The tower was intended to awe, beaming its light over the land. In a low town that clung like slime to the earth, this edifice rose, assertively vertical.
“Glory be,” the dominie declared.
Indeed. But whose glory?
It should have been no surprise when the McNabs rowed round the coast carrying torches, smooth John McNab, with thighs like hewn oaks, in the lead.
“If he has been smooth afore, he’ll be rough the nicht,” Smooth John bellowed.
They burned the building to the ground, with the dominie in it.
Of course—the thing was a provocation, a giant finger raised.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Assertively vertical. Obviously one shouldn’t mess with Smooth John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He takes these things personally
LikeLike
I’m ignorant of the cultural connotations but liked the metaphors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an invented culture, but the accent is Scots
LikeLike
Awe-inspiring tower was burnt just like that.
That’s how works of art get destroyed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, but, of course, also how castles and fastnesses are destroyed
LikeLike
Yes, indeed. Towers, castles etc are also works of art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neil,
So Smooth John was either hero or villain depending on whose side you’re on. I like the voice in this.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smooth John is celebrated in his own halls and reviled in others. Exactly
LikeLike
Smooth and challenging. You seemed to cover many differing genres with this offering. I even saw the leader of a Parliament. Phew…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Michael. I wonder which leader and which parliament you saw
LikeLike
I wonder if the dominie knew about the McNabs or Smooth John. Was he willing to risk his life? Was that “finger” raised in challenge or as a beacon of safety? I guess we’ll never know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everybody knows the McNabs. It was only a matter of time
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great last line!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Dawn
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the inclusion of the accent. I will wonder what the finger was and why it was raised! Great story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The raised finger was a gesture of crude disdain
LikeLiked by 1 person
One land’s hero is another’s villain. Loved the voice in this, Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Were they provoked by the gesture, or did they consider revenge to be a hopeless task?
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s no telling with Smooth John
LikeLike
i hope that someday we can learn to get along and accept each other’s differences. but until then…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Until then, we have Smooth John
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooo ouch
Wrong town for something like that. Is John part of the same crowd or a loner. In the end it doesn’t matter I guess.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smooth John has rowed round the headland with his whole clan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scottish vikings? You paint a great picture, vivid and cruel. Every word is perfect here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
which finger was raised? I can guess. A very evocative piece. Won’t want to ever offend smooth John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are not many still alive who have offended Smooth John
LikeLiked by 1 person
A town like slime – powerful simile, and not somewhere I will add to my bucket list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some towns are best avoided
LikeLike
Christian missionaries were the devil’s emissaries in many cultures. Good story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. Jade
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome, Neil.
LikeLike
You had me at “thighs like hewn oaks“. Good tale, Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like they had plenty bones to pick!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bones is Smooth John’s favourite dish
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful images, engaging voice. I just love Smooth John McNab. Terrific story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Margaret
LikeLiked by 1 person