Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring diverse authors who post excerpts from their works in progress based on word and picture prompts. We’re a book hungry troop that enjoys reading as much as you do. Appropriate for this week, our word prompt is thank. The excerpt is from a dark fantasy romance. Read the other Tuesday Tales excerpts.
She touched his forearm, feeling the tension rippling through his muscles. “I have a stake in this. I want to go with you.”
“I fear for your well-being.”
I can handle it. I’m strong, remember?”
“Your powers are impressive, no doubt.”
“Well, then.”
“Are you sure, Resa?”
Her name on his lips brought a lump to her throat. “Yes.” She turned to find the forest crone watching them, her expression guarded.
A gnarled finger pointed at Rhade. “I shall have your answer, warrior. Will you seek the answers from eons ago? Yay or nay?”
He nodded. “I will, Lady Vespa.”
Resa released the breath she’d been holding.
“So be it.” From an intricately carved wooden chest, the crone removed a small drawstring bag laced with shining gossamer threads, offering it to Resa. “A magical reticule. Larger within than without.” From kitchen cupboards she gathered vials of tincture and tiny jars with pungent herbs, each labeled as to their purpose. “Put these inside.”
After doing so, Resa secured the reticule inside an interior pocket of her crossbody satchel.
To Rhade, Vespa presented a jar of salve. “For the soles of your feet. Sop it on an hour before the journey.”
The jar went into one of the warrior’s pouches.
Finally, Vespa gave Resa two strips of vellum decorated with ornate symbols. “The time tickets with my seal. Keep them safe.” Her voice intensified, reverberating with power. “The time portal is ancient, older than anyone knows. Nowadays they cloak it with computers and machines, but the only real power is the ancient magic. The Wytchfae in charge of the portal—the real portal, not the fancy outer wrappings—is an old friend of mine. She will do her best for you.” She produced a pair of scissors. “Token me with a lock of hair, each of you.”
Dropping the hair into the crone’s palm, Resa opened her lips for words of gratitude.
“No need to thank these old bones. Begone, and safe journey.”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt thank. Enjoy your week! Return now to Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
Really enjoying this. Can’t wait to see what the journey brings.
I’m glad you are enjoying it, Susanne.
Vivid and flawless as always, Flossie. Well done!
You are so kind and supportive, Mae!
Very intriguing I cant wait for more.
Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!
love it. This made me think of Doctor Who and his Tardis: “A magical reticule. Larger within than without.”
And I love the time portal and the cream for the feet to help the journey. I need some of that on my travels. 🙂 Jillian
I need all of that stuff, too, Jillian. Especially Doctor Who’s Tardis!
I’m really excited for this adventure. I can’t wait to see where it takes them!
Thank you, Tricia!