This is Part 10 of an on-going serial I’m writing called, “Lyr the Enchanter”. To read the story from the beginning, you can find the story index, here.
Never strike a bargain with a monster. You will, most likely, get turned into one yourself, or get eaten by one. I didn’t like those options. But did I have a choice?
Before I had a chance to think, let alone answer, there was an ear-splitting crash in the twilight above. The monstrous sea-snake screamed before engaging in magical battle. I darted for cover to avoid getting caught in the spell-storm.
There was nowhere to hide, but for a slight depression in the cliff-face; it could hardly be called a cave. But there I sought refuge, and waited.
It was dawn when the storm ceased. I stumbled out of my shelter, surprised by the calm brightness all about me. Of the sea-snake there was no sign.
Arastia waited for me on the shore. ‘I have saved you, Lyr, from the scheming of sea-serpents.’ She smiled. ‘You owe me a debt.’
Written for Crimson’s Creative Challenge #10 – And this week, I am exactly equal to the max word limit of 150! Yay!
Sammi Cox 
So my hill becomes a sea-cliff with a harbouring cave? Okay, I’ll allow it. I like this latest instalment.
BTW: what you didn’t know is beneath this hill is one of the earliest Anglo-Saxon cemeteries in UK, so that fits well. 🙂
2xBTW: like the new heading. 🙂
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Hold on. that heading just changed. Yekes! You’ve a runaway heading. Is it alive? Spooky. 🙂
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I know it’s a very, very big stretch…I found it hard to get Lyr away from the beach at night to fit the picture of a hilly country lane in daylight! So I used the feelings that the photo evoked, and it spoke to me of the calm after a storm…Have I talked my way out of this yet, or shall I keep going??? Lol 🙂
Wow – that is so cool about the Anglo-Saxon cemetery.
I have 5 (I think!) photos for the heading that are supposed to change at random intervals…But I much prefer to think of the header as being possessed…
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Well, I liked your tree, being a bit of a tree-lover. But I also like that door. Like the symbolism of that.
And yea, you’ve talked your way out of it. Mood-wise, it fits, no prob. And I did chose that photo for its mood. My little effort posts tomorrow (as usual) 🙂
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Looking forward to reading your take on your photo 🙂
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It’s brief. Though not as brief as Surya’s Sandcastle. Not quite. 🙂
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Can hardly wait for your next installment.
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Thank you so much, Tom. I appreciate the comment 🙂
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Namaste Sammi 🙂
Hmmm. Whilst I enjoyed a continuation of the story, I cannot but feel robbed of something – perhaps I was looking forward to knowing more about the sea-snake/sea-beast and what they had to offer Lyr. But alas! Said creature was destroyed by an over-zealous, battling, spell-casting Arastia 😦 Considering the ‘deceitful’ nature and authenticity of Arastia I find it difficult to believe her suggestion of saving Lyr is legit, but time will tell: perhaps she has changed her ways? If I were Lyr, I’d have tried desperately to find a way off-world already! He’s a braver soul than I to have stayed for as long as he has.
Might I also ask if the photographs accompanying the story could be made larger so that detail might be visible.
Great stuff! I’ll look forward to Part 11.
Namaste 🙂
DN
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Hey Dewin!
Have we seen the last of the sea-serpent? I don’t know. It all depends on the subsequent prompts. I do find myself asking what has happened to it? Any number of things could have happened while Lyr was sheltering from the spell-storm…so we must wait… 🙂
I don’t trust Arastia either; I rather think she is orchestrating events in order to compel Lyr to do her biding. But then again, forthcoming prompts may reveal something completely different 🙂
The problem is, Lyr can’t get off the island because of the magic there – his own enchanter’s magic is limited in it’s power against it…The only way on and off the isle is by the boatman, which is probably why he was so slow to answer the sea monster…perhaps he was wondering if it was possible?
Thanks for reading and commenting, Dewin. As always, I appreciate it. Brightest Blessings 🙂
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Bore da Sammi, Namaste 🙂
How are you?
Ah yes, point taken…Arastia may not have destroyed the sea-monster but merely ‘sent-it-packing’, but obvious to me is that she has a motive for doing so: something suggests she is discouraged by its presence. I’d be delighted if said creature returned later in the story. You see, I wondered if it might know of a way off-world for Lyr and if so what might it ask in return? That it inhabits a realm beneath the sea suggests it might no be subject to the Boatman’s whim 🙂
Until proven otherwise I will hold tight to my judgement of Arastia: she’s far to cunning and far to powerful to be anything other than ego-centric and malevolent. I don’t understand why Lyr feels so obliged to do her bidding: wife or no wife he could still say ‘no’ and take his chances. He sounds rather hen-pecked! If I were him I’d go looking for the sea-monster! 🙂
I’m looking forward to Part 11 and discovering more about this debt Arastia feels is owed.
Have a great weekend. Take care.
Live in Love, Go in Peace. Namaste 🙂
DN
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