An on-line writers’ group I belong to does a monthly story
inspired by either word or photo – or both – prompts. The rules are simple –
maximum 1,000 words - use at least one prompt - keep it family friendly.
Here is my prompt for April and my flashette.
Word prompt - empty
The
Gods were angry. Lightning ripped across the sky. Thunder shook the earth.
Thais
rolled the sacred, white stone in her hand, pondering what to do to appease
them. She did not wish to perform another sacrifice – beautiful, young, virgins
were becoming scarce.
In
days of old, it was an honour to be slain for the good of all. But the maidens
of today… she shook her head. Their parents spoilt them.
No
proper upbringing. The girls ran with the soldiers when they should be kneeling
before the altar chanting prayers. The soldiers wasting their time with the
sins of pleasure, when they should be training for war.
The
young citizens worshipped a false goddess who preached ecstasy and gratification
while eschewing drudgery or responsibility.
Their
parents moaned about the wine merchants bills that regularly needed paying. Others
complained about the late-night chariot races through the streets, disturbing
the slumber of respectable citizens.
The
stone slipped from Thais’s hand and landed with a sharp thunk on her foot. Picking
it up, she pressed into her palm, placed her hands together and blew on it.
Maybe the heat of her breath would awaken the stone and provide her with an answer.
It was her responsibility to protect the people from the angers of the gods.
What they would do to her, if she failed. Again.
She
opened her hands, cupping the stone in one palm. No answer came to her. Was the
rock empty? Had she used up all of its sacredness? How could it abandon her
like this?
A
gust of wind rattled her robe. She shivered from the chill. Another crack of
thunder. Would the sky open and cry down a flood? The last had killed many.
Ruined crops. Drowned livestock. Destroyed homes. The villagers had been angry
with her. They said she had failed as the High Priestess. Why should they
provide her food and drink if she could not protect them?
She
calmed them with the hope that the white rock would speak to the gods and
protect them. Now it lay in her hand – silent.
Thais
sighed. Maybe it was time to move on to another village. To new people ignorant
of reality and willing to believe the lies she spoke. She had been here many
seasons. Maybe, too many. Yes, time to move on.
Content
with her decision, she tossed the sacred stone on the ground then walked up the
path to her home.
One
lone bolt of lightning flashed downwards. Thais was never heard of again.
What's
happening in April on Romance – Sweet to
Heat
24 – Saturday Spotlight – David Kummer
- Everything Somewhere
25 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday
26 – Medieval Monday #MedMonSpring21#12
27 – SPOTLIGHT – Dana Littlejohn – 4
Queens: Queen of Spades
28 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor
29 – Spectacular Space
#SpectacularSpace
30
– Taps
on Screen. Anybody Out There???
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