A short story part of Allesandra Benini’s larger collection titled Preferred Reality.
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A comely young woman in a small town has supernatural healing powers. Despite using these powers for good, she is outcasted by the locals and labelled a witch. Spearheading the campaign to defame is an overzealous harridan who appears pious, but is really just a spiteful shrew fueled by jealousy. Sadly, this devil-of-sorts in saint’s clothing has considerable local power and influence. Amongst the town sheep, she is the shepherd. What she says goes. As a result, early parts of the plot foreshadow an inevitable clash between good and evil, young and old. Resolution, I thought, was destined to take Salem Witch Trial-type form.
But I thought wrong. The story stays sanitized. Climax does not come from a burning stake; it comes instead from fiery conversation. The antagonist, confronted by a third-party friendly with the 'good witch' through argument, is exposed as a fraud. Reminiscent of a platonic dialogue, the hero stabs with the sword of information, swings knowledge around her foe's head like a medieval morning star, and crushes counterarguments with words carrying the might of a mace. Without death, without destruction. the apparent shepherd finally shows her true fur, that of a wolf.
If only the actual Salem Witch Trials reached resolution the same way.
Recommended Transient Visitors Stories by Dave if you liked this self-published book:
David O’Boyle is an
Self-published Author
Lawyer
Mooncalf
Finboy
Friend from Other Flower Pot
Transient Visitor
Earthling
Pro-Pluto
Maybe someday a Martian
Lover of Giants and Leprechauns and elves
ambassador to mummies and vampires.
David’s works are available in the shop!
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