SIR RODERICK RETURNS

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Steps down wall

Copyright–Bjorn Rudberg

Here we are once again, gathered this week in a virtual ruined castle with our gracious and talented hostess and guide, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. It’s December, but there’s rumored to be a ghost who returns here only in the Christmas season, and we hope to catch a glimpse of him. We’re wearing our winter coats to keep warm. We’re also here to discuss our original stories for the week. This is the Friday Fictioneers group, and the challenge is for each of us to write a story with no more than 100 words. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and follow the picture prompt for the week. This week’s prompt was supplied by Bjorn Rudberg. Thanks again Bjorn. We’ve just spotted the ghost, and Sir Roderick and I both wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season!

The link for all the other stories is as follows:

http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/12/24/26-december-2014/

Genre:  Speculative Fiction

Word Count:  100 Words

SIR RODERICK RETURNS By P.S. Joshi

It was Christmas Day in the year 1614. All the knights at the castle had feasted after the long pre-Christmas fast.

Sir Roderick felt chest pains. “Probably overate,” he thought as he drifted off to sleep.

He awoke refreshed, but met with a strange sight. Half the roof was gone, and he was sitting alone on the banquet hall floor. All furnishings were missing.

He arose and walked into the courtyard. It was overgrown with weeds. He walked to the steps down the wall. They were also covered with growth.

He would eventually learn his spirit had returned in 2014.

friday-fictioneers

50 thoughts on “SIR RODERICK RETURNS”

  1. Dear Susan,

    Sir Roderick had quite an awakening, didn’t he? I’m sure he won’t recognize the place.

    In the last line do you mean “his” spirit rather than “this?”

    Nicely written, left me wanting to know more.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    • Thanks Rochelle. I caught that typo in the last line on my last reading just after I connected with your blog, but my computer was slow in doing the edit. It’s now been fixed. Thanks. I’m very pleased you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne

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    • Thanks Bjorn for that great picture. It’s going to be responsible for a lot of good stories. It has so much atmosphere. I may just bring back Sir Roderick now and again to continue his discoveries. He’s a good character.
      Greetings and holiday wishis to you and yours as well!

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  6. A nap like that would put Rip Van Winkle to shame. It must have been all the Tryptophan in the turkey. We’ll see if he turns out to be a friendly ghost or a chain-rattler. An amusing tale, Susan. Merry Christmas to you.

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    • Thanks Russell. Goodness only knows what condition food was in those days when people ate it. Sanitation wasn’t all that great. I read that they often tossed bones on the floor for the dogs. They probably ate a lot of food when they had it.. This gang of knights had been fasting.so they were especially hungry. He probably just ate too much and his heart gave out. If knights didn’t die on the battlefield, with the shorter life expectancy in those olden days they still probably didn’t live all that long conpared with today. Old in those days was different than old these days. With that lifestyle, they probably looked older than they were in years. I’ll bring him back every now and again to see how he’s doing. He’s a man ( now ghost) of action so won’t stay in one place for long. I’m very pleased you liked the story. Merry Christmas to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne

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  7. Dear Suzanne,
    Merry Christmas to you and Sir Roderick. Ghost stories are quite appropriate both for the photo prompt this week and for this time of year. I’ll raise a glass to the memory of your ill-fated knight. Good story.

    All my best,
    Marie Gail

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    • Thanks Marie Gail. I and Sir Roderick wish you and yours a Merry Chrismas also. Sir Roderick would love to raise a glass with you, but alas he’s no longer able to do so. This is hard on a knight who raised a good many in his day. I’m very happy you liked the story. I had a lot of fun with this one. Happy Holidays to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne

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  9. Nice one. Alas, poor Sir Roderick! I knew him not. All he needs is an internet connection and google to bring him up to speed on what’s happened in the last 700 years. But no dial-up, that’s only in hell.

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    • Thanks Ali. No, he probably passed on because his heart couldn’t take the overeating. That was probably the last straw. Life was hard in those days. I guess I’ll have to check in on him now and again to see what’s happening with him. Happy Holidays! 🙂 — Suzanne

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    • Thanks Marg. I’m so glad you liked Sir Roderick and the story. I’ll check in on him from time to time to see how he’s doing. He was a jolly knight so will probably adjust in time although it was a huge surprise. 🙂 — Suzanne

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  14. Susanne, at least Sir Roderick had a hearty feast before his very long sleep. I can’t imagine his castle still stands or what has become of his life. Nice twist at the end and an enjoyable read.

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    • Thanks Amy. He’ll probably go check on his home castle. His castle is likely in ruins if it’s still there. Relatives probably took it over. I’ll have to check on him once in a while to see how he’s doing. I’m very glad you liked the story as I had fun writing it. 🙂 — Suzanne

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    • Thanks Ellespeth. I’m so glad you liked the story. I probably wouldn’t mind meeting a ghost like Sir Reginald. He’s a gentleman and was a jolly knight. Happy Holidays to you also! 🙂 — Suzanne

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    • Thanks Alicia. I’m so glad you enjoy the introductions as well as the stories. Those intros are fun for me too. I had in mind some of the old ruined castles they show on the internet. Happy New Year to you also. 🙂 — Suzanne

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    • Thanks Mgill. I’m so pleased you liked the story, and thanks for the encouragement. Now that I’m used to it, writing flash fiction is easier for me than writing longer stories. I’ll have to work on that though as I want to begin writing regular short stories. 🙂 — Suzanne

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  23. Wow, now that would be a shock! What a fantastic take on the picture. Your story left me wondering what would happen next to Sir Roderick. Maybe you will write some more about him…

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  25. Pingback: FURTHER ADVENTURES OF SIR RODERICK | Musings on Life & Experience

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