Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode-4, Tortured Ears, Featuring Tim Price

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, January 13, 2024

CGI by Teagan via Imagine

Welcome back to the strange town, Atonement, Tennessee.  Today’s soundtrack is Tales of Brave Ulysses, by Cream.  It made me think of Donny Metatron and his predicament with the sirens.  However, the otherworldly pigs took over it — at least for this episode.

The song was suggested by photographer and cat-dad (and parrot-dad), Tim Price.  Be sure to visit his blog — you’re sure to be entertained.

Let’s get right to the episode.

Previously

A tremendous boom sounded.  The ground shook, and dust sifted down from the rafters of the boathouse.  Outside, in the distance, we watched as the mill fell in upon itself.

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Episode 4 — Tortured Ears

Pepper

Pepper and Spike kitten
CGI by Teagan via Imagine

Without thinking, I scrambled out of the pallet and to my feet.  A wave of dizziness engulfed me, but I stumbled to the window.  The high-pitched sound continued.  Spike mewed and Deme groaned.  I knew it must be torture for their ears.

The ground shook and I braced myself against the wall.

I got up too fast.  The wound in my chest is healed, I told myself, but I had a vague recollection of Fletcher and Maudie discussing the danger of a chip of gold around which the wound had closed.

The gold unicorn chessman.  It deflected the arrow just enough that it didn’t pierce straight into my heart.  No, they’re mistaken.  I just got up too fast.

A cloud of dust and debris billowed skyward from the collapsing mill.  Stunned, we watched from the boathouse window.  Oddly, the tall mill wheel remained standing within its stone supports, still driving water toward the machinery inside.

Mary Sue spoke in the dull, stunned voice of someone who had been shocked.

“The water wheel is moving.  It’s connected through gears to turn the upper millstone, the runner.  The lower millstone is fixed to the floor of the mill,” the pixie muttered.

“What does that mean?  Why do I care?” Maudie exclaimed.  “I’m going.  They might be hurt.  Fletcher might be—”

“It means that the damage must be confined to the wooden building that was built on top of the grist mill,” Mary Sue cut off Maudie’s words and moved to block the way to the door.  “It means that they are probably okay.”

I detected a shadow of doubt in Mary Sue’s sage-green eyes.  Maudie was one fine dyed blonde hair away from completely losing her temper.

“Be honest, Mary Sue.  Bheema and Fletcher sent you here to babysit us!  Didn’t they?” Maudie flared.

Heavily altered CGI by Teagan via GenZArt

“Lord Ganapati sent her to protect you two — not piglet-sit you,” the small pig snorted, and hopped onto a crate to put herself as close as she could to our height.  “It’s possible that Old Green Eyes is involved in what’s happening at the mill — that it’s a diversion to leave Pepper Riley unprotected.”

“So, he sent a pixie with a sprained arm as protection against that monster?” Maudie fired back at the pig.

“Actually, I think her arm might be broken,” Deme said with a glance of concerned sympathy at the pixie, causing Maudie to wince.  “But don’t underestimate Mary Sue.  She would be a match for almost anybody in hand-to-hand combat or wrestling.  Even if she’s down one hand.”

Taking a step to stand beside my best friend, I found that I was still wobbly, but I tried to hide the fact.

“We should go and do whatever we can to help.  Even if it was mostly wood, that building fell in, and someone is bound to be hurt,” I stated with more confidence than I felt.

“Besides, why would Bheema be so intent on protecting me?  It’s not as if he’s, well, interested in me or anything — not that way,” I added uncomfortably.

“Pepper Riley, I think you know that there is something rare in your DNA,” Deme started in a rush, but slowed, carefully enunciating the acronym that seemed unfamiliar to her.  “Something you shared with Salty Riley.  And it is something Old Green Eyes hopes to use to his advantage and get control of the magical artifacts that are inside the protection of Atonement, Tennessee.”

“Something you shared with your Uncle Salty…” Mary Sue began, her head tilted as she again looked at Maudie.  “And that Maudie might also share.  Her father’s blood might have created enough difference that she did not inherit the same qualities as you, Pepper.  But it’s clear to me that she shares something of what was unique about Salty…  Oh my stars!  I need to protect both of you.”

“Well, in that case, we’re better off with a group, even if there’s some kind of fighting with those sirens,” I told her.  “I’m sure you know how to handle yourself in a fight, but you’re still only one person.  What if Gathright comes here with a bunch of those harpies?  Or any of the creatures that he had gathered at the Rowdy Rooster?” I added with a shudder at the memory of the manticore and the werewolf.

When I mentioned the harpies, the pig shivered almost convulsively.  However, Deme collected herself with a visible shake that went all the way from her shoulders to her twisty tail.

“Besides, if Leonidas Gathright was going to do anything, he would have done it by now,” Maudie said and hurried to the door.”

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CGI by Teagan via Imagine (altered)

Outside the green auroras spiraled.  However, the spectacle was higher in the sky than it was when the battle at the lake took place.

“They’re still here,” Deme grunted, and I asked who she meant.  “The auroras.  Something bad still might come from them.”

“Come on,” Mary Sue interrupted.  “We’re in the open.  The tunnel is a ways into those woods.”

At her urging, we darted quickly away from the lake shore to the concealment of nearby trees.

“I’ve never met a siren,” Deme remarked, trotting beside me.  “I haven’t even been close to one.  I wonder if I would recognize their scent?”

“It would be good to have some idea of how many of them are still there,” Mary Sue said, encouraging the small pig.

“Maybe if I just try to pinpoint something that’s kind of familiar, but… not,” Deme said and held her snout higher to sniff the air.  “It’s hard.  I smell dozens of odors.”

The sky above the trees darkened.  Mary Sue motioned for us to stop and be quiet.  The pixie’s pointed ears twitched.  She looked up and around cautiously.  She flexed her shoulder tentatively, and I could see the pain in her eyes.

Lexica

“How many?” she whispered to herself, but all of us heard.

“Oh no,” Deme grunted.  “Not harpies.  Please not harpies!”

“Think, Deme,” the pixie sniffed and shook her head as a smile came to her lips.  “The odor is sulfuric.”

With the sound of a fierce whoosh of wind, the odor of sulfur engulfed us.  I couldn’t help coughing, though I tried to hold back the reflex, and make it as quiet as I could.

Deme jumped backward a step, on all four hooves.  She looked excited.

“Usdi…?” Deme began uncertainly, listening closely and scenting the air.  “Honeybell!” the pig shouted and made as if to scamper into the woods, but Mary Sue held her back.

Amid a rustle of bushes, another little pig ran toward us.  Mary Sue relaxed and let go of Deme.  The two pigs greeted each other, snuffling excitedly.

“What say you, Honeybell?” the pixie asked.

The new pig sat back on her haunches.  Honeybell shook her head worriedly.  To my astonishment, in a flawless soprano voice, she belted out an old psychedelic rock song.

“With tales of brave Ulysses

How his naked ears were tortured

By the sirens sweetly singing

For the sparkling waves are calling you

To kiss their white laced lips

And you see a girl’s brown body

Dancing through the turquoise

And her footprints make you follow

Where the sky loves the sea

And when your fingers find her

She drowns you in her body

Carving deep blue ripples

In the tissues of your mind

Tiny purple fishes

Run laughing through your fingers”

“Honeybell?” Deme enquired of her friend in a worried grunt.  “How much siren song did you hear?”

Honeybell’s eyes rolled drunkenly.  Then she toppled over in a faint.

CGI by Teagan via Imagine

Episode end.

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I didn’t realize this was such a “girl power” episode until I started illustrating it.  Stay tuned for more.  I love to hear from you, so friendly comments are encouraged.  Hugs!

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Atonement in Zugzwang, Book 1

If you haven’t followed the serial, the searchable Kindle (e-book) is a perfect way to start.  Likewise, if you want a refresher since this new serial is absolutely tied to Book-1, I’ve given you an easy way to catch up.

Universal Purchase Links
Kindle: relinks.me/B0CHNX2X6T

Paperback  relinks.me/B0CHL7DL6Q

The Rest of the Atonement Series

Atonement kindle covers Cat eyes shelf 2023

Atonement, Tennessee

Full series of e-books with one click:  relinks.me/B087JV25JT

Kindle: relinks.me/B00HGWKRA8

Paperback: relinks.me/1481826948

Also in Spanish, translated by Olga Núñez Miret! The title for the Spanish-speaking market is Expiación y Magia

Atonement in Bloom

Kindle:  rxe.me/5RRBLH

Paperback:  relinks.me/1726882128

The Glowing Pigs, Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee

Kindle   rxe.me/LTBDNH

Paperback   relinks.me/1725891972

♣ ♣ ♣

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2024 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or used with permission, or from free sources.

49 thoughts on “Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode-4, Tortured Ears, Featuring Tim Price”

  2. That was so imaginative! I’m a glowing pig fan for sure. And a wonderful siren song that fit perfectly into the story, though I hope Honeybell is okay. Your episodes are always a delight and full of surprises, Teagan. Thanks for the fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Oh dear, harpies!
    Darn those siren songs!
    Poor Honeybell!
    Thank you, Teagan. I’ll just have to wait for info on what the heck is going on!

    I love Tim’s song suggestion. I’ve heard it before, but didn’t know the title or who sang it.
    I also agree with Tim that your CGI is fabulous.
    Hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Jennie. Honeybell’s reaction came as a surprise to me (writing by the seat of my pants), since the pigs are immune to all but the strongest of siren songs. Although, I guess there are potential effects other than utter compulsion to follow the siren. 🙂 Big hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Electrifying episode. “Tales of Brave Ulysses” has been one of my favorite songs since I first heard it in the late 60s when my older brother came home with Cream’s “Disraeli Gears” album. Thanks for featuring little old undeserving moi.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Thanks, Tim. They do take time, effort, and a lot of trial and error. I often do a quick search at Lexica, hoping to save time. (Results are extremely hit and miss because you aren’t generating an image according to your specification — just searching.) You’ll notice I credit those simply to Lexica. Their CGI produces gorgeous images, probably better than Imagine (which I usually use). But they are expensive. Imagine didn’t cost all that much, and it’s the only one I buy. However, Lexica allows free use of their existing searchable images. I started out with GenZArt (which was free at the time). They still have some free filter/style combinations, but the end results aren’t usually as good.

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        Reply

  10. You knew I would like this chapter. Pigs rule! And it’s good to know Honeybell is OK, or, well, sort of OK. Now where is Moccus? Definitely a girl-powered chapter and I’m looking forward to the next one!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Haha! I’m delighted you enjoyed it, Noelle. Siren song can’t compel the otherworldly pigs the way it can humans. Although it looks like enough of it can make them sort of tipsy. o_O
      I’m working on a tense motorcycle scene with Fletcher (the white knight chessman). Big hugs.

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    1. You are so kind, GP — thank you. Maybe that’s what I was doing for myself when I first created the town 12 years ago. The tv show “Desperate Housewives” was near the end of a long and successful run, and people kept telling me to write a story like that. I cringed. I didn’t like ANY of those characters, and sure didn’t want to live with them in my head. But I finally thought… maybe I could write characters that I would like to have as friends — and Ralda, Bethany, and Lacey came along. I added them to a vague idea that I already was trying to bring out… then the town came.
      Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. The otherworldly pigs rock! This was a great episode, Teagan. I love those pigs! I’m worried about everything that’s been happening, but I think you have enough girl power here to get the job done. I am also imagining Honeybell sounding better than Jack Bruce with those lyrics.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks very much, Dan. I forgot that I had already started this line of story, and was working on something else. But the two pieces actually tied together well enough that I kept both. The other part should be next weekend. I’m glad you liked Honeybell singing. I got a kick out of imagining her. Big hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thanks, Robbie. For a while I thought Leonidas Gathright might have slunk away with his tail between his legs, after that battle at the lake… but he might not be finished yet. I’ve always had something in mind for Mary Sue’s part of town (where many of her supernatural patients live), Rectify Village. He might have his glowing green eyes on the village… We’ll see. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs.

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