JUST ONE THING : In Search Of (a short story)

Welcome back. When I think of the prompt for today, I remember teachings from my mom about the satisfaction one can experience in completion of a task if done with excellence. However, she also warned of the pitfalls of being too prideful to the point of arrogance. I hope my fiction story I associate with my teaching illuminates which quality is more admirable.

Just One Thing - Daily Prompt for 05/06/2022 = Pride

Bowing, then waiting in silent anticipation for approvals, the daughters Drunig trembled. Lack of substantial nourishment weakened their legs. But this was necessary to corral their abundance into the constraints ordered one size smaller. Hands entwined to support each other, they sustained their composure. Potential suitors watched with glee and salivated at their prospects.

Squire Drunig's eyes locked on his three daughter for several seconds. Mother Drunig's eyes glanced at each guest in the room before settling on her husband. She dared not speak. Their future was at stake.

Thirty minutes passed. Without warning and in complete silence, the youngest, Mordana, flung her sisters' hands to the side and stepped forward. At seventeen, she'd already decided this was the last year in her father's house. Her obstinate nature and quick tongue land her neither a suitor nor riches.

Didn't matter. She'd other plans for her life, and corsets and starvation weren't part of it. Exactly how she planned to divert her carefully constructed hand off from one bondsman to the other had yet to be formulated.

Her head throbbed and stomach churned. Suddenly, her liquid lunch rushed forward, assisted by the tight strings surrounding her ribs. It landed at the boot of her particular suitor.

Mrs. Drunig gasped. Mr. Drunig seethed.

His large frame with stomach protruding seemed to bounce backward as if momentarily deflated. A quick thinker, he turned and stomped toward the window. Fresh air was allowed to circulate.

If word spread of the offense his honored guests suffered at the hands of his daughters, he'd be ruined. Of that and the fact his brood would be labeled heathens was assured. Their family name was already tethering on the edge.

Bart looked down in disgust. He hadn't acquired an official title yet being the third son. He was, however, worldly though and thought he'd seen it all at the adventurous age of twenty.

His eyes traveled from his boot to the hem of his potential wife's gown before coming to rest on her face. The fact that she was clearly dehydrated was appalling.

As he was about to speak, Mordana landed face first at the foot of his boot. Vomit covered her hair, dress, and face.

"It would seem as though you have an extreme dislike for me to rebuff my intentions with such fortitude."

Mordana only heard half of this. Bart reached inside his coat and uncorked a flask. He placed it in front of her nose to rouse her, then wiped her mouth and forced it open to accept the drink.

She jumped up and stumbled backward. This was not the attitude she wanted to convey. She only wanted to protest the procedure. She never intended to ruin her sisters' chances. She apologized profusely.

Before anyone could react, she turned and ran.

She kept running until she reached the edge of her father's property. Thoughts of her mom and sisters evoked tears. They'd been waiting for this day over ten years. Selfish. How could she. But then lately she'd react before thinking the situation through. Now, she'd humiliated her family. By morning, the story would be nowhere near what actually occurred.

She wondered into the clearing with thoughts of her mom. She felt she understood. However, ruining her sisters' chances was unforgivable.

Leaves rustled. She turned to face a giant stallion that rose up inches from her face. Backward she fell covering her face. Her long, fiery tresses spread around her shoulders.

Bart jumped from his horse and righted Mordana. She retreated, thinking he'd come on her father's request to carry out her forceful return.

"I was banished also by my father. A son not following in his family's military succession would bring dishonor. He later rescinded."

"I wish I were a male with the ability to do whatever I wanted. My life lies beyond what was laid out."

"I'm glad you didn't get your wish." Bart advanced closer.

Mordana looked around nervously, then stepped behind a nearby bush.

"What's wrong?" Bart could see that Morgana was no ordinary girl. He liked what he saw.

She emerged twirling the strings of the corset around her fingers.

"Have you any use for this?" She was smiling broadly.

"Not offhand." He'd heard about Squire Drunig's youngest daughter. But, this was even better than he'd imagined.

"Me neither." They both laughed while she discarded the contraption.

Bart produced jerky, bread, and another flask from his pouch. It was her first time tasting liquor. They gorged, then rested.

"It would seem as though we're now both banished. Once my father learns of this, it'll be twice for me!" The bond between them perhaps was now set, Bart hoped.

"Are you sure? I've broken all the rules and traditions expected of a proper young lady. Where's your pride with how I responded? Her fingers were crossed as she waited for his response.

"I came to find a partner for life. You possess all I require. Somehow I knew as I walked the line, then positioned in front of you. As for pride, I believe I've found it. Now, let's go break down those typecasts."

"What about our families?" Mordana was worried how her actions would affect her sisters.

"Our episode will be soon forgotten. Narrow minds move quickly to the next sensation."

Bart rose, saddled his stead, then mounted. Smiling wickedly, he offered his hand to hoist Mordana up and secure her place.

The wind tossed their hair as the landscape recorded and echoed their venture westward to a new land. Their world wasn't ready for them, but they didn't care because change was never easy.