literature

Mierna Book One Snippet

Deviation Actions

Published: Oct 18, 2021

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Literature Text

"Vlanders!" Itchy motioned to the tentacles gripping the metal rails at the structure's base. The púca had just finished a jump when the trampoline was smacked out the way.

Anticipating that move, Vlanders positioned his jump to land on the final platform. Behind him stood Mierna who, having reached the top, judged the distance between them and the tent walls. A rope ladder hung from one of the poles and would take her to the ceiling. From where she stood, it seemed close enough to reach the symbols once she got there.

"I see where I need to go." She pointed to the rope ladder. "Can you get me there?"

"Shall we find out?" Without a care to look, he elbowed a hidden lever. Like a performance announcer, he waved Mierna's attention to several platforms that lit up around the tent.

Mierna watched as a spotlight identified each location at the top of the tent poles. In horror, she realized what was required when several trapeze swings dropped down from the ceiling.

Vlanders gestured to the first swing. "Ladies first." He wiggled his eyebrows before pouncing onto the trapeze bar, laughing all the way as he began to swing it back and forth. "Weeeeee!" He then flipped down, using his long legs to cling to the seat. As he swung closer, he held out his arms for her. "Now you!"

"Are you crazy? I can't do what you do like I don't have bones in my body!" At that moment there came a tremor under her feet. Before she could question it, the metal structure began to tilt. When it suddenly jolted to one side, she screamed and held tightly to the railing.

"Jump, Mierna!" Vlanders reached for her again when the trapeze bar swung close enough.

With little choice, she scrambled to the edge of the platform and reached out just as the structure collapsed. She felt his strong hands lock onto hers. The next instant she was airborne with púca laughter carrying on the whole time. They swung back and forth over the chaos of scrapped metal below and breaking chairs. Each swing carried them higher and higher until Mierna thought they would touch the ceiling.

"Time to show off your skills!" Vlanders announced, swinging up a final time as a piece of metal flew past.

"What?!" Mierna's mind raced as another piece missed her leg. "He knows I'm up here!"

"Course he does!" the púca sang. "Where's the fun if no one else joins? Now on three! One... two..."

"Wait!"

When he suddenly let go, Mierna gasped until she felt netting catch her in a hefty bounce. Her limbs flopped about, feeling helpless while her body tumbled over itself until it steadied under her weight. Realizing it was a safety net, she wondered where it came from so quickly when nothing had been there before. Below her the battle raged on. She could see Itchy through the thin gaps wildly waving his baton in a chant. A chorus of sharps melodically sliced through an arm before one of its mouth parts could suck energy from another performer.

"Ok, Mierna. You can do this!" She crawled over to a rope ladder. Taking hold, she pulled herself up to a tiny one-person platform. Meanwhile, Vlanders had hopped over to the next swing to avoid several chairs thrown by the serpent below. He positioned himself the same way and reached out for her when something sliced through one of the safety ropes. Whereas before there was a net, now nothing remained as Mierna prayed she would not fall.

She had just grabbed hold of the púca when her tiny platform gave way. Vlanders' laughter was pure relief she was safe when they swung away from the pole. From the corner of her eye, she saw moment. Long, dark objects slithered up to the next pole, and she knew it was the creature's tentacles.

Is there no limit to how far he can reach? But in the back of her mind, she already knew the answer. Because he's from the Fae. He can be anything he wants!

"Next stop!" she heard from Vlanders and prepared herself a little better.

A snap from one of the ropes caused the swing to go off course. For a moment, Mierna felt herself free-falling as the right side broke free. One of her hands was let loose while Vlanders desperately scrambled to hold the remaining line. When she felt his legs securely wrap around her waist, she was able to release his hand so he could better hold onto the dangling trapeze seat.

"Can't outdo a púca just yet!" he laughed hysterically, using the girl as leverage to swing higher still.

"Nearly there!" Mierna could see the rope ladder coming up fast. Just within reach, the final line snapped. "Got it!" She grabbed hold and at the same moment felt Vlanders release her. Turning, she caught his final salute to her as he fell.

* * * * *

A little action scene featuring Mierna and the púca Vlanders as they team up to evade a slithering energy-sucking creature at a local circus.

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