MftS: Guardian upon the Tower

Posted on by Louise Bunting

Here’s this week’s entry into Monday’s Finish the Story flash fiction challenge, run by Barbara W. Beacham. This challenge gives you a picture prompt and the first line and asks that you finish the story in 100-150 words. The given line is in italics.

Photo Prompt: © 2015 Barbara W. Beacham
Photo Prompt: © 2015 Barbara W. Beacham

Guardian upon the Tower

Few knew about the castle hidden inside the island. Only the watchtower was visible to the world beyond. The chambers within which his people lived, where intricate carvings gleamed in softly enchanted light, were hidden beneath the rocky slopes. As Garrin watched a group of tourists wheezing their way to the island’s summit, he hoped it stayed that way.

From his vantage point upon the tower, concealed behind a veil of magic, he observed such groups with unpleasant regularity. He felt little but disgust. Their disrespectful antics as they traipsed over the ancient masonry, voices loud and brash, was nothing compared to the debris left in their wake.

The girl was different.

She fascinated him. Day after day she sat in silent serenity, her pencil skimming over the sketchpad upon her knee. An enticing curl of auburn hair tumbled over her forehead. A gentle smile curved her lips.

He wondered how she’d smile at the sight of the citadel below.

Word Count: 150

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27 thoughts on “MftS: Guardian upon the Tower”

  2. Methinks he shall invite the girl to his chambers below, before the sun doth set! very nicely written. I think I’m falling for the girl myself!

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    1. This story has lots of possibilities – I may well be returning to it sometime to explore a few of them. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for visiting!

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  12. Great story! I hope she gets a choice and it’s not going to be a “fairy mushroom ring stuck there forever” type of affair 🙂

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  14. Sounds as though he’s tempted to come out from behind the veil and show her. Perhaps he shouldn’t as word might get out. Good story, Louise. You could definitely write a longer story about this. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne

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    1. He’s very tempted – but there may well be consequences of such an act from both sides! I don’t think his people would be happy with him revealing their secret!
      I’m actually currently working on lengthening many of my flash fics into slightly longer pieces. My intention is to publish them as a collection on Amazon. This one has been added to my list.
      Thanks for visiting. 🙂

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