Ethan J Hughes
The Lanara Tree (and Other Stories)
When I started writing, all I thought about were novels. The ideas in my head were only possible if word count was not limited to just a few thousand words. As I created the novels, my Trydelle Universe expanded. There was so much history to touch on, so many characters to write about; some of those who feature in my novels could have an origin story, or I could create new ones and tie them into the main series at a later date. With so many stories to tell, it would be impossible to write a lengthy novel for every single one.
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And so, I began writing short stories. To start with, I limited my scope to the fantasy world of Tryella, drawing ideas from places and characters I'd created for my novels. After the first dozen or so, I took a break from it, then an advert appeared on my Facebook feed for a website called Vocal who would publish short stories online for free. They even had competitions. One story that I'd written - a dystopian tale about a man trying to find his way home - almost fit the briefing for one of the competitions, so I tweaked it a bit, signed up for Vocal and uploaded. Unfortunately, I found out too late that competitions were exclusively for premium members (i.e. those who pay), but it gave me a chance to share the story with friends and family.
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The wheels were in motion. I published a total of ten stories on Vocal. So hasty was I to get them out that none of them - bar a couple - were stringently edited. They were basically first drafts. After the Vocal spree, I went on a short story hiatus again until I started going to creative writing workshops and lessons in Bath, organised by Page One. As a result, more short stories were written, and finally with so many stories at my disposal, I decided to compile the best of them into a collection. That collection will be 'The Lanara Tree (and Other Stories)'.
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The collection will be released some time in July this year. For now, you can read a few snippets from some of the stories that will be featured in it.
Farragoss Stories
Happy To Assist
‘Closed for maintenance. Sorry for the inconvenience.’ That was the message Henry read on a sign in the front window of Galaxy Burger, the restaurant he hoped to dine in that evening. Nothing had warned him about this—the person responsible for managing the restaurant’s website must have forgotten. Thanks to their negligence, the setting of choice for Henry’s first date was no longer available, and the Forisstress he hoped to impress would arrive in less than ten minutes.
The Lanara Tree
Sylna strolled barefoot through the Garden of Nar, navigating its lush grassy paths until she came to the foot of a large mound. Around the green circle where the mound rose were four great flowerbeds, dominated by orchids growing on tree bark with heads three times the size of dinner plates, changing colour throughout the day; stalks with long, spiralled limbs ascended from behind the beds, bobbing up and down in the breezeless air; bromeliads, heliconias and passion flowers, over three metres in height, bunched up along the border like the beds’ protectors. But amongst all the beauty, standing on the mound like a queen surrounded by her subjects, was the oldest and tallest tree that Sylna had ever known. Her name was Lanara.
Earth Stories
The Widow
It was a long, bumpy road from Churchton to Dustwater, but the stagecoach never stopped. Five passengers sat onboard, reducing the indoor cabin to a cramped space filled with the stench of sweat. Aside from a journalist and his wife, everyone in the cabin was a stranger to one another. Most were silent, a few of them wore deadpan expressions, but all of them were praying for the journey to end soon.
The Deputy
Marcus had been riding since dawn. Sweat had soaked his black hair and moustache and caused his neckerchief to stick to him. His shirt was unbuttoned to the stomach, and the sun’s merciless rays had branded a big red downward arrow on his chest which burned like hot iron. He wanted to stop, but his situation prevented it and he rode on, determined to reach the next town before noon.
Home
Leaning on the bonnet of an old, rundown convertible, the man lit up a cigarette. Ahead of him, a street that was once so vibrant with people and parties now stood abandoned. This was good, since signs of human life usually indicated a threat to his own. Being alone was being safe—a rarity nowadays in this devastated land.
Tryella Stories
Initiation Day
It was the most important day of Kendrew’s life. The Gora Tribe’s constitution dictated that every young tribesman, on the day they turned twenty, must demonstrate their strength and fight for a place in their revered league of warriors. For Kendrew, that wait was almost over. The whole tribe were chattering amongst each other in the stands above the arena; drummers were beating a ceremonial rhythm; and below the stands, in a cold waiting chamber, Kendrew sat sweating on a stone bench in his tough leather jerkin, praying for a last-minute intervention.
Apples, Berries & Mead
Silence filled the hall. Two princes stood in opposite corners of the large, stone chamber. The youngest, with short brown hair, wore a royal red tunic with dark trousers and rugged boots. The other, whose locks were comparatively long and unkempt, wore an added jerkin, with a gold-pommelled sword strapped to his waist. For long periods at a time, they did nothing but scowl at one another. Then, a door to the side opened with a horrible creak and the piercing gazes of the princes turned to glare at the person who had disturbed them.