Muttering to himself, the Owl-King marched slightly unsteadily down a long passageway; Bethany, who was walking just behind him, had the distinct impression that not just one voice, but three different voices were holding a hushed conversation beneath his flowing golden robe, although annoyingly she couldn’t make out what they were saying.
The passageway ended in a large door, decorated with an owl holding a drooping lily flower in its beak; the doors swung open and Bethany followed the now-tottering figure over the threshold. The Owl-King steadied himself, leaning on the back of an opulently appointed throne, which was one of the few items of furniture in the room; he turned to Bethany, ‘you say you know my secret, but I know yours too!’
The Owl-King bent forward; his helmet twitched, then suddenly he crumpled to the floor; his helmet rolled away and three small figures scurried from beneath the golden robe.
‘This is Owlet Hall and we are the Owlets!’ the three of them danced around Bethany, hooting with mischievous laughter, ‘drop the pretence, you’re not the golden-haired child at all!’
Undeterred, Bethany planted her hands on her hips, ‘well, to be fair, you three aren’t the Owl-King either.’
/….to be continued.
Written in response to two challenges:
Di of Pensitivity 101’s Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: LILY, LETHAL, PRETENCE
Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge’s Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: FAIR
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!
hehe. This just gets better!
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Thanks, Di 🙂
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Haha, that’s a turn up for the books, Chris.
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Who’d have thought it was all a sham, and why?🤔Enjoy your Christmas, Robbie!
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A little like the Wizard of Oz! You enjoy your Christmas too.
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That story seems to be creeping around the edge of my imagination.
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This is a bit spooky. While I was eating breakfast this morning, I was wondering what was happening with the Owl-King.
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Oh wow, Liz, I hope his sudden disassembly didn’t disappoint!
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Not when there are gales of giggles involved in the disassembly process.
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🤣🤣🤣
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😀
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Oh how clever Chris. I’m enjoying this story and how you use the prompts so aptly.
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Thanks, Sadje 😊 I was wondering where the prompts might take me even before Di’s #3TC popped up this morning!
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You’re welcome my dear friend
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🙏😊
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This just gets better and better!
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Thanks, Keith!
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Love the lighthearted tone here! 🙂
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A little bit of Christmas magic!
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Okay I knew something “Wizard-of-Oz-ish” was going on with that Owl King…😀🦉
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You spotted it first, Debra 👀😉
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Lol only because we watched it every year when we were kids. We had a black and white TV so when Dorothy’s house lands in Oz, our dad would tell us, “Okay, now is when it turns to color!” 🤣🤣
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Chris So sorry I missed the last episode, no excuses, but I’m so pleased you made it easy to catch up, and what a wonderful twist. LOL perfect 😁
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No worries, Deb. Pleased you’re enjoying the fun!
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The owlets are upto some manipulation or mischief now…
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They sure are!
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🙂
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Interesting turn of events. I’d say the Owl-king had a double, but it looks like a triple with those three owlets.
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Ha ha, I think you may be right, Frank!
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Secrets divulged, suspense increased!
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Will the recent revelations lead to resolution? 🤔
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A worthy of the, almost Christmas time turn of events!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Chris. Best wishes for you and your loved ones .
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A little bit of pantomime!
All the very best to you and yours too, Spira 🎄😊
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Yeah, ah,… kinda creepy, lol “Bethany, who was walking just behind him, had the distinct impression that not just one voice, but three different voices were holding a hushed conversation beneath his flowing golden robe,”
Surprising turn of events! I look forward to further conversation between these 2, er 4 characters. Especially, why the owlets do not believe Bethany is the “golden haired child”.
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I was a little surprised too, to tell you the truth, Denise. but I’m guessing the owlets have their spies too!
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way to do a ‘sharp-angle’ close to this installment!
fun and interesting
(In my experience, surprise endings and turns of plot are way trickier than they seem… at least if one is going to maintain the narrative momentum.
True ‘seat-of-the-pants’ writing, imo, while, at times more stressful, is far and away more fun when the characters begin to tell the writer their story.)
Looking forward to the next installment.
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Now my characters and I are so well acquainted, they seem to be taking over the story. Anything could happen (and probably will).
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Now, who’s going to blink first?
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All those unblinking owl eyes… does Bethany even have a chance?
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Whoooo woulda thunk it?
;-D
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Who-oo indeed?! 🦉🦉🦉
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Brilliant, Chris, and happy holiday season to you!
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Thanks, Gretchen! Wishing you all of the best for the festivities too🎄😊
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Those naughty little owlets! Can imagine them balancing on one another’s shoulders like that. Nice twisty-turning episode, and ‘lethal’ to ‘Owlet Hall’ was just too good!
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Thus the owlets were born. Wondering where the ‘real’ Owl-King is?
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I’m sure he’ll show up soon… or at least we’ll find out likely where he is??
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That’s the plan (I think). 🤔🦉
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Still enjoying this, Chris. The dialogue is superb and the voice of each character has been distinct throughout.
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Thanks very much, Matthew. This is such fun to write!
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Love that the three wee dudes have a chat under the robe!
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I’d wondered why I’d been hearing so many voices lately!
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[…] Previously […]
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I love the wee winks and nods toward the great and powerful Oz. Great chapter, Chris!
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Thanks, Susan! I pleased this is entertaining you 🙂
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