general fiction – Page 8

This Textured Darkness, #44

From Oren’s palm a small bird flew out. Small as a bee, the three spotted falcon grew to its actual size as it winged it way above the crowd.

“I was marked by Jah when I placed my hand on the rock,” said Oren.
“The scar seems like a living thing,” remarked Fulcruchen.

“While you were tending garden, I was a man fighting in the foothills of High North.”

“Stop baiting Elymas or his liver will burst!” said the King.

“There was an unusual burst of light from Marsh Wool.”
“The fairies were playing with fire!” screamed Elymas.

The boy’s name was Jessum and it gave him deep joy to see Elymas unsettled.

“Get the ants!” he shouted. This was his payback. I was pulling double duty for being late. I’d collected the ants yesterday, too.

“My critical powers,” said the King, “though still intact, are limited by endurance. My councilor will read for me.”

‘Hand the parchment over,” said Ranald. “I’ve struggled with thoughts of my own death long enough.”

The King reached for the blue feather like a dying man reaches for hope.