Full night has settled over the countryside, is a writing prompt from my current work in progress, as yet untitled. The section it comes from is shown below. The story is a sequel to River Witch and a dual timeline.
Full night has settled over the countryside when Aaron rides slowly into Eccleshall. His horse’s head droops with tiredness, as does his own. The road ends at a junction with the High Street. Aaron halts, gazing around. An old hotel, The George, stands across the junction to his right, a handsome establishment. Light and customers spill from the open doorway. The air of carousing about the customers – possible leftovers from yesterday’s queenly celebrations – leads Aaron to believe his needed sleep might well be disturbed there.
He peers left, where gas lamps light the way for townspeople to take the cool night air, strolling the pavement past red brick houses lining a cobbled road.
A tall cast iron clock mounted on a pedestal tells him it’s 9.30 pm. A substantial inn with an arched colonnade covering the footpath and a row of leadlight windows above, stands opposite the clock. The sign says The Royal Oak, and Aaron heads towards this quieter and more solid hostelry than the pretty, frivolous George.
Twenty minutes later his horse is being tended in a clean stable with fresh hay and a bucket of oats, and Aaron is washing the dust off his face and hands, having established there is food available in the dining room.
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This is version two of Full Night Has Settled Over The Countryside
FULL NIGHT HAS SETTLED OVER THE COUNTRYSIDE
Although a full moon shines brightly, full night has settled over the countryside and most animals and birds are fast asleep dreaming of a warm sunny day to follow.
All except a solitary white-faced owl perched high on a tree branch balefully surveying the ghostly illuminated scene in search of a potential prey.
Nothing moves. It could be a long night, thinks the owl.
A couple of shadowy figures dressed in black hoodies make their way cautiously around an old homestead covered in vines – testing windows and doors for any sign they might not be locked.
The owl blinks slowly but ignores them. Not what he is looking for. A scurrying mouse more his style.
The two ne’er-do-wells continue their investigations. At last, a window yields and they silently climb inside. The full moon provides sufficient light to make out furniture scattered around the room.
Quickly sliding open bureau drawers, they search for anything of value. A gold necklace materialises, followed by several diamond and sapphire rings and a pearl pendant – all shoved into a waiting black bag.
Finally, satisfied, the thieves head for the window through which they originally entered – only to be stopped in their tracks by a bright overhead light flooding the room and a stern male voice.
“So, what do you think you two are up to then?”
The robbers slowly turn around to be confronted by a large middle-aged man in dressing gown and pyjamas holding what appears to be a shotgun pointed straight at them.
“Ahh, nothing,” replies one.
“Oh yeah. Then what’s in that bag?”
“Ahh, nothing.” This time the response is a little shakier.
“Ok, nothing, eh? Then hand it over,” demands Mr Shotgun.
The first robber tentatively holds out his hand, while the other begins to shake uncontrollably.
Mr Shotgun empties the bag’s contents onto the floor.
“So, think you can rob us and get away with it, huh?”
“N..not at all. We was just having a look and thought we’d get their value checked for you – free of charge.” Words spewed incoherently from his mouth.
“Value checks, eh? I’ll show you what a value check is.” And with that Mr Shotgun strode across the room and smacked him in the side of the head.
“Now, if you two don’t mind, go and sit on the sofa over there while I call the police.”
The two recalcitrants look sheepishly at each other before sidling towards the proffered couch.
Mr Shotgun is on the phone to the authorities – his attention momentarily diverted as he speaks animatedly to the officer on the other end of the line.
The gun in his hand droops slightly and that is all the opportunity the robbers need. Quick as a flash they dive for the window and are through the opening before their captor has time to blink.
With a thud, the leading thief hits the ground with his shoulder and head to be confronted by a flurry of wings and feathers and an alarmed hooting.
The owl has chosen that very moment to launch an attack on a tasty looking prey, his talons grasping desperately at the escaping mouse only to sink deeply into the back of the thief’s neck and shoulder.
A lovely description of the town and the inns.
Thank you
FULL NIGHT HAS SETTLED OVER THE COUNTRYSIDE
Although a full moon shines brightly, full night has settled over the countryside and most animals and birds are fast asleep dreaming of a warm sunny day to follow.
All except a solitary white-faced owl perched high on a tree branch balefully surveying the ghostly illuminated scene in search of a potential prey.
Nothing moves. It could be a long night, thinks the owl.
A couple of shadowy figures dressed in black hoodies make their way cautiously around an old homestead covered in vines – testing windows and doors for any sign they might not be locked.
The owl blinks slowly but ignores them. Not what he is looking for. A scurrying mouse more his style.
The two ne’er-do-wells continue their investigations. At last, a window yields and they silently climb inside. The full moon provides sufficient light to make out furniture scattered around the room.
Quickly sliding open bureau drawers, they search for anything of value. A gold necklace materialises, followed by several diamond and sapphire rings and a pearl pendant – all shoved into a waiting black bag.
Finally, satisfied, the thieves head for the window through which they originally entered – only to be stopped in their tracks by a bright overhead light flooding the room and a stern male voice.
“So, what do you think you two are up to then?”
The robbers slowly turn around to be confronted by a large middle-aged man in dressing gown and pyjamas holding what appears to be a shotgun pointed straight at them.
“Ahh, nothing,” replies one.
“Oh yeah. Then what’s in that bag?”
“Ahh, nothing.” This time the response is a little shakier.
“Ok, nothing, eh? Then hand it over,” demands Mr Shotgun.
The first robber tentatively holds out his hand, while the other begins to shake uncontrollably.
Mr Shotgun empties the bag’s contents onto the floor.
“So, think you can rob us and get away with it, huh?”
“N..not at all. We was just having a look and thought we’d get their value checked for you – free of charge.” Words spewed incoherently rom his mouth.
“Value checks, eh? I’ll show you what a value check is.” And with that Mr Shotgun strode across the room and smacked him in the side of the head.
“Now, if you two don’t mind, go and sit on the sofa over there while I call the police.”
These days the old man would be arrested for assault 😀 Love the owl perspective – wanted more of him!