This week, Ronovan challenged us to write a story incorporating a minimum of three words from the following list: dog, cat, toy, fever, ski, fluffy, machete, purple drink. We were also encouraged to write a humour piece. To find out more, click here.
To keep the word count down, I decided to write a two-part story. The second part isn’t written yet, so I may be able to tie it in with the prompt next week (I’ll try my best).
I decided to use (as I often do) familiar characters for this tale, so here is a little background:
After the Demonic War, a battle which devastated the mortal realm, humans now stick to the worldโs major cities. To even the score, and to protect those cities, hunters joined together to establish cells across the globe. Maddison Wood is part of an alpha cell within the north of England. Though a skilled fighter and powerful witch, Maddison can be brash, and unpredictable. She has a penchant for trouble, and is usually the first to volunteer in battle.
Feverish – Part One
Maddison was not having a good day. But then, truth be told, she wasnโt having a good week. It began with a virus, a virus with a ridiculous name โ imp fever. She managed to burn the impish strain from her system, but not before sheโd made a complete fool of herself. She had been nice. Nice. Some would say, even buoyant, like a teenager cursed with the happy vibe.
Granted, sheโd been cured. Tobias Locke, on the other hand, had enough angry juice in him to start another war. If Maddison got the good mojo, the Hympe King drank from the wrong cup. His rage made him dangerous. So much so, his guards saw it necessary to keep him sedated until they found a cure. The fact imp fever was serious business to Tobiasโ race, meant the Enchanted League were on high alert. It was the reason Maddison called a time out on her Watcher duties.
When it came to back up, Donovan, her sidekick extraordinaire, was as good as useless โ given he was a hympe. The danger to her friend put a major crimp in their style. Donovan was so freaked out, in fact, he wouldnโt go near her, and that was after Maddison cleansed herself of the happy trip.
โAre you ready to do this thing or what?โ Riley asked, stepping through the portal without waiting for a reply.
Riley was the best tracker Maddison knew, but he didnโt relish the thought of hunting in the Enchanted Forest when a third of the hympe population were dropping like flies and they had no idea what plethora of emotions would permeate the air.
Maddison stepped through after her surly friend, prepared now to see Aronmyre for the first time. Tobiasโ kingdom was the jewel of the Enchanted Forest. Not that she would ever tell Tobias how much she loved his land. She would rather drink aiscline juice, which tasted as bad as it sounded.
Today she didnโt get to appreciate her surroundings. For one, she stepped into a potential minefield of teeth and testosterone. The sheer number of wolves and panthera in the same place, at the same time, had to equal trouble.
โWhat the hell is going on?โ she demanded, when Fitz, a lieutenant and one of the feline changelings stepped forward.
โWeโve been summoned by the League,โ Fitz said, holding out his hand.
Maddison rolled her eyes when Riley growled beside her. Based on the tension in Rileyโs body, she knew she was pushing it, but Maddison didnโt care. Her hair whipped out and the braid wrapped around Fitzโs hand. He was a tactile creature and he needed the contact. It was the best she could give.
โTalk, cat,โ Riley said, in a voice so low and rough, Maddison sensed he was losing control of the wolf.
โWe need to find the original source of the virus, and to do that we need to track. Unfortunately there are so many contaminants in the air, due to the number of sick, the League figure they need all the help they can get.โ
โYou can all go home now. Iโll find the threat.โ
Maddison had to bite down hard on her lip to prevent the grin. She turned to Riley with a blank expression. โFeeling confident, tiger?โ
His eyes flashed at the provocation. โReally? In a valley full of cats, youโre going with that.โ
She ignored him and turned back to Fitz. โHow did you get the pack to-โ Maddison sucked in breath as light exploded across the clearing. โYou have got to be frigging kidding me.โ
Orion Reece appeared with his usual fanfare and, apparently, he didnโt have time for games. All in the clearing had frozen in their last position, making them temporary statues. All except Maddison and Riley.
โHmm.โ Orion turned in a full circle, taking in his surroundings. โIt really can rain cats and dogs!โ
Maddison stifled a laugh, and Riley growled. Understandably, he took issue; it was not the first time Orion labelled him a dog. โEasy, wolf-man,โ she whispered. Then turned on Orion. He might be a god, but he didnโt impress her. Much. โIf youโre here to ask a favour, weโre kind of busy.โ
โWoody.โ His tone was conciliatory, and this time Maddison wanted to growl. He used the name to get a rise out of her. โIโm here to help. Why must you be so defensive?โ
She narrowed her eyes. โWhatโs it going to cost?โ
Orionโs smile was slow and cunning. โI havenโt decided yet. But you need my help, and itโs a price you can pay, so stop with the bitching.โ He waved his hand with a sorcererโs flourish. A glass appeared in his hand. โDrink this,โ he said, holding it out to Riley.
โYou expect me to consume an unidentifiedโฆโ Rileyโsย gaze dropped to the glass. โPurple drink, a concoction which you plucked from the air?โ
โIf you donโt accept my help, the king wonโt make it. Another two hours and his current mood swings will be permanent.โ Orion shrugged. โPersonally, I think itโs funny to watch him rage out, but Iโm guessing others donโt agree with me.โ His eyes were on Maddison now.
โIโll drink it,โ she said, bored of the game. Maddison knew Orion would never harm her, and if Tobiasโ life was truly in danger, she would take the risk.
โYou canโt.โ Orion sighed with exaggerated patience. โThis is a onetime deal, so decide. The magic requires anโฆadequate tracker.โ
Before Maddison could argue the point, Riley grabbed the glass and downed the liquid. She watched with unconcealed fascination as her friend exploded into wolf form and took off across the clearing.
When she turned back to Orion he was gone, and the world around her came unstuck. Maddison ignored the confused look on Fitzโs face, but touched a hand to his arm. โRiley has a lead. Letโs go.โ
She didnโt wait for an answer, she ran after Riley and hoped Orion wasnโt playing one of his sick games.
Thanks for stopping by.
Mel
24 responses to “Feverish: Friday Fiction with Ronovan Writes #7”
Ohhhh more of these characters! I love them! ๐
Thanks, Colleen โค Anyone would think I'm obsessed with Maddy! In truth, my head is so full of the romantic suspense due out this month, I needed the break!
I’m always happy to see more of Maddison ๐ I look forward to part two!
Thanks, Callum ๐
I love how you always wrap these prompts into your characters. What a great way to get to know them better. I may steal that idea.
Steal away ๐
Fascinating beginning… I’m definitely curious to see what happens next ๐
Thanks, Janna ๐ It’s always great fun to let the characters have a play!
Very developed. ๐ I’m waiting to see if you can hold it to just two parts. ๐
Lol! No pressure ๐ I downgraded to Word 2013 by the way, so I have the advanced features – it’s great!
๐ It really is. It’s like a writing training tool built in.
I know. I just wish there weren’t quite so many squiggly blue lines, though!!
They get fewer and fewer. ๐ The less you write. ๐
[…] Feverish-Part One by Melissa Barker-Simpson (Author Blog) Talk about Cats and Dogs. Melissa gives us a sci-fi/fantasy type trip here. And it’s only part one. 1003 words and a 4.6 GL. […]
A great piece, using the prompts! Look forward to the next part… though with the prompt we have been given (Thanks Ron!) what will you do??!!
Thanks, Ritu. I actually have no idea, but I’m hoping to start working on something this evening ๐
I went a bit loco with mine, but quite happy with the result!!! Look forward to yours!
ooh, now I’m intrigued! I’ll head on over and check that out. I’m on catch up at the moment. I haven’t had chance to get to my computer in days! ๐
Well then I look forward to your feedback!! โบ
Awesome story, Melissa. I can’t wait to see what happens next. I love how this little short stories (created from prompts) tide the series over till the Collective and the next book.
Aw, thanks, Louise. I’m really glad you liked it. Now all I have to do is write the second part! I was hoping to get that done this weekend, but I didn’t manage to find the time ๐
I’m looking forward to it. I start prelim (mock exams) next week so that’ll be something to look forward to.
Ouch! Good luck with that, and I hope the story takes you away from the gruelling studies for a while! ๐
[…] probably need to read part 1 to follow the story, but here is a […]