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T’were the hours of darkness twixt midnight and dawn. Sitting alone in the orchard, Gideon pressed Amelia’s velvet cloak to his cheek. The redolence of her alluring aroma embraced his very soul. A wispy cloud of smoke curled upward from the glowing fire before him as it crackled and hissed. Golden sparks flew into the coal black sky.
She had run to the arms of an odious swine. Gone, but soon to return, of that he was sure, for now his jealousy knew no bounds. Unknown to the adulterous couple he had gained the power to draw her back. A wizard had furnished him with the necessary conjuration in exchange for a pouch laden with a substantial quantity of groats.
The busy words he bellowed echoed all around as he weaved the spell that would destroy his foe and reunite him with Amelia, his very reason for living.
‘Veni domum, virgo pulchra……’
When all was done that could be done, he dropped the cloak into his lap and leaned back, his eyes shut. A flame arose from the fire, at first modest, and then fierce. It took on the form of a blazing sorcerer as it beckoned and demanded obeyance.
He waited and waited, then waited no more for the silence was broken by the sound of crunching fallen leaves.
In the gloom twixt trees laden with apples a figure stood, motionless, shrouded in darkness.
*
Gideon was found the following morn, bereft of life. Was it she or her baleful beau that performed the dastardly deed? I doubt I‘ll ever know, and ne’er shalt thou, my friend.
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Thanks to Sadje for hosting What Do You See?
Image credit; Klára Vernarcová @ Unsplash
I love how you suck us in with your beautiful opening prose only to give us a right hook in the next! And to top if all off, why not just leave us wanting?
You are an evil man, Keith 😉
Not really, and this was excellent!
Thanks, Dale, I like to play around, where’s the fun in being predictable?
I think predictable is boring!
You are a master of amazing openings, Keith. I think this wizard just learned that magic can go wrong in the worst ways. Well done!
What a kind thing to say! Thanks so much, Mason.
No matter how much you pay, those evil magicians, mages and sorcerers are not to be trusted.
Excellent story.
So true, Mimi!
One should be careful using magical spells. This one backfired badly for him. An excellent story told so well Keith. Thanks for joining in.
It certainly did! Thanks so much, Sadje.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Oh so wonderful, Keith! From the first line to the last word, engrossing! I love this fiery story of love, betrayal and doom! ❤️🔥
Thank you so much, Nancy. I’m pleased it worked!
I guess those wizards can’t be trusted after all. You drew us in with your description, Keith. I didn’t see that twist coming!
Thanks so much, I certainly don’t trust them, Shweta!
Good choice! You’re most welcome, Keith
Oh dear, poor Gideon, but not the way to do that. Too late now though.
Good one, Keith!
ooohh good one, Keith. I’d like to think both did Gideon in but you didn’t hear that from me 😉