Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"The castle is just too cold," the princess explained, "I prefer it here."
"But it's a volcano," exclaimed the queen, feeling a little steamed in her armor before lowering her voice and whispering urgently, "And here be dragons!"
"Oh you mean Praxinvel and Varm? They're simply lovely; we've grown quite fond of each other."
"Then I have no other choice."
Preparations took a while. Then the dragons moved into the castle, keeping it toasty.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The vampire gazed down at the bedraggled group; it was hard to tell under all the mud, "Adventurer blood! That would be a sweet treat; which one of you is the wizard?"
"We'll never tell," proclaimed the likely Paladin.
"Ah hush," said the vampire, clapping his hands, "Let's get you cleaned and fed. Then we can negotiate how many pints I get in return. Also, you're probably looking for Lord Vlusk, two bogs over. This is a hospital."
"Oh."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The palace fountains burbled with clear fluids that most would mistake for water.
The princesses had been warned - there was to be no dipping, splashing or sipping.
"If it's not water, then what is it?" asked a wild-eyed princess.
"The air would be bad if it was poison," observed a level-headed princess.
"What if it's flammable!"
"Let's scoop some up in a chalice, instead of bringing flames towards it?"
The results were illuminating.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The sirens were excited. They were due for a vacation and they had travel-brochures to help them decide.
"For just a few pearls more, this resort brings you a Continental breakfast-in-pool every morning."
"This quaint little sea-shore town has glass-bottom bus tours so you can always see the ground under you!"
"Here's a more exciting idea; sky-diving classes!"
"Oh heck yeah sisters, let's be harpies!"
"Make way for the Sky-sirens!"
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The waifs stared up at the bandits, who were somewhat disappointed that the travelers they had ambushed were not wealthy merchants.
"No matter," said the leader, "Search them, surely they'll have journey-food and gifts."
The bandits were able to find, without protest, some food, a pouch of water, a dolly, a cake and seven gold coins. The children were sent on their way.
By evening, dolly returned everything that was taken, and then some.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"I heard Winternyte is skipping the coven meeting," whispered Nettlebraid.
"Isn't that her," responded Weberta, pointing at the frosty hat swaying through the crowd.
"I'll bet you it's her ten familiars in a cloak and hat."
"Ridiculous; you'll owe me a bag of slug warts - Oh Winternyte, over here!"
The hat wobbled over, "Mewwo?"
"Nettle thinks you're cats tonight."
"Nyo!"
"Agreed! A silly claim."
"They're not even Glamored, Webby!"
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
In the City of Winding Paths it was said the moment you set foot, you'll find the right path for what you need most.
But those who stepped in with ill-intent in their hearts would forever find themselves wandering empty streets - but only in extreme cases. Most emerged with kinder hearts and dispositions.
Though thriving, the city never grew; the surrounding kings were threatened enough as it was, for they could never seem to even enter...
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"The ravens are back," announced the apprentice witch, holding her crystal ball upside down.
Her mentor ignored this for now, "What did they bring? News or things?"
The apprentice took a moment to respond before finally answering, "Advice."
The witch perked up, "Oh yes?"
"Our old weather-vane must be put back up."
"What's wrong with our new one?"
"They love the new one and... took it for themselves."
"Should've stuck with grackles..."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The human awoke, stretching with a big yawn.
"What a night," he mumbled.
"It's been longer than that," the tree whispered.
He observed the aged branches, the unchanged sky and the wildness of his loyal horse.
"Well, t'was the best sleep I've had, I feel so refreshed... Who is now king?"
The tree told him.
"Sounds like it's time to remove that saddle and groom my horse," remarked the man, "Then it'll be time for another refreshing nap."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"Why're you fixing up that old thing? Just get a new one."
"I like how this one works; you wind this handle and it runs at maximum capacity for an hour, or if you move this notch, it can last most of the day at minimum, which is more than enough to tend the herb garden and my succulents."
"I can tell my garden-bot to tend my bonsai from Mars."
"Even if the service is suddenly discontinued?"
"Ugh! Stop acting like that's not a normal risk."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"There is food in your dish, yet you claim to be neglected and starving," commented the middle-aged human.
The calico glared up and swatted at the food dish, "It doesn't run around!"
"You want to chase your dinner?"
The cat thought about this, "Sometimes."
"Most other times?"
"It should be brought to me fresh."
"Ah," the human poured a little more out of the bag and presented the slightly fuller bowl.
"Yes, like this!"
#TootFic #MicroFiction #Writing #TerylsTales #Caturday #UrbanFantasy
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The sword and shield had been part of the library long before it was even a place where books could be borrowed, information accessed and resources shared.
"What was this place before it was a library?" asked a young researcher, "I can't find old enough records."
"A witch and sword-maiden's stronghold," answered a senior librarian, a fiery twinkle in her eye.
"Why keep the sword and shield?"
"You never know when you need to defend."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"Everything's a mess; she's been cooking up a storm all week," my coworker said at me.
"What type - winter or tropical?" I quipped, trying to cover for the fact I'd been more focused on work than listening.
"Does it matter?" my coworker sighed dramatically, "Everything's damp, there's odd smells, lightning everywhere..."
"Lightning?"
"She says it's her specialty as a weather-witch."
I still think I shouldn't have started listening.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
Nothing made the market quarter more chaotic than a new merchant selling something impossibly wondrous.
"Grow your own Pumpkin-Carriage almost instantly! No Fairy Godparent required! Carriage-pulling creatures not included! Also functions as a tiny-cottage with only a few modifications!"
"And how long do they last?"
"This current batch should last at least a year, depending on quantity and determination of the local squirrel populations."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"Cap'n," the young pirate yelped, "There's wenches in the waves!"
The captain rolled her eyes, "They be preferrin' the term sirens, or merfolk dependin' on the region... Didn't you listen to the First Mate's orientation speech?"
"Sorry, thought it was for japes, Cap'n," the young pirate admitted, "But Cap'n! Aren't they cold?"
"You suggestin' we invite 'em up fer a hot cup of tea?"
"Yeah?"
"Sounds splendid! Drop anchor! Alert the cook!"
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The orcs slurped the exotic hot beverage tentatively while the terrified humans watched in silence.
Only a fluffy purse-dog had the bravery to snarl at the warriors.
The manager trembled, having been summoned by the group, trying to smile, "Was your order satisfactory? I can offer some cake-pops--"
"I feel the energy increasing in my blood," bellowed the leader, "You may live another day. We will take two dozen more espressos To-Go."
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"Crispy! What a concept… My home planet is just too damp for this kind of delicacy," exclaimed my guest as he took a dainty bite of the crumbly pastry, antennae wiggling gleefully at the sensation of regular crispiness each chew evoked, "What other crispy foods does Earth have?"
"More than I can name," I admitted.
"Then I must extend my stay! Minister, reschedule my appointments!"
"Including your royal betrothal party?"
"Especially that!"
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
"More trees than buildings... Wild trees, taller than the solar-snare windmills!" said the ranger.
Greenery was not a foreign concept to the children; most buildings had bushy roofs, every block had a community garden, and shady trees, never too tall, sheltered and fed the populace along most roads and paths.
The Unstructured growth of a feral forest was terrifying yet engrossing.
"And the canopy is so dense you need your own light-source!"
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
Tales may be delayed further; I am an individual without insurance and boosters/vaccinations cost a where I am.
A reminder that I have a free Patreon, so you don't have to subscribe at all... Though I suppose there's no reason to while I am not posting tales. But I hope folks will please consider it once I get back to it.
Thank you to the individual who had sent me a donation last week, it was able to almost immediately cover a surprise bill.
Teryl's Tales of Whim~
The elf sat beside the old monument, waiting for their satyr companion.
A young human sat beside them, nodding at the monument, "Terrible day that was."
The elf nodded.
"How do you remember it?"
The elf was quiet for a while, "Terrified during and after. Humans tend to remember they were hurt and have reason to be angry but not why, where or to whom to direct it."
"And you're still here?"
"This was home to elves before humans arrived."
BLM🖖LGBTQIA+Curious multi-fandom dabbler. Learn me a new thing or just tell me what you love - your shared experiences can shape bonds and understanding.
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