Story Instalment: Prompt - “Passion”
The wall of the lighthouse towered over him and solid ground had just connected with the ship’s hull when pain burst through Tristan’s skull. Crying out he clutched his head. He was vaguely aware of Simone’s fingers gripping his arm, trying to pull him up, but it was as if the very earth beneath them was pulling him down.
Of your passion I have no doubt, chosen one of the Gateway. But her - she still needs to be tested before she is deemed worthy of the flower’s gift.
“No, please—“ Tristan stretched out his hand towards the tower, the plea dying on his lips as darkness gripped him. She can’t do it alone, he whispered in his mind as he felt his consciousness fade.
She must. Or none of you will ever leave the Isles.
* * * * *
“Tristan? Tristan!” Simone’s voice was shrill and desperate in her ears and she knew she had to get a grip, to show the crew she could take charge, but emotion flooded her willpower. She knelt over Tristan’s limp body, cradling him to her. A whisper of breath tickled her cheek and she could hear a very distant heart beat if she listened ever so carefully, but other than that there was no sign of the powerful warrior that had been standing next to her mere moments before.
Simone cried out again, feeling her body flung back from Tristan’s against the ships railing. She tried to grip her skull, pain piercing the space behind her eyelids, but her arms were held fast by some invisible power. Even as her eyes rolled up in her head, enveloping her in darkness, she saw the crew’s fearful faces.
Why have you come here?
The voice was barely a whisper in her mind and yet carried so much power it felt as if someone was shouting right in her face. Simone scrambled for rational thought, to answer, but the voice spoke again, this time booming with anger.
WHY HAVE YOU COME HERE?
We seek the Flower! She answered, finally getting herself to form the words.
You are not worthy!
Another cry escaped her lips and she felt herself curl forward into a little ball, the force holding her arms suddenly released. Her mind flashed back to Layna - Tristan’s town - her town, their home, now - and the slow destruction they had witnessed.
“Please, our oceans are dying. Our home… Is… Dying.”
What do I care about your petty town? I have stood for centuries watching mankind slaughter their own kin, destroying all they hold dear!
Simone forced herself to pause, the words ringing true.
“You’re right,” she whispered, and could feel the Tower’s surprise as a physical blow to the chest. “You’re right, but…” She willed every memory she had of exploring Layna's oceans, of the town floating above that wonderland, the creatures taking care of each other, and of them. Of the wonderful coexistence she had witnessed, and the magic flowing from deep within the ocean’s core. “If Layna falls, those creatures will die too. They’ve already given up their lives protecting us. Please. Let us help them in turn.”
She managed to push herself up into a kneeling position, her head still resting on the rough wooden deck. The air seemed to pulse with expectation and she struggled for breath, feeling the Tower’s gaze upon her, feeling herself being weighed and measured.
With a sudden cry, a flock of birds burst forth from somewhere within the island, and Simone’s head whipped up to follow their flight. Their white feathers caught the light of the setting sun, burning like fire in the dusk. And with their release, it’s as if everything around them had released a pent up breath. With the help of the first mate, Simone managed to push herself to her feet, facing the tower, her spine straight and shoulders back as she waited for the Tower to speak again.
You will have one chance to reach the Passion’s Triumph. But many traps and perils surround this flower that you seek - only those pure of heart and selfless in their intention will reach this prize. If not, you and your crew and these oceans you hold so dear will all become mine.
Simone pressed her fist against her chest and bowed her head in acknowledgement.
“I will not disappoint you.” She knelt next to Tristan’s prostrate body and pressed a kiss against his forehead, then pushed herself up again.
“Make sure he’s safe. I’ll be back soon,” she ordered the first mate.
“But—“
Simone didn’t let him finish his sentence. She vaulted the ship’s railing, boots splashing down into the shallows before anyone had a chance to call her back. She would not fail this time.
Total words: 788
Author’s notes:
Stumbled a bit over naming issues - what is the first mate’s name? And the town where Tristan is from? Liking where this is going though!
Painting debrief:
Original black and white segments done with celery segments dipped in Dala black acrylic ink, inspired by tiger lilies (life drawing class). Got the sense that these flowers grow in the midst of other flowers, creating this strange amalgamation, sucking all life and colour from their host plant as they grow.
Colours used: Pyrrol scarlet, Opera Pink, Quinacridone violet, some leftover brown mix.
Pilot fineliner that dissolves when touched with water
Double sided tape to stick the ink segments down.
Music: Thomas Bergersen - “Cry” - (Listen on YouTube)
Inspiration / reference - real-life red gerbera flowers from a recent memorial service
Ps - The characters (and the town now named “Layna”) featured in this story actually made their first appearance during last year’s World Watercolour Month (July 2021). You can find them in these posts (even though they weren’t mentioned by name at the time):
About this project:
“What happens if World Watercolour Month and Camp Nano meet halfway? What if I let myself be inspired - first by the prompts, and then by my own painting / drawing, and embark on the journey of discovering a new story along the way, 500 words or so at a time? I realise it's rather ambitious - a drawing / painting a day plus a minimum of 500 words, but I know it will be okay if I miss a day or two too. Or if I end up playing catch up. But I'm feeling excited about the possibilities this holds!”
Read more on the “Why” for this project in this intro blog post here: "Emergence". Remember that what you will find here is the raw, unedited journey of this creative as the story emergence - including “zero draft” writing, typos and “bad lighting” photos (rather than not posting at all)…