In Fluttering Shadows, a king reels from the surrender of his army. Torn between rage and doubt, his advisor turns to the kingdom’s spymaster, whose network of uncanny informants reveals more than anyone wished to hear. Whispers become warnings, and secrets flutter on wings both fragile and foreboding.
What begins as the fallout of defeat deepens into a tale of espionage and looming catastrophe. As unique spies carry secrets across the land, the kingdom must reckon with truths that even victory cannot silence.
Twirling Foliage accompanies this story. Its winding saxophone lines and clarinet interplay evoke the fluttering uncertainty of the spymaster’s agents and the growing dread of a storm on the horizon. The music drifts between delicate whispers and swelling urgency, mirroring the fragile tension between hidden truths and the thunder of war.
Behind the Scenes:
Though I never forgot this tale, the spymaster slipped from my focus. And that’s a mistake I’m glad to correct here. His presence adds a layer of mystery and menace I’ll be exploring further. The image that sparked this story has stayed with me ever since, and the spymaster emerged from it fully formed, butterflies and all.
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“My army surrendered!?” Namen slammed his fist against his throne, the wood shuddering beneath the blow, and snarled. “What did my cowardly force do after they laid down their weapons to these rebels?”
The messenger’s hands trembled behind his back as his stoic face locked onto the King’s ornate chair. He bowed, spreading his arms like a bird in flight. “I wasn’t there to witness the results, sire. I carried only the message I was dispatched with. Do you want me to discover the fallout of the surrender?”
“No, there’s nothing you can accomplish,” the King grumbled as he crumpled the missive in his fist. He flung the wadded paper at the messenger’s face. “Kameron will locate these traitors!”
The messenger ducked the parchment projectile, while an advisor sitting close to the King interlaced her fingers and cleared her throat. “Your Majesty, I believe it would be best to collect any information that Baxter has before deciding on how to deal with these deserters. Consider the cost of dispatching another battalion to a captured keep.”
The King’s eyes narrowed as his lips trembled. He lifted his fingers from the ornately inlaid armrest of his throne, glancing toward the ceiling, as if the spymaster could overhear him. “Baxter is troublesome enough during peaceful times. But when it comes to war, his riddles are unbearable.”
“Baxter is unique.” The advisor smiled and leaned toward the King. “But he’s the best spymaster we’ve ever had.”
“I’m aware, Kerri!” Namen struck his chair with both meaty fists. “But I won’t deal with him if he’s communicating with his spies. Go discover everything he’s learned about these rebels and traitors.”
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