Today on Drabble Wednesday, a story in three parts as we walk
down a terrifying aisle into a strange world of repression and anarchy...
Obedience
He signed the contract with a
shaking hand. Finally to be wed at five and twenty. Most gentlemen his age had
several matrimonial years under their belt, plus heirs. And here he must resort
to a disreputable matchmaking service.
Quite the ignominy for his noble
house.
“Are you certain she’ll be as I
requested? Properly compliant?”
“Yes sir. She’ll never talk back
to you.”
“Bring her in then.”
The ringing of a small bell
ushered in his bride-to-be.
“Smile for your betrothed, girl.”
She did as bid, her mouth opening
wide enough to show where they cut out her tongue.
~*~
Wedding Night
“She won’t say a word. Can’t,
milord.” The constable cast his eyes downward in apology. “She’s mute. One of
those brides from Conformist Matchmaking.”
“So, he went through with it. Now
dead on his wedding night.” He strode to the woman sitting quietly in a
corner, avoiding the corpse on the bed.
He knelt down, whispering.
“You’ll hang for his murder.”
She smiled, her tongueless mouth
in a gaping grin. She held up a bloodied left hand and slipped a dagger from
beneath her skirt. In one quick motion she stabbed, and the grand Lord joined
his son in death.
~*~
Revolution
The boy at the newsstand held up
the latest edition, and screamed out the headlines to attract customers, “Conformist
Bride Killer linked to Death Cult! Killing of Lord Everett and his son one of
several dozen murders! Conformist Matchmaking under investigation!”
Nearby, two women listened, the
older one whispering to her companion. “Our soldiers succeeded admirably. We
achieved victory.”
“At a cost. Those women will
hang.”
“Some will. Others...” She
shrugged. “But many more were never detected. All the key men are dead. No one
suspects our revolution. By year’s end the kingdom will be ours, and women will
rule.”
© A. F. Stewart 2017 All Rights Reserved
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