Magic, Mystery, a little Whisky, and a Cat

A Cold Spring–Episode 2: Burning!

Welcome to Sorchia’s Universe—A-Z Blog Edition.

 

Day 2 of the #AtoZChallenge. To find more blogs participating in the challenge, go HERE. At the bottom of this post is a list of some other blogs featuring fiction during this challenge.

Here’s the link to Episode 1–in case you missed it.

 

Episode 2: Burning!

 

The vision always begins with burning.

 

 

Flames fill the castle windows, acrid smoke streams from the turrets. Heat flushes my face, glitters in the crystals sewn into my gown, scorches me through the gauzy fabric. Soft ash filters onto my face and embers bounce across the gravel path between the castle keep and the gates.

 

Maddock is somewhere inside. I gather my skirts and trot toward the massive doors of the castle keep. We’ll live or die together. My crystal slippers slide on gravel when a sharp warning cry rings out from above

 

“Run for the forest, Allium.” Maddock stands atop the gate tower, a shadow against the moon-bright sky. “Run. I’ll find you.”

 

A gentle push on my back, a warm caress on my cheek––half fancied and half magic––and he is gone.

 

Despite his plea, I linger, mired in indecision.

 

Inside my head, Lucia’s mocking voice repeats Maddock’s words.

“Run, Allium. I’ll find you. I’ll find you both.”

 

Like a strand of spider silk, Lucia’s spell falls from the heights of the burning tower. Instinctively, my fingers coil above the pure, sweet atom of life in my belly. I wrap the spark in a satin shield, but Lucia’s magic is potent. I can’t hold the protective glamour for long. Escape is my only choice now.

 

Out the castle gates I fly. Magic snaps at my heels, loosed by a foe beyond my craft.

 

The broad road leading to the forest glimmers red, reflecting the fire. My discarded silver slippers flash as they tumble into rushing stream beside the road.  I run for the dark, cool shadow of the forest. Gravel bites my bare feet. The train of the crystalled gown streams behind me, catching on stones and twigs. Not losing a step, I rip the delicate fabric and fling it aside.  I run until my knees wobble and my breaths come in gasps.

 

At last, sheltering branches spread over head at the forest’s edge but I am spent.

 

“I’m sorry,” I whisper to the tiny life huddled inside me.

 

Do me a favor–If you are reading and following, hit LIKE or LEAVE A COMMENT.

See you tomorrow for Episode 3: Coils of Enchantment

 

Fiction Only Linky List: If you are writing a story or stories for this year’s challenge add your link. If you are a reader in search of stories, visit the links listed.

A couple of nice A-Posts:
 a little fiction: https://unusualstrangeness.wordpress.com/2017/04/01/atozchallenge-ant-farm/comment-page-1/#comment-697 

Interesting post about the far–really far–North: http://www.cdgallantking.ca/2017/04/a-alert-nunavut-santa-clauss-next-door.html

 

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