Welcome to day 23 of Fyretober! I hope you’re all enjoying a month of flash fiction as much as I am. Enjoy today’s writing challenge from Fyrecon’s Fyretober!
Her hands twisted about each other and the chain she clasped frantically in her hands. Sitting back, I plopped on hand on the armrest of my chair and considered her. The veil hung low, barely showing the trembling lower lip. The dark material revealed little to mortal eyes hiding her identity from those watching my shops entrance. Unfortunately for her, I wasn’t mortal. Miss Driffin’s identity was no secret from me.
I must have taken too long thinking because she spoke before I could makeup my mind. “Please Chanter.” The chain had wrapped tightly enough around her hands they were still for a moment. “I’m desperate. I’ll give you anything.”
I let out a slow breath and shook my head. “Nah, nah.” I rubbed my eyes wearily. “I’ve heard that vow often enough, but rarely is it meant or understood.”
She sat forward, resting a pale hand with slim fingers on the top of my table by the palm and fingertips only. But there was weight there, as the beds of her nails grew paler still. “Do not think me ignorant. I know what your words require.”
Beneath her veil, her eyes flashed downward. A quick flick which took in my belt. Most saw only twisted cloth for that was all I wished them to see, but by the way she quickly returned her gaze to my face… I wondered.
Sniffing, I leaned forward allowing my hand to clasp my belt. She flinched but didn’t lean back. “Are you sure the price is worth young Master Eanstard.” I spoke the words slowly, enunciating each and nearly dragging the syllables out of her infatuation’s name. Her lips pursed. “Oh yes, I know,” I said forestalling her words. “Who you are and exactly what you can give.”
Her eyes narrowed beneath the veil, but still, she didn’t move. Closing my eyes, I let my mind slip away from her into the twisting bands of my belt. Line which stretched out moving beyond the confines of the fabric, the room, or even time. I traced them and her path.
This time I grinned.
Opening my eyes, I locked gazes with her. “I’ll ask you one more time, are you certain you wish to pay my price for this boon?”
Miss Driffin nodded. “I’d give anything to escape.”
I made a show of sighing and pulled a single thread from my belt. The thread glowed as I held it in the air. Her eyes clung to it, drinking into illumination hungrily. I lowered the thread to a waiting bottle on the table and it was sucked within greedily.
Flicking my finger against the bottle I nudged it toward her. “See that you find a way to get the thread to his pillowcase. You will work your way into his every dream thereafter and within the fortnight he will spurn his fiancée and come for you.”
Miss Driffin sputtered out some kind of muddled thanks and rose. The bell on my shop’s door jangled and I grinned. She H in time. Until then she’d have her match. Pity she didn’t realize the price of her happily ever after, was tragedy evermore. We’d meet again, and I’d collect a new strand.
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“Fyretober isn’t for just writers or just artists. It’s for everyone who loves to create, and this month we’re looking to see your flash fiction, poetry, and illustrations every day. We’ll be providing daily prompts for the month and want to see what new concepts and wonders you can make with them.
Join the creation fun and share your work with us.
This isn’t a contest. But that doesn’t mean we won’t be giving out random prizes for amazing work.”
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