Fingers pulled back on the bowstring. Sparrow could feel it fighting her, all the power of the strained yew struggling to break loose.
Below, the sounds of battle raged, a warring tide of blood and steel. Swords struck against mail; maces clashed with helms.
She shut it all out, ignoring screams and shouts and ringing. Her elbow brushed against the leaves of her tree as she breathed deep, eyes closing as she centered herself.
Then, in the flutter of a sparrow’s wings, she took her shot.
The arrow soared through the maelstrom of battle, striped feathers catching the wind.
A scream rang out, then a shout.
“The King’s hit!”
Arrows thwacked into the bark of Sparrow’s perch. Soldiers charged up the hill and into the trees.
The King lay on the battlefield, an arrow sticking from his ruined eye.
And Sparrow was gone, vanishing into the shadows of the forest.
Word Count: 150
This is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. Thanks to Priceless Joy for running the challenge and Jade M. Wong for providing the prompt photo!
Wow, this is so powerful. I particularly liked how the hunter was called “Sparrow”; I thought that was a great subversion of the norm! Great story π
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Thank you!
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Great action scene.
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Thank you!
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Clever sparrow.
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I love this! Such a well told story! I love this line, “in the flutter of a sparrow’s wing, she took her shot.”
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Thank you!
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I saw a time traveller visiting the year 1066 and the arrow striking the Saxon king Harold,
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There was definitely an inspiration from Harold’s fate. Thanks for commenting!
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I thought of King Harold too…..I liked your response well done..
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Thank you!
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My first thought was the Battle of Hastings, as well. Great story, JA. π
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Thank you!
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