Come Selahway With Me…

I’m sure I’ve probably posted this one before, but I like it, and it keeps with the faerie theme that’s been on my mind this week. This one is also from Lost in the Shadows, but before that it originated on my deviantart account (that I haven’t updated in ten thousand  years).  I like to go around and shoot random photos every so often, not caring about if I’m doing things right or if they’re any good or not. Most of them are still sitting in various files, so I should probably be using them for writing prompts like I did with this one…

Payment

“I’ve done as you asked,” he growled and cast an impudent glare towards the old woman. “I’ve done your dirty work. I’ve practically sold my soul for you! Now give me what I’m owed.”

She listened to his demands with a wry, knowing smile. “Aye, you did much for me…or was it for yourself, for a cheap way to glory, I wonder?”

Her chuckle was wind over dry grass. The soldier was younger and more hardened than the crone, yet still he shuddered.

Though her eyes were bad, he got the distinct feeling that she saw right into his scheming heart when she looked at him. “Aye, you’ll get your payment. Mayhaps you’ll learn your lesson and not do what you’re not prepared to live with for a quick coin, eh?”

He went for his dagger as she reached into her robes, but her hand only brought out a fat money pouch. With another shiver-inducing laugh, she turned it upside down. The crone watched gleefully as the soldier dropped to his knees to collect the golden waterfall that spilled forth. Her laughter spilled out with the coins.

He ran his hands through the long grass to collect the coins, sure that what he had forced himself through had been well worth it, only to have calloused fingers rake up pile after pile of shimmering golden leaves. The rising wind lifted the delicate plant remnants, taking them away towards the horizon.

Cursing, his stomach empty and dignity torn, the soldier looked up but she was already gone, her fading laughter the only proof that she’d ever been there.