Tuesday Tales: From the Word WATER

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. This week. we’re writing to the prompt WATER. I’m continuing with Listen to the Stones.

As he waited to debark, Jerome’s mind wandered.

The other night, after one too many scotches, he’d described the woman and twin boys who populated his dreams. Nathan hadn’t laughed, but he’d maintained that Jerome was describing characters from his books. He’d quoted the description of the wizard’s wife and her twin boys in Traitors in the Mist.

“You know, if I thought for a minute that you believed those stones were enchanted and that the ideas for your books came from them and not your fertile imagination, I’d have you locked up for your own safety. When she was a child, Nadia’s grandfather used to tell her stories about the stone circles. No doubt yours did, too. She claims she sees bits and pieces of his tales in your books. Her father swore the stones were magical prisons created by a ruthless wizard who wanted to punish those who disagreed with him.”

Jerome had stiffened. “Are you accusing me of plagiarizing old Scottish tales?”

“Plagiarizing? Of course not.” Nathan shook his head and added water to the scotch in their glasses. “There’s no such thing as an original plot. Every author gets his or her ideas from the world around them. No one owns the copyright to myths, legends, and folktales. Those stories, not some talking rocks, are your inspiration. You’re a brilliant storyteller. You just need to believe in yourself.”

Jerome shook his head. “You don’t understand. When I’m at the stones, it’s as if I’m there with the characters. I’m not just listening to them speak, I’m part of the story, interacting with them at times, watching the events occur at others, and rooting for one side or the other. It’s so real that when it’s over, I can draw the images with as much realism as I can draw you, Nadia, or young Nathan.”

The man laughed. “Fine. Prove it. Draw this woman you plan to marry.”

Jerome reached for the paper and pencil on the desk.

“It’ll be a rough sketch since I don’t usually get a close look at her, but…”

Within a matter of minutes, he’d finished the drawing, surprised to see that the woman he’d illustrated bore a strong resemblance to the one he’d seen at the airport in London.

That’s it. Come back next week for more. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.