The QUEEN tapped Rose on the shoulders, granting her new title and status while officially replacing her name with a number. “Arise, Wordler 384!”
The villagers cheered. This was her moment, the greatest moment so far in her life, until the QUEEN asked that dreadful question, “Do you have anything to say?”
Wordler 384 huffed out a sigh and shook her head.
“She says she’s pleased and honored to accept your commission, Your Majesty!” Vanessa declared, as she climbed the stairs to the platform. 384 motioned for Vanessa to leave, to stay back, to let her have this moment for herself, but her gestures were ignored.
“Who are you?” asked the QUEEN.
“I’m Vanessa, Rose’s big sister. I speak for her.”
“Can’t she speak for herself?”
384 nodded and folded her shoulders, but Vanessa said, “Unfortunately, no. A childhood accident left Rose speechless—you can still see the scar it left on her throat. But luckily for her, she has me to provide her with all the words she needs.”
“There’s one Word you can’t provide her with,” the QUEEN stated. “She is our champion today, and the Word she brings back to the village must be her own.”
“Of course.” Vanessa smiled. “But certainly you wouldn’t send Rose out into the world without someone who can speak for her, express her needs, ask directions, and do all the necessary work of her quest. You want her to succeed, don’t you?”
“We need her to succeed,” the QUEEN considered. “The fate of the village is in her hands.”
“Then it’s settled,” Vanessa stated. All the while, Wordler 384 had been shaking her head emphatically, and all the while, she had been ignored.
On the way out of town, 384 signaled that she needed a bathroom break.
“Yes, of course,” said Vanessa. “I believe Wordler 362 maintains a public restroom in her bakery.”
Outside the bakery, 384 motioned for her sister to stay put.
“Okay, okay. You can have your privacy. But I’ll be standing outside the door if you need anything. Bang your foot or something and I’ll hear you.”
384 scowled. What did her sister think could happen to her in the bathroom? She wanted to scream. But if she could, by some miracle, make a sound, she doubted that Vanessa would hear her even then.
“I recognize that expression,” said Vanessa. “You think I’m spoiling your big moment, don’t you?”
384 nodded.
“It’s only because I care. Because I have to be responsible for you. Because I’m the one responsible for that.” She pointed to the scar across her sister’s neck. “I will never forgive myself for causing that accident and making your life so difficult. I can’t ever fix your severed vocal chords, but I will always be here, by your side, to lend you my own. So are we good? Rose?”
384 smiled and gave her sister a big hug of reassurance.
“I’ve got maps. I’ve got backpacks full of supplies. With my help, your quest will be a breeze.”
Another smile and a thumbs-up.
Later, Vanessa would remember the slightest moment of hesitation as her sister made her way into the bakery bathroom. Later, after a series of increasingly frantic inquiries, Vanessa and the baker would break down the door to find empty stalls and an open window.
384 was on a bus out of town before Vanessa even knew she was gone.
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Art and Text ©2022 Greg R. Fishbone
Authors are invited to use the #WordleQuest tag to share stories using Wordle answers as story prompts. If your story is based on the same Wordle answer as a Wordle Quest of mine that you own, include a link to the NFT. Example: this copy of Wordle Quest #383 belongs to me.
