Wednesday 14 June 2017

Drabble Wednesday: The Silent Bride

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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