Sir Asa Thornhidden was not used to company. He lived alone, and liked it. He didn’t like the constant chatter of his two companions on this journey east.
He was chosen to go on this mission–to make contact with the human settlement– because he was a very skilled diplomat. Carlotta was chosen to translate into Human everything he said. Able, dear gods, was just extra muscle, in case they got into trouble. Asa had muscle too, taut and sinewy, but he still had it.
Able’s voice tonight vibrated Asa’s ears very weirdly, such a very strong accent. Something southern and annoying. He’d never noticed it before.
Tonight he wanted them both to be quiet. But he didn’t stop them from chattering. And they did– about Able’s favorite games, tasty recipes, and Carlotta’s most striking impressions. She was good with voices. She did a very funny Ramsaur impression.
“I feel like being alone,” she said in a very bad Sir Asa voice.
He smiled to hide his annoyance.
He felt the weight of the mission on his own head. Able couldn’t do it. Carlotta just translated what she was told to. He alone must negotiate with an unpredictable group of humans who had probably never seen animals like them, or even knew what magic was. They were going to be primitive.
Able did backflips as Carlotta laughed. Three of them in a row. Sir Asa would be impressed if acrobatics were being called for. How about a nimble mind? Someone good with words? That mental dexterity mattered more now.
Who’s to say that the humans wouldn’t be as frightened of them as they would be of orcs? How do you calmly discuss a major threat to a people who might be too frightened to listen to you?
They had no choice though. A hare, a skunk, a magpie–they might be familiar enough to the humans to let them believe what Asa had to say. But would they take the threat seriously? Would they help?
Go to Chapter 21
“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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