Xini told them that a fire illusion to push the orcs out of the Autumn Woods was not enough. She would also create something they wanted, something to follow. “Fear may not be enough to motivate them, but coupled with desire, you give their minds two incentives to follow our path. Three– if you count the barriers the beaver crafters have already built. The deer will show them how to escape the fire as all creatures know the way out, and also be the target they want to catch.” She made the deer glow a soft purple so that the orcs wouldn’t miss it. There it stood on the edge of the fire, waiting for the moment the orcs saw it. First the fire, now a glowing deer! It runs as they shoot arrows after it, and pursue it. But while the deer moves them down the predetermined path out of the woods, the orcs don’t follow long enough. For a moment, they pause, hold out their hands, stare at the deer, the flame, thinking… thinking… about why this feels different.
And thirty orcs stop right there and they don’t move, even when the flames intensify.
Go to Chapter 11
“Protect the Autumn Woods!” is an illustrated story by Jerome Stueart in 33 short flash fiction chapters. The story features D&D-inspired magic-using forest animals who fight to protect their homes. This story was at first a response to a prompt list created by Jenn Reese and Deva Fagan for an October Art Challenge in 2021. You can now read all 33 parts of the story, “Protect the Autumn Woods” with the search term, #AutumnWoods. “Protect the Autumn Woods!” Art Show at the Dayton Society of Artists (48 High Street, Dayton, OH) from November 1 — December 15 2024.
“Protect the Autumn Woods!” is adjacent to a larger show of amazing Dayton Artists, “Small, but Mighty.” Come see all of the art, any weekend, Friday 12-5, Saturday 12-5 to experience the art yourself.
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