As the citizens of West Holpry, the capitol of the totalitarian
realm of West Zecor watched, King Qweh paraded a new victim through the streets
towards the city’s notorious Ktenology Center, a building from which no prisoner
emerged alive. Qweh was an imposing figure, nearly eight feet tall with muscles
hard as stone. His complexion resembled the gray slate cliffs of Rdegjma on a
starless night and his long, silver hair swept behind him like a comet blown on
stellar winds. His ears terminated in sharp points and it was rumored that his
auditory acuity was ten times that of the average person. Arched silver brows
drew attention to glimmering golden eyes, and each bystander prayed that the
brutal king’s gaze would never fall on them.
By contrast, the prisoner being led by a chain fastened to a
thick, silver collar was a willowy elfin man who stood no more than five feet
three inches tall. He had long, dark brown hair, a pale complexion, and eyes
that changed from blue to green depending on the angle of the light. He was one
of the scavengers who lived in the abandoned ghetto on the outskirts of West
Holpry. His rough-hewn, angular face bore lines and scars revealing a difficult
life.
The prisoner seemed oddly sedate for one being led to
certain death. His acute hearing picked up whispered speculation regarding
himself and his projected fate.
“Do you not see that he’s an Ahprizite?” an observer
whispered. “Ain’t many of ‘em left, you know. His Majesty likely wants to
experiment on him a bit, see what makes him tick before plucking out his eyes
to see if the Princess can make them regrow or nailing his feet to the floor or
whatever other game strikes his fancy.”
“This bloody place is an urban nightmare,” the prisoner
thought. “I think maybe the deities are tired of the way things have been for
the last five generations under the rule of the Pasaws. The light has had an
unsavory cast to it for the past three months, and there is something ominous
in the zany dance that the suns are doing of late. In truth, I care not. Were
the suns to engulf this wretched world in fire, it would all be the same to me.
The only reason I didn’t tease the volatile King into a rage, so he’d
eviscerate me on the spot and end my miserable existence, is because you
advised me not to, Joub.”
“Do not fear, Serab,” a quiet voice responded in the
prisoner’s mind, accompanied by the vision of a boy in early adolescence with
curly golden hair and bright blue eyes. “You are my best friend. I would not
steer you wrong.”
“Brother, my only wish for the past twenty-nine years has
been to join you in death,” the prisoner thought, willing away the tears that
welled up in his eyes. He did not want the tyrant king or his lackeys to believe
that he was weeping out of fear, and he did not wish the discomfort of
salt-water drying on his face in the wickedly hot air.
“I’ll bet that Madam
Yadira wanted the King to bring this chappie to her in good working order,” the
prisoner heard a woman’s voice whispering. “Rumor has it that she’s the real
power in this realm and Qweh ain’t naught but her lackey.”
“Best you shut your trap with them rumors before His Majesty
hears you, Suwzod,” another woman hissed. “I’ve a feeling the King wouldn’t
treat you near so delicate as this fella. Though it’s impossible to see in his
common appearance, there’s something special about him. Whether that’s a lucky
thing, I have my doubts.”
The King led his prisoner to the fearsome and marvelous
Ktenology Center, a building carved from slabs of Opqros, a jet-black stone embedded
with chips of mineral dust resembling stars. The building had been constructed
to resemble the Peaks of Tvych, which no living being had ever been able to scale.
The Peaks were said to be the entryway to Nuwy, the place where the spirits of the
lost ones who had done no evil but had never known love were taken. There,
these unhappy souls would rest and dream until they became part of the planet.
As the prisoner contemplated the gateway to hell that stood
before him, he listened to further whispered speculations from the crowd.
“Well, we’ll not see him again.”
“Odd-looking bird. Wonder who he was.”
“Nobody. Ain’t nobody. Only a common thief.”
“Must be a canny bastard to have survived to his middle
years. Qweh’s family offed most of the Ahprizites a centum gone.”
“He can’t be full Ahprizite. They’re even smaller than he
is. Besides, Giraq announced that the last one of ‘em died in captivity a good
twenty-five rotations ago now.”
“Never thought I’d say it, but I miss Giraq. Qweh is far
worse than his father.”
“For the Ahprizite’s sake, I hope the lovely Ondina sees fit
to release him rather than keeping him around as her brother’s toy.”
“Qweh is like a cruel child pulling the legs off nawa.”
“Watch your mouth, or you’ll be the Nawa!”
“Think you that things would have gone better for us had
Ondina agreed to marry her brother?”
“No better for us and worse for Ondina.”
The prisoner was yanked from his reverie as the King jerked
the chain around his neck, causing him to lose his balance. The King lifted the
little man up, laughing.
“It is your lucky day, Thief,” he announced. “I like the way
the suns dance in the sky, so I am bestowing upon you a unique opportunity to
serve your realm. Should you prove worthy, your life will be spared. Should you
fail, you shall serve as a subject for my experiments. Either way, you shall
serve at your King’s pleasure.”
988 words
~Cie for Naughty Netherworld Press~
And now...the notes!
This piece is part of The Yadira Chronicles and will appear as a chapter in one of Naughty Netherworld Press' forthcoming novels. We don't know how or when just now, so, when you're least expecting it, expect it.
The Icky, Sticky, Nit-Picky Legalese, if You Please (Or Don't Please)
Content copyright 2020 by Cara Hartley
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Intriguing! I hope Serab wins the day somehow although the odds are definitely not in his favour at the moment!!! Well done
ReplyDeleteI would not like to be in Serab's position. Thank you for visiting, Jemi. :-)
DeleteI like the mythology and politics developed in this snippet. Seems like an overall good fantasy story with dark elements.
ReplyDeleteNice entry.
Thank you, Toi. It's basically a character study for a series of stories that I've been working on since 2014.
DeleteHi,
DeleteI like the intrigue. One doesn't know who this prisoner is but he has power within and even the people notice it. Very good characterization of all the characters. You shows us things that were happening behind the naughty castle.
Great job.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
Thank you, Pat. Serab is a clever fellow, and maybe his street smarts will help him in this misadventure.
DeleteMethinks the prisoner knows more than the King. Very good start to an intriguing story. Lead on...
ReplyDeleteThe King tends to be blinded by his own arrogance and self-aggrandizing. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI hope the poor fellow would escape somehow. Even after this short a snippet, I root for him.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Olga. :-)
DeleteI'm impressed by how you've painted this world where people can hear things and communicate telepathically but the old brutality and striving for importance remains. Excellent piece of writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kalpana. I fear evil is a constant even in otherwise advanced societies.
DeleteI liked this piece of fantasy. It would be interesting to see how it develops.
ReplyDeleteSonia from https://soniadogra.com
Thank you, Sonia. It's one of many projects so bits and pieces tend to appear here. :-)
DeleteI love the way the story unfolded during the elfin's walk. Your description of the King Qweh was spot on: 'His complexion resembled the gray slate cliffs of Rdegjma on a starless night and his long, silver hair swept behind him like a comet blown on stellar winds.' IN such contrast to the prisoner, the willowy elfin man. So what's going to happen next? A nightmare?
ReplyDeleteGreat response to the prompt, Cara.
To paraquote a favorite song of mine by Beyonce, it could be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare. Or perhaps a bit of both. Although if Qweh has his way, no-one will wake up happy, if they wake up at all!
DeleteGreat world building imagery in this intriguing excerpt! Certainly sounds like a nightmare is waiting to unfold for the poor prisoner. Or is he in the middle of it already? Enjoyed reading, thanks.
ReplyDeletePoor Serab is in a terrible position at the moment. I'm intrigued by the world you've built here and would love to know what befalls Serab after this piece ends. Well done!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I definitely got the sense it was part of a bigger story, and then you said it was. I hope it works out for the prisoner.
ReplyDeleteGreat world-building - vivid. Definately an urban nightmare, and one that has to end. Is there more to come, Cie? I enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteWonderful setting of scene and world. I was instantly plunged into the world of the story. Good luck to Serab!
ReplyDeleteWell done Cara ... I enjoyed your take and yes, as Jamie mentions, I too think there's a much longer story waiting to be told. Imaginative tale - take care ... Hilary
ReplyDeleteGreat Cara, I think I have already commented on this. Do you have several sites. Wishing you an inspiring summer writing. S.Rouchard.
ReplyDeleteFantastic fantasy! Glad it worked to use the prompt with your characters.
ReplyDeleteAn intriguing take on the prompt, that easily hints at a grander plan. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAn engaging piece of fantasy with rich worldbuilding and character development. Well done!
ReplyDelete2nd attempt at commenting: Great world-building - vivid. Definitely an urban nightmare, and one that has to end. When will there be more, Cie? I enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteThe descriptions in this piece conjure up such vivid images. The characterizations as well. We see good and evil clearly. I'm intrigued, as someone who feels they have heard from relatives who are dead, is this trait common to the Ahprizite, or is it unique to Serab? Look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteBreath catching. The description was vivid enough to elucidate a totalitarian regime lead by autocrat. Overt mention of it somewhat spoiled the fun.
ReplyDelete