Novels & Narratives
The Novels & Narratives section of Spallco is a dedicated space for immersive storytelling, where writers bring fictional worlds and compelling tales to life. From thought-provoking short stories to full-length novels, this page serves as a home for literature that captivates, inspires, and resonates with readers.
Readers can explore a diverse collection of narratives, ranging from experimental prose to classic storytelling techniques. Every piece published here reflects a commitment to creativity, craftsmanship, and the timeless art of the written word. Whether you’re an author looking to share your vision or a reader seeking an unforgettable story, Spallco’s Novels & Narratives is where literature thrives.
Only A Candle
By Mark Spalla
The chief had finally heard the big news. He marched into the village, flanked by his loyalists, who admired his steadfast and traditional leadership. At the village’s edge, where the trusted Atlantic kissed the shore, a lengthy wooden ship lay docked, its deck adorned with a vibrant, fluttering tapestry of colors. The oak hull, lined with red and gold accents, exuded a regal presence that left the gathered natives in silent awe.
From the bowels of the alien vessel emerged pale, gaunt men with sun-bleached hair and hollow eyes, their bodies lean with hunger and their movements charged with purpose. Clad in puffed headgear and gripping sleek swords, these strangers advanced across the sand until they stood before the imposing figure of the chief.
“In a royal and justified expedition, sanctioned by both the King and the almighty God himself, we Spaniards have cometh to these Americas to offer friendship and the exchange of tactics with thy people,” declared the captain, his voice brimming with rehearsed authority.
The chief, his gaze unwavering, studied the man before him. “The white man desires only our land and riches. Depart immediately, or be slaughtered like the others,” he warned.
“I assure you,” the captain objected, “that we explorers are nothing like the greedy Scandinavians nor the land-hungry Portuguese. We have come to plant the white man’s seed, to bring forth a future of trade, civility, and prosperity to thy lands. Our presence heralds cooperation, not conquest.”
The chief narrowed his eyes, reading past the captain’s words. “The white creature feeds off land and his twisted destiny,” he muttered, locking eyes with the Spaniard’s piercing ocean-blue stare.
Sensing resistance, the captain adjusted his approach. “If you insist on distrusting your newest friends, then we shall depart, as you wish. But allow us to stay docked here for the night. We seek only a brief reprieve before setting sail. Do we have an accord?”
With a sense of foreboding, the chief reluctantly agreed.
As the night deepened and darkness swallowed the coastline, the Spaniards, guided by only a candle, crept silently into the slumbering village. Moving like shadows, they scoured homes and communal spaces, their fingers hungrily closing around furs, coats, minerals, and gleaming treasures. The stolen riches were hurriedly ferried back to their oak sanctuary, their vessel swelling with plunder meant to glorify the Spanish crown.
Hours passed in hushed efficiency until the ship, now heavy with its ill-gotten spoils, silently pushed off from the shore. With only the stars as their witness, the Spaniards vanished into the vast Atlantic, leaving behind only the whisper of waves and a village soon to wake to betrayal.