On the Eve of the Hunt - II
12th March, Story #73/366
We stand in rows, sweating through our finest clothes. The Queen always chooses a fine Spring day for this.
The boys are gravely suited, as for a funeral. We girls are foisted into silly dresses as for a high festival. I suppose it's both.
Some of us, the Queen walks by with hardly a glance. Others, she stares at, or engages in conversation. Sometimes the guard beside her steps forward and feels the Candidate's arms and legs as if looking over a horse for sale. Her voice is quiet but it carries. It's throaty, and heavily accented. We often forget she's not one of us.
She pauses in front of me, gives me a hard stare. It's unnerving, but I don't think I will be Chosen. I'm skinny and plain-looking. They pick fittest and prettiest young people for the sacrifice.
Why's she still looking at me?
She gestures to the guard next to her and he feels my runty biceps, pats down my calves. He'll look in my mouth any minute.
He glances at her, gives a short nod. She returns the gesture.
"Congratulations," she says to me in that exotic growl, her lips curling like smoke, and her eyes glittering.
I stumble as I'm led away. The guards hold me up by my arms. Everything feels numb, the edges of my vision swimming. This can't be happening.
I'm escorted to a luxurious suite in the castle. Maids attend me, and there are guards posted on the door. A claw-footed bath is drawn. I've never had a steaming bath before. I'm prepared, head to toe, for the dancing and feasting to be held in our honour.
The guards don't touch me when it's time to go. They don't-touch-me in a manner that says explicitly they will if they must, and I won't like it. Their armor clanks in a business-like way, and they exude the authority of deadly weaponry.
The finery they've put on me is even more ridiculous than what my mother made me wear. It feels alien on my skin. If I'm the one chosen for the beast, this is the dress I'll die in.
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Word count (excluding notes): 366
Submitted on 13th March at 18.35
*Quick Author's Note*
First, and most importantly: thank you for reading!
Leave me a link to your own latest story, if I haven't already seen it!
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A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one makes a 73 day streak. I'm also putting them in my Index post.
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Thank you again! I do my best to reciprocate all reads.
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More stories from L.C. Schäfer and writers in Fiction and other communities.
On the Eve of The Hunt
I wasn't royal blood by their standards, but the King favoured me, I made sure of it. Now, see: the land prospers. Make no mistake: this is under my hand. Not the King's. He does his best, but it's my decisions that have brought us prosperity.
By L.C. Schäfer2 months ago in Fiction
Comments (10)
This is exciting. Can't wait to read the next part!
Nice perspective. Well done!
An honor truly to die for.
They don't touch me in a way....that's such a great line.
Agree with John. This is so good and even better than the first. Hooked and ready for the next instalment!
Bravo, LC! Even better than the 1st! I await with bated breath….
You're puling these fascinating thoughts out, almost as if the character is feeling blank in their surprise until the next hit or reality. Nice work!
Loved getting introduced to another character in this tale! Strong voice! I’m hooked!
Hmm, I like wear this may be going, but what will be the twist. There is always a twist.
Another thought provoking piece. A tale that you continue to tease us with, always wanting more. p.s. How long did you have to wait for approval, I have one in submission for a while now, which would have made a story a day tough as it has been that already