Drabble #214: Screech

[redwolf]

For this prompt, we continue with our one-word/phrase drabble roots:

Screech

Tell us all about it. Labyfic-style, of course.

Given our entries from recent months, let's continue with the suggested limit of 500 words. Though remember that shorter pieces are most definitely welcome!

Your entry should take the following format, posted as a comment on this entry:

Word count: # of words
$your_beautiful_drabble

I'll be running weekly challenges in the space around jalenstrix's monthly challenges.

You can see our current collected suggestions here.

Remember: Feedback is LOVE. So do reply to your fellow labyficcers' drabbles if so inclined. (Though be careful of concrit unless specifically okayed by the author beforehand. Authors generally write for love.)

Comments

Screech

[redwolf]

Word count: 500

Sarah had her suspicions when she saw a horde of goblins clamoring to access a broom cupboard. After shooing them all away she knocked on the door, announcing herself before entering.

Sitting on the floor was a small goblin who was happily working her way through a strawberry shortcake. “Queenie, share?”

“No, thank you, Screech. You enjoy it.” Sarah shook her head and smiled. “Take the plate back when you’re done.” She turned back. “You know they’re going to figure out that the door opens outwards one day?”

Screech made a snort of derision that managed to convey her opinion on that being an unlikely occurrence when male goblins shared a single brain cell whenever high value food was in their sights.

Leaving the goblin to her bounty, Sarah produced a crystal and called Irene.

“You had a good strawberry crop this year.”

Irene laughed in delight. “We always do with Screech watching the plants. I even had enough to make some preserves this year.”

Sarah’s family had had a contingent of goblins guarding them since she’d run the Labyrinth as a child. They’d remained hidden for years and it wasn’t until Sarah was away at school that their presence became known.

Irene had been in town when a car had swerved off the road due to the driver having a medical episode. Screech had ported Irene out the path of the vehicle. It seemed the shock of almost dying overrode any concerns over a small creature clinging to her leg who kept repeating that Mama was safe. The long distance conversation to explain everything had been mitigated by Jareth alerting to the incident and porting them both to her parents house to await Irene’s return. Sarah would have preferred to have not introduced her family to the Underground while wearing her pyjamas and still groggy, but she supposed there was never an ideal time.

They had been remarkably calm about everything, but perhaps that had more to do with the arrangement being the reason Sarah had a fully funded scholarship to Oxford. When your daughter had the opportunity to study abroad and the only price was to accept that goblins were real, they were pragmatic enough to not make a fuss when others were struggling with their children’s educational costs.

Once they did learn of the goblins, Sarah was surprised how seamlessly they integrated them into their lives. They adored Irene’s baking and she made a habit of doubling batches to share. While her father had found them handy garden assistants. This was how Screech had earned her nickname, as she terrorised any creature that dared approach the garden.

In appreciation, excess crops were gifted to their goblins, but in thanks for Screech’s diligent garden surveillance, Irene always made her a treat with the first of the year's strawberry crop.

“You really do spoil her,” Sarah said fondly.

“If not for her actions, I would not have seen my children grow up. Making her something sweet is my pleasure.”

Battle Cry

[apachefirecat]

Word Count: 500


She has grown accustomed to commanding armies. Their kingdom not only boasts a plethora of species but treats them all as equals. Her husband has welcomed refugees from other kingdoms, so not all of their people -- her friends -- come with their own troop attached. Still, there are so many Goblins and Fieries especially that, even after being their Queen for decades now, she still cannot count them all -- and every one of them has proven to more loyal than any of the humans in the world from which she hails.

Their people would all sacrifice their lives in a heartbeat to save her, if not her husband. Even her friends have come to prove their loyalty to Jareth. She knows she could easily call on any of them at any time, and not just as their Queen. But there are some things she prefers to handle personally.

She looks up at her husband's familiar battle screech as he hurtles himself through the air. He swoops down and perches on her shoulder for just a moment before Sarah points. Her screech mirrors his. They sing together as he dives into the fray. They know the opposing troops. They know which ones are here of their own free choosing, which are here to support their families, which to keep their Queen's wrath from them, and who among them has hastened this war.

They would wage a full-out war, but the Goblin King and his Queen will not allow it to grow. They will never reach their city, castle, or people. Her friends will be safe from this one -- and besides, despite what she thinks, she is not a real threat, not to the Goblin King -- or even his Queen. Sarah has become accustomed to the other royals dismissing her, or thinking of her as her husband's pet or concubine, but this Queen will no longer belittle her. Tonight, she will know who rules the Goblin King's heart.

This isn't the first of her husband's many former suitors Sarah has had to put into her place, but it will be her last time doing it with this wouldbe rival. This is not the first time she has caused a scene, but it is the first, and last, time she will threaten Sarah's people with war. Sarah points; Jareth dives. Her screech appears to guide him, but it is truly meant to show whose commands he follows.

She has to resist smiling as she witnesses the joy he takes in his attacks. They've discussed his targets at length. He dives lightning-fast, blinding some foes, taking an opponent's arm or knocking out their kneecaps or sword hands. It is only the worst killers whose lives he actually ends. All this happens in seconds, and culminates with his talons striking straight through the other Queen's jugular before he wings his way back to her, back for all to see where he belongs, with his Sarah, his Queen. And for a while, they are free again.


The End