The King’s List
Twisted tales – Prompt: Precious Metal
The King’s List belongs to the following groups:
All Out Emotion, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Masterpieces: Literary Workshop, Twisted Tales and WMGThe King liked to walk alone though he knew there was always a loyal subject not far behind always watching, waiting for him to utter a command.
His thoughts paced in front of him a step at a time. The King was very troubled; his task was grinding at him today and he felt a lonely hunger larger them himself. It was never a good day when the final judgment was passed to his plate, but he would not shirk his duty.
He had managed to whittle down the names on his list to the last one. The laws of the land were plain and those who chose to deviate from them would pay the price, and sadly some would pay more dearly than others. The last criminal whose crime was somehow more foolish than malicious but clearly the lawmaker’s boundary had been crossed. He had no choice but to decree death. He was not a cruel King for his ruling came from the laws his people had spoken and agreed upon.
The guillotine master kept his precious metal queen sharpened so with one strike the blade would butter slice, swift and precise. The crowd had no jeering mob mentality when the blade did her work but bowed their heads respectfully for the one who was now fully redeemed for their crimes.
The sound of the blade crushing the quiet and the last body slumping on to the platform heralded the law had been upheld. The King briefly closed his eyes relieved that it was over for now. The guillotine master bowed before his King and the crowd dispersed slowly fading away into the streets. The guillotine master began to polish and oil his apparatus, a potent reminder to obey the laws or one may feel the weight of her eager shiny grin.
The King requested to dine with his family that evening with all his children in attendance. They crowded around him and he basked in the love they so clearly felt for him. A servant realized the oversight and quietly removed the Queen’s chair her seating arrangement had been severed.
© K S Hardy 2009
Jeannette Sheehy
“her seating arrangement had been severed.” What a fantastic last line! So glad that you wrote another :)
ArcadiaTempest replied
A little gruesome I know….but just couldn’t resist…:)))
Erika .
oh wow! what an ending! :D
ArcadiaTempest replied
Thanks Erika…appreciate you stopping by to have a read. XXXX
Solar Zorra
Ah Hahahahahahah. Great one! What a prick…...Hope whatever she did she had a fantastic time doing it. XX :) SZ
ArcadiaTempest replied
LOL…..he was only doing what the law required … it wasn’t his fault :)))
Cassey
Hahahahahaha.
ArcadiaTempest replied
Head turning isn’t it… :))))
Matt Penfold
Whatever happened to the royal pardon? Though I guess there are plenty more queens where she came from…........ lovely twist Karensue :-o
ArcadiaTempest replied
LOL…..possibly but she was the best one. And he let her get head over heels didnt he!!
Alison Pearce
Wonderfully told and an excellent interpretation of the prompt :)
ArcadiaTempest replied
Hi Alison…thanks your comment made me smile….appreciate it !!
filfil
jaw hanging down in amazement Unbelievable!
ArcadiaTempest replied
Wow….thank you sooo much!! XX
BiographyofRed8
very unusual and quirky, I thought the end was the best lightning bolt!
ArcadiaTempest replied
Hi… many thanks for you stopping by for a read of this….. really liked your take on it. Quirky sits really well with me. :)) XX
Shoaib .
i knew there was something coming there at the end ! ... beautifully done .. oh yah and your grammar and syntax is great :)
ArcadiaTempest replied
LOL. ;>D … Oh goodee I can rest easy then :) XX
anya
Great story. A fabulous write Arcadia.
ArcadiaTempest replied
Hi Anya. Thank you for your kind words. :))XX
Jim Hall
Wait till the last moment. Then grab ‘em! Good story. Excellent twist. JH
ArcadiaTempest replied
Hi Jim. I actually wrote this one first but was unsure about it. I wondered if it was too gruesome…I seem to do a lot of gruesome you see…. oh well gruesome does do well for twisting ;))
Zolton
I think the whole kingdom will be on good behavior for quite a while! Fun story and well done…Did she eat his turkey leg? ha ha.
ArcadiaTempest replied
Not sure….she may have written something really bad…. :)))XXX
Cathryn Swanson
Good story Arcardia, great last line too!
ArcadiaTempest replied
Hi… thanks for stopping by, cheers will be over to your place soon.. :))X