TBC Publishing Pride Month Flash Fiction Challenge, 23 of 30

TBC Publishing Pride Month Flash Fiction Challenge, 23 of 30

Title: Soulmate Quest Board

Author: R. Scott Tyler

Genre: Fantasy

Word count (500 max): 490

“Jaxom, let’s stop here for the night,” Varyon said. They were standing in front of a building that resembled a pub.

“Agreed, Varyon. I’m both exhausted and famished,” replied Jaxom.

For days, the two of them had been exploring Everspring Haven, a city far from their home. They were on an adventure, looking for nothing in particular, as long as it took them away from home.

When they entered, a woman asked, “What can I get you two strangers?” She stood behind a lectern and stared inquisitively at them.

“We’d like some food and a place to sleep,” Varyon answered.

The woman turned and climbed down from on top of a step stool she’d been standing on behind the lectern, folded the stool, and brought it with her to a table in a corner of the room. When they sat down, she unfolded the stool and climbed back on it.

“The drink tonight is beer, and the food is frog stew. What can I get you?” she asked, like she presented them with a long list of options.

“Frog stew?” Jaxom said with a grimace.

“Yes, Chef Frog loves stew.” She nodded over her shoulder to a huge bullfrog wearing a chef’s hat who was busy back in the kitchen. “This one is made with mushrooms, dandelion greens, and the milk of the Kunekune pig.”

They both agreed to the limited menu and looked around at their surroundings.

There were all varieties of people and creatures in the pub, which didn’t surprise them as Everspring Haven was a magical village that welcomed all.

On the wall across the room, a large board displayed bulletins. There was a lovely woman with leather pants and a purple vest over a black shirt reading the board. She had wavy, blond hair that fell down her back.

“I think I’ll check out that board while we wait,” Jaxom said. Varyon looked at the blond hair and rolled his eyes. Jaxom was quite predictable.

When he was standing next to the woman, Jaxom turned and was going to ask her name, but the words didn’t come out of his mouth. The woman’s face looked older than his gran.

The woman’s mouth turned up in a broad smile, and she reached over and pinched his cheek. “I see challenges ahead for you, sonny. You start as two, but end up as three.” She cocked her head and continued, “but also, alone.”

“Where did all that come from?” he asked her.

“Dear, you are standing in front of the soulmate quest board. Choose your quest, find your soulmate. That’s how it works,” she answered, studying the board.

She reached out and snatched a quest from the side of the board. “Here, this one should be perfect for your handsome friend.”

She handed him the slip of paper and indicated over her shoulder to Varyon.

Jaxom glanced at Varyon and then back at…nothing. The golden-haired gran was gone.

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The Fool. Representing the beginning of life’s quests.