“The Theft of Thornbury” -- FWG Flash Fiction for 7/27/2024

I had the privilege of spending two nights in Thornbury Castle. The bells of St. Mary’s truly are magical.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KzpFqr45ncC1sjCE6irV5MC-Cz56ieLL/view?usp=sharing

The prompt is:

https://pixabay.com/photos/abbey-church-interiors-1160492

THE THEFT OF THORNBURY

The bells of St. Mary’s calling the village to Sunday services drew Roger out of the book he was struggling to write. St. Mary’s stood adjacent to Thornbury Castle, which, in a fit of jealousy, Henry VIII had claimed for his own after having Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, beheaded for treason. Stafford had established the adjacent abbey, which Henry reconsecrated as the Church of St. Mary during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. All of this history Roger learned from the local guidebook. What no book could convey, though, was the magic of the carillon’s call. It spoke directly to Roger’s thoughts with a proud but plaintive voice.

A December snowfall dusted the hedges of the Privy Garden as Roger followed the bells’ summons under the timbered gallery and through the gate onto the church’s grounds. A queue of local townsfolk and their ruddy-cheeked children pulled off their caps and stomped the snow from their feet as they passed through the church’s ancient double doors.

The vicar stood inside the narthex, greeting his parishioners. When Roger made to shuffle past, the reverend took his hand and shook it, pulling Roger close.

“You’ve heard the Old Duke, haven’t you?” he whispered close to Roger’s ear.

Taken aback, Roger stammered, “I’ve…I hear something.”

The vicar smiled, “Aye. He needs his story told.” Cocking his head, he listened to a voice only he could hear. “He says you’re the one to write it.”

With a smile, the vicar released his hand and turned to the next worshiper. Roger stumbled, astounded, to an empty pew.

Throughout the service, the Duke whispered his life story into Roger’s thoughts. Rushing past the vicar’s knowing smile, Roger hurried to his chambers in the castle and banged out the opening of The Theft of Thornbury, his first best-seller.

THE END