Original: The Fox-Tail Queen

[sideways]

Title: The Fox-Tail Queen
Original
Rating: G
Notes: They made a bargain. She keeps it close.

They are six and faceless, the most held at one time by a queen. She shows them coldly, proudly: shadows fanned against the wall by hanging crystal lights, arrayed about her throne like a fox's tails.

The people of six provinces adore her, helpless to do otherwise. Their own rich heartlands whisper secrets in her ear, slay assassins. Slip under doors to take the agreed harvest, leaving cradles bare.

Rumour speaks of a once-seventh. Past known borders: molten rivers, acid soil, silent nomads. Hard to say what survives there does so gladly. But it leaves no shadow on the wall.

Comments

[southernmedicine]

This is positively stunning. It's beautiful prose, it smacks of mysteriousness and it is at once dark and crystalline and I am feeling inspired to lurk a little and seek out more of your writing. Just wonderful!

[sideways]

Aw, thank you!! 😊 That's very kind.

(Also I just have to say it tickled me greatly to see dæmon in your typings / personal symbols list. Heck yeah!)