Each night, as the red sun dipped over the horizon, Lorena stood by the castle gates, looking out upon the moonlit moorland. Her sword was in her hand, the rings of her mail shone gold-bright, and her dark eyes glinted beneath her polished helm.
The wind blew cold against her cheek and carried the whispers of far-off voices: her mother lost to plague, her father slain by steel, and her bold love Badogund who had ridden over the hills into battle never to return.
They begged her to come to them, to kneel before the darkness that lurked upon the moor, the shadows that spread through the skies, and the black-eyed emperor in his rough-hewn throne.
Lorena stood firm.
They tested her each night for a hundred years and still she did not yield.
Word Count: 135
This is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. Thanks to Priceless Joy for running the challenge and The Magesticgoldenrose for providing the prompt photo!
The darkness in the story has a lyrical beauty. Very well done!
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Evocatively written – I could imagine myself on the moor.
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Reminded me of the poem Highwayman…very well written
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such a wonderful story!
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Wonderful story! Very otherworldly and mysterious! Loved it!
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Lorena is the sort of leader one needs when the black eyed emperor is about. I very much enjoyed this story
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Enjoyed this. 100 years is a long time to be tempted. Surprised the old emperor hasn’t thought of something new, though!
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Thank you! I suppose he’s just not a creative thinker. 😉
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Excellent writing! I could envision this unfolding.
Healed
Annie at ~McGuffy’s Reader~
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Thank you!
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Beautifully and evocatively written, JA. I hope Lorena continues to stand strong. 🙂
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A dark sad story neatly penned. hope Lorena finds peace.
http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/06/the-mansion.html
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Thank you!
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