‘Twas twilight. Upon the bank of a tumbling stream, a chestnut steed nibbled tufts of green grass. A limp wet body lay in the shallow water, one wrist held high, knotted in the steed’s reins. An expressionless face, its pale cheeks grazed and bleeding.
At daybreak, the steed was discovered, alone. The water was still; the only sound, the sorrowful cooing of a pure white dove perched upon a branch above the spot where the body had lain.
Where it went, I know not. Carried downstream maybe. Claimed by creatures of the night perhaps. Gone.
.
Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle. Dale Rogerson provided the photograph. Thank you both.
Something very mystical about this story, Keith. I liked it.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks so much, Susan – I had good chuckle at yours this week!
Not many laughs here, Keith!
Brooding and mysterious tale, excellent.
I thought it would be funny to be serious!
Quite the mystery this one Keith – what had happened to them and where did they go? Nice detail with the steed.
I have no idea! I tend to write open-enders when I’m pushed for time and can’t sit around waiting for an ending to appear – as I was this morning!
Lovely language in this grim tale. If only the dove could speak.
If only. Thanks Jilly
Love the language in this eerie little tale.
Thanks so much, Karen. though having just read your amazing piece, we could all learn a lesson in language from you!
Oh boy no one better take lessons from me, but I’m glad you liked it. I sure enjoyed the mythic fable rhythm of your tale!
There is a surreal pathos to this story which is very powerful. Very well written Keith.
That’s kind of you to say so Neel, thank you.
So much to ponder on. Very evocative.
I’m pleased it worked – it was written in a bit of a rush!
Dear Keith,
This leaves the reader with questions. The language suggests an ancient timeframe. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I imagined it to be the stuff of folklore. Thanks, Rochelle.
Lovely! Made me shiver.
Not too much I hope! Thanks so much, Sandra.
Beautifully written, Keith. A mystery that may remain so…
I have no desire to delve deeper! Cheers Dale.
Hi Keith – as it’s soaking here and the rain produces torrents that could easily sweep someone away … but I rather like the idea of the dove being the reincarnation of a delicate woman thrown by her horse and her life … sad – but easily thought about – cheers Hilary
! won’t mention the lovely walk I had on Eastbourne seafront this afternoon! I pleased you spotted the connection between the rider and the dove – I was not sure if anyone would!
I enjoy open-ended stories… how the allow me to wonder. If I want, I can imagine that the horse is a kelpie, which would imply that whatever happen to the body was probably rather unfortunate.
There are so many possibilities. I too enjoy an open-ender. Thanks so much Magaly
Never did like horses myself. Quite a fall, no?
Quite a fall, yes Danny! Cheers.
Well written, poetic and hauntingly mysterious. Well done. 🙂
Thanks so much for your generous words
Oh, heavens, she evaporated with the morning mist, returning to the land of her kind. Nicely done.
That is one possibility. I like the thought of that!
I liked the surreal feel to your story. Use it, if it works for you my friend. 😊
My thoughts exactly!
Dark brooding tale inspired by a bubbling happy stream. Now that’s what Flash Fiction is all about 🙂
Kind of you to say so, thanks so much.
Very grim. Poor chap, dies alone (if you don’t count his horse) and washed away who knows where. Nice one!
As you say, who knows? Not me.
How awful, to die so alone and helpless. Good writing, Keith.
Unimaginable. Thanks so much
Sad, to die alone and disappear. Makes me wonder if he had family to miss him, and what they thought. Well told.
If he did, I wonder if they read this! Cheers Mimi
I hope the dove collected his spirit and whisked him somewhere nice
I’d like to think so. Cheers Michael
Me too. Thanks Michael
Excellent, The scene built up quickly in my mind. It has a touch of myth and legend about it.
Thanks so much Kristian
You’re welcome. 🙂
A wonderful mystery. Nicely done!
Thanks Brenda
I had expected this to make me feel sad but it’s making me more curious of the nature of this event ..
Me too, and I wrote it! Thanks so much for dropping by.
i’d venture to say it was all imagination. somebody who saw it had a lot to drink that night.
Even I hadn’t thought of that!
Beautifully told and very mysterious, well done
Very kind of you Michael
You’re welcome
Enjoyed this, Keith. There was that striking image of the bridled horse without its rider, which brings obvious foreboding. well done.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks so much Rowena
An mysterious tale. Some cases are never solved. Very nice! 🙂
This is one such case. Thanks Brenda
chilling stuff Keith, many questions left unanswered
They will continue to be so! Thanks so much.
That last word is perfect!
Well, thank you Dawn!
I wonder about the story, but part of me want to believe it was in the aftermath of a battle… a soldier carried by his stead to the stream only to perish there.
That’s better than I had in mind and it works well. Cheers Bjorn!
Hola Keith,
Long time! I need a little favour. My blog turns two on 6th November and was wondering if you could write a guest post on my blog NatashaMusing, for the 7th November. A piece of fiction if you please, and Rosey included if that stokes your fancy. :))
I’ll send you the details on email. Do let me know what you think.
Cheerio!
Natasha
It’s December sorry not November as I have written inadvertently. Forgive me.
Email received and replied t! Of course, I’d be delighted to partake.
Thrilled to hear this Keith. Thanks a big bunch🤗