Lazette Gifford's Blog, page 20

Flash Fiction # 512 -- The Long Way Home/12

 Andros took the papers and scanned the two sheets, showing an apparent ability to read. Rory suspected he had fallen in with a nest of spies. This had not been his plan, but Rory kept his face bland while he judged the idea of a running leap off the ship. How fast could he move away from the others who must be watching for some sign of trouble?Andros's hand moved away from his blade. He handed

Flash Fiction #511 -- The Long Way Home/11

 Rory had slept through much of the day, but a little past noon, he awoke to find a cloudy sky and a lush delta spread out in greens and golds ahead of them. Waterbirds of all types yelled, scrambled, and flew as they neared."There is a path straight in," Mantinique noted with a nod toward the clearing that led into the mass of plants and mangrove stands."It is a trap, of course," Rory replied."

Flash Fiction # 510 -- The Long Way Home/10

 Jamison started to stand, grabbing at anything he could find to hold on. He took one quick look around and then dropped back to his knees by Rory."You decide," he ordered. "No, don't argue. You can understand better what you can do and which way will be safest.""Safest," Rory said with a nod. "Toward the sea. If any of Kellic's people suspect an intentional breakout, they'll be waiting --"

Flash Fiction #509 -- The Long Way Home/9

 Now there was a new part of the situation he had not considered. He realized Jamison had been ready to run if Kellic took over, and he should have considered the reason why. He had heard that there was an underground movement against the Prince, but that sort of thing was common in almost all capitals. This group had seemed benign since they made no demands and certainly never tried to

Flash Fiction #508 -- The Long Way Home/8

 That news came as a relief to Rory. He didn't like he'd been unconscious for however long they'd been on the ship. He had never been well known for his patience, and sitting here at the dock with Kellic not far away did not appeal to him. The aches and weaknesses in his limbs told me it had been a couple days already.However, going out in a storm strong enough that the dock master suggested they

Flash Fiction #507 -- The Long Way Home/7

 A dozen steps and they were moving past the guard who was no more than a slow-moving shadow in his sight. Rory moved to the left, pulling Keltrina closer so that she didn't go off the edge and hit the hull of one of the craft. Jamison had seen as well and moved slightly ... and they squeezed past, but so close that the disturbance of their passage sent the man sprawling.Rory heard his shout of

Flash Fiction #506 -- The Long Way Home/6

 "Yes, a priest," he admitted, though softly. They still had unwanted company in the street. Once the bells had died away, even a whisper seemed too loud. "Not an Atrian priest, though. I am from Sunry and a priest of Eket.""Eket priests don't leave the temple," Keltrina countered and looked distrustful."Rarely leave the temple," Rory corrected. "I know Euriday has tales of our help in the past."

Flash Fiction #505 -- The Long Way Home/5

 Jamison knew his way around town at least as well as Rory -- maybe even better. However, Rory prided himself on knowing every street, alley, outside stairs, and safe rooftop. He had suspected that he would be on the run with ... well, not with these two. He tried not to think about the others whom he had lost.What did bother him in another way was that he continued to be slow. His legs and arms

Flash Fiction #504 -- The Long Way Home/4

 "Well, there you are," Kellic said with a pretentious shake of his head. "I feared you might be wise enough to stay away. Oh, and you have a friend. This saves me all kinds of trouble, doesn't it, Jamison?"If Prince Kellic had been alone, Rory and Jamison might have had a chance to take him and probably save the country from considerable trouble in the future. Unfortunately, Rory saw four others

Flash Fiction #503 -- The Long Way Home/3

 Rory followed Jamison to the window. He glanced at the building but primarily studied the yard and the street, seeing no sign of any of the guards, though he suspected someone would still be watching the front of the building."Fire. She's right," Jamison said with a growl. "Damn. No one is coming out!""I need over there, but not through the front door." He looked back at Jamison. "I assume there