Genre: Historical Adventure
TUMBLING ANGELS
By Antony E. Bradbury
‘Tumbling Angels’ is a story of human fortitude amidst overwhelming odds. This account is a tragedy of misfortune in which two young Frenchmen struggling with the interminable realities that life thrusts upon them tell their story. These tales blend violently together to finish this dramatic adventure.
The year is 1065. The place: a small village somewhere in Northern France. Alan and his brother, Philippe, lose their farm to raiding Normans. Destitute, they set out to seek work. They are literate and this skill brings them a lucky break, but all is not as it seems.
My 600 words
TUMBLING ANGELS
England, June 10, 1110
(A small secluded village somewhere in the south of England)
The birds sang merrily that warm hazy morning, as if rejoicing in some magnificent event, which only they knew. A robin fluttered down from the tall apple tree to then perch upon the open windowsill of a small thatched dwelling.
The proud-winged creature, with its bright red breast, worn as if a medal, hopped down onto a small oak table next to the bed. It looked about the bedchamber, chirped, ruffled its fine plumage and fluttered to the bedpost beside Philippe’s head.
Poppa smiled at the bird, then gazed lovingly into the face of her sleeping father, Philippe Domfront. He was just a few days away from his seventy-ninth birthday. She had never forgotten each families anniversaries or those of their children.
Philippe opened his eyes to gaze at his red-breasted friend staring down at him.
"Thora and Alan. They’re waiting for you, Philippe," chirped the robin, fluffing its plumage. "Come along, old fellow, we have a journey to undertake."
"Just a little longer, old fellow. I’ll come with you in a little while. I wis