Published by The Telling Room
Sample (Full Piece Upon Request):
As the wind blew and dewdrops fell from golden leaves, a sweet song emerged from the thousand-foot high canopy of great kingsbirch sentinels that formed the primordial forest. The melody was broken by a booming, regal voice.
“Do you deny being the wicked enchantress of the north?” She looked up and saw the Woodland Queen sitting on her throne. Her brown hair shone in the dappled sunlight, streaks of blonde slipping through the waves. Her nose was long and pointed, stopping above her perfectly shaped lips. Mud streaked her cheeks, giving her eyes a maleficent glow.
The tips of her elven ears poking through her tresses gave way just below her crown. A splendid crown it was, however unusual: eight spires of sharpened birchwood protruded, adorned with weeds of various shades of green, clay sculptures of colorful flowers atop. Nightgrass, Villenivy, Beesalve, Naturesthree, she thought as she attempted to recall them all. No matter how many times she was told, they always left her memory.
The Queen’s throne on the other hand was a mere divot in a large boulder. Tendrils of moss coiled around the rock like a snake straddling its prey.
“Answer me!” the Queen yelled.
“I don’t do not deny, my queen,” Kalla said.
“Good. I do not tolerate liars.” The Queen smiled. “I do not tolerate traitors of the wood either.” Her face went stark. Kalla stifled a giggle. “Do I sense laughter, or do my ears betray me?” She glared down from atop her perch.
“No, my queen. It must be the wind swirling around your magnificent locks.”
The Queen smiled. “Good. Now, we have an interesting dilemma at hand,” she said, her voice hardening. Kalla squirmed, her restraints tightening and her knees rubbing against the rough ground. “I can’t have evil sorcerers rummaging through my land accosting my people, however, I could never bring myself to hurt someone so beautiful as you.” Despite herself, Kalla blushed.
This is my chance, she thought. She twisted her hands, finding the weeds tied around her wrists.
“Come to me, my child.” Kalla took her right leg and planted it in front of her, pushing herself up to standing. Her knees were purple with bruises and scrapes. Aryinus will be so mad, she thought. Kalla staggered to the Queen and kneeled before her. “In return for your life, I shall have you pledge yourself to my people and become a citizen of the wood.”
Almost there, Kalla thought as she continued fumbling with her bonds. “Yes, my queen.” Her hands shook as she searched for the knot. Be still or she will notice!
“Good. Repeat after me. I pledge my life to the Woodland Queen…”
“I pledge my life to the Woodland Queen…”
“…and I shall obey her every command, and remain her faithful servant till death take me.”
Death take me? Kalla thought incredulously. She repeated the Queen’s words.
The Queen continued, “And I will never—“
Kalla found a hitch in the tough weeds and pulled it between her thumb and forefinger, releasing her restraints as the blood rushed back to her hands. She stood, proclaiming, “And I, the wicked enchantress of the north, shall banish your evil rein from the world!” She threw her hands outward, imaging red light projecting from her palms casting a fiery glow across the dim forest, thus vanquishing the queen.
“No!” the Queen cried.
“I win!”
“How dare you!” May exclaimed angrily, “I only reined as queen for five minutes, and you got twenty last time! If we’re going to continue playing this game together, it has to be fair, Kalla.”
[…]
