Silver James

Another Wednesday, more new words. Yay. And another yay because I managed to snag an Honorable Mention in last week’s Thursday Threads. The prompt is: *”I’m here to get you read.”*

Ready for what, you ask. Ariel is asking the same question because he’s now been saddled with an…apprentice? A squire? Cannon fodder? I think Druic has appeared before but I don’t currently remember the context. Here he is again–for the first time in the book, much to Ariel’s frustration.

****
Ariel exited the bedroom of his hotel suite and stopped short at the sight of the man hovering near the outer door. He glowered and the other lowered his eyes but stood frozen, a rabbit cornered by a fox. Exasperated, Ari snarled. “What’s going on, Druic?”

With his gaze still glued to the tips of Ariel’s boots, the younger Fae answered. “I’m here to get you ready.”

“Ready? For what?”

The kid shrugged. “I’ve not a clue, sir. She said go so I went.”

“She?” The panicked look on Druic’s face told the tale. What in the two realms was Titania up to now? “Does he know you’re here?” The boy all but quaked in his boots as he shook his head.

Resisting the urge to slap his palm against his forehead in a gesture of futility, Ari thought for a moment. The queen sent her errand boy to him without Oberon’s knowledge. What game was she playing now? He needed more information.

“What did she say, Druic? Her exact words.” Shuffling his feet, his eyes darting in every direction, the boy mumbled something. “Speak up, lad. I’m not a royal. I won’t throw you in the dungeons for answering my question.”

His head dancing like a bobble-head toy, Druic stuttered an explanation. “She told me to be secret. That you would need me. That I was to get you ready.”

“For what?”

“The one who is coming.”

Ariel sighed, then quoted one of Sade’s favorite expletive. “We are so fucked.”
****

There you have it. Ariel has no clue why he’s where he is, or why Titania would send this untried kid to him. Fun times ahead. Writers, there’s your prompt for the week should you wish to use it. Readers, who’s the one? *bwahaha*

Another Wedneday. More words. I am feeling somewhat better. I get some stuff done in the morning and then I poop out by afternoon and end up back in bed, usually napping. I am slowly weaning off the meds, which is good. It’s also good that this week’s words were written last week before the crud attacked and I went all foggy brained. Our Thursday Threads prompt is: *”A name popped into her head.*” What’s in a name you ask? Well, in Ariel’s world, a name holds power.

****
“You should be more careful.”

Aisling could only stare at the man who’d appeared from the shadows moments ago. The man who’d jerked her back from the curb as she was about to step off it in front of that speeding car.

“That car came out of nowhere.” She inhaled deeply to settle her nerves. “Thank you.”

“You need to be aware. There are those who would do you harm.”

Her laughter trilled in the dank air. “I am nobody. Who would care?”

“You’d be surprised.”

A name popped into her head. “Are you speaking of Obermmm…”

Ariel clapped his hand over her mouth so the word was muffled. “Do not speak that name aloud. Better yet, do not even think of him.”

“But—”

“Trust me on this. If you speak of him, he will appear.”

He’d cut her off again and Aisling’s temper rose. She added a scoffing tone to her voice when she said, “That is an old wive’s tale.”

“There is a reason those tales are passed down.”

She tilted her head, squinting at the handsome man. Her eyes teared and his image wavered. She’d swear she saw pointed ears for a moment. “Who are you really?”

“No one special.”

She scoffed again. “Oh, right. I’m not an idiot. Someone like you doesn’t show up in someone like me’s life.”

It was Ariel’s turn to scoff. “Are you truly this clueless? Do you not know what you are?”

“I’m a librarian.”

“And so much more, Aisling Goodnight.”
****

Have any of you watched the TNT show, “The Librarians?” We really enjoyed the original version with Noah Wylie (from ER). Then they did a V2 with Christian Kane (also a fave), among others. If you aren’t familiar, The Library is an autonomous entity charged with safeguarding magical artifacts. The Librarians are just folks who have to go out and secure these artifacts with much adventure involved. There’s now a V3 that just started. I’ve yet to see an episode though we’ve DVRd them and it’s on the list for this week. I admit, I stole the “I’m a librarian” line from the show. And to Aisling, she’s just a librarian. Boy is she going to be surprised. 🤣

So that’s my entry for this week. Writers, go forth and write. Readers, are names important to you? If so, in what way? (And yes, my brain is on cold meds so I do not claim to make sense with this.)