Chief Strategist

Glad you could join us for the next strategic episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

As eager as she was to cause the King of Bog more trouble than he could handle, Duggla the Crone didn’t like being threatened, and veiled threats were still threats.

Besides, she thought as she watched the General nibble on snake heart and wasp wings, any moron would have known someone would go tell the King when I escaped. If he needed me to tell him to follow the first Knight who left the Kingdom, he’s not as smart as he wants everybody to think he is, and if he rules by fear, he’s not much of a leader.

Yet his influence over the Stingers she’d seen so far was undeniable — they weren’t afraid, they were adoring. What if his need for me is an act? What if he’s testing me — making sure I’m not still loyal to that spiteful, bloated monarch? What if he plans to use me and then turn me into dinner as soon as he gets what he wants?

Madam Duggla paused to snag a gnat. Rolling the hapless tidbit around in her mouth, she wondered, What does the General really want?

The germ of a plan sprouted in the dark. Once I figure that out, I’ll just have to beat him to it and strike first.

To be continued. . .

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .

Author: Sue Ranscht

Having survived valve repair surgery and an experimental cardiac bypass at age 5, three years before it was an accepted medical procedure, Susan grew into the size of her overworked and enlarged heart. Maybe she thought she had enough to give it away -- twice. Both times, she had to retrieve the shattered pieces and puzzle them back together. She thanks her Dad for the only advice of his she ever followed to the letter: "Never get married. Learn to take care of yourself." So of course she is a writer. Susan has co-written a YA SciFi novel, and has three more novels in various stages of evolution. She's had several short stories published in other people's anthologies, some of which were contest-related. Let her tell you a story... View all posts by Sue Ranscht