The Scarecrow King: A Romantic Retelling Of The King Thrushbeard Fairy Tale - Plot & Excerpts
It was almost immediately when my muscles began to ache, but I gritted my teeth and ignored it after Aleksandr suggested walking instead. Sometime in the early afternoon, a village came into sight, nestled at the base of the mountains that loomed taller the further we went down the road, and I was delighted to see the nestled rooftops amidst the greenery.My excitement was short lived, however, when Aleksandr announced that we had no money, and he would need to sing for our supper. Despite my protests and embarrassment, my new ‘husband’ spoke with the innkeeper and set up in the corner of the common room to perform for a bit.Little did I know…Aleksandr was a terrible singer.Humiliated, I watched as my husband earnestly sang marching songs, war songs, and ballads. All off key and sung with far more gusto than finesse. The innkeeper shot irritated looks at me as patrons got up and left, as if I were somehow responsible. He needn’t have bothered – my face was red enough to shame us for three leagues over.Still, the audience was polite and dropped a few coins in Aleksandr's cup as they grumbled and left, and I watched it fill, trying to determine how much we’d need for a decent night’s sleep at the inn and some food.Encouraged by the coins, Aleksandr broke into a new song. For three long daysThey journeyed in the dark, under the stoneAnd when they emerged from the Ghost RoadsTheir voices rang against the mountain walls Echoing voices, echoing their joyFree of LioncourtThey made the new land their homeAnd called it Balinore Will you take the Ghost Roads?Will you take the mages’ way?Will you take the path under stone?Will you seek out and find your new home? I jerked to my feet, glared at Aleksandr with meaning, then stormed out of the inn.
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