Flash Fiction #703 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/1

 

 

 This was not the best lodgings the three had ever taken, even in desperation. On the good side, the Queen was too tired to do more than grunt as she fell onto the lumpy bed. Ryson had made his way to the shuttered window despite the lack of light. Callum stumbled against a chair rather than found it.  He sat down and stayed there despite the seat sinking dangerously low.

 Ryson clearly intended to take the first watch. Callum didn't even argue.  He closed his eyes.

It was not the most comfortable sleep, often interrupted by odd noises, including the baying of a dozen donkeys. Callum couldn't say he was sorry when Ryson woke him to take over the watch.

Kono lifted her head, mumbled something vaguely impolite, and went back to sleep. Callum met Ryson at the window where a sharp breeze rustled leaves in nearby trees and blew debris down the deserted street.

"Storm at dawn," Ryson predicted.  Callum nodded, remembering his cousin's uncanny ability to predict the weather.  Ryson looked outside for a moment and nodded. "Either we leave now and try to outride it, or we sit it out here for the day."

"Stay," Kono said as she sat up.  "We might make some plans if we can stay still long enough to discuss what we think we are doing.  From your tone, this won't be an easy storm.  I would rather have even this flimsy covering than none at all."

Callum had to stop himself from countering her idea with one of his own. It wasn't her status as queen that made him rethink his instant response. That was something the three of them had done throughout their childhood.  This was not a time for games.

"Get more rest," Callum suggested.  "There could still be trouble."

Neither argued, although Ryson looked anxious.  Ryson settled on the floor by the chair and pulled his dark cloak up over him.   He could have gone to sleep, but Callum doubted it.

What a mess.

The three had known they had enemies everywhere in the castle.  They had not known their strength until the Queen's Guard fell, holding back the Council's newly gathered followers.  The guard had provided them with a way to escape.  All they had to do was get to an ally.  Any ally. 

He and Ryson were not enough to keep Kono safe, but at least they could guard her back and let her sleep in relative peace for a few hours. There was an odd feeling of calm in this nameless town, even with the storm inching closer to their refuge.  He could hear the thunder long before Callum picked out the glow of lightning.  Both seemed far away and muted, the thunder echoing back and forth as though trapped in a rock-walled canyon. It would have been mesmerizing if Ryson had not suddenly sat up with a cry of despair.

"Ryson!" Kono stumbled from the bed and tackled Ryson before he could get to his feet. "Ryson, wake up!"

A nightmare, and Ryson was not waking from it.  His cries of despair would draw some attention.  He was not responding to Kono.

"The drums!"

"Ryson, there are no --"

Then he heard that strange, echoing sound again.

"Berserker drums," Callum said and tried to keep calm in his voice. "Wake everyone.  Tell them to run."

"They can't escape fast enough," Kono replied.

"Then leave them to die in their beds," Callum replied, speaking more harshly than usual.  "We can only do so much, Kono.  Get the inn started and send them to go after others.  Tell them to listen to the thunder if they don't believe you.  Don't leave the building.  Come back for us.  Ryson!  We need you!"

Kono paused by the door. "Don't leave without me."

Flash Fiction # 702 -- Remember

 

 

"Gather your tools and your manuscripts!" The woman stood on the stage while the volcano grumbled behind her. Ash shot cloud-like into the sky. A small river of lava snaked its way toward them.
The ground gave a violent twist and brought down a few walls.

"To the ships! Gather your families and get to the ships!"

They'd grown used to listening to Gaia over the years, and they did as she ordered.  

Gaia walked alone through the abandoned city. The echoes of the inhabitants were already fading – but she had sent out the people.  They would not forget Atlantis.


 

Flash Fiction #701 -- Adventure

 

 

Kane liked adventure, so each year he walked until a foggy lake blocked his path.  The trail split around the lake, but fog obscured the distant view in both directions.

Tall weeds grew in straggling patches except for the deer path on the right.  That proved the best inducement short of a very long swim straight across the fog-obscured weather. He took the deer paths and fought birds, squirrels, and deer for berries for more days than he could count. 

Following the path around the foggy lake eventually brought him to the original trail.  

Enough adventure.

Time to go home.

#700 -- Hello

 

 (McCready checking out her photo)

I hadn't planned to start the year with post number 700, but it seemed a good number for a 'hello' note.

 As you can probably tell from my often-late posts in 2025, I did not have the best year. I had at least one hospital stay, and maybe two. Sometimes they all run together. Keeping up with the Friday story posts has been difficult, but I hope to do better this year. The picture-of-the-day blog has suffered a bit, but I caught up on it, as well.

So here I face a new year and a chance to write anything that I want. I have enjoyed the 100-word drabbles.  However, it can be difficult to come up with a coherent narrative that short. They are fun to write, though.

I have a couple of long projects in mind.  What is Neko up to? 

I hope for a fun year for all of us.  Stories start up again next week.
 

Flash Fiction # 699 --A Tale of the First Alliance/4

 

"The Dragon core is awakening," he interpreted, and somehow kept his voice calm. The Prince said more, and Ryson almost missed it. "As allies, they ask for troops to help protect their home cave. And for this sacrifice to help save my people, we will pledge an eternal alliance and will fight to the death for your land."

That was quite an unusual offering, and not one to be brushed aside.

Kono took only a moment to answer. The high color of her cheeks was all that betrayed her surprise at such an offering. Ryson had thought that she wanted Callum beside her rather than him, but he had been the best choice for interpreter. Besides, even the sprite would not expect an answer right now.

"I have a question," Kono said softly. The sprites nodded like a wave, and Ryson again wondered how much they were interconnected.

"Ask," the Prince replied, and Ryson restated the word for Kono.

"We are not your only allies, and physically, we are not even the strongest. Why did you come to us with such an extraordinary offer?  Are there others in this alliance?"

"Only the humans," he answered. "And because we have fought you within the last century, and know that you are inventive and daring. If we must take on the dragons, such abilities will be useful.  They are much like how dragons react."

Now there was an interesting observation.

"I will give you my answer at moonrise," she said with a deep bow.

The entire group returned the bow and left.

"Well, damn," Callum mumbled as he moved closer to join them.  "The dragon core waking explains all kinds of trouble that we have seen. Will you accept the alliance --"

"Never!" a familiar voice shouted.  Councilor Jirgin rushed into the room with four guards.  That confirmed some of Ryson's list. "We will never join battle with non-humans at our side!"

"Jirgin, shut up or I will lock you up."

Jirgin sputtered and turned so fast that Ryson thought he was going to start spinning. He finally focused back on the Queen, but his eyes were bulging, and his breath came too fast.

"You would never dare to lock me up!" The man shouted as he looked at the Queen. "I will see you put on trial and will never have another woman ruler for as many generations as remembers your poor leadership that will tie us forever to these alien creatures."

"Well, that was your last chance." She looked toward his guards and gave a slight nod. "Lock him into the yellow suite in the east wing. He is to be served the same food as the rest of us. His wife may visit as long as she's willing to be searched going in and out. Enjoy your stay."

The guards took the stunned and strangely silent man away and left the three alone in the hall again.

"Well, that went better than I hoped," Queen Kono declared with a bright grin.  "I feared he wouldn't make his move until we were negotiating the treaty. I wanted him out of the way before then."
"You could've told me that the guards were yours," Callum complained. He looked annoyed, but Ryson was just happy to have that part out of the way. There were other counselors who would protest, but none were as theatrical as Jirgin. 

"I didn't want this to turn into a sideshow. Besides, I wasn't sure of them until you checked them out, Callum. We had better get ready for the conference. I want both of you there and sitting with me."

She walked away while Ryson and Callum rushed off to their rooms. Ryson realized this was the time to dress for the occasion. He threw open all his cases and began digging for hidden jewels. He also shook out his blue velvet and black silk ensemble. He did not ask for servants to help them because he was never sure if he could trust them, having been away for so long. He did the same in foreign courts. Right now, this felt very much like another foreign land was suddenly thrust into the kind of intrigue it is best to avoid.

But this was home, and he had known that at some time all the troublesome knowledge was going to come to the aid of his Queen. So, he straightened his clothing and stepped out into the hall just in time to see Callum passing.

Callum had dressed for the occasion as well, and he clearly hadn't given back all the jewels.  He still dressed predominantly in black; however, his vest glittered with gold embroidery and inlaid emeralds. He also wore matching emerald earrings and a massive emerald ring. Ryson could barely take it all in.

"Well," he said as they looked each other over. "Shall we go down together, or do you want to take the show for yourself?"

"Together," he said with an emphatic nod.  "This change isn't for me."

He did not want his Queen to look shabby.  Ryson had dressed for the occasion for the same reason.  He enjoyed watching the others take note of Callum's change and wondered if any thought the change made his cousin weak. There were those kinds of fools in every court.

Queen Kono blinked several times when they stopped beside her. She made no other sign of noting the change. Ryson had the feeling Callum wouldn't be allowed to wear his favorite black clothing again.

The Court artist was present, and over the next week, he painted the life-size portrait of the three of them that still hangs behind the queen's throne.  They stood in a sea of Ice Sprites, the bright moonlight illuminating the snowy landscape beyond the balcony. They were about to align humanity with an old enemy. Copies soon spread in all directions, making some of their previous work impossible. Ryson began taking lessons in fighting and stealth from Callum.  So far, no one realized he possessed the ability to cast magic.

 Some would soon curse them.  Others were wiser.

Especially after the Dragon Core awoke.


The End -- for now