“Fascinating, isn’t she?” said a voice stirring her thoughts.
The balmy summer breeze is a complete contrast to the humid atmosphere as Maya stared at the Casterly Rock.
“Father.” She smiled.
He stood up on the edge of the balcony’s railing and swung his legs over and sat on it. “I see you fancy the view, eyeing on the still and crisp scenery, a penny for your thought my dear?”
“They said that place was a holocaust. Bones and flesh of the infamous Greyjoy family, butchered and mangled, lay in ashes in the ruins of Casterly Rock. Is it true?” she asked.
“A boy did escape, that, they didn’t know.” He stared. “The boy traveled the vast oceans, learning how to read and write, studying the conduct of chivalry and courtesy, understanding the mysteries of faith, and dressing in silk and velvet. A new man he became but when you look into his eyes the sea will always be there—cold, grey, and brutal.”
“I’d like to meet him in this lifetime.”
“Oh dear, you already did.”
Here’s my 177 word story for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers challenge. This week’s photo prompt is provided by TJ Paris. It is actually my first try and I find the dare really fun. 🙂
PS. When I first saw the photo, GoT came into mind in a heartbeat and ,yes, I just have to pep it up.
If you’d like to view other entries, click the little blue frog below:
July 24, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Great story! I really enjoyed reading it and love the twist at the end, that (to me) her father is that boy. Gives me the shivers. Welcome to Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers! Since you said you are a newbie I wanted to let you know, we connect our stories to InLinkz which gives us a grid with all of our stories grouped together. On my challenge post is a blue froggy button that we click on to get to that grid. At the bottom is a button that says something like this, “link up.” We click on the button and it takes us to a screen that asks for #1 our stories url (if we put in the correct one) it will fill in #2. for you (which is the name of the story/blog and #3. is your email address. (I am the only one who will see that and your email address is not compromised by anyone else). If you don’t mind, I am going to link your story for you today so the others can read it and also, it will give you more traffic to your blog. Thank you for participating with this challenge and I hope you will participate next week too! If you haven’t already, please follow the blog, https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com
Thank you!
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July 24, 2015 at 2:37 pm
Thank you! Indeed. Her father was the boy. I was actually torn between this and a love story twist but the latter would require more word count. Thank seven heavens for linking my story and my apologies for missing that part.
Now I’m checking out the rest of the entries. This is getting a whole lot of fun! Can’t wait for next week 😀 *grabs popcorn*
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July 24, 2015 at 4:09 pm
I’m so glad you are happy about the challenge. I look forward to reading yours next week!
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July 24, 2015 at 6:58 pm
I had already guessed that the boy was her father. I like the idea that he survived that dreadful ‘holocaust’ and hope he did not become ‘cold, grey and brutal’ like the sea. Lovely story, especially for a first one. Enjoy your popcorn! 🙂
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July 25, 2015 at 2:47 am
I’d like to think he did not become ‘cold, grey and brutal’ like the sea. Thank you! Yours was a great love story too and I love your post about the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Ohh I would love to visit there one day. 🙂
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July 25, 2015 at 7:42 am
Hello, Maria. I, too, hope he didn’t become a cold-hearted person. He’d suffered so much and deserved some happiness, without being consumed by bitterness and hatred. Thank you for liking my post, too! And yes, Lindisfarne is a lovely place, and so much history to explore. Who knows, you may well come here sometime in the future. Millie. 🙂
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July 25, 2015 at 11:05 am
Hello Millie! I totally agree. He deserves a new start.
The pleasure was all mine. Lindsfarne will be now be in my dreams. 🙂
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July 25, 2015 at 11:08 am
😀 😀
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July 26, 2015 at 12:37 am
A very powerful story and I like the way you ended it. He learned a lot, but did not let it ruin his life, although the memory of things will always be with him!
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July 26, 2015 at 10:03 am
Thank you! I totally agree. I believe our past, good or bad, will always be a part of us and it is always up to us to decide who we’ll be today. Have a great day.
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