Blade - December 23, 2011

[note: this was written during a writing exercise: we had 20 minutes to write something inspired by the word "blade". This is the result, unedited, exactly as it appeared when time ran out]

Blade - Squiddy Geiger - December 23, 2011

He held the blade up to the light, examining it. LIght, strong, and sharp, it was an excellent weapon. It could be used for defense, or offense. He flicked it up into the air and caught it lazily as it dropped. Balance was good, too.

"Stephen! Must you fool with that thing all the time?" Lena demanded. "Put it away." When he ignored her and continued to play with it, she huffed angrily and went to the kitchen.

He'd had it for five years, ever since he'd won it off that fool card player in Slavna. He'd bluffed him out of a month's earnings, and this lovely little toy. The man had tried to renege, but two King's Own had been there; they'd witnessed the game, and it was fair. The man had paid up.

"Father? Why does Mother hate that knife so much?" Garth asked. The boy was staring at the blade. "It's so beautiful, how cold she not love it? May I hold it, Father?"

Stephen shook his head. "Not yet, boy. You're right, she does hate this blade. And she'd hate me if I let you play with it and anything happened."

"But Father," the boy pleaded. "She's giving Cook instructions for dinner, she won't be out for ages. Please? Just a bit."

Stephen looked at the boy. He was right, she would be a long time, yet. And it couldn't hurt if the boy held the knife for a moment or two. "Ok, but be careful or she'll skin me alive!" He was laughing as he handed the blade over, carefully. "There you go. Feel the weight. And don't touch the edge, just slide your finger this way, never that way. Ok?"

The boy nodded, and did as he was told. Stephen was concentrating on the boy and neither heard the door open.

"What are you doing?" Lena shouted. Both males jumped and Stephen turned towards her. He started to defend himself when she screamed, followed by a high pitched howl of pain behind him.

Posted by Squiddy at December 23, 2011 08:30 PM | TrackBack