100 Word Anonymous Writing Challenge #12 (March '16)

[farntfar]

R & R



Made a good haul this time. The office turned my nuggets into sixty gold coins.

At the saloon, Jack took two coins, plunked down at the 3D printer, and began filling my order.

First, my companion, Marilyn Monroe. Stepping out of the box, she looked beautiful as always.

“Petey, good to see you again!” she cried.

“Good to see you too, hon,” I answered. “Where do you want to go this time?”

“Hmmm. Can we try that “earth” place you always talk about?”

“Sure, doll, whatever you want.” Turning to Jack, I asked, “How much for one earth?”

 

[farntfar]

Auld Gold


The wind whistled auld gold tunes across the burns and through the kirks of he Black Isle. Once, before the time of Frantic Hearts, when the villagers had rolled soft and heavy in the darkness, the wind chastised only gently in this region, breathing a clean, soft metal into the land. But hard morning had arrived witnessed in the flat-eyed children, the moaning thing at the bottom of the well in Dark Dream, and the arrival of the 45th Company of Leathergrubs. Fresh from battle and drowsy from the blood they licked and kissed from swords of Clevergold and suffering.

 

[farntfar]

Dark Arts

Grand Inquisitor Bernardos banged his gavel, and pointed a gnarled finger at me. “You stand accused of alchemy, of turning base metals into gold. Crimes against nature!”

I shuffled, rattling the rusty chains chafing my wrists, but remained silent.

Bernardos stood. “Well, what say you, heathen?”

The courtroom door smashed open, then; my riders in plate held aloft their crossbows and took aim at the aghast Inquisition.

“I can’t turn my men’s plate into gold, but I can buy them with it.” I nodded, and the quarrels flew. “It’s not alchemy that creates my gold, Inquisitor. It’s economics.”

 

[farntfar]

Spinning a Yarn

"Why do I have to spin this flax? In a story, it’d turn itself to gold." Mary threw down the spindle. But Mother wanted it done for Tuesday market, so she would have to sit ruining her eyes by firelight. She picked it up and carried on.

At last she nodded off. When she awoke, an unexpected weight in her lap glistened in the firelight.

"Oh, goodness! It really is gold. We're rich!"

She jumped up and flung open the door. Daylight from the kitchen window reached the nugget in her hand. It sagged, transformed into yarn again.

 

[farntfar]

Fragile Unity

King Eric looked up from his Wild Boar to see his herald running into the Great Hall, announcing, “Elder King Erold, The Great Father of Seven Kings!” Guards twitched two inches taller.

Erold filled the room with his personal complement, proclaiming, “I bring you long-awaited unity with The Dragons and your brothers, and plentiful stockpiles. I require all your gold and your peace. Or… I cut you down. You have two moons!”

* * *


Erold returned with more than an honour guard. The herald left by the kitchen passage.

Erold pointed with his sword, “Eric! What is that on your finger?”

 

[farntfar]

Be Careful In The Dragon's Lair, Lest You End Up 'Medium Rare'.

“I have a riddle!”

Another questing Hobbit? Thought the dragon from atop his pile of treasure. “Oh alright. Let's hear it.”

“A box without hinges, lock or key, yet golden treasure lies within. What is it?”

“Now let me think...”

“Come on. I haven't got all day.”

“A box you say?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Without hinges, lock or key...?”

“That's right!”

"Golden treasure...? No. Haven't a clue."

“An egg! Ha-ha. I win! Hand over the gold.”

“Ah! I'm afraid it's just not your day. Smaug's is the next cave along. A common and unfortunate mistake - see these small piles of bones...?”