One Word Prompts

Ghost - The Banshee

A beast's howl echoed through the fog enshrouded forest, reverberating through the trees and chilling the bravest of souls.

It was far off, the prince's guard consoled herself, whatever it was. She clenched her sword's hilt at her waist, taking comfort in its solidity. She glanced over her shoulder. Her charge shuffled along behind her, clutching the lantern in his hands tightly. He bit his lip, biting back the fear in his eyes as they soldiered through the dark together.

"What was that?" he asked, fear making his voice tremble.

It could have been anything. In this forest, where monsters were said to thrive, it could have been anything. Direwolves or banshees, chimera or hellhounds, all were rumored to lurk with in the fog of souls which perpetually hung over this forest.

"The wind, Highness," she replied instead. "Distorted by the trees and the fog. Nothing to worry about."

"R-really?" he asked. There was no relief in his voice, just mounting concern. "You-you promised you wouldn't lie to me anymore."

She sighed, glancing over her shoulder to him. He'd quickened his pace to match her longer strides and now stood at her left elbow. He looked up at her, the gold light of the lantern reflecting off his wide eyes.

"It's probably just wind, Highness," she amended. That was mostly true. There was no less evidence for wind than blood thirsty monsters. "But, in case I'm wrong, stay close."

He nodded. "Okay."

They walked through the dark in silence for a while before another blood curdling howl went up through the dark.

"J-Just the wind?" the prince whimpered, again looking to his guard for confirmation.

She wished she could nod and agree, but she was certain this time it was not. She'd heard a howl like that once. Unless she was mistaken, that was the scream of a banshee. And, she was certain it was closer this time.

"Be brave, highness," she said instead. Telling him would not prepare him for the spirit monster. It only fed on fear. "Sometimes, that is all you can do."

He nodded, his small hand finding hers. She let him take it, squeezing his gently.

"Will we be safe in Uncle's castle?" he asked her quietly.

"Of course, highness" she said. She wouldn't have risked the forest if she hadn't thought it the fastest way to get the prince to safety. The duke's castle had to be safe. It had to be.

"Will, um..."

"Highness, you have to speak up."

"Yes, well, um," he looked down and away, suddenly very interested in the lantern in his other hand.

The banshee screamed again in the mist. Closer again.

The guard picked up her pace, angling them away from the scream.

"Will Mom and Dad meet us there?" the prince asked finally.

The queen's body falling to the floor flashed before the guard's eyes.

She didn't quite flinch. She didn't stop where they were in the danger infested forest. She didn't fall to the ground and cry. But she also found herself unable to speak for a moment.

He looked up at her expectantly, she could feel his eyes on her.

She kept staring straight ahead into the dark though, so he wouldn't see the lost look in her own eyes.

A shriek behind them brought her to her senses.

"You know the answer to that, highness."

"B-but, they, they could have gotten out," he insisted.