FASA 365 Day 186, Cedric Peltershine. (cursed).
An 1879 Side tale.
Scattered all over the world are malevolent purveyors of magic. These creatures, djinn, or geanies; were hunted, trapped, and hidden away as they were not to be trusted. Stuffed into small bottles, lamps, or whatever vessels were at hand.
The djinn were the epitome for the reasoning “be careful what you wish for, you may get it”
Enter Cedric Peltershine. Chimney Sweep.
While busily toiling away on the older side of London town. High up on a particularly ancient rooftop. Repairing a particularly ancient and dilapidated chimney. He pulls apart the loose rock and mortar. Carefully, so as to not have the entire chimney fall apart and slide down the roof and cascade onto the unsuspecting people; some 20 or so feet below. There is a glint of shine, behind the soot and rubble, that catches his eye.
“What’s this then?” he thinks.
Freeing the decanter from its nest. Inspecting the strangly placed oddity, he begins to rub away centuries of soot and grime.
What happens?
Of course, there’s a jolt, a rattle, and a bang of pressure released magics. Sending poor Cedric sprawling backwards. Uncontrollably down and off the rooftop, to what would be his most certain death. Cedric never actually saw the djinn escape its prison. He only remembers two things from that moment in time.
First, he remember thinking outloud. “I wish I could fly like a bird.”
Second, he remembers hearing a faint whisper. A dark and guttural voice in his ear. An ominous whisper, that with one word would save his life, and curse the sweep forever.
The voice simply said. “Granted”.
Artists Note: My wife’s blueberry bush is being stripped by the indigenous critters. We never see the culprits. But THIS is where my imagination takes me.