Tag: wasps

A Question of Justice

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

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Photo credit: Brisbaneinsects.com

They fairly ran through the Bowls of Death meadow, but even if they had flown through it, Elliot couldn’t have shut out visions of the terror Cassandra endured there at the rebel Spike’s bidding. So why did his thoughts take an unbidden fork in the road?

My love is alive today because Arturo killed Spike. I believe with all my heart that he deserved to die — but was it justice?

Might it have been better to incarcerate him for the rest of his life? Maybe they could have put him to work repairing all the damage he’d done. Maybe it would have brought the families whose lives he’d ruined a sense of satisfaction to see him serving their needs.

Entering the Freelands, Elliot witnessed rebuilding everywhere he looked.

It wouldn’t have undone the deaths he caused, but is it really better that he isn’t here to help set things right? Families mourn, and then they have to repair Spike’s devastation.

What might Cassandra think?

But right now, he needed to speak with someone else.

To be continued. . .

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

Breakfast Is Not Served

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Photo credit: Mad Max

“Hey! Watch it, up there! Prisoner down below!” The indignant cry exploded from the Hole as Elliot clung to its edge, grabbing for anything secure to keep from slipping into the abyss.

Time stopped.

“Cassandra?” he ventured.

“Elliot…? Is it really you?”

“You there!” yelled the guard zipping back to his post from a brief trip to the bushes. “Step away from the Hole. Who are you and what is your business here?”

Drawing up to his full height and dignity, Elliot countered, “I might ask you the same thing.”

Cassandra’s advice drifted up from the depths. “I wouldn’t, Elliot.”

Continue reading “Breakfast Is Not Served”

Elliot’s 20/20 Vision

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Photo credit: wall.alphacoders.com

Following a golden line threading its way through leafy trees and brambled bushes wasn’t as easy in his altered state as Elliot had anticipated. Sometimes the light seemed alive and beckoning. Then it might taunt him by vanishing down a burrowed tunnel to shoot into the sky several yards away as the barely visible trail of a manic firefly, only to fall into a puddle or pool like a disillusioned star. (It was impossible for him to tell which it was, pool or puddle, or even if there really was a body of water there at all.)

The minutes stretched to hours, the hours to days, and the days to years that lasted only seconds. I’ve been here forever, he thought. Why hasn’t the sun come up?

Continue reading “Elliot’s 20/20 Vision”

A Slippery Slope

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Photo credit: Nathan Ng

“Well if it isn’t Vernon the Valet-ison,” Spike sneered, reclining on a curved leaf, attended by an impossibly handsome young wasp. “I hafta admit, I didn’t expect her to send you. Arturo, bring our guest something to eat; he’s looking a little peak-ed. Or is it ‘piqued’?”

He looked Vernon up and down as the blushing Arturo, eyes downcast, sped off in the direction of the battered butterfly. “Sit,” Spike instructed, “let’s catch up.”

“I don’t have time to indulge you, Spike. Show me the Princess so I can report back to the Queen before she wonders what happened to me.”

Continue reading “A Slippery Slope”

Welcome to the D’Arc Side

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Photo credit: L. Tarnow

Mr. D’Arc met Vernon at the western edge of Fen as the sun began to slide down the sky.

“Nice to see you again, Brudder. We’ve missed you.”

“Just take me to Spike,” Vernon said. His gasp as they passed a violent attack on a hatching chrysalis caught Mr. D’Arc’s attention.

“Oh,” he sniggered, “de refreshments. Yes, indeed, we do make good use of mahnarcs. I told you dere would be hospitality.”

To be continued…

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

Mister D’Arc

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Photo credit: June Aubrey Young

“Well, Mr. D’Arc,” Queen Lilian began, “what is your master offering?”

“Ahfering? I tink you hahve misunderstood de situation. De Commahnder issues a wahrnin’.”

Continue reading “Mister D’Arc”

Spike’s Messenger

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Photo credit: Rundstedt B. Rovillos

With that image fresh in his mind, Elliot easily resisted the Bols de Mort. He pushed headlong through the malodorous meadow to arrive at the Hive at the tail end of twilight.

Vernon, Liaison to Queen Lilian the Undisputed Monarch of Fen, notified the Queen the instant Elliot returned. She met him in the bower moments later.

“Your Magnificence, one of Spike’s rebels has taken Cassandra. He knows she’s King Arnie’s daughter. I’m afraid I’ve put her in grave danger.” Continue reading “Spike’s Messenger”

A Case of Mistaken Identity

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Photo credit: Craig Barrow

“Stand down, soldier,” the King laughed. “You’re alarming our ally.”

Confused but obedient, young Scout Philbin scanned the Knights’ faces before stammering, “Uh… King Arnie, I’ve located the… um, Marauders.” He threw a quick glance at Sirehta. “They’re less than five minutes ahead, raiding the winter stores of the tree dwellers.”

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Demon Flambé

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Photo credit: Marty Essen/Justincorkum7

King Arnie’s calm faced Sirehta’s anger. “You can see we are not demons, flaming or otherwise. We are only protecting our homeland from those who want to harm us. Where is your home, soldier?”

“My home is gone.”

“Destroyed?”

Continue reading “Demon Flambé”

Sirehta

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Photo credit: Calum Williams/Mark Kostich

Weapon in hand, King Arnie faced the noise. Half a dozen Knights moved soundlessly into the bracken, encircling the suspected threat.

“You’re surrounded. Show yourself,” the King commanded.

Continue reading “Sirehta”