Week 595 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re halfway through 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Daelyn Morgana 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:
- Bill Engleson
- Sheilagh Lee
- Mark A. Morris
- Eric Martell
- Siobhan Muir
- David A. Ludwig
Honorable Mention
Mark A. Morris | Website
Daelyn says: When I think of robots taking over the world, I absolutely think about the ones we create, not ones that came from Mars. This was a pleasant twist on the sci-fi apocalypse tropes of the future. I especially loved the lines about the world being completely different, but nobody had to like it. The bits about sleeping in coffins gave me a little shudder, too. Great job.
winner announcement
Week 595 Winner
Daelyn says: I really enjoyed the fantasy elements in this story. As someone who reads a lot of fantasy, it feels unique and it draws me right in. There’s a great, yet almost subtle, buildup to the final moments of negotiation, too, from the Witch’s change of tone to the point about the roots moving. I’d love to know how the Wood Witch reacted to the arrows raining down at her. Excellent tale, I’d definitely read the book.
Tenko found the raised, rocky alcove as imposing as any council platform. Worse, the doubting voice in her head wouldn’t stop second guessing her choice to stand, rather than kneel. That choice was made. And Lieutenant Sora had followed her lead.
“You are powerful. For mortals. But your bravado grows tiresome.”
Ensconced in her underground alcove, the Wood Witch’s tone was cold and devoid of any of the curiosity from the last time Tenko heard it. She should have kneeled.
“As I said before, there is a way for elfkind to live in harmony with the forest and you.” Only by walling her doubts off to loop in isolation was Tenko able to stand, let alone speak. “Your desire to safeguard the wood is admirable. We can work with you to expand while minimizing the impact on the forest.”
The air grew heavier around the elegant immortal. Were the tree roots around the cavern moving?
“The wood is my implement and my power. I don’t do this for the wood. I do this for me!”
The Witch opened the floor beneath Tenko and Sora with a clawing motion, revealing the mists of Naraka below. Tenko signaled Arashiko with one hand. With the other, she traced the character for ‘floor’ beneath herself and Sora.
It wasn’t as good as if Tenko had used the brush, but it was enough for her and Sora to push off from and dive to the sides as Arashiko’s arrows flew as from a dozen bows.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations TWENTY-ONE TIME WINNER David, and Honorable Mention Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!
Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂
