Drabble Wednesday: Lost Things

Today on Drabble Wednesday I muse on things lost: memories, guardians, children...

Waiting

I remember the days before the Great Kingdoms.

Before the War and the Invaders from Across the Sea.

Before we served our conquering masters.

In those days we lived free. We were not governed by cruel kings, or benevolent queens, or petty warlords. We lived as nomads and farmers, each town, village or tribe ruled by Elder Councils, chosen by the people. And we had no need for mercenaries or soldiers, for we had protectors.

Until their blood spilled by the betrayer’s hand. Then they left us to the Invaders.

But they’ll return, one day.

The Dragons will come home.

~*~

Afternoon Tea

I traced the flower pattern on the tea cup with my finger. It seemed familiar to me, a fragment of memory floating out of reach. The afternoon sun was warm, and a breeze wafted the smell of gardenia. The table in the garden is set for two, a pot of hot tea ready, and a plate of pretty sandwiches.

But I’m alone.

A shadow fell across the lace tablecloth.

A woman sat down at the table and smiled at me. “Sorry, I’m late.”

I stared, suddenly confused. I grip the table edge. “Who are you?”

“It’s me, Mom, your daughter.”

~*~

Night Falls

Such a small mistake, ignoring her father’s warning, running after a bird into the trees.

“Stay on the path, Anna. Always stay on the path. You don’t want to lose your way in the forest.”

Now the sun had set and the weather turned cold, the bitter wind made her bones shiver. The moonlight snaked through the tree cover, enough light to that the child stumbled about underbrush for hour or two before collapsing in fright and exhaustion. She leaned against a tree, her face wet with tears.

She knew. She was lost in the night.

Lost in the woods.

© A. F. Stewart 2016 All Rights Reserved

Drabble Wednesday: Things Lost

Today on Drabble Wednesday we ruminate on things gone astray…

Echoes

I stand in the city of Myre.

Beyond its boundaries stretches the Great Sea. Beyond that lies the kingdom of Dastra and its fierce warriors. They sailed here once, not so long ago, with their warships and their swords.

They invaded this great city.

They came to pillage, and to conquer.

They succeeded.

Our grand walls fell, our buildings crumbled, our riches stolen.

Our people murdered.

The streets were stained red with blood and littered with corpses.

They left not a soul alive. Not even me.

I stand in the ruins of Myre.

Behind me stretches its legions of dead.

~*~

Ambition

The sky is blue and the warm sun shines upon all gathered. The birds are singing in the trees.

How dare they.

Don’t they know my child is dead?

I want to scream. But I don’t. I mourn as one should at a funeral. I shake hands, accept condolences, and then go home to an empty house. My wife left me when our daughter was killed. She blamed me.

Killed.

That sounds so brutal. I suppose it was, her death. And I suppose I am to blame. I wanted power, courted ruthless ambition, made enemies.

Enemies that murdered my child.

~*~

Mislaid

Childhood.

A time of innocence.

A time to grow, to be loved, to know family.

Until that all goes away.

And you don’t know why.

Sometimes I wonder if they abandoned me, that day in the woods, or if I simply got lost. It’s hard to remember anymore. Maybe it was an accident, maybe they planned it. My memories play tricks. I remember I was playing. My parents waved and smiled at me.

Were they saying goodbye?

Then I saw a bright light, and tumbled down to…

The Dark Woods I call it. Where things keep trying to kill me.

© A. F. Stewart 2016 All Rights Reserved