This is not a follow-up to last week's effort. Just a simple little stand-alone in 149 words.
Surprise - the lock made no sound when I turned the bulky key.
Nor was there a screech from the hinges as the ancient door swung effortlessly open.
The moonlight streaming through the open doorway was all I needed to survey the vast riches in this crypt.
A jeweled brooch.
A golden cup.
A Mithril dagger worth more than even I could imagine.
They all went silently into my pouch.
The residents here had no more need of them.
Soon I would be like a King – one of these ancient Kings, whose crypts are supposedly protected by powerful curses.
What’s this? Aha - a purse of gold coins.
There was no sound but the slight whisper of the wind, like an old lover’s sigh.
Then it caught the door, and slammed it shut with a crash that would wake the dead.
Oh great gods . . . the DEAD.
~ : ~ : ~
As a haiku
Stealing from the dead
Risky business any time
Then an ill wind blows
As a haiku
Stealing from the dead
Risky business any time
Then an ill wind blows
Very nice. The Dead, indeed. I'm glad I don't have to witness his fate.
ReplyDeleteNo haiku?
I forgot to add a haiku.
ReplyDeleteToo many things at once, alas.
JzB
Fixed it.
ReplyDeleteJzB
Ah, yes, a very appropriate haiku. Thanks for writing it :)
ReplyDeleteLove the last line. And the haiku! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are indeed good for darker stories.
Talk about a cliffhanger! Great suspenseful piece. Love that the tension builds throughout, even though the danger doesn't become apparent till the very end. Another VisDare triumph! :)
ReplyDeleteLoved the build up and it's great that you left us hanging as to his fate :)
ReplyDeleteThanks all.
ReplyDeleteThere's very little doubt as to his fate.
JzB