Fragment Friday

Patrick and Silk

Patrick O’Malley has arrived in Pittsburgh in the mid-19th century with a job to do. His assets are a Letter; a stolen vial of unicorn tears; and his own attitude. Before he can get on with his undertakings, though, he has an unexpected meeting with Silk, Lord Oberon’s consort, who invites him to tea and warns him of his trials to come…

What follows is a fragment from “An Understanding”, a work in progress that started as a short story but now seems to want to stretch itself a bit.

“There will, of course, be three trials. As is traditional.”

“Three – ?” Patrick sputtered. “Ha’ you forgotten the black dogs in the moors?”

“Mmm.” Silk’s eyes took on a far-away look. “That was amusing to watch.”

“Amusing! And the sirens at the bay? The fetch that stalked my in the city of New York?” He fought to keep his voice even. “What do ye call those, then, if not trials?”

Silk’s focus returned to the present. She fixed her smile on O’Malley. “Gifts. Opportunities. Blessings! You could have halted your quest or turned back when faced with any of Titania’s minions.”

“Gifts? Each of those haunts was trying to murder me! How do you call that a blessing?”

“Oh, they were most certainly gifts. If you had accepted Titania’s grace, you would be dead now. ‘Dancing with the angels’, is that how you put it?” Silk leaned forward. Her smile did not change, though her eyes narrowed. “Now that you are here, though? She. Is. Pissed. Prior, she would have been satisfied with your death. But now? Now she wants you alive.”

Patrick’s eye twitched. “Lovely.” 

Silk laughed, bright and clear, before sitting back in her chair. “Isn’t it, though? It has simply been ages since we have had such good sport as you!” She cocked her head at him, lips curled in a coquettish grin. “Please do try to survive to the third trial, Patrick. I have wagered on your bull-headed ability to survive thus far. I would be terribly disappointed if you were to give up the ghost before then.”