Today’s offering for the WEP+IWSG Challenge is the climax of the piece I wrote for August’s Red Wheelbarrow prompt – HERE. However, I’ve changed the POV, and as some people requested, we are back with Detective Sparkle Anwyl, who is a guest at the wedding. Enjoy – if I do not scare you with the gory finale of my vampire tale.
Another Horrible Harvest
Saturday 8th August 2015
The glass goblet of crimson wine looks tasty. Maybe not summery but tempting.
Yet Mina is hesitant. Scared. Unlike the Mina Westenra of the Goth Patrol, ready to tackle a bully or a ghoul.
A for Atypical.
Kama bites my ear, then notices my stud-tapping. “What did the elderly guy say to her. Or is it hard to lip read from here?”
“A welcome. Something about his addiction to blood. He freaked Mina out. Not the Goth reaction I remember. Acting has changed my friend.”
Has policing changed me? Enriched if meeting Kama is included.
“If that’s human blood, this could be a crime scene.”
“Or a vampire case. That ghost was a cold case, not outside our remit as detectives. Anyway, we’re off duty. Let’s watch and listen, cariad.”
My school friend’s behaviour jangles every nerve and tattoo. Why?
The old man? A for Ancestry. V for Victim. P for Plasma.
He can’t be Owain Glyndwr, even if I’m proud to be Welsh and await the return of our national hero.
Another actor?
The best man finishes reading email greetings to the married couple, then nods to the elderly man.
“I’m cutting my speech short in favour of the wisdom of our host and hero.”
Owain springs to his feet, belying his reputed years.
“Over the centuries, I’ve watched and waited. History says I’ll return to set Wales free from the conquerors’ yoke. But blood is the charm today, and we’re all here to celebrate this blessed union instead. I could regale you with tales of battles and feuds, with horrors wrought and deeds undertaken. But my life was nothing compared to the future ahead for Mina and Dafydd.”
With a wink towards Mina, he raises his glass of crimson wine. “Welcome to the Glyndwr Dynasty. This is your century. May you and my Great Nephew have many decades of fun ahead.” Facing the gathering, he continues, “Ladies, lords, friends, join me for a bridal toast. May you thrive and spawn many generations, Mina and Dafydd.”
He drains his glass.
No excuse needed to drink – in moderation. Even if us guests are served champagne – and there might be a crime lurking.
Mina smiles but doesn’t touch her glass.
“Your actress friend is scared to drink hers. A poisoned chalice, perhaps.”
My tattoos tingle at the scene. P for Poison. M for Murder. R for Revenge.
“I never knew her to refuse alcohol as a teenager.”
Mina reaches for a glass – of fruit juice.
Her stand-in father, Victor Frankel leans over to Dafydd, who mouths back, ‘Your moment.’
Victor rises.
“In the sad absence of Mina’s late father, I’ve been proud to give her away to another special person and talented actor. As their director, I see a fruitful partnership ahead – even under another’s direction.”
We all laugh or clap. He pauses, then removes a sheaf of paper from his jacket.
“I’d like to thank our host, the irrepressible Owain Glyndwr, for making today possible. As a descendent of the last true Prince of Wales, it’s fitting this ancestral home is where I’m announcing the next film from Oriole Productions – Horrible Harvest.”
Suitable cheers and foot stamps. My tattoos tingle – a pleasing sensation for once. E for Excitement and Error.
“Our new tale of bloody murders, duplicitous intrigue and evil disguised as good will star our talented couple – and chill our audience. Perhaps, our usual smoke and mirrors will garner its own harvest of honours. This will be our version of that classic, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. But transposed to the mist shrouded but beautiful mountains of North Wales.”
The evidence is in the speeches. Case resolved. Everyone plunges back into festivities.
Congratulations are due the glowing couple.
Mina and I embrace. I tease her.
“Not the Goth you threatened to run away with. But he’s a catch.”
“Even as a teen, I wanted attention. Just as you wanted to fight injustice. And I guess your partner is—”
“Another injustice warrior. Kama – the best woman and detective in my life.”
The untouched glass is behind her. Tempting me to smell and taste its contents.
Kama distracts Mina. “So, when we get married, you must both attend the celebrations. No date yet, but we’re making plans. Not straightforward…”
Letting my distraction distract, I step behind and take the cup.
Musty but not sulphurous. I dip my finger in, then lick it.
R for Robust and E for Energising.
Time to REVAMP our fears.
I hand Mina the goblet. “An unusual concoction that suggests blood. But it’s not a case for our forensic guys. Maybe special effects are responsible. Enjoy it without fear.”
She sips, then smiles, and laughs.
“Better than blood. Also, revitalising. I will get addicted.”
“The power of suggestion. Blend fruit juice, red wine, herbs and spices. Call it blood. And throw in vampires.”
***
Word Count 830: FCA
Comments are welcome as usual and the following applies:
Writing Wings 
Oooh. I read entranced.
How I love seeing our our experiences/ perceptions come into play each and every day.
And will happily raise a glass to this stellar piece.
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Thanks for the praise, EC. Perception is the key – always.
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Equally gripping as the earlier excerpt. ‘Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so’…Glad it isn’t blood, after all…though blood would have taken it in an interesting direction also. Clever use of the prompt as the title of a production. Enjoyed reading.
Thank you for posting this entry for the WEP Challenge.
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Blood would have been an option/ an alternative ending. There was a point after the first half when I could have left it hanging on a cliff edge………
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Hi,
I really and truly like how you ended this story. You had me mesmerised from the beginning to the end. I liked especially the ending. I really thought the old man was a vampire and that Mina had just married a vampire qnd would become one unknowingly.
You are so right, there is really nothing more deceptive as an obvious fact.
Great work.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
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Thanks, Pat, the challenge was finding the best ending – and playing with the readers.
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OK, you scared me, but it was worth it for the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle quote.
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A quote I stumbled on, Jacqui – but appropriate. If I’d found one from Robert Louis Stevenson that might have been ever more apt.
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I like this! Sparkle & Kama are always a great read.
I’m with Mina – I’d want that wine checked out first!!
Loved this line especially … My school friend’s behaviour jangles every nerve and tattoo – so vivid
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I had to bring Sparkle & Kama back, Jemi – there are a few fans out there. I’d want the wine checked too.
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Things are not as they seem. 🙂 The “blood” cocktail sounds delicious, and I love the phrase “my tattoos tingle,” which is unique. Fascinating story, Roland! 👌
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Concocting the cocktail was a challenge, Debbie – not deadly but delicious.
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Love the twist in the end – the readers’ expectations turned on their heads. Great story.
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Thanks, Olga – glad the twist worked and wasn’t a let down,
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I love this conclusion. It was great to see Sparkle again and good to know no vampires are on the prowl. I like the way you tied in the prompt, very clever.
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Sparkly had to sneak back, Toi – popular demand. And she seems to like Halloween cases/prompts. (Last year was a cold/ghost case.)
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Very cleverly ended. You had me on the edge of my seat, wondering, wondering. Great conclusion.
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The aim is to do that, Kalpana – keep you wondering.
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Glad for the happy ending. I was afraid that there’d be the walking dead by the end of it.
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The walking dead were never getting a wedding invite, Bernadette – only the actors from the vampire movie.
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Great to hear that 🙂
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I love how you subverted expectations here! This seems like a fun wedding to attend! A very fun piece indeed!
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Fun wedding, fun subverting expectations, fun that you liked this, LG.
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I’m so glad it had a happy ending. Nicely written, a happy occasion with hints of what could be a tragedy all averted. Great job.
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Averting tragedy, Sally, might be a Sparkle trait.
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Great twist indeed. Each thing does bring forth another, but yeah, sometimes the obvious fact is the elusive one while our mind goes to vampires. Showed that indeed at your feed.
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Vampires do trigger our minds to sidetrack away from the obvious, Pat – as we know. Invaluable when twists are needed.
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I do prefer fruit juice + wine + herbs and spices to blood any day.
Excellent atmosphere, and a nice twist!
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I’m with you, Cie – hence the concoction, even for a Goth like Sparkle.
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Roland you’ve done yourself proud with this entry. So we have a production named Horrible Harvest. Awesome. I like how Mina was careful about drinking the wine. Taking no chances. I really loved your ‘my tattoos tingle’ line. Perfect for the atmosphere. I’m glad you decided to play with your readers. Great entry.
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It may be Halloween, Denise, but it was tempting to go with the ‘trick’ as in the sense of a practical joke. Anyway, last year, I wrote a ghostly ‘cold case’ for October – the White Lady mystery.
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How suspenseful throughout. I still worry for Mina: nothing tempts fate like a happy ending. I like the happy ending. Your prose as always is evocative.
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Happy endings are never the end, other Roland. And Mina and Daffyd are in a world rife with temptations – and I say that from an expensive foray in the TV-film world. However, the worst vampires are the psychological ones – I’ve met one too.
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Thanks Roland for yet another installment of our dear Sparkly and the Conan Doyle undertones. Very effective and gripping. Your sense of humour always Provokes smiles and laughter, sooo British, feel at home 🏡.
Have a snugly Halloween 🎃
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Happy to oblige Sparkle’s fans, Susan – and to add in a touch of Coana Doyle…as well as Robert Louis Stevenson. Both very British.
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Hi Roland – what a great series this would make … Sparkle has some great ideas as well as stories to tell. Love the quote … facts and red herrings can distract us as we read … clever – cheers Hilary
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The series is roughed out, Hilary – see Snowdon Shadows menu at the side. Some is first draft, some half-written, but the problem is lacks of funds to get anything edited when I’m ready in a few months. A legacy for uninterested step-kids?
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Congratulations on being short-listed. I am really, really looking forward to the next installment.
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The next installment will be a new case – and not in December as that is scribbles. Thanks EC.
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Good Morning!
Congratulations for a job well done . You made the short -list.
All the best, Roland.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
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Thanks Pat, I never expected that for an installment – and against better pieces. Some re-reading needed I suspect.
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And I should say congratulations to you too, Pat.
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