The fog hung low over the forest as the party trudged through the brush, the thin, twisted branches of bushes snagged on their trousers. There were a hundred of them, men, women, and children. The strong amongst them carried hunting bows, slingshots, and short blades. They were commoners, not warriors, but this war had made combatants of them all.
Some of them still had burns from the fire: shadows of the great darkness that had engulfed their land. The soldiers of the White Lion had come with flame and steel, there not just to occupy but to destroy, to cut off supplies to the High King and his Red Lions. The land had been soaked in blood and ash. Nothing remained.
Now they walked on, further and further down the winding paths of the Grimwood, hoping for the day when they would find a new home.
Word Count: 146
This is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. Thanks to Priceless Joy for running the challenge and Joy Pixley for providing the prompt photo!
Great story J.A.and so very topical. Seems this very thing is happening too often these days and the aftermath is so devastatingly sad.
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Thank you! Yes, it’s a very topical story (intentionally so). What’s happening is tragic.
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Yes, it truly is tragic (what is going on now)! Great story!
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Great take, like something from Narnia or Arthurian times in my head!
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Thank you! I’m a big fan of both Narnia and King Arthur, so I’m glad I captured that sort of feeling.
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Seems to me like the beginning of a grim and even more bloody journey. I hope someday they prevail. The land will take time to repair, but there are things like acorns for instance, that require heat to open so they will grow. Great take!
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Thank you! It is only the beginning of their journey, but I’m sure they will find a new home in time. No war can last forever.
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An interesting story. History repeats itself, century after century, only the weapons get nastier.
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Very true. Thank you!
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