Tuesday Tales: From the Word COMMON

Wow! Here we are in July! To the Canadians who celebrated yesterday, Happy Canada Day! To the American’s celebrating on Thursday, Happy Independence Day! It’s been a wild summer so far. Our Tuesday Tales word prompt this week is COMMON, but there’s nothing common about the path the story’s about to take. I’m continuing with Listen to the Stones.

James laughed. “Build? You truly believe a primitive tribe built this? As I suspected, you’ve fallen into the tourist trap like so many others. Which theory will you espouse? Some claim that none of it could’ve existed without the help of aliens—the Pyramids, the Aztec temples, the great cities in Peru. And don’t forget that according to local legend, the Standing Stones and menhirs are people turned to stone by a powerful Christian mage for refusing to follow the teachings of Christ and scattered across the Outer Hebrides.” He shrugged. “If St Patrick could rid Ireland of snakes, why not have someone who could turn living flesh into dead rock? Of course, those who practice witchcraft and druidism have their own theories. It’s amazing the common drivel some people believe.”

Marina scowled. There was something about the cavalier way he spoke that grated on her nerves, reminding her of the haughty man he’d been when Jerome had arrived at the Hall. As well, he was mixing paganism with Christianity again, as if it was all beneath his contempt.

“I don’t recall my minister telling us about sorcerers who doubled as missionaries.” He couldn’t miss her sarcasm. “Still, a mystery is a mystery. Is it so wrong to want to believe in something greater than yourself?”

Shaking his head, he shrugged. “Marina, I’m not belittling this, I simply don’t see why it’s of importance to so many—like Na Fir Chlis. What others believe is of no interest to me, as long as they don’t try to foist their ridiculous ideologies on me. These stones are nothing more than high quality metamorphic rock. They could’ve been heaved up by the earth during an earthquake after the ice age ended, and their pattern is random. They’re strong, durable, and excellent building materials, but sacred? Hardly. I’m sorry if I’ve burst your bubble as they say, but facts are facts.”

She chuckled. “You really know how to take the fun out of it, don’t you? First, you consider the Aurora Borealis no better than a fancy fart set afire by the atmosphere and now these colossal monuments are nothing but glacial debris.”

“I told you. I’m a realist. You would do well to remember that and forget all this nonsense about the supernatural, the prophecy, and your destiny.”

She stopped walking. “I beg your pardon? I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to tell me.”

James led her to a bench along the path and sat, pulling her down beside him. His lips were pursed, his eyes cold but determined.

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