
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Florigia is a queen and so is Bethany in the land. Interesting that they are using spray cans rather than their stingers.
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I think they’re aiming for blanket destruction!
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Let the showdown begin! Break out the faery dust! Our contingent of heroes surely have something up their sleeves to tamp down the wrath of stingers headed their way!! 😃
The tension builds still…
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I have every faith they’ll pull something out of the hat!
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Until this chapter, I’d had this sense that the Owl King is a teeny wee thing. 😆
I’m so intrigued by the spray cans. I can’t wait for the next one, Chris!
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He grew in my imagination, just as the threat became greater! Same with the spray cans. So pleased you’re enjoying, Susan.😊
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It’s such a fun read, Chris 👍
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I am confident that my homophone will come up with something clever.
Wonderful piece of tension building, Chris
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Anyone with a name such as that is bound to have a trick or two up his sleeve!
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Oh-oh. You always have to have a plan in reserve. We’ll see what next week brings!
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Plan under construction… 🤔…💡
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Sometimes you have to wing it, i hope he does.
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Definitely winging it… just like me! 😁
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Nice, to use a term from a long-ago form of serial story, ‘cliff-hanger’
Can’t wait for the battle.
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Tension is building… 🙂
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They’ll need more than spray cans I’m sure! Another great instalment.
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Very likely. Thanks, Keith!
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I like the description of the Owl-King! At last he makes his appearance. Let battle commence!
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The Owl-King took a little while to take shape, and I’m still to find out what ‘s behind that mask!
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Spray cans! This does not bode well. But I believe in faery magic, especially when it’s so beautifully described. Waiting for the next instalment, Chris…
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A touch of faery magic is definitely called for now, Jenne!
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This is an interesting development, Chris. I thought Mr Eyre had a plan…
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I don’t think he was expecting the latest development!
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[…] Previously […]
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