Drabble Wednesday: Underneath the Surface

Today on Drabble Wednesday, come explore the darkness beneath the skin...

Warrior

They fear me.

My enemies. The quake at the fearsome sight of me and my blood-covered axe. They run from me on the battlefield. They tremble at the sound of my name, Gunnar the Bloody. I have slaughtered in the name of my tribe, I have slain thousands and stood on their corpses.

They fear me.

As do my fellow tribesmen. Because they know. They know I love killing. That I cannot quench my yearning for spilled blood.

They know one day I will turn on them.

That one day they will die at my hand.

They should fear me.

~*~

Secret Spot

“I have a secret place I go, a quiet spot on the ocean, past the island reef. Would you like to see it?”

I smile when he nods an enthusiastic yes. He caresses my arm, but I slink away, beckoning him to follow. We climb onto the boat and sail out into the beauty of serene waters and blue sky.

“Not much to see,” he scoffs.

I reply, “Close your eyes.”

He complies and I give a whistle.

A tentacle darts out and snatches him off the boat, dragging him under the sea.

I smile. I love feeding my pet.

~*~

Empire

I stare out the bedchamber window at my city, and beyond it my empire. One I was not born into, but inherited by marriage.

I remember my wedding day well. A lavish affair to Emperor Alphonse IV, Supreme Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Not a happy union. Both he and his lackeys think me weak, compliant. An Empress without teeth.

Fools.

I’ve been scheming for years, playing the simpering wife, while building allies. Now I will play my final piece for victory. My husband will be dead by nightfall and I will be the sole ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.

 © A. F. Stewart 2016 All Rights Reserved 

Drabble Wednesday: Quests

Today on Drabble Wednesday we go questing with warriors, peasants and kings…

The Eye of Blood

The messenger died at the feet of his king.

King Andras tossed his bloodied dagger on top of his latest victim.

From a limp hand of the dead, the king retrieved a wooden box, the prize that cost the messenger his life. Inside lay treasure, a dream that set his kingdom to fire and ruin.

The Eye of the Gods. The Bloodstone.

Power.

The king lifted the lid. A large scarlet gemstone nestled within, resting on black velvet.

“Mine, you are mine.” He closed his fist around the stone. And screamed.

The body of the king fell beside his messenger.

~*~

Fabled Journey

Warriors never die easy.

A saying he should have remembered five days ago, and stayed home, safe in his bed. Glory, honour and fabled riches weren’t worth slogging through a swamp on a daft quest. Nor ease tired joints after being chased by a ballycoot wraith through the Forest of Shadows. And they sure as spit weren’t worth dying at the hands of a dragon.

“What are you waiting for? Slay the beast.” The frantic shout came from inside the cave, from his companions.

“No.” With a whisper, he turned around and headed home.

This warrior would die another day.

~*~ 

Be Careful What You Wish…

All Evan dreamed came true, one rainy afternoon.

The day the warriors rode into town, looking to recruit men to join their ranks. To serve the Baron. They promised camaraderie, adventure, a better life. Evan swallowed the stories whole, but it wouldn’t have mattered what they said, for they promised a life away from the pokey village he called home. Away from his dreary future as a sheep farmer.

Funny how that was, how he longed to leave. Now two years in, two long years riding hard, fighting ogres, dragons, and everything in-between, all he dreamed was to go home.

© A. F. Stewart 2015 All Rights Reserved