Short stories consume you faster.

Month: October 2017

The Unicorn Slayers

Unicorns don’t get murdered often. Most hunters don’t realize they’re people when they kill them. When that happens, they’re forgiven. It’s an honest mistake. When a unicorn is murdered, in full knowledge of what they are, apologies are never enough. Humans have their systems of justice. They would apply fines, prison time, and community service, as if these things can ever replace a lost life. The unicorns, they demand restitution.

Unicorns have no interest in due process. They have no interest in social order. Unicorns run wild, in the wilderness between outposts of civility. Unicorns want cloppsright. Most modern species have evolved past their violent urges. They seek rehabilitation and deterrence, not only retribution. Unicorns have not. That’s why we keep them in check. When a unicorn starts the cycle of vengeance, we put a stop to it.

Prompt: Tale Weaver- 10/26/17

Boughs of Old

As replicas go, this piece, depicting tree and decorative stone, is very realistic in texture. The arrangement of the objects evokes a sense of wonder as they all point to the sky, every line leading upward.

Composed of nanoglass and, surprisingly, actual wood, the piece relies too much on a a familiarity with trees as a prototype. This piece is accessible only to those who have seen a tree in their lifetime.

Three out of five stars

Prompt: Friday Fictioneers, 20 October 2017, photo © Sandra Crook

The Peasant and the Frog

“Is this your first or your nineteenth?”

Ribbit.

“I don’t know,” he croaked loudly. That was how he croaked.

His servant sighed, stroking his future king.

“The groundskeeper wasn’t certain, and neither was the magician, but they agreed that frogs can live two years, at least.”

“Good,” croaked the prince.

“That means you have time to find her, my liege.

“Who,” said the skeptic croakily.

“Your princess, my liege. She can free you from your curse.”

Ribbit.

“I love you,” sighed his sweetheart.

Prompt: Tale Weaver- #142- Birthday

Ley and Subway Lines

“Here we are.”

“Seriously? This is it, the great magical nexus?”

“It’s not all trees and river systems.”

photo by Andre Benz via Unsplash

Prompt: Three Line Tales, Week 90

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