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“Jabberwock Keys” is a complete just-for-fun short story that could use some polishing. A sorcerer hires a jabberwock named Daisy to guard his treasure, and they return to his tower on a spire of rocks, with tunnels going through the cliffs to the top, and he gives her two of the three keys required to unlock a chest with his most important treasures.
I skipped over Daisy hauling a screaming man out of the woods, and bringing him to Magnus.
“Were there others?” Magnus contemplated the man sitting unhappily on the ground, with one of Daisy’s long, scaly front feet banding his rib cage.
Daisy nodded, snapped her jaws twice, and then shook her head.
“It ate Kiff and Pol,” the man complained, “so much blood and screamin’… and the teeth…”
“You were trying to steal from me,” Magnus said, crossing his arms, “what did you think would happen?”
“It didn’t have ta eat us!” He began railing against the evilness of rich wizards who wouldn’t miss some of their dusty hoard anyway, and Daisy gave him another firm shake to cut off the stream of invective.
“You tell me who you were stealing for, and what you were after,” Magnus said, “And, since you were so eager to see inside my tower, I will indulge you.”
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caitlinsternwrites 
Delightful, Delirious, and D’lovely as the song goes. I want a Jabberwock all my own, please, Santa Caitlin.
I bet someone, somewhere, has made a jabberwock plush. Probably doesn’t quite look like Daisy, though… but perhaps it does.
Aw, Daisy continues to endear, even at her bloodthirstiest. I do feel a teensy bit sorry for the poor thieves who were expecting your average, easy wizard-heist. But only because it’s the holidays. 🙂
Never steal from a wizard, sorcerer, witch, or dread mage without the proper research. I bet the locals could have warned them.
Great work! Magnus is so vivid and stands out from the other characters. Lovely snippet!
Anyone who answers to Magnus the Magnificent has to be interesting, right?
(Or a really terrible birthday party magician, with the fake flowers and a rabbit that escaped at the wrong time.)
I like your answer about the birthday party magician.
I love Daisy, even if she eats people;). You do an amazing job of bringing the world to life with only a few words. Everything jumps off the page. I really, really want to read the whole story and find someone who can make me a plush Daisy;). Wonderful snippet.
Merry Christmas!
I’m working on it, promise. Depending on how the holidays go, I should have a cleaner version by the end of the year… or soon after.
Daisy would be adorable in cuddly minature… 🙂
Daisy plushies? I’d go for that! I do think the punishment seems a tad harsh, but what can you expect when messing with a wizard? Great snippet.
That’d take someone with way more sewing skills than me!
Well, if you’re ever trying to break into a sorcerer’s tower, and a jabberwock comes charging out of the woods at you… run, don’t attack her. Then you’ll probably live. 😉
No fooling around for the Jabberwock apparently, she’s even more efficient than I realized, eating people! Excellent excerpt, I want a mini Jabberwock for myself!
Well, you use the tools you have… and Daisy has big teeth.
Daisy is such an endearing character, even when she’s not behaving so politely. I also love Magnus.
Daisy’s view on eating humans isn’t probably one we’d share… but then again, neither is a tiger’s!
Great scene, vivid characters and an amazing idea!
Thanks. 🙂
Ooh! I have a feeling he’s not going to like the inside of the tower. This is great, Caitlin!
The inside of the tower is pretty fascinating, but he’s not so much getting a guided tour as a dungeon. 😉
Do not attempt to steal from wizards who employ Jabberwocks, for you are a slow-running, crunchy snack. 😀
I don’t think going into the Tower is a very good idea . . .
Exactly!
The would-be thief is not exactly going to be given a choice, here.
Hey there! It’s been a long time, but I’m glad to be back for a bit. Great snippet! Love the dialogue and characterization here 🙂 Great 8!
Some weeks we WeWriWa, some weeks we don’t. Welcome back!
Magnus doesn’t approve of thieves–he’s lost more than one priceless artifact.
The thief saw a jabberwock eat his pals, and he’s still complaining? He’s lucky to be alive – although I doubt he’ll be thinking that after he sees what’s inside the tower. Great snippet!
He would prefer that no one got eaten, yes–and that they made a big payday off what they stole.
No, the inside of the tower will not be fun. But that’s what you get for messing with sorcerers!