Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Clean Up


Rose and Prince Brendan: Chapter 013



Pulling a knife from his belt, the knight holding the reins, slit the throat of the horse. When the blood from the wound stopped gushing, the horse lay still.


The two knights stood over the beast, both shaking their heads as they looked at the animal. Cook approached them.


“Sires,” she said. She waited for the men to look up at her.


“You require something from us, Madam Cook?” The knight held his knife point down, the blood drying on the blade. His hand around the hilt shook, his knuckles white.


Cook looked at the knight, the man’s blue eyes almost hidden behind his squint.


“Mayhap, I should send the butchers to carry away the body and prepare it as meat for the poor?”


The second knight spit out a laugh.


“Nay,” said the knight. “Prince Otho will lament the death of his favorite horse once he is in his cups tonight, do you not think, Eoghunn?”


“Peredur has spoken true, Madam Cook,” said Eoghunn. “Come tomorrow, His Highness will cry over the beast’s grave and have it blessed by a priest. He will consider any animal of his to be beyond the bellies of his lowly subjects.”



“Tis a great shame,’ said Cook. She nodded her head to the two knights and waddled back to her own domain.


Eoghunn turned to the water trough as Rose climbed out. He held out a hand to steady her as water dripped from her wet frock onto his leather boots. She lowered her head, gave a slight curtsy and ran towards the barn door.


Peredur joined Eoghunn at the water as Eoghunn washed his knife.


“New lass,” said Peredur. He watched as Rose disappeared into the barn. “Comely from what I could see.”


“Save your wenching thoughts,” said Eoghunn. He wiped his cleaned knife on his breaches to dry it and placed it back into its sheath. “Find some men to take the horse away and start digging a pit. Me thinks it best to begin on the orders we know to be forth coming.”


“Where, pray tell, do we dig?”


“Next to the grave of the last horse Prince Otho killed,” said Eoghunn.


“Do we begin the search for the next war horse he will end up killing?” asked Peredur. He spat on the ground.


“It would be wise for you to keep such comments as thoughts.” Eoghunn looked back at the destrier, flies buzzing around its neck. He shook his head and cleared his throat. “I do not wish to bury you today, too, brother.”


Peredur gave a slight salute to Eoghunn, a corner of his mouth upturned.


“Once you have organized the burial party,” said Eoghunn, “gather a hunting party. We must bring the Prince the carcass of a dog before the day is out.”

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28 comments:

  1. Good transitional episode. Strangely, Comely was the name of a famous race horse. Maybe Rose is the next filly to be battered by the Prince, who sounds to be, oh, what is that word where a person flips emotionally from one extreme to another? Ah, bipolar. That was good describing him through the knights dialog. It appears as if there are subconscious ideas trying to come out and if you tap into them the story grows more complex on several levels.

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  2. Prince Ortho is quite charming, NOT. And I am glad the nights are willing to look for a dog and not the dog.

    The tale grows more exciting.

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  3. Getting more and more interesting. Those knights are something else :)

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  4. I can not help but thinking that this story has a slight Robin Hood feel over it.;)
    I like the language you use.;)
    Have a great day,
    xo
    Zuzana

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  5. I love the sinister feel and fear evoked by the Knights potentially speaking truths so dangerous. Great piece!

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  6. this is good!
    great reading :)

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  7. A link to this post is in my e-mail inbox.

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  8. Medieval with a touch of menace. I like it.

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  9. Rose climbs out of a water trough? Now I gotta figure out what I missed. Where's my link to the last one?

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  10. That poor horse had to pay the price.
    Love and war and hate run the world.

    Speaking of hate, former (he isn't running for re-election) politician, James Paul David "Jim" Bunning has sealed his fate just like that poor horse.
    He doesn't know what it is to be messing with construction workers and their jobs.
    People get more than bloody noses falling down steps. (That's an old saying I learned quicklly in the U.S. Army.)
    ..

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  11. Vanessa Kilmer...
    You be one fine Lass with Class!

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  12. What odd names! How did you dream those up?

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  13. i couldn't get past the horse blood

    i hate when animals are injured

    i will read yesterday's post instead

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  14. i kind of fancy the knights. prince otho - definitely not!
    interesting episode and very well written - but you know that!

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  15. Ack! I can't deal with blood and gore.

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  16. I can't believe how your writing can vary so much. You have such a great way with words. The names are kick butt too! I wish I could write as well as you. I can barely tell a straight lie. Your writing is so intriguing.

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  17. This was interesting and well written, unfolding with a dark sense. Left me wanting more.

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  18. Those knights are busy dudes. Life was cruel and hard back then. Your piece portrays that sense.

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  19. Wow, that was really incredibly well written. I was really intrigued. Is this a continuing thing? My first time here.

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  20. Really wonderful. Definitely makes you want to come back for more.

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  21. I have to say I felt sorry for the horse.

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  22. Vanessa, you got a hold on me with that story!
    Love the suspense!

    hugs
    shakira

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  23. Exciting drama going on here. You are very good with dialogue! It keeps the plot moving.

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  24. Interesting story...something new for a teaser.

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  25. Very interesting and well written.

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  26. Poor horse, I felt so sorry for the creature. And Rose, what on earth was she doing in the water trough?!
    Interesting story.

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