Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring diverse authors posting excerpts from their works in progress based on word and picture prompts. I continue to regain stamina and slowly get back into the swing of things, after a major medical event. I’m so pleased you can join me today, This week I selected a picture prompt of a map. My snippet is from a new paranormal piece. Enjoy the other authors at Tuesday Tales.
At Dru’s words, the older woman pursed her lips. Her silvery eyes seemed a tad less shining. “Have you thought it through?”
Taken aback, Dru hurried on. “I know that oil blends are often available for specific purposes. Rather than my starting from scratch to create a formula, I thought it would be easier to use one already prepared.”
“Let me check my inventory for you. We certainly want to avoid any undue effort in spell casting.” She turned toward the back counter to inspect rows of bottles and finally an old fashioned ledger.
The tone had been measured and silky, but Dru wondered if there wasn’t a hint of embedded sarcasm. Did the shop keeper think she was lame for wanting to use a shortcut? With a small sigh, she gave her attention to a striking display of crystals and gemstones. It reminded her of a diorama in a museum. The bottom consisted of a colorful world map, and various sample stones were threaded onto their countries of origin. Her brow wrinkled. It was amazing how many were found in the United States. She had never realized. Look at that ruby! She rubbed a finger over the rough edge. Maybe on her next vacation she’d visit one of the mining attractions where you took home all the treasure you dug up. She had never delved much into rocks for magical purposes. Maybe it was time.
“Here we are. I believe I’ve found a blend to fit your needs.”
She scurried to the counter. “Oh! What a fascinating bottle. Look at that teardrop stopper. May I smell it?”
“Certainly.” From a larger, plain bottle the woman dabbed liquid onto a small cloud of cotton and handed it to Dru.
She breathed in its heavenly aroma—exotic, sweet, and a little peppery. “Oh, that’s amazing. So unusual.” Her eyes closed in delight. “What’s in it?”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the picture prompt of a map. Thanks for stopping by. Return to Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
Love it. I tend to collect unusual stones from my travels but not for the purpose of magic. I’ve used them as doorstops. LOL
Stones are great for doorstops, and lucky!
Great images of the shop, FLossie. And I loved the storekeeper “scurrying” to the counter!
Thank you, Mae– glad you liked it.
very cool on the description of the map/stones. Clever.
As to scurrying, we laugh about that word here at my office. One time, my paralegal brought my mail to the house when I was returning from vacation so I could dig through it on the Sunday and my son saw her put it on the back porch. When I got home, he said she scurried away before he could get to the door. LOL! Love that word. Jillian
Haha, that’s funny about your mail and the paralegal scurrying away! I’m glad you liked the attached stones on the map.
Wonderful snippet!!
Thanks!
Wonderful description of both women and the shop. I am curious what the shopkeeper’s thoughts are about Dru’s shortcuts are and what the blend is. Can’t wait to learn more!
Thank you for the kind words, Tricia!
And you cut us off before you told us what oils were in it????
Bad, Flossie!
I love my EO’s. My favorite is frankincense. I keep my bottle on my desk and sniff it all day long.
Great snippet! I loved the shopkeeper and your description of her shop.
I love frankincense too, Trisha. Thank you for the generous words!