The Unicorn Challenge.
A magical new weekly writing opportunity from her – Jenne Gray – and me.
Visit her blog every Friday to see the photo prompt, and post your amazing story in her comments section.
Or on your own blog, and stick the link down in her comments.
The rules are:
Maximum of 250 words.
Based on photo prompt.
That’s it.
To hear me read my story, just click here:
Swan Song
The ships glide silently and barely visibly through the morning mist, far enough from the shore to be unidentifiable, but close enough to avoid the fishing fleet far out in the firth, and the warships that provide their protection.
Gazing from the prow of the lead vessel, I smile to see the gulls and swans bully the smaller birds in the prime feeding area where the warm water of the small river meets the chill of the sea.
Not far to go now.
We drift to a halt just before the harbour town, and I row ashore with two others.
It isn’t far to the Citadel, with its massive, impenetrable walls, but I soon find the small, chalk-marked, unlocked door that allows access to the inner courtyard.
My men wait there, protecting my rear.
I draw my blade, hoping not to use it – I don’t like to kill – but prepared to do so if required.
I know where she’s being held, and her freedom is the only thing of importance in my world.
As I move through the shadows towards the cell-block, I hear a noise, an unexpected scrape of metal against stone.
I pause, my mind racing.
Is it incidental, just a tired sentry, or have I been betrayed?
Has my informant sold me for gold, or been tortured into confession?
I breathe deeply.
Only one way to find out…
Sound Bite Fiction 
Pingback: The Unicorn Challenge-29/12/23 – Tales from Glasgow
Excellent!
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well executed cliffhanger, yo
LikeLike
Thanks, yo
LikeLike
So beautifully written, CE – and of course, I love the opera, especially the Swan Lake from Tchaikovsky (three times in Cape Town).
LikeLike
You are very kind, Chris.
And yes, beautiful piece of music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everybody seems quite concerned (and relieved) about your rear!
Seriously, such a beautiful and suspenseful story, but I fear, bc Swan Lake, that our soulful hero doesn’t fare well in the end. Luckily, his Lady (sighs) awaits, feeling his final moments just before, an echo of his own heartbeat….
LikeLike
I think it’s just ladies enjoying being a bit cheeky (!) Liz!
Thank you for your kind words, sometimes a story just seems to work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have become the master of the diegesis interruptus.
Another brilliant tale, Blue, and it’s good to know your rear was protected.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent wordage! (The extra-crispy thing)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. My front is wide open here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh la la!
LikeLike
I guess we will never find out. A captivating tale to be sure.
Would you adam ‘n eve it, both of our audios start and end with a bit of Swan Lake!
LikeLike
It’s pretty cool music!
LikeLike
A hero who loves to watch the birds and doesn’t like to use his sword unless he has to. I’m sighing. Wonderfully atmospheric and tense, and the cliffhanger has me – hanging. 😫
LikeLike
I do like to make a lady sigh, Margaret!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Some Day… – Tales from Glasgow
I wait.
I have been waiting for you to come for days though it seems like years.
They taunt me but dare not touch me for they know who I am and who you are.
Where I am being held I know not.
I hear the call of gulls and smell the saltiness of the sea.
I feel its chill.
It will be dark soon as shadows of light are coming in from the upper openings of the massive walls of a citadel where I am imprisoned in a cell-block.
A noise! A scrape of metal against stone?
My heart is racing for I know you must have informants to help you rescue me.
What is happening? I will soon find out one way or another.
I wait.
https://pcloscloud.com/index.php/s/dA4e6RsHN9YfmTx
LikeLiked by 2 people
My dear Lady who sighs, I know we like a laugh and a joke, but for just this once I’m being serious.
This is the best comment I’ve ever had on any story I’ve ever written.
My first reaction was to book a flight to Podunk, Texas and rush to your rescue.
Then I remembered that you’re married, and your husband probably has a gun, so I didn’t.
And yet…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everybody in Texas has a gun. In fact everybody in Amer’ca has a gun. Wise to stay where you are.
And yet…
LikeLike
Swan Lake intro and closing — perfect.
And..? And…? Don’t leave me hanging!! (Actually, well done. I enjoyed this.)
LikeLike
It was either that or ‘Ride a White Swan’, and I was never a big fan of Sparky Marky Bolan!
Sorry, used all my words, and I don’t want Jenne beating me with a sock full of yesterday’s porridge.
LikeLike
Beautifully written love and rescue story, atmosphere of mystery, tension building and open ending to leave us to decide…
A masterclass in flash fiction.
(And PS, I’m glad your rear was protected. 😉)
LikeLike
You are, as always, very kind, Jenne.
Knowing the location, and the history of the area, I found the story pretty much wrote itself.
LikeLike
Atmosphere and apprehension. (Tick) Foreboding. (Tick). Rear covered. (Tick) And then you leave us in suspenders, you cad. Well done.
LikeLike
Laughing.
Cheers, Doug!
LikeLiked by 1 person