The Captain's Coup

Written for the Daily Flash Fiction Challenge with a word limit of 300.

The prompts: This story must contain the words: grapes, feather, velvet

The Captain's Coup

The king broke wind with such ferocity that the Captain of the Guard momentarily thought the castle may have come under attack. Thankfully, Captain Josten was able to resheath his sword before any of his men noticed.

Josten smiled inwardly at the irony of his action. Ever the soldier, he had been instantly ready to lay down his life in defense of the castle and it’s King. Now that the threat of danger had passed, he was equally ready to follow through with his planned bloodless coup.

Just look at him over there, Josten thought. He lies on feather pillows stuffing his fat face while his subjects starve.

Without conscious thought, Josten’s sharp eyes panned around the expansive room. Every face had a name, every name had been checked and rechecked. Everyone was there that should be. None were there that didn’t belong. There would be no threat to the king while Josten was in charge.

Perhaps better said – no threat to the king that Josten wasn’t in charge of.

The night went on as revelers reveled and Jesters jested. They were all pigs in the eyes of Captain Josten. They were also very secure while under his care -with the one exception.

Four bells sounded the midnight hour. The main courses were taken away as scantily clad maidens brought out more wine to go with the newly arrived cheese and plates of fruit. The fat fingers of the aristocracy grabbed at everything.

One especially fair maiden approached the king from the wings. She carried a small velvet covered pillow topped with grapes. The king snorted hungrily as he groped the maiden. With delicate fingers, she plucked a grape and fed it to the king who sucked it down hungrily.

Two more should do it my love, Josten thought.