The old king and his kestrel headed out for another day of hunting. There wasn't much else to do these days now that the prince had grown into a great man. Since the country was at a time of peace, King Richard allowed the prince to handle the affairs of the state.
He didn't want his entourage following him, but the king knew there would be no getting around it. The men were ready and waiting. He walked to the barn dressed in regular clothing. Some not knowing him would have thought he was a regular towns person. King Richard ignored their stares of confusion.
He was tired of being a King and wanted to feel normal that day. The year was 2912, and life was good in Camdelon of Eclandeon.
"What a beautiful spring day," he said aloud, "perfect for hunting."
"Yes sire," the men responded.
The two planets that threatened their world, not that long ago, stood in plain view as they stared towards the pale blue sky. One planet had a red ring around it, and the other an orangish yellow. Both appeared larger than their own planet, but then they had never seen it from an aerial view, so they were not aware that it was actually twice the size.
King Richard placed a large leather glove that stretched to his elbow and unleashed his kestrel named Key. Key was a beautiful falcon, and had become his pet several years earlier after injuring a wing. The king found him lying on the ground with a rabbit in his talons; one wing flapping wildly while the other splayed across the ground.
Key stretched his wings while the king held him out from his body. He sat proudly awaiting his daily exercise, and chance to fly. Once outside King Richard let him soar. Key took off and flew high above the ground, spreading his wings to their full length. The brusque wind blew boldly across the open field and Key looked as though he were standing in midair as he hovered over the field. This was his favorite thing to do, aside from hunting, of course, but still he loved to hover.
A shot rang out from somewhere in the thick forest, and Key fell to his death. The kings entourage immediately surrounded King Richard with weapons drawn, ready to protect, ready to die if they must. The king pushed the men aside and ran for Key. He knelt down and sobbed over the only thing that ever truly loved him.
"Why?" he cried out, "Why?"
The men had once again surrounded him as he scooped his falcon into his arms, and headed back to the castle. He vowed to hunt down and kill the person that would harm such a wonderful creature as Key.
The men followed King Richard to the barn where he laid him gently on the hay. No one had ever seen the king cry before this day. He stood, wiped his eyes, and vowed vengeance. Once the king was dressed in proper attire, he mounted his horse and they were off in pursuit of the one who tore his most treasured love from his heart.
He didn't want his entourage following him, but the king knew there would be no getting around it. The men were ready and waiting. He walked to the barn dressed in regular clothing. Some not knowing him would have thought he was a regular towns person. King Richard ignored their stares of confusion.
He was tired of being a King and wanted to feel normal that day. The year was 2912, and life was good in Camdelon of Eclandeon.
"What a beautiful spring day," he said aloud, "perfect for hunting."
"Yes sire," the men responded.
The two planets that threatened their world, not that long ago, stood in plain view as they stared towards the pale blue sky. One planet had a red ring around it, and the other an orangish yellow. Both appeared larger than their own planet, but then they had never seen it from an aerial view, so they were not aware that it was actually twice the size.
King Richard placed a large leather glove that stretched to his elbow and unleashed his kestrel named Key. Key was a beautiful falcon, and had become his pet several years earlier after injuring a wing. The king found him lying on the ground with a rabbit in his talons; one wing flapping wildly while the other splayed across the ground.
Key stretched his wings while the king held him out from his body. He sat proudly awaiting his daily exercise, and chance to fly. Once outside King Richard let him soar. Key took off and flew high above the ground, spreading his wings to their full length. The brusque wind blew boldly across the open field and Key looked as though he were standing in midair as he hovered over the field. This was his favorite thing to do, aside from hunting, of course, but still he loved to hover.
A shot rang out from somewhere in the thick forest, and Key fell to his death. The kings entourage immediately surrounded King Richard with weapons drawn, ready to protect, ready to die if they must. The king pushed the men aside and ran for Key. He knelt down and sobbed over the only thing that ever truly loved him.
"Why?" he cried out, "Why?"
The men had once again surrounded him as he scooped his falcon into his arms, and headed back to the castle. He vowed to hunt down and kill the person that would harm such a wonderful creature as Key.
The men followed King Richard to the barn where he laid him gently on the hay. No one had ever seen the king cry before this day. He stood, wiped his eyes, and vowed vengeance. Once the king was dressed in proper attire, he mounted his horse and they were off in pursuit of the one who tore his most treasured love from his heart.
4 comments:
lots of action in this flash fiction:)
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Happy A-Zing!
How sad! New follower here. I’m enjoying reading my fellow “A to Z”ers. I look forward to visiting again.
Sylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
How sad. You packed a lot in a small space. But, what happens next?
Poor Key! I'm trying to visit all the A-Z Challenge Blogs this month.
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