Towers, Princesses and Butterflies
And the Forest population grows : Hapless Knight, Fortuitious Knight, Unusual Knight and now:
Title : Victorious Knight
Wordcount : 1067
Max approached the dread North tower. The bright flowers that marked the forest to this point dwindled to sparse grass and rough hewn bricks, a vivid sign of dark magic and a sinister undertaking. The air was heavy with discontent and the pretty Butterflies that flittered amongst the dark trees took detours.
The Forest Guardian must be thrilled. Max snerked. Meeting the famed Guardian had been interesting, it gave a person perspective. Shirt miss-buttoned but a ready smile at the interruption. The directions he’d given had been most specific, his manner courteous and oozing charm. After painting the fair Princess Veronica as a venerable paragon, he’d seen enough to back step and suggest a hint of temper. Max had spotted Clifford lurking inside the cottage and received an encouraging wink before the door shut on his laughter. His Forest Guardian; Warrick, was as delightful as described, but Max preferred a little fire.
‘Sir Valiant, stormed the tower broke the door down with brute strength, then demanded an audience with the Princess’
‘Really?’ the little Dragon Warrick had insisted accompany the latest questing knight was full of helpful information. Max had tried to drown the thing in a pool but the water was to sluggish and it only meant the creature was now muddy and whined more.
‘All bulging muscles he was, and very good looking’
‘What happened?’
The Dragon didn’t appreciate the interest, he sulked, visably shaking mud splats from a small clawed foot before responding ‘Princess Veronica booted him into the lake’
Max laughed, long and loud. The lake in question had to be the moat that surrounded the tower, bubbling green slime that wouldn’t suit any suitor Max had ever met.
‘Prince Serene sang a ballad’
‘Serene? short man, bit of a squint?’
‘Yeah’ The dragon glared causing Max’s lips to twitch, it was unwittingly cute!
‘And..’
‘Princess Veronica emptied her bath water out the window’
‘I like this Princess’ Max declared wiping mirth from bright green eyes.
‘You’re not like most Knights’ was the churlish observation.
‘No.’ Max agreed with a wink ‘Which is why I plan to succeed’
There was muttering about snotty Princesses and pink flounces before the little Dragon slunk beneath a rust coloured leaf and announced his task was done. There was a sotto voiced remark about having a fluffy towel ready.
Undeterred Max approached the tall stone tower, admiring the smooth lines. Real craftsmanship and powerful magic had been employed to design the obelisk, it rose straight from the ground, crest lost amongst tree branches. Not one finger or toe hole in sight. Knocking the simple wooden door that breached the ground level resulted in a hollow echo.
Glancing up Max stood proud, legs apart and back arched to look up at the single high window. Tradition demanded some respect!
‘Princess, princess, let down your hair’
A less than genteel snort sounded from somewhere out of sight, Max heard the little Dragon snicker before it turned tail. A whisper of sound heralded the drop of a curtain, with a waft of sweet rose a bundle of silky gold fell to Max’s feet. Long splendid strands of cursed hair, neatly chopped off a royal head. Max roared with laughter, gripping a side that threatened to split. This Princess showed great promise.
Remembering Clifford’s notes and Warrick’s ever so helpful tips, Max stepped carefully over the minute pink daisies that pushed between the pebbled path. A stunted bramble near by was adorned with plump berries, succulent red and sinister purple. With vague misgivings Max selected a purple fruit, wincing at the sour juice then startling at the sweet aftertaste. It burned the tongue but Max after only a short time spluttering, stroked the tower and watched the tower door swing open.
Winding stone steps led up to the Princess’s chamber, unadorned, lit by flickering candles that spat wax at the intruding drafts. Max sped up them, light armour announcing the approach.
Veronica was a sight to behold. Perched on a silk cushion, drowning in a sea of pastel pink. Everywhere there was pink. The walls were of the palest hue, bedding bedecked in coral frills. Curtains billowed a rosy pink with scattered flowers of a darker shade. The Princess was dressed in a pink gown, short spiky gold hair adding character, though that too had a hint of pink.
‘Princess’ Max swept into a low decorous bow.
‘Knight’ Her voice was bitter and unwelcoming. Max’s smile grew.
Eyeing the intruder suspiciously Veronica stood suddenly. ‘You’re not like the other knights’ she glared.
‘No your highness, I’m the one who’ll win your hand’ growing up with six siblings made a person competitive, gave a person confidence. Max discarded the helmet shaking free a mane of chestnut locks.
‘You’re a girl’ Veronica gasped, ‘but, Knights are men’
‘Only the boring ones’ Max grinned ‘I’ve found they make a nice splash when they land in moats..’ Veronica blushed a little before lifting a pert chin and stamping a foot. It would have been more dramatic if she’d not been wearing fluffy pink slippers. ‘They’re brash and annoying’
‘So they are’ Max agreed ‘Now what’s with all the pink in here?’
Veronica considered her then gave a delightful giggle, looking all mischievous and adorable ’the Forest Guardian hates it’ she confided.
Max gave her a long look ’We should go visit them for supper’ she suggested ‘disturb their little love nest’ her brother owed her big time for fending of their parents visit for so long. ’I’ll show you the Butterflies’
‘Butterflies?’
‘Yes, Butterflies. Warrick told me that they’re carnivorous fiends with special curved tongues that pierce flesh, that they latch on to the unsuspecting and drain them of vital lifeblood.’
Veronica shivered in delight ‘really?’
‘No, they’re harmless. Pretty though’
‘I’ve come to like this tower’ Veronica reflected as she closed the door behind them.
‘Well towers need pretty Princesses’ Max said ‘I can live with all the pink as long as you’ll let me help you soak any knights?’
Veronica huffed ‘What makes you think I want you to stay?’
‘You’ve not attacked me yet and my family are known for their persistence’
‘You’re annoying’
‘And you, like that’ Max asserted stepping close to steal her prize. Veronica lowered her head to make her lips more accessible, scowling when she felt the smile and biting gently. ‘Maybe’ she concurred, a considerable time later.
Title : Victorious Knight
Wordcount : 1067
Max approached the dread North tower. The bright flowers that marked the forest to this point dwindled to sparse grass and rough hewn bricks, a vivid sign of dark magic and a sinister undertaking. The air was heavy with discontent and the pretty Butterflies that flittered amongst the dark trees took detours.
The Forest Guardian must be thrilled. Max snerked. Meeting the famed Guardian had been interesting, it gave a person perspective. Shirt miss-buttoned but a ready smile at the interruption. The directions he’d given had been most specific, his manner courteous and oozing charm. After painting the fair Princess Veronica as a venerable paragon, he’d seen enough to back step and suggest a hint of temper. Max had spotted Clifford lurking inside the cottage and received an encouraging wink before the door shut on his laughter. His Forest Guardian; Warrick, was as delightful as described, but Max preferred a little fire.
‘Sir Valiant, stormed the tower broke the door down with brute strength, then demanded an audience with the Princess’
‘Really?’ the little Dragon Warrick had insisted accompany the latest questing knight was full of helpful information. Max had tried to drown the thing in a pool but the water was to sluggish and it only meant the creature was now muddy and whined more.
‘All bulging muscles he was, and very good looking’
‘What happened?’
The Dragon didn’t appreciate the interest, he sulked, visably shaking mud splats from a small clawed foot before responding ‘Princess Veronica booted him into the lake’
Max laughed, long and loud. The lake in question had to be the moat that surrounded the tower, bubbling green slime that wouldn’t suit any suitor Max had ever met.
‘Prince Serene sang a ballad’
‘Serene? short man, bit of a squint?’
‘Yeah’ The dragon glared causing Max’s lips to twitch, it was unwittingly cute!
‘And..’
‘Princess Veronica emptied her bath water out the window’
‘I like this Princess’ Max declared wiping mirth from bright green eyes.
‘You’re not like most Knights’ was the churlish observation.
‘No.’ Max agreed with a wink ‘Which is why I plan to succeed’
There was muttering about snotty Princesses and pink flounces before the little Dragon slunk beneath a rust coloured leaf and announced his task was done. There was a sotto voiced remark about having a fluffy towel ready.
Undeterred Max approached the tall stone tower, admiring the smooth lines. Real craftsmanship and powerful magic had been employed to design the obelisk, it rose straight from the ground, crest lost amongst tree branches. Not one finger or toe hole in sight. Knocking the simple wooden door that breached the ground level resulted in a hollow echo.
Glancing up Max stood proud, legs apart and back arched to look up at the single high window. Tradition demanded some respect!
‘Princess, princess, let down your hair’
A less than genteel snort sounded from somewhere out of sight, Max heard the little Dragon snicker before it turned tail. A whisper of sound heralded the drop of a curtain, with a waft of sweet rose a bundle of silky gold fell to Max’s feet. Long splendid strands of cursed hair, neatly chopped off a royal head. Max roared with laughter, gripping a side that threatened to split. This Princess showed great promise.
Remembering Clifford’s notes and Warrick’s ever so helpful tips, Max stepped carefully over the minute pink daisies that pushed between the pebbled path. A stunted bramble near by was adorned with plump berries, succulent red and sinister purple. With vague misgivings Max selected a purple fruit, wincing at the sour juice then startling at the sweet aftertaste. It burned the tongue but Max after only a short time spluttering, stroked the tower and watched the tower door swing open.
Winding stone steps led up to the Princess’s chamber, unadorned, lit by flickering candles that spat wax at the intruding drafts. Max sped up them, light armour announcing the approach.
Veronica was a sight to behold. Perched on a silk cushion, drowning in a sea of pastel pink. Everywhere there was pink. The walls were of the palest hue, bedding bedecked in coral frills. Curtains billowed a rosy pink with scattered flowers of a darker shade. The Princess was dressed in a pink gown, short spiky gold hair adding character, though that too had a hint of pink.
‘Princess’ Max swept into a low decorous bow.
‘Knight’ Her voice was bitter and unwelcoming. Max’s smile grew.
Eyeing the intruder suspiciously Veronica stood suddenly. ‘You’re not like the other knights’ she glared.
‘No your highness, I’m the one who’ll win your hand’ growing up with six siblings made a person competitive, gave a person confidence. Max discarded the helmet shaking free a mane of chestnut locks.
‘You’re a girl’ Veronica gasped, ‘but, Knights are men’
‘Only the boring ones’ Max grinned ‘I’ve found they make a nice splash when they land in moats..’ Veronica blushed a little before lifting a pert chin and stamping a foot. It would have been more dramatic if she’d not been wearing fluffy pink slippers. ‘They’re brash and annoying’
‘So they are’ Max agreed ‘Now what’s with all the pink in here?’
Veronica considered her then gave a delightful giggle, looking all mischievous and adorable ’the Forest Guardian hates it’ she confided.
Max gave her a long look ’We should go visit them for supper’ she suggested ‘disturb their little love nest’ her brother owed her big time for fending of their parents visit for so long. ’I’ll show you the Butterflies’
‘Butterflies?’
‘Yes, Butterflies. Warrick told me that they’re carnivorous fiends with special curved tongues that pierce flesh, that they latch on to the unsuspecting and drain them of vital lifeblood.’
Veronica shivered in delight ‘really?’
‘No, they’re harmless. Pretty though’
‘I’ve come to like this tower’ Veronica reflected as she closed the door behind them.
‘Well towers need pretty Princesses’ Max said ‘I can live with all the pink as long as you’ll let me help you soak any knights?’
Veronica huffed ‘What makes you think I want you to stay?’
‘You’ve not attacked me yet and my family are known for their persistence’
‘You’re annoying’
‘And you, like that’ Max asserted stepping close to steal her prize. Veronica lowered her head to make her lips more accessible, scowling when she felt the smile and biting gently. ‘Maybe’ she concurred, a considerable time later.
