WEP/IWSG April Challenge – Life Is Beautiful

April 20, 2023 by rolandclarke

Apologies for the delay in posting April’s WEP/IWSG Challenge. Although ‘Life Is Beautiful’ was a good fit for my ongoing Ukraine stories, I struggled to write recently, mainly for my usual excuse of declining health. Also, this piece required extra backstory and some political maneuvering – not least getting the Witches’ NATO jets out of Ukraine before any are in Ukraine for real. I hope the next episode will allow my Witches to fly in Ukraine skies again. Finally, my apologies for running too long to make this episode work.

For those new to this ongoing creation, please note, this present day tale began with my World War II story Feathered Fire, which introduced the Chayka family from Ukraine and appeared in the 2020 IWSG Anthology (No. 5), Voyagers: The Third Ghost.

The current stories open with Part 1, Rainbow Firebreak, for the WEP/IWSG April: Challenge: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/04/20/wep-iwsg-april-challenge-a-hard-rains-a-gonna-fall/.

Part 2, Winged Woes, for the WEP/IWSG June Challenge: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/06/15/wep-iwsg-june-challenge-please-read-the-letter/

Part 3, Moonbeam Magic, for the WEP/IWSG August Challenge: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/08/17/wep-iwsg-august-challenge-moonlight-sonata/

Part 4, Winged Death, for the WEP/IWSG October Challenge: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/10/19/wep-iwsg-october-challenge-thriller/

Part 5, Soul Seeds, for the WEP/IWSG December Challenge: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/12/01/wep-iwsg-december-challenge-first-time-ever/

Part 6, Swords to Ploughshares, to conclude the WEP/IWSG December Challenge and close 2022: https://rolandclarke.com/2022/12/10/swords-to-ploughshares/

Part 7, Winter Resolution https://rolandclarke.com/2023/01/31/wep-iwsg-challenge-resolve/ This extra post leads into this month’s Challenge entry and included a plot event I foreshadowed in Part 6.

Part 8, Winds of Change https://rolandclarke.com/2023/02/15/wep-iwsg-february-challenge-gone-with-the-wind/

I’m unsure what fate has waiting for my Witches. Unless I ignore reality, NATO holds the cards on when they can be deployed. However, I resolve to continue these stories until there is a just conclusion to the horrendous war.

Blurb: Night Witches find family, new friends and allies.

Precious Relations

Part 9:

Thursday February 16^th – Airfield “Kalyniv” near the Polish border

All twenty Night Witch pilots, and their ground crews crowded the briefing room. Even Kalyna and Vasy were unaware of why Maksym Bondarenko had called this emergency meeting.

“Air Command West’s intelligence believes this airfield will be targeted by Russian missile strikes… imminently,” he said. “Tuesday’s encounter with other pilots in the Lviv restaurant and further incidents indicate Russian informers in this area.”

He let the muttered shock subside.

“We cannot afford to lose this squadron or let the presence of NATO-standard jets provoke an excessive response.”

“Should we evacuate somewhere?” asked Kalyna.

“All essential elements should leave as speedily as possible. We have arranged with the Polish Air Force University in Deblin to relocate the squadron there. Arrangements have also been made for the 2022 Night Witches to train in Polish air space with other NATO air units, until the squadron is needed.”

“So, who remains?” asked Vasy.

Maksym produced a modified ground plan for the airfield. “We have a team who will create wooden dummy Soviet-style planes in camouflaged revetments here. Other jets will fly in and out giving the impression of activity.”

“While the full squadron trains in Poland,” said Kalyna. “And I recommend we take our three crashed MiG 29s to rebuild.”

“We can begin the evacuation tonight commencing with all five flights,” said Vasy. “Please don’t see this as any more than a tactical withdrawal while building on our training. In fact, this confuses the enemy—”

“And gives them another fake victory over wooden targets,” added Maksym, waving them to the exits.

As the squadron left the briefing, Mariyka Shevchuk tried to suppress her conflicting emotions knowing she couldn’t tell those she loved why she was leaving again. Yet she had connections to Deblin, so tears formed.

Her friend and Chief mechanic, Dariya Boyko said, “We’ll return soon, I’m sure.”

“We will. But Deblin is where I trained.”

But fear tore at her. Was Sergei suspected of spying? But how as a prisoner?

The five flights left their home base in darkness, taking a circuitous route to confuse unfriendly observers.

Shortly afterwards the ground crew made the five-hour truck journey to Deblin. Just a skeleton detachment remained to assist with camouflaging the base.

Thursday, March 2^nd – Deblin Military Air Base, Lublin, Poland

The two Chaka Majors had requested their flight commanders come up to their tiny makeshift office. It was best the University had found for them, overlooking the revetments where their precious twenty jets were parked.

“We’ve been here two weeks,” said Kalyna. “And from your reports, all our pilots have mastered the NATO jets they were assigned with. Next, we must fly more mock combat missions against Polish Air Force MiG 29s… except unannounced. If there are no questions, have any of you anything to report?”

No one spoke, so Kapitan Anzhela Havrylyuk stepped forward. “As our appointed Recruitment Officer, Colonel Bondarenko advised me there may be fewer volunteer from within Ukraine, so I should look here—”

“—among the refugees?” asked Vasy, “Or the students?

“Both as we must prepare to cover losses in the next counter-offensive. I’m focusing on refugees as Mariyka is our Student Liaison. Anyway, I might have found a couple of refugees, but training will be an issue. I told them how to get in touch.”

Kalyna thanked Anzhela, “Good start. Even if they require basic training, we will need cadets in peacetime. How are the students reacting to our presence, Kapitan Shevchuk?”

Mariyka answered. “At first, curious about our all-women squadron. A small group always gathers when I’m trying to eat in the canteen. Being a graduate from here helps… and half-Polish.”

“I’m sure you’re careful what you say,” said Kalyna. “There are issues we cannot discuss – even with our allies.”

Mariyka nodded. “Like why we have NATO jets. And why we are here. Being a Polish speaker, I can detect when anyone is too inquisitive. However, overall, they welcome us. There are two or three female cadets who wish they could fight the Russians now.”

The Chayka majors consulted each other, then Kalyna said, “If they are mature cadets, close to getting their wings, they may prove suitable recruits… if they’re serious. Find out more, and we’ll talk with their instructors and the Commandant.”

“I will arrange to talk to them somewhere off-campus and find out more about them. Anzhela, should join us.”

“Good idea. Keep us updated,” said Vasy. “Kapitan Sobol, you have a report from Kalyniv Field.”

Maryna stepped forwards. “As ordered, Sable Flight has been flying night patrols in Polish airspace near our homebase. We were joined by a flight of M-346 advanced jet trainers from here, flown by their best cadets. During this joint exercise, we observed signs of damage at Kalyniv. Rather than endanger the training flight, I requested a ground unit operating a drone to assess what the Russians had destroyed.”

As Maryna handed over the footage, she added, “If we had stayed, the Night Witches would have been crippled,”

Saturday, March 4^th – Deblin Military Air Base, Lublin, Poland

Mariyka fought back the tears as she gazed across the runway in the direction of Lviv… towards home… everyone she loved. Who had the missile buried?

“We’re so sorry to tell you like this,” said Kalyna.

“There is still hope for everyone,” added Vasy. “The rescuers will keep working through the night… and we’ll keep you informed. Have you comrades you can be with?”

“Anzhela and I were planning to spend time with those three Polish cadets. But—”

“Go as planned. Is there somewhere special you went as a cadet?”

“Too special… my aunt has a mirror restaurant. But she doesn’t know I’m here—”

“Then you need to be there for her tonight. Tell her everything you can. An ideal test for your cadets too.”

Zvenigora Restaurant, Deblin

Too many echoes of her buried home… Mariyka shivered, but she forced herself down into the identical cellar restaurant as Lviv.

“Larisa and I are here for you, sister,” said Anzhela. “Observe and learn, cadets. Repeat nothing unless we instruct you to.’

A tall woman left the bar and rushed over to Mariyka. They embraced, tears flowing.

“What brings you here, my special niece. Although your uniforms—” She paused seeing the cadets. “I remember you graduating in that Polish academy uniform – I was so proud.”

Her tears returned, and Mariyka knew she must give the terrible news.

“Aunt Agnieszka, the tragedy is not official yet, but—”

“I already heard, Mariyka. Family grapevine. We will mourn my sister Danuta and the others. But at the right moment as we have done since the Warsaw Ghetto. First, we celebrate life’s beauty. Please eat with us… when you have introduced your friends.”

“This is a 2022 Night Witches Squadron sister, Kapitan Anzhela Havrylyuk and her partner, Larisa Kovalyov.”

Anzhela presented the Polish cadets, “This trio, Daria Jankowski, Maja Andrysiak, and Nadzieja Chlebek, are due to graduate from the University… from ‘The School of the Eagles’. Bravely, they wish to fight the Russians, so we are advising them.”

Agnieszka bowed to them all in turn, then led them to a private table.

“Welcome, Enjoy a family meal with us.”

After a Jewish blessing, they were treated to Cheese Lokshen Kugel.

Observing the movie poster for ‘Life is Beautiful’ on the wall, Anzhela said, “That was an emotional film. Excuse me for asking, Agnieszka, but you mentioned the Warsaw Ghetto. Did you—” t

“Lose family during the Holocaust. Our Jewish grandmother died in Warsaw ghetto, as did many of her friends later. They will never be forgotten. I’m sure there are others here who lost ancestors.”

Daria and Maja nodded and closed teary eyes.

Nadzieja glanced around the table, then said, “Genocide continues, though not on that scale. My Ukrainian grandmother tries to ensure we don’t forget Stalin’s attempted ethnic cleansing – the Holodomor, the man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine, when millions died.”

“And now Putin talks of more genocide,” said Mariyka. “Together we must stop him.”

FCA 1354 words

Slava Ukrayini

Apologies if I’m slow to respond to comments or struggle to visit all your posts.

us, ensure you visit all the other writers in this challenge via:

https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com

#WEP – Write…Edit…Publish – OCTOBER CHALLENGE – DEJA VU OR VOODOO

October 16, 2018 by rolandclarke

This month, I am taking part in the #WEP October Challenge, part of WEP’s 2018 Challenges and my second WEP tale. I’m posting a day early to avoid the rush and be ready for reading great pieces tomorrow.

Once again, the IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) have joined in the fun.

Beyond the seasonal theme, I will try to give some background to the piece. I’m attempting to avoid deadly spoilers here as, in a way, this piece must stand-alone – for instance, the identity of ‘I’ is gradually revealed in the piece.

However, this is another incident in the career of a central character in my Snowdon Shadows series – SPOILERS ahead. The incident is set three years after my August WEP Challenge and will become a chapter within my NaNoWriMo attempt next month, entitled Fevered. There are incidents between my August contribution and this one, but I hope that this tale works on its own. Enjoy.

White Lady

Silhouettes prance in the glow behind the standing stones. Night and long grass hide us from prying eyes.

Do they care what Kama and I are?

A screech arrests our embrace.

Headlights stab across the field. A car plunges off the bypass and smashes into the stonewall. Rubble splashes into the ditch.

We leap to our feet and weave through the crowd. Did anyone see the crash? Or were they engrossed in the Nos Calan Gaeaf rites?

I jump the water beside the steaming wreck. The driver and passenger are conscious but bleeding. I call the incident in as I climb through the smashed wall.

“Single car accident on A487 westbound from Porthmadog Roundabout. Visible injuries. DS Kamatchi and PC Anwyl attending. Over.”

“Will dispatch ambulance and traffic unit to assist. Control out.”

Kama helps the passenger who has dragged himself to the verge. Blood from his forehead smears his hair. He rambles in Welsh about a woman.

Is there a body in the roadway? Shivers. Sweat. Nobody other than stopped cars. My tattoos tingle. I finger my studded bracer. N for Night, S for Spirits, A for Accident.

The driver’s eyes are glazed. Drink or drugs? The traffic police will have to investigate.

I open his door and crouch.

Voodoo lady
Did I dream you up or are you for real?
Are you for real?

I point to the radio, but the driver ignores it. The music dies.

“Ydych chi’n iawn, syr? Are you okay, sir?”

Mouth agape, his eyes track over me. “You aren’t her. What are you?”

From Cardiff by his accent, but Welsh is our shared language.

“An off-duty police constable. Can you remember what happened, sir?”

Blue lights flicker behind us. My traffic colleagues.

“The dream was so real. Will this ever end? She threw herself in front. I tried not to hit her. Is she alive?”

Midnight on All Hallows Eve.

Photo: AngieLake – http://www.megalithic.co.uk/user.php?op=userinfo&uname=AngieLake

A shadow shrouds me. I start.

“Sorry. I’m PC Morrow. Have you breathalysed him”

I face Morrow – shake my head. Wave him forward.

As he measures the driver’s blood alcohol, I study the accident scene.

Kama talks to the other traffic officer placing cones around the area. Paramedics treat the injuries.

Skid marks – visible in the patrol car’s lights. Did the driver swerve to avoid something – someone?

I examine the mangled bonnet of the vehicle and the remains of the dry-stone wall. No sign of a body. Under the car? No fur, no blood. Nothing.

“He’s Ellis Pryce. His documents check.” Morrow shows me the licence. “He’s been drinking – not enough to explain his ramblings. Are you the pale person Mr Pryce wants? My Welsh is too basic to make sense—”

Intriguing. The mystery teases me.

Morrow falters. “Don’t think he means DS Kamatchi as she’s – dark-skinned. Anyway, why’s a detective here?” He judges me and Kama. “You’re friends and—”

Juggle the truth.

“Flatmates. We’re off-duty – a girlie night out. But as my tad says, crime never even observes the Sabbath. I’ll see what Mr Pryce wants.”

Morrow scratches his head. “Wise man, Sergeant Anwyl. The best.”

Lean back inside the car. Does my tad suspect my affair with another woman? Do any of our colleagues?

Pryce drowns out my concerns.

“The dream was so vivid. I’d never driven a carriage. Even at our farm in Ogmore. Horses, yes. Not a coach. The hooves killed her.” He stares through me, reliving his nightmare. “The blood? Where is she now?”

Shivers. That South Wales accent. Different like their legends. A troubled soul?

Or something more realistic? Clouds-, a reflection, a seagull. I can ask Kama – my Tamil girlfriend is shrewd.

First, reassure the man.

“You hit no one, sir. The woman has left. My uniform colleagues will make sure that you and your friend stay safe—”

“Never stole her gold. I’m not a thief. I’m a coachman earning an honest living.” His eyes are closed. “Let me check my horses before I leave.”

I signal to Morrow. “This car won’t move. Is roadside assistance coming? Do you need us to interview witnesses?”

“Breakdown lorry’s on its way. If you and Detective Kamatchi want us to finish here, type up a report – tomorrow. Good to work with you both. Nos da.”

I echo his farewell. Kama lures me across the road and back into the shadows. Arms around each other, the footpath away from Port draws us.

My brain probes. “Did the passenger see someone too?”

Kama stops. “A woman dressed in a white dress.”

My fingers trace her tears forming. She shivers.

“You too, cariad. Y Ladi Wen – the White Lady. The bogeyman from our myths.”

“As a child in the Valleys, I heard the legend.”

“Here, it’s the frightening Hwch Ddu gwta, a tail-less black sow that terrorises people.”

She nods, then kisses me, stroking my hair.

“My parents told similar tales from Tamil Nadu. About creatures with different fangs. What do you believe?”

I delve into my upbringing – my faith.

“My blood is Celtic. Chapel will never rule this soul-night – nor our bond. Spirits journey among us. Maybe the driver experienced that—”

She brushes my lips with a damp finger.

“Enough. You needn’t solve this, nor should traffic. Call this a cold case – a ghostly one.”

Does Y Ladi Wen want this unresolved? Is she leading us further?

The path branches off to the right, through a gate into the darkness of ivy-clad trees.
Hidden, we settle on the ground. No need to pretend.

Roots are our pillow. Night sounds echo. Bats flit above us.

Earth scents banish sweat and shivers. Bodies and hearts entwine again.

But my tattoos are tingling. More letters. D for Dream, C for Coach, L for Lady, and E for Eerie. My mnemonic guide. CALENDS? November First?

We will dig more.

***

Comments are welcome as usual, but for the WEP Challenge, the following applies:

Word Count 993: MPA

(FCA welcome – if you want to send one, just let me know in the comments.)

Visit other participants at https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2018/10/welcome-to-wepff-writeeditpublish.html

POSTSCRIPT:

If you have enjoyed this tale, I am looking for beta-riders willing to read some other episodes in Sparkle Anwyl’s career.

Yn ddelfrydol siaradwr Cymraeg.

#WEP – Write…Edit…Publish AUGUST Challenge

August 15, 2018 by rolandclarke

This month, I am taking part in the #WEP August Challenge, part of WEP’s 2018 Challenges which the IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) have joined.

The WEP team had a GUEST POST on the IWSG website on August 6. Here is the link http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2018/08/writing-together-with-wep-and-iswg.html

So, it’s now the correct day for the AUGUST challenge, CHANGE OF HEART. I confess that I posted nine days early – https://rolandclarke.com/2018/08/06/wep-change-of-heart/ – but I have since made a few minor edits so I’m re-posting.

I was also reminded to add some background to the piece. I’m attempting to avoid deadly spoilers here as, in a way, this piece must stand-alone – for instance, the identity of ‘I’ is gradually revealed in the piece.

However, this is an incident in the backstory of a central character in my WIP – SPOILER ahead. This is when my MC in the Snowdon Shadows series of police procedurals was a teenager. I am currently using this as a flashback within a framing story (‘Fevered’) set a year before the WIP entitled ‘Fates Maelstrom’.

Change of Heart

Shadows in the moonlight flicker like my mind churning with every bleating sheep. What does Taid want? Does he know our secret?

My morning swim in our lake was invigorating, but after breakfast, he triggered the thoughts.

“We need to talk, Meinwen – this evening when your chores are done.”

I daren’t ask Mam what he wants – even if he’s her tad. Patience would be her answer. My siblings don’t act suspicious, but Taid has rules.

Where have I strayed?

My love is forbidden in his chapel eyes. But we kept it secret. Six weeks of passion on the beach had to end. But not with punishment.

He doesn’t know. We were careful – once the school buried the incident. Tad never dug – believed we were bullied for being different – two Goths.

It’s my parents – Tad and Mam. Their time apart, after the arguments about his work, has been hard. I chose to be with him. No, by the sea in Porthmadog – to be near Esyllt. My brothers came with mam and our sister, up here to the farm.

Is there a distance in their eyes? Am I the betrayer who stood with Tad? Am I being sent away?

I love them all. I can’t choose. But my family comes before Esyllt – it must. Or can our affair become more? Or are we doomed?

What does Taid want? A grandchild that lives by the rules. I don’t.

Are my tad and mam following his advice? Have they changed their minds? Are they getting back together – as we all want?

Cregennen Lakes © Ian King – http://snowdonia.info/

The porch door opens and Nain Gwyneth and Taid Hywel walk out, smiling as they hand me a cup of hot chocolate.

“Another beautiful evening,” says Nain as she sits on the couch and gestures for Taid to join her. “It’s good to have you home, cariad. How was your stay with your tad?”

“Awesome – well good.” I mustn’t be too happy as I want to be at their farm now. Well, I want everyone together. “I enjoy being here at Tyn-y-llyn – in the mountains…swimming in the lake—”

Taid takes my hands in his gnarled ones. “Your mam, our Glenys wants this to be your home. You want that?”

Leave my tad. Leave the sea…my friends – Esyllt. For a new life?

“If you want me here. But school? I was changing, though—”

Taid nods at Nain and smiles. “Your mam says that you’re going to sixth-form college – in Pwllheli. Why? We’d hoped you’d do agriculture at Glynllifon – then help your Ewythr Ivor here on the farm.”

I stare across the yard at the farmhouse where my mam’s brother is sleeping with his family. Do I want that life? I love it up here – but something is missing.

Esyllt? No, she is not my future – even if I feel the passion and the excitement…and the guilt.

“I need to keep my options open. I’m sixteen and I want to do AS and A levels in different subjects. I’m not ready to commit.”

They watch me…study me. What do they see? The guilt or vague potential?

“You’ve no idea what you want to do? You can’t be like your tad – look what he’s put our Glenys through?”

The cop-option. The one that tackling the bullies triggered – Esyllt’s suggestion. My tad’s secret desire. Or did he say it was too dangerous? I must evade this.

“I like swimming—” I stare into their eyes then glance towards the land. “And running across the fields. Okay, I can do that as a farmer. But I’d like to learn about the sport and leisure industries, whilst learning more skills – like more Welsh. It’s our language.”

They smile, and Nain reaches over and pats my knee. She takes my hands.

“If you go to Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor how will you get there – you can’t live there?”

I let the conversation move on – hoping that we are past the tough grilling.

“I’ve passed my moped test and it will only take an hour – better than cycling and quicker. That means I can stay here – please.”

They embrace me, and I think they are leaving as Nain goes inside. But Taid sits back down.

“There’s something else. We’ve heard disturbing rumours from your school…” He looks up, and I shiver. “About an incident, you were involved in. What is the truth?”

As I dread. The whispers have spread into Snowdonia. It’s over. First Tad – but he didn’t tan my ass, just lectured me about vigilantes. Seems my school didn’t like the Goth Patrol standing up against bullies.

“It was a buddy system to protect kids needing friends.”

I listen to the hunting owls and Taid’s breathing. Did the family hear more? Or just about the assault in the swimming pool? I could have been drowned, but my friends rescued me – with Esyllt.

“In the eyes of the Lord,” he says, staring up into the night sky. “We can’t be the judges. But our friends talk – about our reputation in the community, and yours. Is there someone else?”

Here it is – the sin is exposed. Unless I lie.

“Not that I know – just friends.”

Lies are hard, but so is facing the truth. It won’t just be Taid and Nain. What will the family do next?

“Who is Esyllt Jernigan?”

I close my eyes and pray for guidance.

“One of my friends – another Goth like me.”

He frowns, and I realise my mistake – my other rebellion.

“Goth is darkness, isn’t it? A sin, in some eyes. You…like this other girl?”

Do I confess my sin – that I’ve slept with another woman? Or do I deny our love and perjure myself in the eyes of God? Three denials like Saint Peter is a sin.

But I want a future. Esyllt was the future but so are my family. Are the chapel rules just? Are Taid and Nain correct?

Must I change what my heart feels?

“There’s this guy – Bran. He likes me.”

***

Comments are welcome as usual, but for the WEP Challenge, the following applies:

Word Count 991: MPA

(FCA welcome – if you want to send one, just let me know in the comments.)

READ MORE ENTRIES BY FOLLOWING THE WEP – Write…Edit…Publish URL:

http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/

#WEP – Change of Heart

August 6, 2018 by rolandclarke

This post should be scheduled for August 15th, but in the midst of chaos, I failed to realise that – read the rules, dummy. If I manage to re-write this, I will re-post the new version on that date.

UPDATE: I have re-posted and you can find the correct post at: https://rolandclarke.com/2018/08/15/wep-write-edit-publish-august-challenge/

[This is my first attempt to do WEP Challenge which this month has teamed up with the Insecure Writers Support Group – http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2018/08/writing-together-with-wep-and-iswg.html – which I hope links to the other bloggers.

So I’m hoping that this means that I’ve done this correctly…and this piece of fiction makes sense. I’ve been trying to write it despite screaming kids who stress me out and trigger my MS. Just comment below as usual – many thanks.]