Black Friday at the Low Market

Black Friday in the Low Market Sarn glared at the black cloth strip in his hands. Light-tight, once tied its weave would hide his eyes, suppress their glow, allow him to withstand the low market crush and not jeopardize his son who would be his eyes for this trip. Now tied, his vision cut off; his magic took over, gave different eyes equipped with a detailed map of the illogic that abounded inside Mount Eredren. “You take too long. We go now.” Ran tugged on Sarn’s trouser leg. “I lead.” Ran unfastened the door and started into the hallway, his promised outing … Continue reading Black Friday at the Low Market

Letting Go

Letting Go Five years ago… He faced the window, Mount Eredren’s lord, author of all Sarn’s pain, eyes on distant sights, his back to the shadowed nook where bored death waited in a teen hands. The instant the Lord’s guards left, Sarn crept ‘cross star shined floors, shadow-silent, knife shaking, poised to pierce that last barrier. Full-circle once more, victim becomes the killer; shock pierces anger, knocks him back a step, makes him think. Killing the Mount’s Lord won’t unwound his soul, unbreak his bones, undo abuse. Sarn shrinks, he’s no killer; he’s an innocent soul. “Why didn’t you strike me down?” the mount’s lord moaned. “Because it … Continue reading Letting Go

Working Thanksgiving in

Working Thanksgivng in Darkness choked the magicked forest; a light kindled here and there to trick to travelers but not the patrolling Rangers whose sight ignored the forest’s enchanted feelers. Sarn shoved away an inquisitive branch, looked about for evidence of distress. Another boring watch with not a branch out of place and still more hours in this press. “Why’re we out here? There’s nothing happening,” he complained batting a thin bough aside. “You want to hear Thanksgiving’s beginning?” Nolo asked; he sped up to walk beside making conversation possible ‘gain. The trees leaned to listen to talk of men. ~ ~ ~ Sarn nodded, stepped o’er a recoiling … Continue reading Working Thanksgiving in

Staircase to Nowhere

Staircase to Nowhere A stone staircase curved as it ascended in the Enchanted Forest miles away from anything. Into air it wended. Sarn approached and a hush fell..Run away, his sixth sense screamed. A strange light burned silver above where the stair plucked from a mountain stronghold ended in nothing. Shivers disturbed the branches’ weave above, often signifying nothing, but winds passing. A malevolence settled like night’s chill on that dislocated stair focusing. Sarn circled it, his sixth sense’s warning shrill. Ascend and see what happens or go back, return to the search for the lost boy’s track? ~ ~ ~ Sarn stood there ’till a hand grasped … Continue reading Staircase to Nowhere

Pour Some Sugar on my Pie

Pie Making Inari surveyed her kitchen  and smiled. Lumir glowed red in its grate for baking, stone counters gleamed and a four year old child sat in silence arranging rocks, making patterns on the stone floor. Miren had gone to school, so also had her son Nerule. Nolo and Sarn both worked nights; sleep had drawn them in that morn. Waking Sarn would be cruel, so off to market she went, a withdrawn child in tow. Quiet he stayed, no ‘whys’trailed her through the aisles, his curiosity blunted but by what? That morn Sarn had sailed in, spent time with Ran in amity, before she’d chased him to bed; … Continue reading Pour Some Sugar on my Pie

Thankful Son

Thankful Son Ran listened; his uncle argued trouble but Papa ignored that; he’d decided. Papa’s words formed a warm, happy bubble. He was thankful for Ran, who sat beside. Ran hopped from table onto Papa’s lap. “I’m thankful for you too,” he said through tears. He recalled his mom, who left like a slap– leaving a sting that still caused tears and fears for Papa who had a dangerous job. Papa talked in his sleep and Ran listened. “You’ve still got me. I’ll won’t leave you, don’t sob. It’s okay to miss her,” Papa tightened the hug squeezing out a smile, not tears. Papa’s assurance chased … Continue reading Thankful Son

Thanksgiving Plans

Thanksgiving Plans “Why do we have to celebrate this year? We didn’t last year,” Miren grumbled, tossing graphite sticks at the paper stack too near a cheerful four year old, who sat browsing. Ran’s ears were pricked for interesting talk. “Why change? Why do you want to celebrate?” “Because things are better,” Sarn broke off. Chalk that up to change. He no longer berate fate or himself for his failings; his son was happy; his bro went to school and that was enough to be thankful for. He’d won some respect and he should celebrate that. “Nolo invited us and we’re going.” Miren glared but he didn’t … Continue reading Thanksgiving Plans

Thankful

Thankful “Do You know what I’m thankful for?” Sarn asked. “No,” Ran said, walking beside, hand fisted in his father’s trouser leg. They walked past many statues as the tunnel twisted, but the question kept his son from straying even though the lad’s fingers itched to trace the stone folded, imitating cloth draping. Quiet wrapped them up and kept the slow pace. “What you thankful for?” Ran asked, when Sarn failed to say. Sarn smiled at his son, “can’t you guess?” Ran’s brow furrowed as the lad tried and failed to work it out. “You tell me, I not guess.” Sarn scooped … Continue reading Thankful

Divided

Divided If Sarn could split his time ‘tween two places, and two places only, he’d have to choose Mount Eredren as one of his bases to fulfill his indenture’s terms or lose the bargain he’d made for his bro’s schooling. If his indenture allowed a second abode, (which it didn’t), he’d make that grueling trek to Mithranza Provence. It beckoned, its mountain passes whispered of wars won and lost by heroes of old; in the lake- side village, he’d stay for months for her sake, the lovely woman with whom he’d begun a friendship his indenture didn’t allow and something his master couldn’t disavow. ~ ~ ~ Read more about Sarn in … Continue reading Divided

Changes

Changes “Change comes whether you want it to or not.” so Nolo said; Sarn believed him, he wished he knew what to do. His stomach in knots, he watched the day fade; in his heart he fished for answers, found none. He had a magic he couldn’t control and it had lots of triggers; most he couldn’t guess. His life was so tragic and he hated it. One day, he figures that power will kill him. Every seven years it will spike, increase his ability. His son, Ran, approached holding his stuffed bear, reminding him of life’s fragility. The boy had inherited the … Continue reading Changes

What the Ant Saw

What the Ant Saw What the ant saw when he stopped on a branch: golden rays slicing through tangled black boughs, falling in curtains of lace that hung off each branch like gossamer threads of gold fairy down. What the ant saw when he paused on a ledge: a city built on shimmering water, bridges arching ‘tween buildings, statues edge each garden terrace; keep feet off water. What the ant saw from the mountain’s bent cone: ice kissed, sun soaked, the crag peak pierces clouds, offers views of a fluffy land rain-sewn, wind-driven, sky-veiling–this puffy shroud. All the ant saw made his antennae twitch, … Continue reading What the Ant Saw

The Power of Touch

The Power of Touch Sarn stared at the ceiling thinking adult thoughts that vexed. His son watched hoping his bright gaze would burn a hole. It didn’t. Ran consults his rocks, licks each one ’til a shape takes sight. “Star,” Ran says, hands it to Papa. Mind still turned within, Papa takes the rock turning it over in his hands; a green glow builds, wills the rock to bend, stretch, reveal its yearning and just when Ran can take no more suspense– a matte black star now floats ‘tween papa’s hands. Ran reaches into that warm tingle, dense with magic; Papa returns from dreamland. He stares,  clutched in son’s … Continue reading The Power of Touch

POETRY 101 REHAB: MISSING

Missing “Head injury…might have amnesia…” The healer’s words still echoed scaring Ran, where he lay curled, fearing amnesia would take Papa away, like the bad man had tried to do. Holding his stuffed bear tight, he listened to Papa’s quiet breathing, willing him to wake, smile at the sight of his son. But unconsciousness’ plaything, Papa remained. Ran’s tears rolled off his nose. Then a pale glimmer broke through the darkness. Papa blinked and glowing green eyes focused. “Papa?” Ran asked. Blankness became fondness. “Ran,” Papa said, against his heart, he held his son. Ran’s fears and tears were at last quelled. ~ ~ ~ Follow … Continue reading POETRY 101 REHAB: MISSING

RSVP: Keysta at the Ball – A Daily Post Sonnet

RSVP: Keysta at the Ball She watched the dancers twirl in their bright gowns. Plain she felt, a girl playing dress up, all ruffled, beribboned in a borrowed pink gown. Dancers wheeled past, all unknown; she stood tall, wondering which of the flouncing follies had the ear of her enemy. Whose spies floated on the strains of sweet melodies? They moved like pale reflections–washed out lies in petticoats. She alone was solid, real, she had some dimension the guests lacked. She needed air, fled the ballroom; valid excuse or no, she had to go; with tact she withdrew to the balcony and smiled, the fellow she’d … Continue reading RSVP: Keysta at the Ball – A Daily Post Sonnet

Eavesdropping – Writing 101 #10

Eavesdropping Ran pretended to sleep. Often adults ignored small children, so his feigned repose went unnoticed and he heard the results. “–traumatic brain injury but he shows some improvement. He’s young. Recovery is possible but it’ll take time, how much I can’t say ’til he wakes.” Recovery sounded good. Papa’d be okay; Ran clutched his stuffed bear as the healer’s voice faded. Uncle Miren’s question cut the quiet, “When’ll he wake up?” Lying still, Ran waited; the reply was eaten by the quiet settling o’er the infirmary. He cried ’til a weak embrace, him, from his fears, pried. ~ ~ ~ A scene … Continue reading Eavesdropping – Writing 101 #10