webnovel

Tales from the Woodfolk

A shadow passes between two trees as you hear scurrying across the leaves. A wind blows through a curtain of swaying ivy. Flowers fall as a maiden kisses her lover's cheek, only to disappear in the light of dawn. Have we really listened to the trees when they rustle in the wind? Or hear the gossip of swallows as they rest in their nests? The woods are dark with secrets, we just haven't really listened to them yet. This is a collection of short stories inspired by both human nature and the nature of the Earth in which we live. There is a story behind every crushed bark, gnawed bone, raven's quill, giant's skull, and fallen wreath. If you like Fantastical Beasts, Grimm's Fairytales, or the Book of Khaidan, this may be for you. Lily is a sickly 6-year old child, knowing little of the outdoors. She has been sick for most of her short lifetime. One day when her parents have to leave for a very long business trip amidst the pandemic, her grandmother comes to stay, offering her stories to feed her imagination, and calm her anxiety. As they recount the stories, they encounter adventures of different measures and forms. However, the stories can only last for so long, before reality strikes....(what happens? We shall find out).

DreamyLark · Fantasy
Not enough ratings
10 Chs

The Gobbler - Part 4: Revolution

The men of the village had grown to a 100-strong crowd. Waving their axes and shovels, they were angry, and very hungry. Some women had joined the fight as well, having lost their sons and daughters to the cold draughts. They ran down the road to the big man's mansion, leaving a trail of smoke and lights with fire in their hands.

Storming through the decadent soils of the man's land, the men were half-stunned to see his land as dry and cracked as theirs, if not worse. But pity had left their hearts at the thought of all injustice, and they raided his yards, finding all but nothing. No sheep, no oxen, no cows, no millet – absolutely nothing. Except a stench so fierce they tore cloths to use as masks.

Finally, they brought a huge log, and together, brought it forth against the enormous door to the big house, finally breaking its hinges with eight strikes. On the tenth strike, the giant door fell with a roar, shattering in splinters and plumes of risen dust. The men walked through the oaken smoke stealthily.