Monday Mixer Treasure Seekers

The traipse of soldiers finally reached the river where they could rest. Although a long, tiring and challenging day, they were still at full complement which deserved some celebration especially with skirmishes from bandits along the way.

From across the river, snow capped mountains loomed, looking peaceful before the sun dipped behind the tallest jagged peak. Darkness cascaded upon them, leaving most with a feeling of penitence for what tomorrow would hold.

A thunderous roar ripped through the silence, sending half dazed soldiers scrambling for weapons in the thick, pitch of night, bristling with fear now that the bruits were true about what lurked in the mountains.

Sign up, be a soldier they said. See the world! Go on treasure seeking adventures! Well, that was all good and dandy until the roar of the mountains shattered every illusion that stealing dragon eggs was a good idea for a get rich quick scheme.

      “Don’t worry, settle down lads,” the stupid, corpulent leader said as the roars died down. “There’s enough riches in those mountains for us all to retire on.”

     “I predicate strongly a massacre,” Ronin whispered to himself as he tried to find sleep on his last night on earth.

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Written for Jeff Hollar's Monday Mixer over at The Latinum Vault

Nouns:         1) bruit           2) traipse        3)  complement

Verbs:          1) round         2) predicate    3) bristle

Adjectives:  1) corpulent  2) penitent     3) euphoric

Flash! Friday #31 Aftermath

Silence wasn’t something to welcome. It signalled the start of a futile search for survivors. Strewn across the once lush green fields was the endless sight of carnage. Not one surviving groan could be heard across the wisps of smoke from the smouldering corpses.

Covering his mouth from the overwhelming stench of death and with a heavy step, Kyle began the grisly task of recovering dog tags and weapons; ammo was dangerously low and he knew peace was just a respite.

Not many of the enemy had been hit but even one should be seen as a slight victory; one less predator in the skies, one more chance of surviving the pointless war. 

Kyle looked to the mountains; the enemy’s unbreakable territory where under the advancing shadows of dusk they came, flooding the sky with ferocious fire and sharp talons that ripped flesh from bone.

Nothing stopped them.

 But this was their land, their territory. Kyle was the warring invader, sent on an impossible mission to defeat and conquer for the riches and minerals buried deep under the mountains.

A dragon soared, silvery wings splayed as he circled over the massacre, letting out a mournful cry. Kyle understood completely.

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Flash! Friday #30 Capbreton, France

Running along the golden sands, the surf lapping at their ankles, Damon reached back, grabbing Ruth’s hand, pulling her along. Her chest was tight like a vice as her heart beat frantically, wanting to burst from its confines, her lungs burning with every laboured breath, matching the searing pain on the soles of her feet that even the ice cold water couldn’t sooth.

The ruins were in sight; their shelter and safety from their pursuers. Looking over her shoulder, Ruth saw the advancing shadow descending across the coast. It was stupid to go out scavenging so soon after the first attack on the settlement. But Damon was sure it was safe.

“This way!” he shouted, desperation in his usually composed voice, hearing the enemy approaching on the wind. They ran through the maze of ruins, graffiti from another age a reminder of human survival. With a single leap, Ruth and Damon were sheltered in a hole under one of the huge concrete blocks as fire reigned down and the thunderous roar of dragons shattered the air.  “That was a close one,” he quipped. “Best get comfortable Ruthie; it’s going to be a long night.”  Ruth nestled against Damon’s chest, his heartbeat soothing against the continued roar of the dragons.

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Flash! Friday hosted by Rebekah Postupak with an amazing picture of Capbreton on the coast of France. Click the link to visit the site and read all the stories based on the picture. You'll be surprised at what everyone comes up with. xx

Thursday Threads #76 I need one Alive

Princess Lilliana slouched on her throne as another suitor strode confidently through the great hall that was her prison, swearing allegiance to her pompous father before declaring his undying love for her. But Lilliana was dreaming of escape not marriage; flying away on the back of a dragon, travelling on the winds to new lands feeling free and alive.        

“Princess Lilliana, I will travel the ends of the earth, bring you precious stones, catch you a falling star and even slaughter a thousand dragons in your honour, to show my love for you,” the prince declared. "They don't call me the Dragon Slayer for nothing."

“You could show more interest Lilliana,” her father said sternly. “He is risking everything for you, fulfilling his destiny  . . . . And yours.”    

“But I don’t want a falling star or need jewels or a slaughtered dragon! I need . . . I need . . .”

“What do you need Lilliana. Please tell me, I will give you everything you will ever want or need my love,” the prince stated as he clutched her small, soft hand. A wry smile crept across Lilliana’s face.

“A dragon,” she exclaimed.

“I will bring you the fiercest dragon to walk the earth. He will be dragged through the streets with my sword plunged though his heart.”

“No! I need one alive. You will do this for me.”  The startled prince nodded, all enthusiasm evaporated as Lilliana’s heart soared just like the wings of her dragon.

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For more Thursday Thread stories, visit Siobhan Muir's blog;The Weird, the Wild and the Wicked. You will not be disappointed. xx