This is a short story project I completed for the 2024 SNHU Fall Fiction Contest. At the conclusion of the piece, I have added some final thoughts and observations for anyone interested.
…
“Quillby Lanfor?”
“Hello there. It’s just Julian now. I’ve not gone by Quillby for many years.”
“Oh, yes. I remember. We were all so proud of you. It’s not every day that a small town like Blimey becomes the talk of the Everlands. What brings you back?”
“I’ve come to pay my respects, while I still can.”
“Oh? Is something the matter?”
“I thought I’d see the orphanage. Would you mind escorting me?”
“I’d be delighted! This way then. The children will be thrilled. A real Knight of the Order in our humble midst. Quillby Lanfor…”
“Thank you, but it’s just Julian now.”
“I suppose I’m sentimental. You won’t hold that against me, will you?”
“Of course not. How are the children?”
“Children are children. They’re resilient. Not easy since Miss Sunflower passed last spring.”
“I had hoped to visit sooner. Did she ever mention me?”
“Did she ever mention Quillby Lanfor, Master of Dragons?”
“Ha! Well, I hope it wasn’t too aggravating.”
“Oh, hush now, child. Here we are. I hope you’ll stay long enough to share a story. The children would be overjoyed.”
“I’m not sure I’m up to it. Besides, Miss Sunflower was the true storyteller.”
“I seem to recall she took you under her wing.”
“She took us all under her wing. Who’s that over there with the fiery red hair?”
“Oh, that’s Mary – Mary Blimey. Been with us for a few years now. Always getting into fights, that one.”
“Winning them too, by the look of it.”
“Well, she’s had lots of practice. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you, Julian?”
“I’d like to meet her.”
“Perfect! She’s coming this way. Mary! Come here!”
“Yes, Miss Morena?”
“Mary, this is Julian Lanfor. He’s from Blimey, just like you!”
“Blimey! You’re a Blimey!”
“Have the other children been teasing you, Mary?”
“It’s not that I’m an orphan, Sir; I just don’t know who my parents are. ‘Blimey! You’re a Blimey,’ they say! But I show them!”
“Been in a few scrapes, have you?”
“I’m not scared!”
“Julian, why don’t you tell Mary how you became Master of Dragons?”
“Dragons? There’s no such thing as dragons!”
“Now you’ve done it, Miss Morena.”
“When young Julian was your age… And now, just look at him! Master of Dragons, and a Knight of the Order!”
“A Knight? But where’s your sword?”
“They called him Quillby!”
“You’re really not going to let that go, are you?”
“I suppose I’m still not used to your being here. We hoped you’d come when Miss Sunflower fell ill. After her passing, we thought we’d seen the last of you.”
“I… I came as soon as I could.”
“I’ll never see my family again! They never wanted me! No one wants me! I’m just a stupid… Blimey! And I hate it here!”
“Poor child. Julian, tell us a story would you please?”
“You’re going to have to do something about your temper, Mary.”
“My temper? What do you know about it? I’m never going to leave this place, just as my parents are never going to return. It’s time to face facts!”
“How old are you?”
“Fourteen.”
“Do you know why you were given the surname Blimey, just like this village?”
“They didn’t give me that name! I took it!”
“Why did you choose the name Blimey?”
“Because it’s where I am, not who I am.”
“What’s your real name?”
“I… I don’t remember.”
“I see. Well, perhaps it’s time to rediscover it. I should like to tell you the story of how I defeated the Dragon from St. Isley.”
“A dragon? A real dragon?”
“Oh, yes. Blimey’s legacy is intertwined with dragons and ancient orders.”
“But there’s no such thing as dragons.”
“That’s what my father always told me, too. Until the day the real dragons arrived.”
“Oh.”
“I was just a child then, about your age. My family lived on the hill with the bell tower overlooking the old cemetery at the edge of the forest. Do you know the one?”
“Uh-huh.”
“My father was a farmer, and my mother a nurse. We’d all heard the rumors about dragons, but it wasn’t until the smoke reached our village that people truly worried. When the King’s soldiers came demanding men for dragon duty, my father told me to stay and take care of the family while he went, and just like that, he was gone. That winter was the coldest I remember. When the snow finally thawed, we waited for the men to return, but they never did. Instead, orphans from other villages made their way to Blimey. When my mum realized our father was not among them, she lost her will to live. Her heart gave out.”
“Blimey…”
“Miss Ophelia Sunflower was the headmistress then. She took everyone in, giving them a place to feel at home. Some children had no recollection of their families or names. ‘Well, this will never do,’ Ophelia said. ‘We shall call your surname Blimey, for you’re now one of us, part of our family.’ That tradition remains, which is why your surname is Blimey, or would be anyway. I know the other kids might tease you, but don’t let that bother you.”
“It doesn’t bother me; I prefer a good fight!”
“I know how that feels. In those days, anger was my constant companion. By then, my sister and I lived at the orphanage, and I got into many fights. I even made everyone call me Julian Blimey, renouncing my family name.”
“You did that too?”
“One day, Miss Sunflower called me over. Instead of scolding me, she gave me a pen-like object with iridescent scales and runes. ‘Do you know what this is?’ she asked. ‘A talisman from a dragon’s scale.’ ‘But I don’t believe in dragons,’ I said.
‘Exactly,’ she replied. ‘That’s why I’ve chosen you.’”
“Chosen you for what?”
“She said the talisman was imbued with an ancient magic and would reveal the stories behind people and objects when waved in front of them. I was to take it to the cemetery to uncover the ancestors’ stories and share them with the orphans.”
“Did it really work? Did you see their stories?”
“Despite my doubts, I trudged up the hill to the cemetery. As I stared at my mother’s grave, I saw her life unfold before me. With each headstone, I began to learn Blimey’s history to share with the orphans. Eventually, I learned the quill’s own story and its dragon origin, and, armed with this knowledge, I was determined to set off and right the wrongs that had beset Blimey. By this time, though, something even more magical had started to happen.”
“What do you mean?”
“My anger had begun to fade.”
“Tell me about the dragons!”
“I think that’s enough for today, Mary. I’m feeling rather weak.”
“Wait, please! I… I want to know more.”
“I wish I had more strength to tell you everything now. Come back tomorrow, but before you go, there’s something I need you to do.”
“What is that?”
“You’ve got a strength in you, Mary. I see it. This evening, climb the hill to the cemetery near the old watchtower. Walk among the headstones gathered there and think about the life you want to live. Do this for me, and tomorrow I will have a gift for you.”
“A gift?”
“That’s all for today, Mary. Do as I’ve asked?”
“Okay.”
“Miss Morena? Would you please escort Mary to her room? Then I’d like a quick word.”
“Of course, Master Quillby.”
…
“Miss Morena? Where’s Julian?”
“Mary, I need to tell you something… Julian… passed away last night.”
“What are you talking about?”
“He was very ill. He returned to Blimey to say goodbye.”
“No, you’re wrong. I just spoke with him!”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
“He thought it best this way.”
“But… He didn’t even…”
“I know. He left this for you.”
“What is it?”
“His talisman. He wanted you to have it.”
“It feels… different. But… why? Why me?”
“Julian once doubted the existence of dragons, just like you. He said to tell you that some dragons are real. He wants you to climb the hill to the watchtower by the old cemetery. Beside his mother’s grave, you’ll soon find his. Use the talisman, and the truth will reveal itself. This was his final gift to you… and to Blimey.”
“There must be some mistake.”
“Julian didn’t believe in mistakes. He wanted you to learn the stories of Blimey and share them with the orphans. Many haven’t heard the legend of Quillby Lanfor, Master of Dragons. Embrace his legacy, make it your own, and decide what kind of life you want to live. Perhaps one day, you too will become a Master of Dragons.”
“Master of Dragons… I’ll… I’ll try. Miss Morena?”
“Yes, Mary?”
“My name isn’t Mary Blimey. It’s Mary St. Clair. I remember now… who I am.”
…
This short story project was particularly challenging because I crafted it using dialogue only. I got the idea from Brandon Sanderson’s short story I Hate Dragons. I wanted to challenge myself and make my story stand out in the SNHU Fall Fiction Contest, which has a 1,500-word limit. Submitting a piece composed solely of dialogue was a risk, knowing I’d be up against more traditional stories that might be seen as more well-rounded. Still, I’m proud of what I accomplished with Mary’s character arc and hope it resonated with you. In the end, I hope you felt, as I did, a small amount of hope for Mary.
Thank you for taking the time to read it. I would love to hear about your writing projects and how you’re challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone.