Posted Saturday October 29
Gideon clutched Amelia’s velvet cloak to his cheek, the redolence of her alluring aroma embracing his very soul. A wispy cloud curled upwards from the silvery bowl that sat on the table before him, its oily contents twinkling in the candlelight.
She had run to the arms an odious swine. Gone, but soon to return. Of that he was sure. For now, his jealousy knew no bounds. He had the power to draw her back to the place she belonged.
The busy words he muttered echoed from every corner of the room as he weaved the spell that would destroy his foe and reunite him with his very reason for living.
‘Avullum naevus condluti vestinum.......’
When all was done that could be done, he dropped the cloak into his lap and leaned back, his eyes shut. The chamber fell silent, still. The flame flickered then was no more.
In the gloom, he waited and waited, then waited no more for the door creaked and slowly opened. Within its frame, a figure stood. Motionless, shrouded in darkness.
Gideon was found the following morn, bereft of life. Was it she or her baleful beau that performed the dastardly deed? I know not, and ne'er I shall.
Written for The Sunday Whirl where the given words are - busy, curl, silvery, bowl, class, echoing, drop, jealous, velvet, oil and light.
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Both the tone and language of this were exquisite, Keith, it fit together very well, and left us pondering the nature of the final scene too!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Josie
DeleteHi Keith - poor Gideon .. still he died in hope. But I totally agree with Josie - whether she has two shoes or one! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think so. Thanks Hilary.
DeleteOh, wonderfully written, love it.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you. It was a pleasure to write and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteFunny enough, I was watching Poldark on telly while reading this, and it fit perfectly with the episode. Nice and tidy, like every loose end should be. ;)
ReplyDeleteI suppose it did - pure coincidence of course!
DeleteI like it. A Halloween treat with a trick ending,thank you,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
So pleased you liked it Elizabeth.
DeleteThe consummate story teller as always Keith, with just enough to capture the reader's imagination.
ReplyDeleteA great compliment coming as it does from a writer I so admire. Cheers OE
DeleteCool story (or was it?) which left many alternative endings. Personally, I think he screwed up the spell, accidentally killing himself.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think of that possibility myself! You cold just be right.
DeleteIt left readers wondering! That's a measure of a great mystery Keith!
ReplyDeleteHank
I even left myself wondering Hank!
DeleteYou have used the words and created a whodunit with the addition of howdidtheydunit!
ReplyDeleteSloppy spelling, perhaps. There is a lot of that around.
Grippingly told, anyway!
You think that is sloppy spelling? You should see what I wrote the other day! I got hung out to dry by the blogging hierarchy. Justifiably. But it really hurt!
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