tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32000792026-06-05T19:56:55.579-05:00Joyously ProlificCheck out my books at www.Lazette.netZettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.comBlogger3404125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-36210561747078142752026-06-05T18:05:23.694-05:002026-06-05T18:05:23.694-05:00Flash Fiction #722 -- Carrots I worked in the castle kitchens, running errands and dicing carrots. I despise carrots. So, of course, I had inherited my grandmother's bright orange hair and fiery temper -- and her name, Carrot Top. If I'd ever had another name, no one remembered it, including me. At seventeen, I saved a visiting lord's life. His personal cook warned about his onion allergy. He Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-36245934154197232882026-05-30T14:13:02.166-05:002026-05-30T14:13:02.166-05:00Flash Fiction #721 -- Bored Immortal The problem with being an immortal god is that you can easily outlive your true believers. The situation becomes complicated if the immortal loses interest in their subjects.Humans bored me. I found worse. Take, for instance, rabbits.Take as many rabbits as you like. They are everywhere.Bunnies don't need guidance. They are naturally sweet and don't need help Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-45583069473768873072026-05-23T22:23:10.420-05:002026-05-23T22:23:10.420-05:00Flash Fiction #720 -- The Stranger The sun rose in a glory of reds and pinks, touching the edges of the clouds and then infusing them with color, as though magical inkwells had tipped and the colors spread across the sky. That was what the boy saw as he stared, wishing the morning would hold still here and that he could sit a while longer.He was weary. Weary of the journey and weary of life. He thought thatZettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-41117125084811310202026-05-15T21:50:04.315-05:002026-05-15T21:50:53.338-05:00Flash Fiction #719 -- Zette Versus the Cat Toy I bought my furry friends a powered ball that runs around bouncing off things. They enjoyed chasing it for a few minutes. Then it disappeared.It didn't turn up for months. It still had power when I pulled it out of a dark corner. I turned it on and let it go.The cats were not interested. They watched it bounce against the office door. Several times. Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-7499491144896422292026-05-11T19:46:00.001-05:002026-05-15T21:50:41.220-05:00Flash Fiction #718 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/16 (End) Callum had helped fight a squad of berserkers who had tree trolls backing them. The trolls had withered and died under the attack. He thought the berserkers were tiring. They might have a chance. The berserkers continued to fight after their drum stopped.Then he saw Kono and Lady Bear rushing toward him. He began looking for Ryson even before his mind had articulated the fear."Ryson!&Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-84017338005127147162026-05-04T00:35:00.002-05:002026-05-04T00:35:33.031-05:00Flash Fiction #717 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/15 <!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-75085349437178077712026-04-24T23:37:00.001-05:002026-04-24T23:37:18.363-05:00Flash Fiction #716 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/14 Callum had spent years in a hidden temple learning both the lore and the language of the dragons. He had become fluent in their language, and he could recite ancient dragon poems that took weeks to repeat.He had never met a dragon.The sky shimmered with gem-like colors and the hum of moving dragon wings.Five dragons settled from sky to land, each a shimmering jewel color: jade, Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-31677605306562548102026-04-18T00:28:00.003-05:002026-04-18T00:28:40.637-05:00Flash Fiction #715 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/13 <!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-3582700544056401312026-04-12T00:10:00.004-05:002026-04-12T00:10:58.665-05:00Flash Fiction #714 --A Second Tale of the First Alliance/12 Kono said nothing. Her cousins fell silent as well, the three of them moving quietly down what seemed to be endless stairs. She only looked back once and could no longer see the opening. Kono wasn't certain if they were too far away to see it or if it had closed.She didn't ask.They rested twice before the opening below them looked any closer. They even slept in turns. KonoZettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-31949042942042336342026-04-04T00:31:00.002-05:002026-04-04T00:31:54.992-05:00Flash Fiction #713 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/11 Ryson could see the opening above them fast growing smaller -- but not because it was shrinking. They were falling, and he held tight to Kono's arm even though he didn't think he could save her. The shock of the sudden fall kept him from panicking just long enough for Callum to save them."There!" Callum shouted. With a sickening jolt, they moved as much to the right as downward.Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-34183987461931704722026-03-27T23:54:00.003-05:002026-03-27T23:59:24.298-05:00Flash Fiction #712 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/10 Callum couldn't decide which he mistrusted more: the gryphon and dragon, or his own place in this mess. Yes, an extraordinary mage had trained him. Callum even admitted to himself that he had used magic well on this journey. This trouble, however, would affect more than just him and a handful of friends. He hadn't practiced enough to take on any real trouble. Deal Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-3405453195543629812026-03-21T22:52:00.005-05:002026-03-21T22:52:36.350-05:00Flash Fiction # 711 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/9 Ryson watched as Callum sent a line of fire against the trolls.That only enraged them. Callum drew his sword and hacked at the relentless limbs, foregoing magic. One caught hold of his cousin's arm and tried to jerk it out of its socket. Callum went down, the wood troll dragging him toward a knot of ten or more companions. Ryson yelled and leaped into the mass, hacking at any Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-76946858114870262242026-03-14T23:40:00.002-05:002026-03-14T23:41:01.624-05:00Flash Fiction #710 --A Second Tale of the First Alliance/8 <!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-24469824037167389652026-03-07T00:03:00.002-06:002026-03-07T00:16:19.702-06:00Flash Fiction #709 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/7 Callum couldn't decide if he or Ryson was more surprised by the Queen's admission. Tsak and his people pushed ahead by a few yards and left the three to deal with this problem.Then Callum rethought it."Everything went well," Callum announced before the other two could start arguing. "That Kono knew is good. She knows you well, Ryson. She would spot a problem.""And now is Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-89669721919683459402026-02-27T00:24:00.004-06:002026-03-07T00:00:11.178-06:00Flash Fiction #708 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/6 Ryson turned to follow Callum and Kono. The drums grew louder, and if he didn't keep control, they would drag him back in again. He cursed softly and hurried out to join his companions, including Tsak and Rimal. Six others were on horses, and Callum had Kono with him, which was good and bad. It kept her safely in sight and under some control, but it meant Callum wouldn't Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-68862465573458036862026-02-20T19:57:00.004-06:002026-02-28T23:41:07.093-06:00Flash Fiction #707 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/5 Kono stood by the entrance to Tsak's tent. Men and women moved around her with no trouble, and no one looked bothered. These were people used to trouble. Kono watched until her cousins disappeared and then followed Tsak into the tent.Swords, shorter blades, bows and arrows, and shields lined the interior of the dark tent. A few people gathered at a table, scooping food Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-67809584374619923662026-02-13T22:25:00.002-06:002026-02-13T22:25:10.640-06:00Flash Fiction #706 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/4 Blades appeared in three hands. Ryson and Callum took places at the Queen's side. Ryson was glad to see Kono's hand stay steady as she held the knife she usually wore hidden in her belt.Lord Tsak looked at them with open amusement as if they were children dressed up and playing games. Ryson didn't like it. He had known Tsak for years. So had Callum, and neitherZettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-64139724405349045562026-02-09T11:51:00.005-06:002026-02-09T11:51:57.670-06:00Flash Fiction #705 -- A second Tale of the First Alliance/3 Despite knowing that the Ice Sprites were nowhere near this dry, hot lowland, Callum still looked for bright spots in the landscape and sky. Their allies rarely left the highland snowfields. Callum had first considered running to higher ground, but the enemy drove them downward instead. They'd had no choice.Heavy boots stomped along the nearby path, but none of the Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-9199776910750218242026-01-30T23:29:00.003-06:002026-02-09T11:52:39.374-06:00Flash Fiction #704 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/2 Ryson could hear a distant voice, but the calling of the drums overlaid it so that he couldn't understand --"Need you!"Ryson grabbed at the words, his hands moving and latching on to an arm, the grip so tight that he felt someone flinch. Callum."Don't leave without me," Kono said."Won't," Ryson whispered. "Be fast.""Put the bar into place. You'll hear me coming back."Kono Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-2860721589121540582026-01-26T22:01:00.002-06:002026-01-26T22:01:05.773-06:00Flash Fiction #703 -- A Second Tale of the First Alliance/1 This was not the best lodgings the three had ever taken, even in desperation. On the good side, the Queen was too tired to do more than grunt as she fell onto the lumpy bed. Ryson had made his way to the shuttered window despite the lack of light. Callum stumbled against a chair rather than found it. He sat down and stayed there despite the seat sinking dangerously low.&Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-31190218200656406342026-01-16T23:11:00.002-06:002026-01-16T23:11:16.643-06:00Flash Fiction # 702 -- Remember "Gather your tools and your manuscripts!" The woman stood on the stage while the volcano grumbled behind her. Ash shot cloud-like into the sky. A small river of lava snaked its way toward them.The ground gave a violent twist and brought down a few walls."To the ships! Gather your families and get to the ships!"They'd grown used to listening to Gaia over the years, and they did as she Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-24392369624162943402026-01-08T19:00:00.001-06:002026-01-16T23:11:45.534-06:00Flash Fiction #701 -- Adventure Kane liked adventure, so each year he walked until a foggy lake blocked his path. The trail split around the lake, but fog obscured the distant view in both directions.Tall weeds grew in straggling patches except for the deer path on the right. That proved the best inducement short of a very long swim straight across the fog-obscured weather. He took the deer paths and Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-15365944389928904722026-01-03T00:21:00.003-06:002026-01-03T00:21:54.629-06:00#700 -- Hello (McCready checking out her photo)I hadn't planned to start the year with post number 700, but it seemed a good number for a 'hello' note. As you can probably tell from my often-late posts in 2025, I did not have the best year. I had at least one hospital stay, and maybe two. Sometimes they all run together. Keeping up with the Friday story posts has been difficult, but I hope to Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-1845409945983340772025-12-26T17:55:00.003-06:002025-12-26T17:58:37.025-06:00Flash Fiction # 699 --A Tale of the First Alliance/4 "The Dragon core is awakening," he interpreted, and somehow kept his voice calm. The Prince said more, and Ryson almost missed it. "As allies, they ask for troops to help protect their home cave. And for this sacrifice to help save my people, we will pledge an eternal alliance and will fight to the death for your land."That was quite an unusual offering, and not one to be brushed aside.KonoZettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200079.post-39808857506979560322025-12-19T17:49:00.005-06:002025-12-26T17:58:05.042-06:00Flash Fiction # 698 --A Tale of the First Alliance/3 Callum stopped, listened, and then pressed part of a stone wall to the side. Ryson had not considered this particular passage, and he hurried in, the other two following him. Feeble light filtered through cracks in the wall, and they fell silent when they heard someone pass by. Callum laid his head against the crack in the stone, and they waited in silence until he gave the signal."Zettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837114270302314607noreply@blogger.com0