For the A to Z Challenge, I'm having twenty-six flash fiction pieces from my Foxwick Kingdom and its surrounding neighbors. Soon A to Z Flashes of Foxwick will be available in e-book format. You can add this to your Goodreads list here.
A
Attor’s Arrival
Attor edged closer to the cabin. Smoke
twirled from the chimney in thin wisps. Lambs gently bleated, so they must’ve known
he was near. Sheep always feared the predator, but he couldn’t stop his forward
track. Hunger gnawed his insides. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d
eaten. When did his mother die at the hands of the king’s knights? Two nights
ago? Three? The past few days had been a blur.
He just had the pain in his heart and
the ache in his stomach.
He crept near the tree line. His gaze
focused upon the cabin, but no one seemed to notice the horse-sized dragon.
Each step placed him closer to the field, the sheep. He could smell them. Drool
pooled in his mouth and seeped from his lips. A nice sheep would stave off the
insistent hunger.
The forest stopped, and open fields
lured him out. His wings fluttered at his sides, but he stumbled and nearly
crashed. He pulled up and hovered inches above the ground. His claws skimmed
the grasses as he neared the nervous herd.
When he was about to attack a young
lamb, a girl rose from the livestock and wielded a shepherd’s crook in front of
her. A gentle breeze blew violet strands across her face, but she didn’t take
his eyes off him.
“Stop.” She raised her staff.
He growled lowly and swished his tail. Would a human be as tasty as a lamb?
“I’m about as tasty as a head of lettuce.
Why aren’t you capturing the forest wildlife? Leave my father’s sheep alone.”
She swiped the staff toward him.
He stumbled backwards. You heard me?
“Of course I did.” Her mouth dropped
open. “Wait. I did!”
He lowered himself down into the grass.
His stomach rumbled, louder than his growl. Please,
just one little lamb. I’m starving and alone. Please.
Her jaw jutted out in defiance, but it
soon quivered. Her large eyes softened into pools of compassion. “What happened
to you?”
He saw the crook drift to her side. If
he was quicker, not so hungry, he could’ve taken her, but he was too weak. Men killed my mother. I need food.
She stepped closer to him with her hand
outstretched before her. “You poor thing. I can help you, but you can’t have
the sheep.”
He held his breath as she touched his
snout. Shouldn’t he be afraid of her? But he wasn’t. She was as young as he was.
And she could speak to him. What’s your
name?
“I’m Vesta.” She dug into her pouch and
produced some dried meat. “I know it’s not much, but I’ll go to the market and
find a chicken for you. So, what’s your name?”
His forked-tongue darted out and lapped up
the dried meat. He eyed the sheep. I
think I’m hungrier now than I was. And I’m Attor.
“Well met, Attor.” She smiled at him.
The violet hair was familiar, like a
legend his mother used to tell him. Something about the dragon seers, their
companions. Was she one of them? His stomach roiled again. More food.
She glanced between him and the sheep
and pointed to a three-legged lamb. “Father will kill me if I lose one, but I
know you’re hungry. He’s mentioned putting that creature out of its misery, so
if you were to take one, you can have it. Okay? But I don’t want to look.”
He didn’t wait for her to change her
mind. As soon as she covered her face, he picked the lamb from its fold and
breathed in a breath. Flames burst from his mouth, and the lamb screamed once
before it was silenced. And charred to a crisp. He moved over and dug into the
hot meat. He’d never tasted anything so good. He ate every last bit of the
flesh, and then he heard soft sobs coming from the girl.
Shame filled him. If he wasn’t green,
then he would’ve turned bright red. He crawled over to her and lay beside her. I’m sorry. I was so hungry. Please, Vesta.
She sniffled and wiped the tears from
her face. “I know. I know.”
Her hands ran over his scales, and he
rested his head on her lap. I miss my
mother.
“You can stay with me.” She leaned down
and kissed the top of his head. Her compassion warmed him. He wanted to please
her, love her.
He’d found a home.
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