Week 464 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to David Ludwig for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc.
Entries:
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Tina Glasneck | @TinaGlasneck
- Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
- Mark A. Morris
- Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
David says: I really love how hard it is picking the winner and honorable mentions. Getting to read all of these stories was a lot of fun, and it’s an honor being part of such a strong community.
Honorable Mentions
Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin
David says: Elves and magic immediately do it for me, but the guard who is also the brother sacrificing himself to save the princess put this one over the top for me. I especially love how his narration cuts off at the end.
Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
David says: A fun little flash, and the part that made it for me was “Oh, I hear it now.” It says something about people that even huge problems like literally turning into a chicken (or thinking you have) aren’t caught in time.
Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
David says: I am intrigued by this world of “hidden” and empaths, and our narrator being so supported by Deborah but needing to help this other hidden on his own. I especially love the way the narrative floats us through the narrator’s thoughts and feelings so we can experience piecing them together along with the characters.
winner announcement
Week 464 Winner
David says: I was particularly captivated by your conflict imagery amid a tale of fantastic betrayal. A fighting princess, banshees, and magic will always be of interest to me, and you assembled them in a way that let me feel the larger world they were moving in. I like that this scene stands alone for me, even though clearly critical events transpire before and after it. Also, as a fan of alliteration, the phrase “pyrite prize” pleased me tremendously.
The battlefield was quiet now.
Storm clouds drew forth, and the heavens rumbled as if recognizing my pain. Staring into the ravaging sea, waves crashed on the black rocks below. The wind whipped my blood-soaked hair all about, and I longed to rest.
I ignored the warmth spreading from the wound to my side.
Banshees danced on the wind’s violent breeze. Their screams mixed with the wind. “Jump, and —” they taunted.
“And I can’t do that.” I shook my head.
My breath came out in dying spurts—each whacking thud in my chest a part of my prophetic pain. I’d fought the good fight. Clenching my bruised fist, my sword fell to the ground.
“But you must, princess. The ships are coming to take you back to Lugh’s court to stand trial for treason.”
She said Lugh’s court, but I knew my patron by another name. His betrayal spiked my bloodstream like adrenaline.
“They will never let me survive the trip, let alone be able to stand in Lugh’s court.” The court I’d betrayed willingly for a pyrite prize.
I wobbled, dropped to my knees, unable to hold my weight.
Runes puckered my skin as if branded. My blood dripped to the ground, pooling, causing a large sigil to form around me. It flashed to life with a roll of thunder.
Hearing chains rattle behind me, I turned. There, I saw my heart’s betrayal holding iron chains, ready.
“Hello, pet,” he said.
It was too late. Chaos summoned me.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Five Time Winner Tina, and Honorable Mentions Miya, Richard, and Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!
Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂
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