Fenestra had one big trick. A very big trick. Her powers of sorcery could not swallow the orcs in mire like the Druid Madrijolopur or frighten them with illusion like Xini the Warlock. But she could levitate objects, small creatures, and she could ensorcell one soul to her will. She wished she was powerful enough to control them all. But she wasn’t. They had so much will of their own.
But one of them, with a flick of her tongue, was hers.
Hers.
Lift that axe. (Lifted). Attack the orcs around you. (The axe swung on a fellow orc.)
She flew beside the orc, keeping within six feet of him, important for the control to work. She’d have to dodge the battle, but it would work better than trying to steady herself on his moving orc body.
Few questers came to find Fenestra anymore, promising her adventure or treasures, if she would grant them success or bless their blades or tell them where to find magical falderall. The pond had become quiet. She waited. No one came.
She did not feel needed. Or searched for.
When Madge, as she called the turtle druid, first came to her pond, he was a rival! So much water, and rain, and waterspouts tossing the lily pads! But also so smart and fun to talk to. And they created a beautiful little magical pond full of mystery and weirdness…and it made her very happy over the last many years here. She didn’t feel like she had a purpose any longer to being magical until Madge challenged her to use her sorcery for fun now. She used it for herself and her friends.
Now she used it to save them.
O blessed night the stars fell from the sky into the pond…when she was young…the night she embodied magic, and it lived within her. She’d like to think the whole world had benefited from the things she’d ensorcelled. She may not have fought in the battles. She may not have gone on the rest of the quests. But she put little stars in everything she touched. And she gave them a new purpose.
And those stars turned all the battles.
Just like this Warrior.
See how he cleaves his fellow orcs, his axe lodging in their arms.
See how they fight him, give him all their attention.
How they stop fighting her friends, and give them a chance to fight without reciprocal attack.
Look at how good her Big Orc is at what he does.
Oh, he has stars in him.
“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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