Conscientious
This story was written, just in time, for Trifecta’s weekly prompt, and is a continuation of my Third Little Pig story arc. Enjoy!
Prince Evinrude’s conscience was quite clear as he ran pell-mell down the corridor. It was perfectly ethical what he had done. He hadn’t abandoned the Third Little Pig to the tender mercies of the giant snake that had once been Aurora. No, he had merely conducted a strategic retreat, allowing him to summon assistance.
He knew exactly whom to ask: the redoubtable Woodsman Corps, slayer of wolves, snakes, and rogue giants alike. Was it his fault that Corps headquarters was some distance away, far too late for them to arrive in time to save the pig? Certainly not. Unfortunate, true, but all too common these days. He’d be sure to organize a proper memorial, with a statue and everything.
He was just working out what he would say at the dedication when a tiny version of himself suddenly poofed into being on his shoulder. It wore a glowing white robe, and had a nearly microscopic halo shimmering around its head. Its voice sounded awfully like his own, if somewhat squeakier. “Your argument’s a bit weak, you know,” it said. “You’re the prince, aren’t you? It’s your responsibility to go back there and help.”
“But,” Evinrude protested. “I’m the last surviving member of my house! If I die, my kingdom could fall into turmoil! There could be civil war!”
“You’re forgetting Princess Genevieve. She could take your place if necessary.”
“But Genevieve is…well…”
“A girl?” Evinrude’s shoulder angel replied archly.
“A tree, actually. She had that quarrel with the Dryad last year, remember?”
“Oh, right. Someone should work on that. Well, you’ve still got your magic sword, haven’t you?”
Evinrude had forgotten the sword. Some random lady in a pond had thrown it at him a while back. “Doesn’t it only work on dragons?”
“Snakes, dragons, same thing.”
The prince sighed, turned round, and drew his sword. “Why do you get me into these things?” he asked his conscience. His conscience only sniffed, and didn’t reply.
