Jeli's Prose - Prelude to an Audience (Patreon)

Jeli has taken up writing again! And thus, anything she puts to pen and paper (... or keyboard and screen 🤔) shall be put up here as well! The first little bit of literature is a little prelude of sorts to a small project we are to be doing, inspired by this year's contest winner! We hope you enjoy this little tease for what's to come... 👀

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“I’d say that was a close one, wouldn’t you say?”

The knight’s voice broke the monotonous clopping of the carriage horse’s hooves. His voice was playful and nonchalant despite the fresh wounds on his face, the dried blood and black goo splattered on his armor. He looked over to Autumn with a gentle smile, completely unfazed by what had happened just moments before.

Autumn, sitting across from him in the dimly lit carriage, gave a shy nod. Her delicate fingers nervously tapped against each other in her lap, her eyes darting to meet the meet the single blue eye of the young man’s gaze before darting away. That haunting encounter still fresh in her memory. 

What… what was that thing? 

A chill seized her core as the memory of that monster, that thing flashed in her mind. She remembered its towering black figure, its blank stare, its horrid shriek. Her breaths became shallow, rapid, yet subtle, as frost began to spread from her core causing a sheen of ice to slowly spread across her gelatinous body.  

And he’s hurt… because of me. He’s hurt. He’s even missing an arm. I-  

“Milady” the young knight spoke softly. His smile became less coy and warmer, more comforting smile. “You must relax. Otherwise, you’ll turn into a popsicle before you reach Queen Jelina’s castle!” 

“But, your arm…”

“Oh, this ol’ stump?” His cocky smile returned and he waved the stump at her in a somewhat theatrical manner. “I lost this thing waaaaaaaay before I met you! I call him, ‘Stumpy Mcgee’. Honestly, if that pathetic Nightmare took off a limb, I’d need to retire.” 

Nightmare…? Is that what they’re called?

 “AHA!" shouted the knight, as he veered out the window. 

As the carriage rolled through the dense forest, the looming silhouette of Jelina’s castle began to emerge in the distance, its spires piercing the starry sky. Autumn glanced out the small window, her thoughts a whirlwind of apprehension and curiosity. The knight, noticing her gaze, added, “Her Majesty’s castle is quite the sight, isn’t it? Don’t worry, you’re safe now.” 

Autumn turned back to him, a mix of gratitude and wonder in her eyes. Despite the fear and the cold that gripped her, she felt a flicker of warmth at the knight's words. His fiery presence, marked by his bright, red hair, suited him well. 

"Shall we go meet the Queen, milady?"