Alissa Leonard has created the Finish That Thought” Flash Fiction compo, which usually provides an opening line and some ‘special challenge’ words to include, and must be less than 500 words. This week’s compo opening line was “Hands trembling, [he] opened the door.” and the special challenge words were: hoard[s], mountain[s], scale[s].
Here is my story, if you don’t want to see it posted in its original place:
“Here be dragon” by Dr. Mike Reddy (@doctormikereddy)
266 words, special challenge accepted in one sentence!
Hands trembling, he opened the door. “I’m home… Dear.”
“Well, it took you long enough,” his wife snorted. “Gallivanting off while I have to clear up the mess left by that wyvern. You DID kill it? Tell me you got THAT right, at least!”
“Yes, I di…”
“Bad enough the Militia let the bloody thing raid the village. Stealing all our belongings. Smashing up our hovels!”
“Yes, D…”
“Call themselves yeomen? ‘NO men’ more like! Lazy useless good for nothings. And you’re just as bad”
“I did kill th…”
“Got our stuff back have you? Been down the Ale House, I suppose? The big hero triumphant.”
“I did stop off to retu…”
“Oh yes. ‘Have a drink, Wolfy! Thanks for saving us and retrieving our treasures, oh Dragon Slayer!’ I bet. And I’m here all alone and defenceless…”
“Hardly defenceless, Dear. You’ve got your tongue.”
“What’s that?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t mumble. How are the villagers going to respect you if you mumble?”
“I’m sor…”
“My mother warned me. She said ‘You’ll need…”
“…a thick skin to survive marriage to a hero.’ Yes, I remember, Dear.”
“And don’t interrupt. It’s rude.”
“No, Dear… You’ve been busy. Everything back in its place.”
“Don’t change the subject. Is it dead? Did you get them? They’re needed for something I’m cooking up!”
“Yes. And yes.”
Of all his hoard from the mountain, the Dragon’s scales were the most valuable. He handed them to her.
“Finally. About time! Now hand me the flour. I need a pound for this loaf.”
“Yes, Dear.”
Some dragons, he thought, were harder to kill than others.
