The black stallion thudded to a stop. The man swung his metal boot over the horse and jumped to the ground. He pulled out his thick, double sided blade from its sheath and studied the village.
Everything was on fire. Houses erupted in flames and collapsed, wagons and carts were burned to ashes, and soot covered everything. Women and children screamed and cried over their loved ones who were caught in the crossfire. Men with dented helmets and dull breastplates, many of whom were injured, stood guard around the outskirts of the village, protecting whatever was left of their homes.
A few of these men stood in awe of the man who just arrived. None tried to stop him as he passed through the destroyed gate leading to the ruins of the village. His eyes lay on a boy, aged 12 or 13 lying on the street. “Boy,” his low voice rumbled. “What happened here?”
“Them monsters.” The boy said, clutching his bleeding arm. “Trolls, goblins, and wolves too. They pillaged and burned everything, they took all our gold and treasure.”
The man slowly pulled his sword back into its sheath and looked around with his aged eyes. He grunted. “Where’s Analla?”
The boy was silent.
“Boy, answer me.” The man said, grunting again. “Where’s my daughter?”
The young boy lifted his dirt-streaked face. He turned towards the forest behind the smoke-filled houses. “Them monsters,” He coughed. “They took her too.”
The picture at the top of this post is simply breathtaking. Such rich imagery in your writing đŸ™‚
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Thanks!
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It does paint a very violent scene of war and distress. It looks like a good story to follow.
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It’s been a while since I’ve had so much fun whipping up a teaser like this. Thanks for your feedback!
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I would love to work on my writing with daily prompts like this, it’s been a long time since I’ve done that. Loved your story.
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Thanks! I need to do more prompts like this, it was so much fun!
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I love the idea of a daily prompt like this! Are you writing a book? Either way I love the imagery in your story!
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I am writing a book-It’s not necessarily about this story, but it is very similar. I’m so glad you liked it!
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Wow, an author among us! I love this teaser, where is the rest of the story! And the picture at the top is gorgeous!
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I’m so glad you liked it! Perhaps this “pillage” story will continue, thanks to your admiration:)
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Pillaged would be a hard prompt for me to write with. You did an awesome job using it! Love your writing.
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Thank you! It took a while for me to create a story behind the prompt, that’s for sure.
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I remember doing something like this in school. I haven’t done one in a long time but now you have me thinking about a writing prompt. I love what the imagination can do.
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You should do a prompt this week! đŸ™‚
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I need some good writing prompts. I have been feeling so blah lately. Ugh…
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I totally know how you feel. Lately I have been inspired by pictures that I’ve taken. Good luck finding some prompts!
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This sets up a really clear picture of what is happening. It makes me wonder who the man is and why this all happened when he was away.
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Thanks for the feedback!
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THis is such a great story.
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This does indeed sound like an interesting story and I love the idea of a daily prompt. Thanks for sharing can’t wait to see what happens next.
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Thank you!
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Wow, this is a great story. My daughter is getting into writing short stories. She says her teacher gives them an exciting story starter and then they need to finish the story. Keep on writing!
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In all honesty, receiving prompts like that when I was younger is exactly why I started learning (and loving) to write. That’s awesome and thank you!
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Whata great prompt writing you have here. As I read, my heart raced! My daughter would love to read your short stories, she’s an avid reader!
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Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it:)
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I love how vivid and descriptive your writing is! One of the things I always told my creative writing students is to use words that make the reader feel like they are truly IN the experience–you nailed it!
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Thanks so much!
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Oooooo how fun to work on your writing with prompts!!! This was an excellent piece!!! You definitely had me feeling like I was there
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Thanks!
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First time finding your blog, and I love your imagery and how easy it was to picture your story. Love it! Look forward to more
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Thank you!
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You are a great writer!! I would love to work on some writing prompts this year. It seems like it really helps writing skills, love this!
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Thank you!
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incredible work!! Loved reading this, the imagery and scene you created were fantastic!
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Thanks!!
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