The Necklace of Harmony: A short story collection

By Kira Morgana

One of the fun things about being a writer is responding to a challenge. This book is full of the results of such challenges...

From the wedding celebrations of Greek Deities, to mermaids, ghosts and superheroes, a whole gamut of creatures and stories await your eager eyes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teigr Books
• Release date: Jan 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201524586

Kira Morgana

Mandy thought she was a Teacher, until Life pointed out to her that she is actually a writer. As her Cats, Kids and Partner approved, she decided to agree with Life. Currently she is working under the pen names of "Kira Morgana" on a five book Fantasy / Sword & Sorcery Novella Series, as well as a number of other projects, including a Children’s Rhyming Story Series collaboration with Maria K; and as “A.E. Churchyard” on Science Fiction and Horror. As If that weren’t enough, she volunteers at a local Guide Troop. She does all this from a body in South Wales, UK. Where her mind is, she hasn’t yet worked out… all she knows is that it gets very confusing when she runs into a Centaur in the company of a Zombie and a Space Marine…

Book preview

Introduction

Whether you have read my work before, or you are just curious about the contents, you have chosen to buy this collection of my short stories, and for that I thank you, Dear Reader.

When I sit down to write, unless I am working on a novel or something I have already started, I don’t really know what is going to come out of my imagination. Most of the time I sit and scan through the internet, waiting for something to pique my interest. I probably spend more time Networking or Researching than I really should do!

However, in my adventures on the internet I have found many wonderful websites with new stories to read and contests to enter, there are small presses that put out anthologies of short stories on particular themes. and many of the stories that follow are results of these contests and anthologies. Some of them have been published before and others are only now seeing the light of day.

Wedding Day Harmony

This first story is one of my favourites.

Wedding Day Harmony was written as an entry into a big competition. The prompt was just the word Harmony and the concept behind the word. There was a word limit, but no other guidelines and I chose to explore the concept through Greek Mythology, with cameos from other religions. I didn’t get anywhere with the competition, but I hope you enjoy reading the story as much as I enjoyed researching and writing it.

LEADING HIS NEWLY WEDDED bride into the Pavilion, Cadmus finally felt that the hard work of the last eight years in the Underworld had been worth it. He’d redeemed himself in Ares’ eyes, received the kingship of Thebes from Zeus and won the hand of Harmonia, Goddess of Harmony.

Having helped Harmonia into her seat, Cadmus remained standing, surveying the guests. A servant handed Cadmus a cup of wine and he sipped reflectively. It’s nice to see Harmonia’s family here. I had no idea that she was related to so many of the gods. There are so many guests from the other Pantheons as well.

Speech! the wedding guests called out.

Cadmus waved his free hand and they quietened.

Thank you for blessing us with your presence today. Despite the marriage being arranged for us, Harmonia and I are very much in love. His bride beamed at him. Harmonia is both beautiful and accomplished in all that she does. I bless the day that Ares agreed to our betrothal.

The Greek God of War smiled at Cadmus; across the room; Hephaestus glowered at Ares and thumped the table. Aphrodite laid a calming hand on her husband’s arm, winking at Cadmus, who coloured, Anyway, I would like to thank everyone for coming to Thebes to celebrate with us...

...And for bringing all the gifts! Loki heckled, waving his mead horn.

The rest of the guests groaned.

Trustsh Loki to get drunken fasht. Bacchus hiccupped, spilling red wine down his already stained white toga.

You should talk! Theos peered over his silver-rimmed glasses at the portly, red-nosed Roman God.

Bacchus glared back, squaring his shoulders. Whatsh that George? I didn’t catch thatsh.

Don’t...call...me...George! Theos stroked his long white beard.

Cadmus recognised the signs of an incipient riot. Here we go again! he whispered to Harmonia, It’ll be just like Amun and Amaunet’s three hundredth Vow Renewal Party all over again.

Harmonia smiled Don’t worry so much, Cadmus. I’m sure it won’t come to that.

No, it won’t. Harmonia’s Grandfather, Zeus stood up. That was all he needed to do; the animosity cleared instantly.

I’d like to thank you all for coming to my Granddaughter’s wedding. It is now time for Hera and I to give the happy couple our present. He waved a couple of cherubs forward. I carved it myself with lightning.

Harmonia gasped, Such a beautiful Cradle! Thank you, Zeus, Hera.

Cadmus looked at the scorched oak cradle and forced a smile. Better, get the palace Carpenter to tidy it up first.

Ares rose as Zeus sat down again, My gift will be to strengthen the Army of Thebes with ten thousand suits of armour and weapons.

Thank you, Daddy! I’m sure we’ll be very safe and happy. Harmonia jumped up, ran over and hugged him.

I just need ten thousand men to go with them now. Cadmus thought, grinning at his beautiful wife’s little girl antics.

Hephaestus smiled at his wife’s daughter, I made you a little something Harmonia. He passed her a solid silver jewellery case.

Harmonia opened the case That is so beautiful!

Her excited intake of breath reassured Cadmus it wasn’t dangerous; He hurried over to her side.

Oh, Cadmus, Harmonia turned to him, "Isn’t it gorgeous? Help me put it on, please; I really want to wear it."

The moment he picked up the necklace, he could feel there was something wrong with it. The necklace was a beautiful piece of work, three woven chains of silver holding rose gold and platinum links, interspaced with sapphire, ruby and diamond beads. It wound around Harmonia’s slender neck twice and looked lovely.

This feels wrong. The necklace has a curse on it, but it isn’t aimed at her or me. Who then? Cadmus kept the frown off his face, so he didn’t worry Harmonia, resolving to look into it later. It looks beautiful on you.

Aphrodite ran a gentle hand around Harmonia’s face, so like her own.

Sweetest daughter. I have sent your wedding present to your Palace, for it is something that should be used in privacy alone with your husband. May it bring you joy. She whispered something in her daughter’s ear.

Harmonia blushed bright pink, cast a swift glance at Cadmus and gave him a considering look.

Escorting Harmonia around the room, so Hephaestus’ present could be admired, then back to their seats, Cadmus smiled as happily.

Life is just going to get better. He mused. Before he sat down, he clapped his hands sharply, Let the feasting begin! Um, I thought it was already going on?

The sun dropped below the surface of the sea with an audible hiss. Moments later the moon rose over the desert, bathing the wedding celebration with cool silver light.

Apollo strode into the pavilion and bowed before Cadmus and Harmonia Apologies for my late arrival, cousins.

Cadmus waved the apology away. Not your fault; you had to work.

Apollo grinned and cut in on Theos who was dancing with Aphrodite. The older god spluttered and muttered his way back to his seat.

At midnight, Cadmus and Harmonia exchanged glances. Harmonia blushed as she rose to her feet to speak. Thank you for coming, everyone. Please stay and enjoy the feast, but Cadmus and I will retire for the night. The guests cheered.

Harmonia removed her necklace and laid it in its case, handing it to Aphrodite, Mother, would you look after this for me? The steward will come down to collect the gifts later. I’m going to be more than a little busy. Her blush deepened as she looked at her new husband.

The wedding party escorted the newly weds to the palace, and then returned to the moonlit pavilion. Aphrodite put the necklace with the rest of the gifts, smiled at the guards and snuggled up to Kama, I’m not tired yet.

He stroked her hair and whisked her away to dance. The necklace case began to glow with a soft blue light.

Nearby, Bacchus and his followers were having a mini orgy of their own. Somehow, Loki and Frey managed to inveigle themselves into it.

Would you stop that? Odin bellowed at Hermes who was chasing Mercury around the fires in the centre of the pavilion, Sooner or later someone is going to get hurt!

The two swift-footed gods ran out of the tent; Odin went back to regaling Demeter with the tale of how he lost his eye.

Krishna and Ganesh were watching Urvashi performing a Seduction Dance, when Aphrodite wandered over to her, Kama just behind her.

Urvashi, can you teach me to do that? she asked, winking at Ganesh. The elephant-headed god blushed and mumbled evasively about finding Nelly, before disappearing out of the pavilion. Urvashi grinned at the Greek Goddess and set about teaching her the dance. Kama sat down next to Krishna.

Don’t...call...me...George! Theos roared.

Everything stopped and all attention turned to Theos and Zeus. The two elder gods were toe to toe beside the fountain of Nectar.

Why shouldn’t I, it’s your name isn’t it? Zeus had a lightning bolt clutched in one hand, the knuckles turning white.

It’s those benighted Humans! They keep changing my name! Theos growled.

Don’t you talk down about the Humans, Demeter cried. I have never had a problem with Humans, but you Gods have plagued me all my life! She glared at Zeus, Poseidon and Hades with all the force of a winter storm. The three males shivered and began shuffling their feet.

I...don’t...care! Theos ground out, I am the one true god to the Humans and you lot are just a bunch of pagans.

There was absolute silence. A cold breeze blew through the pavilion. Then every able-bodied male god in the pavilion jumped on Theos.

What do we do about this then? Hera groaned.

Nothing. Aphrodite shrugged, It’s your normal wedding celebration fight; I should know, I’ve seen enough of them.

True, you have haven’t you... and broken up as many marriages as you started! Hera snapped.

Aphrodite didn’t wait, she pushed Hera into the fountain and jumped in after her, scratching and pulling the Queen Goddess’ hair.

Hephaestus smiled at the scenes playing out in front of him. I don’t normally cause trouble, but it’s a difficult temptation to resist when Aphrodite and Ares are in the same room together. This is a gentle enough curse for those affected. He reclined in his cushions and called for more wine.

Demeter led the rest of the goddesses over to the only safe area next to the gifts. We’ll wait over here until they all get the aggression out of their system.

Urvashi began teaching them how to move like her and soon they were wriggling and writhing to the music Euterpes played on her Aulos. There was a lot of laughing going on and because of the wine they’d all drunk, it was inevitable that something would get knocked over.

The table bearing the gifts went crashing to the floor. Being gifts from deities, nothing broke, but the noise was enough to stop the two fights in their tracks. The case with the necklace flew into the sand and disappeared under the other gifts.

Hera and Aphrodite shook their wet hair out. Loki climbed off Kama and helped him up. Zeus gave Hades a final brotherly punch and stood up. Everyone off Theos please! He can’t help believing what is written about him. We are what our Believers say about us after all.

Looking rather shamefaced, Theos climbed out from under Poseidon and Ares. I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what came over me.

Don’t worry about it! A good fight always adds to the fun at a wedding anyway. Hades grinned.

Well, now that’s over... Bacchus started,

...Lets all get drunk and have an orgy! Loki shouted.

The next morning, Harmonia and Cadmus emerged from their bedchamber looking very self-satisfied. They decided to have breakfast on the terrace together before meeting their guests.

Cadmus called the steward over, "Have you brought all the