Flash Fiction: Weaver Heads

This story is part of the archived and updated series of previous works.

“Here again. Did it bring food, or is it food?” it said. Anslem tried to pick out what tree the serpent spoke from but the swamp sounds distorted the source. The haruspex waded forward in the water holding the offering pouch at arm’s length.

“I have what you seek, serpent. Do you have what was promised?” As his words echoed through the murk and fog of the swamp he dropped the pouch. It barely made a splash in the water.

Something fell behind him. He spun and saw a piece of meat and bone half submerged. He stepped forward and lifted it from its hair. The man’s face staring at Anselm as he inspected it. Another splash behind him and he turned in time to see a long scaled tentacle pulling up the charm pouch. He could almost feel the heat of its breath as it looked at the trade.

When he started heard the sound of branches shift he asked, “How do I know this is a Weaver’s head and not some murdered fool?”

“How does it know you are not giving it a cursed charm? Doubt again and it will take your head for trade! It is an augur, Lucian named. A serpent hunter. Slayer with God’s Charms. Did come to slay. Many rose and slayed him. It is lucky to have the entire head.” The creature left then, and Anselm didn’t say a word or move until he was sure it was gone. When he was certain it was outside of its great listening range he sighed in relief.

He started his trek out of the swamp, but stopped to examine the head again. It was not the type of weaver he expected the snake to bring him, but then the snake worked in its own way. An augur’s mysticism would still work for the divining he needed. He just hoped whatever demons the snake had dealt with hadn’t damaged the brain of this Augur Lucian too much.

Originally written back in 2010, Weaver Heads is one of those stories I keep coming back to. This new revision will likely be the last of my attempts at smoothing out the story at this length, but I still have thoughts of lengthening the work. Original publish date April 27, 2010.

The audio version of this story can be found here.

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