It was widely assumed that Afterwards everything would go back to Normal.
Whatever that had been. Few remembered.
Thomas had never imagined this though. That Mother Earth would exact her revenge on the human race like this.
It could have been worse, he reflected. Being a tree wasn’t so bad.
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #27 photo prompt.
Image credit: Willgard on Pixabay
for Mark and Cat whose wedding would have been tomorrow
but will instead be another day
We’re sorry that lockdown has got in the way
of the planned celebration for your special day.
No feasting or speeches or exchanging of rings,
but thoughts and good wishes and virtual things.
Raising our glasses to you as is the fashion,
just a sip or two since our booze is on ration,
to toast to the future when, come what may,
you’ll have a good one, despite the delay!
Photo credit: Tom the Photographer on Unsplash and clipart.com
Tarron laid a hand on Moonsprite’s neck. ‘She will come with me.’
Sinead began to protest, but the elderly elf spoke: ‘The challenge is for you alone. Fear not, she will be safe.’ Tarron whispered in Moonsprite’s ear and the unicorn whinnied softly.
‘The Hound will accompany you.’ Tarron removed the great beast’s leach. The Hound stood up and shook himself.
‘The Prophesy Book!’ Sinead reached for Moonsprite’s saddlebag.
‘It will be of no help to you in the Great Maze,’ said Tarron. ‘Now go.’
The Hound at her side, Sinead stepped through the archway. The chamber lit up before them. People were feasting, there was music and laughter. Someone led her to a table and gave her meat and bread; people nodded and smiled. The Hound was given food too. Sinead ate with relish but the Hound didn’t touch his bowl. As she slipped into unconsciousness, she realised why.
Image credit: Byzantium by Michael C Hays on Deviant Art
Read the previous episodes of Sinead’s Final Quest
Hold hard, me handsome hearties!
He yells above the storm
Together we’ll get through this
if our duties we perform.
Through stormy days and stormy nights
our trusty craft will sail
So have a care and to your posts
and we’ll survive this gale.
Through life’s uncertainties we’ll steer
a course that’s not foretold
We’ll overcome the challenges
with the fortitude of old.
So join me now and have good cheer
cast all your doubts away
with hope and strength and kindness
we’ll survive another day.
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #26 photo prompt.
Image credit: Thommas on Pixabay
Alys was stirring a batch of Witches’ Wonder Beauty Cream when she heard a knock at the door.
‘We’re not expecting anyone are we, Sparky?’
The diminutive dragon looked up from the Weekly Witch where he was reading about their recent success in the WI Competition. He shook his head.
Alys turned off the cauldron with a wand-wave before opening the door. She was greeted by broad chest with a large belt buckle below it. Alys stepped back in surprise. ‘Oh, it’s a giant!’
The owner of the large belt buckle stooped down and a big black bearded face appeared. ‘Your doorway is somewhat small, but I’ll just…’ The giant squeezed himself inside. ‘Right.’ He looked down at Alys with a stern expression on his face.
Alys looked up at him. Fearing for her ceiling she asked him to sit down. The giant perched on the edge of her work table, whose legs groaned loudly.
‘What can I do for you?’ Alys asked.
The giant consulted the clipboard he was holding. ‘You’re Alice of the Western Witches’ Coven?’
‘That’s right.’
‘My name is Bruwod. I’m here about a Breach of Ye Olde Treaty of Magical Creatures’.
Alys frowned. Sparky flew up onto her shoulder. A wisp of agitated steam escaped from his left nostril.
Bruwod leapt to his feet. A sprinkling of plaster peppered his shoulders as his head hit the ceiling. He pointed at Sparky. ‘You have a dragon!’
‘And I have a hole in my ceiling,’ replied Alys testily. ‘What’s this about?’
Bruwod glanced at the upwards and seated himself again. The table sighed heavily. ‘Your dragon is Unregistered in Breach of Regulation 6.66. He will be impounded and released back into the wild.’ He jabbed his pencil in Sparky’s direction.
The diminutive dragon snorted in alarm, sending out tiny showers of purple sparks from his flaring nostrils.
‘Into the wild? I’ve had him since he was an egg!’ said Alys in alarm.
‘Do you have the Proper Documentation for his Provenance?’
Alys shook her head.
‘You’re keeping a Protected Species without the Proper Documentation.’ Bruwod stabbed his pencil on his clipboard for emphasis. The point promptly broke.
With a whoosh and a bang and a cloud of red smoke, a piece of parchment appeared on the doormat. They all turned to look. The parchment reared up revealing a picture of Bruwod framed by the words: ‘Wanted for Dragon Abduction; Reward Offered.’
Bruwod flung down his clipboard and lunged towards Sparky who flew up in alarm, golden flames shooting from his nostrils. Bruwod grabbed at him with a meaty hand catching him by the tail. ‘Gotcha!’
Alys snatched up her wand as Sparky shot a dagger of brilliant blue flame into Bruwod’s face. The giant let go, tripping over the doormat and landing in heap next to the retired cauldron.
Not familiar with the Craft of Combat and Containment, Alys struggled for a spell, but the retired cauldron was quicker, casting a huge net over the writhing giant.
A gruff voice shouted from the other side of the door. ‘Witchery Enforcement! Stand back, we’re coming in!’ The door burst open.
It only took a few moments for the four burly officers to bundle Bruwod into their van. ‘Well done, Miss, you’ve captured a dangerous criminal,’ said their leader touching the peak of his cap with his wand.
‘It wasn’t really me,’ Alys glanced at her retired cauldron which quivered gently.
‘Nevertheless, we’re grateful for the assistance.’ He handed Alys a voucher for Acme’s Ingredients and Equipment for Witches.
Alys and Sparky grinned. It was their favourite store.
Written in response to a prompt from Susan T. Braithwaite
Genre Scribes Friday Fiction Writing Challenge #41
The challenge this week was treaty.
Photo credit: clipart-library.com
The hooded figure and the magnificent hound disappeared inside the castle. Sinead and Moonsprite followed, forced to walk singly in the narrow torch-lit passageway.
‘Courage, Sinead!’
The voice echoed in her head once again. She remembered when she’d first heard it: when she’d last gone into battle. But why the welcome and now the warning?
The voice continued. ‘Both good and evil lie within these walls and not everything as it seems. Remember this.’
Up ahead, the figure halted before an archway. The hound sat bolt upright, its attention fixed on whatever lay beyond. As Sinead and Moonsprite approached, the figure lowered its hood revealing the smiling face of an elderly elf. His green-tipped ears twitched merrily.
‘I am Tarron. I bid you welcome. This is the Hound of Hellidore. He will lead you to the Great Maze of Mandoran. Choose your path wisely and you will pass through unscathed.’
Image credit: wallpaperswide.com
Read the previous episodes of Sinead’s Final Quest
I have a mirror which makes
me look thinner.
Not quite svelte
but at least I can loosen my belt,
to allow the occasional treat.
So bring me chocolate and sweets
and sugary treats
and promise not to tell
That the width of my waist
when sucked in with haste,
isn’t as large as I think
when approaching the sink
to wash up the debris of sin.
But here’s to the spring
when each living thing
starts to frolic and dance in the sun.
I’ll be hidden away
with the stash of today:
chocolate bunnies and eggs
and a book.
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #25 photo prompt.
Image credit: Annca on Pixabay
Sinead and Moonsprite stood before the castle walls. Sinead grasped the Sword of Elshain in one hand and buried the fingers of her other hand in the unicorn’s snowy mane.
The huge iron doors of the castle swung open. ‘Lay aside your weapon. We welcome you!’ Was the voice inside Sinead’s head or did it come from within the castle walls? Moonsprite nuzzled her shoulder and she sheathed her sword.
Together they crossed over the threshold. The doors clanged shut behind them.
Flowers carpeted the castle grounds. Breathing in their heady perfume, Sinead began to relax for the first time in many weeks. Moonsprite whinnied gently, burying her muzzle in the brightly coloured petals.
Ahead of them another door creaked open and a cloaked figure appeared, holding a massive hound on a leash.
The figure beckoned with a crooked finger. ‘Come inside, both of you!’
Sinead and Moonsprite dutifully obeyed.
Written in response to a prompt from Susan T. Braithwaite
Genre Scribes Friday Fiction Writing Challenge #40
The challenge this week was leash. Photo credit: Kevin Jackson on Unsplash
Sinead and Moonsprite apologise for hi-jacking this week’s challenge, but they have an important quest to complete. Previous episodes of their quest may be found here
In that darkest hour
just before dawn
when night-time terrors
clutch my heart
You are here.
In black-dog moments
when tears well up
and despair’s dark hands
wrench me apart
You are here.
When sunbeams stream forth
as storm clouds part
and laughter and song
fill my heart
You are here.
And we will survive
this troubled world
because together, my love
we are strong.
Written as a ‘two for one’ prompt response to:
1) Sadje’s What Do You See #24 photo prompt – photo credit: Pexels.
2) Di of Pensitivity 101‘s Three Things Challenge #198 – phobia, cry, laugh (loosely)
I was honoured to be interviewed by the wonderful author, reviewer, blogger, home-schooler (and so much more), Jean Lee! This is the outcome.
P.S. – make sure you vote for Jean’s short story – there’s a link at the end of the post.
Greetings, one and all! After a rough week schooling the kiddos at home (stay tuned for THAT post), it’s high time we celebrate Indie April with an interview with an AMAZING writer and reader, Chris Hall.
Let’s begin with the niceties. Tell us a little about yourself, please!
Nice to be here, Jean!
I was born, grew up, lived and worked in the UK until 10 years ago, when childless, in our forties and fed up with our jobs, my husband, Cliff and I upped sticks and emigrated to South Africa. We’d already met people here through a school exchange programme which Cliff was involved in, visited numerous times, and finally decided to come to a new country and do something different.
We’ve settled in a town about 30 miles from Cape Town, where we can almost see the ocean from our house. Our cat, Luna (after whom my blog…
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luna's on line 