The Golden Thimble

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

David Gemmell was one of my favourite authors, and this story borrows some of the characters he created. May he rest in peace. I only hope I've done them justice.

I wrote this story for the BORROWED PLUMES 2026 challenge, I hope you enjoy.

Cold and wet, water drips from the stalactites and splashes on the floor as the small figure weaves her way through the deepest parts of the cave to get to her ritual circle.

There in a large alcove lit by a circle of twelve standing candles is the MIRROR.

Standing on a pedestal, its grey surface ripples almost like liquid. Then a hand materialises, then an arm, followed by a man in the grey robes of a priest. As soon as he sees the woman he drops to his knees, head bowed. Prostrated.

"Priestess Tamis, The mission was a failure, we were overrun as soon as they breached the first wall."

"No! What news on Druss?"

"Cut down by Ulric's champion on the battlements,"

"The Thirty?"

"Rumours only, that they were attacked leaving Gulgothir by the ruthless Nosta Kahn. All dead but Serbitar, and last we heard he is in a coma."

"Thank you Dardalion" Tamis turns, leaving the man on the floor and walks back through the cold and damp, exits the underground cave and breathes deeply.

"How could this have happened? It's that man's fault, what did he call himself? Oh yes Pendarric, the so-called king of Atlantis." She spits on the floor.

"How dare he summon me. Tamis of Sparta."

She makes her way to her hut, the eyes of a thousand white robed tribesmen upon her. She doesn't care, she doesn't even notice them.

"Blast that man, with his, I am a god attitude. All the power in the known universe with that gold thimble of his, yet he is unwilling to raise a hand himself."

Entering her hut, then closing the door behind her, Tamis prepares the spell of Transdimension.

She starts the incantation then lights the candles.

Soon as the candles are lit, the flames are enlarged with a whoosh, as if chasing away the darkness, then a voice, seeming to come from nowhere but everywhere at the same time.

"Tamis, Nosta Kahn must be stopped, step through the portal. Jack Wallace, bring them and what they possess and we might yet survive."

The candles go out but a portal opens before her, Tamis sighs, then steps into the unknown.

Somewhere on Earth.

Lightning flashes, thunder booms, the carpark lit up in purple as the lightning streaks across the sky, the rainbow puddles filling fast as the downpour continues.

Sat in the car waiting for the rain to slow down is Jack. The headlights showing the rain clearly. The dashboard clock says 17:55, turning off the engine the sound of the rain pinging off the car roof and windscreen can be heard. Opening the door and quickly exiting the car, Jack runs to the warehouse's door.

Soon as the warehouse door is opened, stepping inside to escape the weather, the door closing behind them. A neon sign above the door which says.

'Paul Raymond Publications'

Jack walks up to the door and a security guard stands in the way.

"Identification"

Jack hands over the I. D, The guard takes it, looks at it, then hands it back with a "Thank you, you may enter" he then steps aside and Jack goes inside.

Once inside there a lot a half naked people running around, some are just covering their bottom halves in a towel as they run from shoot to shoot, Jack get to a door with sign that says.

'J. Wallace'

Pushing the door open and walking inside, closing the door behind them, taking off their coat, hanging it up then making a coffee from the cafetiere, (extra cream and sugar) Jack gets comfortable whilst sitting down to read the script that was waiting on the table for them.

Scene 1...

The Amazon has been captured and tied to a high beam.

Talent:

J. Wallace as Amazon (no words are spoken just follow R. Clitorus's lead)

H. Hardon as the Punisher (stood behind Amazon with the whip)

R. Clitorus as Psycho Domme.

Shooting starts at 18.30 in Studio B..

Costumes will be found in the wardrobes.

Thank you and break a leg;-) R. Raymond.

Jack looks at the clock and it's reading 18.20, Then stands and start to get changed for the shoot. Once changed, downs what's left of the coffee, leaves the dressing room covered in a towel and heads toward Studio B.

Studio B at 18.31

Rather a large room and in the centre is a woman chained to the ceiling. A man stood behind her holding a whip.

In front is a man wearing tight PVC, who with scissors in his hands is cutting the chained up woman's clothes off of her. Then standing back signals the man behind, The woman chained closes her eyes, the man behind swings is whip, but before it makes contact a purple light surrounds the chained woman then both men start to scream...

Jack opens her eyes, and the sight she sees scares the hell out of her, Her colleague is on his knees in front her with blood pouring from his nose and eyes.

The scent of burnt flesh and singed hair can be smelt as she hears poor 'Happy' Harry behind her screaming in pain, suddenly her cuffs are released, falling to the floor, she is then forcibly grabbed and pushed through a weird purple shining thing, she collapses then passes out.

Opening her eyes, she's cold, still naked and just been dumped in the corner of this hut like left over kindling.

She can smell animal dung and straw, basically what the hut is made of, she moves then suddenly a woman appears before her.

"Don't move or I'll set fire to that pretty hair of yours" She then starts to cackle, turns and heads towards a closet by the far wall, opens it and starts to rummage through it. She then turn and throws Priestess's clothes at the very surprised Jack.

"Stop looking at them and put them on, we've a schedule to keep." She then walks to a chair, sits, points to the centre of the hut, mumbles something, then suddenly a fire springs up and Tamis starts warming her hands whilst waiting for Jack to change.

Once Jack is changed, she approaches Tamis "Erm, sorry but what where am I? What is going on? and what happened to my colleagues back there?"

Tamis just looks at her, "Not even a thank you for saving the Chosen One's life?" I could've let those men do their worst, then noticing your gender, my life as a Spartan Priestess took over and, well, they won't be doing that to any one else."

Jack is shocked and thinks 'who the fuck is this murderer who happily killed my colleagues, then kidnapped me and brought me to...'

"And where the fuck did you take me psycho?" Tamis starts to laugh.

"Fucking gratitude, I saved your life and you call me names?"

Jack screams "You murdered everyone you fucking nutter!"

Tamis stands her ground, her staff hitting the ground, the fire going out instantly,

"I will be obeyed, now follow we have much to do"

She then turns, opens the door to the hut and exits.

Jack stares at the door for a moment, hands rolled into fists, she then sighs, loosens her grip, then follows the psycho into the unknown.

Soon as Jack steps outside the hut, she realises something is definitely different, the smell.. Candle wax mixed with sweat, then the sounds, a clash on clash of metal, a grunting of voices and a chorus of on-lookers, then with in a few heartbeats..

Silence.

Thousands of white-robed tribesmen stopped what they were doing and stared. Tamis strode towards a man seated upon a raised dais, slapped him around the face and demands his help.

The man claps once, suddenly every man and woman has drawn their curved swords and awaits one more clap to cut them down, then Tamis starts to laugh, points at Jack then at the centre square, the man laughs, nods, throws a set of robes at Jack then says

"The tent over there is empty, you may change from your priestess garb in to the warriors one, when you get back, Joiceena here..."

Points to a female warrior who looks more like a Miss World Bodybuilder than an actual female,

"... Will be testing you, you fail? Bad idea, now go" he waves Jack to the hut, Tamis grabbing her by the hand, almost drags her and enters the hut.

Soon as the door to the hut shuts behind them both, Jack swings around to face Tamis.

"What the fuck psycho? You don't expect me actually.. What? Fight that muscly bitch, not on your fucking life, now how the fuck do I get out this mess?"

Tamis, one second nothing, then a smile, then.

Whack!!

Her hand strikes Jack across the face making her lip swell and bleed, Tamis then says.

"Petulant child, You will do as you're told, all the future rests on the fight that's about to come, Now change into their warriors garb, then go and confront Joiceena, I suspect, slow but with a lot of power, your small, be nimble, be quick, don't die" with that she walks out the hut and closes the door, leaving Jack to change, yet again in as many minutes and think

"Did she just say don't die? What the fuck has she got me into?" She shakes her head, then removes one outfit and puts on the other one.

With no mirror, all she can tell is that the garb is well fitted, loose and easy to move in, she does a couple of Yoga positions to loosen up whilst thinking

"Don't die? I'm not some helpless damsel you psycho, I run, I Yoga, hell I even Fence, so that should help with whatever the hell this is" She then opens the door and steps out to the sound of cheering, booing and the occasional swear word.

Walking the short way from the hut to the ring, before she enters, she bends to test the floor "saw dust" she thinks. stands walks in and stops.

Joiceena is stood opposite, glaring at her, using her hand to slice across her throat to indicate this wasn't a joking matter.

A 'clatter' sound can be heard as a sword is thrown at her feet, then a small man, closes the door then says.

"Winner will be by first cut, may Mehmet guide your hand to greatness, and may your blade be swift."

Joiceena runs forward and in a blink of eye steps back with blood dripping from a cut on her cheek..

"Winner" The man outside the arena shouts.

Seconds before the cut....

"... and may your blade be swift"

Jack on instinct uses her foot on the handle of the sword by her feet and flicks it into the air, slipping into a crouch she catches the falling blade, blocks the incoming strike from Joiceena, then with a lighting fast riposte she slices her attackers cheek, making her stand there looking like a fish out of water with her mouth open.

Jack smiled, the illusion broke that instant and Joiceena screamed

Waving her sword around like a crazy person she flew at Jack.

"Ting, Ting, Ting, Ting"

Every swing, every smash was blocked by Jack, as they moved backwards and forwards with Joiceena constantly bashing at Jack's head.

Then the un-thinkable, Jack slips in the dust.

The sword comes down on to her neck, then an amber glow comes from Jack's finger and the sword stops, Joiceena sees the ring, then falls to the ground, prostrated, arms in front..

"Mehmet" she mumbles

The arena is bathed in a golden/amber light that's coming from Jacks left ring finger.

Jack gets off the floor and Tamis is grabbing her by the hand.

"Enough of this foolishness, destiny is waiting"

Then drags Jack out of the arena, out of the compound and towards the cave and the MIRROR.

Jacks is bewildered as she gets dragged past all of these warriors on their knees. The fighters, the shouters, hell even that one that Tamis had slapped.

All prostrated as Tamis, man handled Jack out of their sights.

Soon they are outside of the cave Tamis releases a very fiery Jack.

"What the fuck psycho, did you know that was gonna happen? The crazy sword bashing muscle bitch, the fancy light show, the me almost getting my head chopped off, all of it?"

Tamis just 'sighs', walks into the cave mumbling "ungrateful, young...."

Leaving Jack outside the cave, hot and sweaty from the fight, just moments ago, F in and blinding at a Tamis that is no longer there.

After realising her rant isn't getting her anywhere, she sorts herself out, then follows after Tamis, and enters the cold, dark and very wet cave.

Splashing through the puddles like a gazzel, she catches up with Tamis just as she enters the lit alcove.

There in the middle, surrounded by twelve candles is this MIRROR, it's surface rippling like water.

Tamis turns to Jack, her eyes twinkling in the candle light.

"The ring knows where to take you, you are no longer my problem, the Thirty are the key. Find out how Nosta Kahn destroys them, and stop him!"

Jack's goes for a snappy retort when a purple light surrounds her,

"Not this shit again" Jack is then yanked through the MIRROR

Landing on her knees, the smell of grass and sandalwood drifting on the breeze, it's dark, the MIRROR and cave gone, the only light's coming from the distance up ahead.

Jack stands "What the fuck you old crone."

Notices she's on her own.

"Great just fucking leave me..

.. Where the fuck did you leave me? I can't see shit"

With nothing to see apart the lights in the distance,

Jack starts to walk in that direction, wishing Tamis was still here so that she would have someone to bitch at.

As she gets closer to the lights, she notices it's an abbey of some kind, she gets to the gate, opens it, enters and walks towards the bricked building..

The door opens just as she arrives and she is greeted by a man.

The man in question is tall, well built, white hair, very pale skin and the pinkest eyes Jack has ever seen.

Jack just stands there, staring at the albino priest whilst thinking "Wow you're hot and eyes are striking, but what the fuck's with the Milkybar look?"

Serbitar, smiles at Jack

"Welcome to the Temple of the Thirty, I am Serbitar, The Abbot of swords has awaited your arrival, please come."

He moves aside so Jack can enter

"If you have any questions? Please don't be shy, go ahead and ask I will attempt to answer them.. I do have one question for you though, if I may, What is a Milkybar?"

Jack jolts to a holt and stares at him

"Oh it's food, I suppose I should be flattered to be compared to food stuff..

.. Ah.. by the look you're giving me, I can see not a fan of me intruding on your mind, I will get the fuck out, as you put it and I apologise, it won't happen again."

Serbitar then walks off, leaving Jack stood there shaking her head, she then starts thinking of all the things she shouldn't think about, especially when a hot, cute guy, can literally read her mind.

They arrive at the abbots door,

Serbitar knocks.

"Enter" the door opens.

"Thank you Serbitar, you may leave her with me." Serbiter nods, turns to Jack

"My lady" then leaves a stunned Jack in the doorway has he hurries off to god knows where.

"Don't just stand there with the door open, I've got frail bones and the draft in this place is chilling, Please come in, close the door and take a seat."

Jack blinks after a departing Serbitar, realises that she's been spoken to, closes the door and takes a seat.

"That's better dear, thank you for obliging an old man" he then start to chuckle.

"I must say that's the first time I've seen colour in Serbitar's cheeks, you must have had some wonderful thoughts.

Now it's Jack turn to go red.

"Don't be embarrassed child, this old man has seen and heard of most things, the young priest, maybe not." he chuckles again.

An amber light starts to surround Jack as the Abbot speaks..

"Ah, the reason why you're here, may I?"

Jack nods, removes the ring and passes it to the abbot.

"The golden thimble of my dreams,. Serbitar will see the Armour of Bronze. Yet It's you and that ring that haunts my dreams at night."

The Abbot places it onto his little finger, then says.

"Do you prefer Jaqueline, Jackie or Jack?"

"Wow, I mean, I prefer Jackie, real names Jaqueline, you're the first person to be nice to me... I will let you call me Jack."

Vintar smiles, it's a geniune, heart warmed smile, he then says.

"Thank you Jack, now close your eyes, as your part of this story is at an end, I shall use the siptrassi power of your ring to correct was broken, and return the world to what it was originally meant to be, may the source bless you child."

Jack closes her eyes, then with a jump opens them.

She's sat in her car, lightning flashes and the thunder booms, the carpark's lit up in purple as the lightning streaks across the sky, the rainbow puddles are filling fast as she..

"What the fuck, did I just dream all that? Last time I read Heroic Fantasy before I go to bed."

Switching off the engine, opening the door and quickly exiting the car, Jack runs to the warehouse's door...

What happens to everybody else I hear you ask.

Well...

Read Legend by David Gemmell.

If you liked Tamis. Read the Lion Of Macedon and The Dark Prince by David Gemmell

As for Pendarric and the Siptrassi power.. Read.. Wolf In Shadow, The Last Guardian and Bloodstone by David Gemmell

I think you like what happens.

Thank you for reading..