Christian Speculative Fiction discussion
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Challenge Two--Are you ready? All Welcome to Try!
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Mod
SUDDENLY A WAVE OF ARROWS SNAKED INTO THE AIR.
“Shields up!” Kins shouted as he and his ten-thousand-strong army marched toward the towering walls. An echo of his orders were relayed along the front row of troops, and to the rear.
Shields clicked into place blocking out the sun’s oppressive strength; metal scraped against metal. A second later, the arrows rained down, thundering against the shields like heavy hail from the heavens.
Coated in grime and sweat, Kins glanced at his friend and confidant beside him as they advanced. “Today, live or die, we will finally break through and ransack our enemy’s capital, and end this war!”
Aza, long at Kins’ side, was a beefy, immense man who employed one of the largest broadswords Kin had ever seen. He wore a grizzled beard that hadn’t been groomed in seasons, and which had within its wiry, curly hair remnants of the past days’ battles. Kins could’ve sworn he saw a reddened claw hanging from his beard. It had likely come from the poor orc Aza had cut down earlier who had been caught trying to escape the city. Aza gave a toothless smile. “‘Tis sad for me, Kins. After all these months, I was just beginning to enjoy your company, and your sour breath.”
With a grin, Kins waved away the odor that lingered after the flutter of his friend’s breath had brushed across his cheeks. “If there was a crown for stinky breaths, you’d be king right now, Aza!”
Aza’s chest and shoulders shook as he roared with laughter.
Kins continued. “And I shall be glad to finally have fresh air when you’ve departed from me to wrestle pigs back at your farm!”
Aza chuckled. “Indeed, will be better than sleeping beside you another night!”
Another barrage of arrows swooshed into the air from above, to their front.
“Shields!” Kins shouted. Shields again scraped into place, the shaded soldiers eyeing each other as they shuffled forward, the fortified wall not far in front of them. The arrows clattered against the shields.
“Halt!” Kins let out. The soldiers stopped their advance, a cloud of dust emitted into the air around them. He pressed a rag against his mouth to protect his breathing. Then, he shouted, “Battering rams units, come forth!”
Kins scanned the great, blackwood double door before them which towered fifty feet. Along the top, countless archers prepared to loose another volley of arrows. He also noted steam rising from numerous, large bowls affixed along the top—likely filled with boiling oil or tar. Although their army had the advantage, the siege on this city having lasted the past four seasons, he knew the cost to win this city, and the war, would be great.
Kins reached a hand to Aza’s bulging shoulder briefly. “My dear friend, I shall outdrink you on the other side of this great door!”
Aza’s eyes moistened. “What we do today, we do for Aslan and His Kingdom! See you on the other side!”
Kins scanned to the rear as he prepared to give the order to charge. “HIGH ABOVE IN THE AZURE SKY, THE VULTURES WERE CIRCLING."
This was full of action and yet the characters were well-rounded for such a short piece. The ending was a total surprise. Nicely done.
SUDDENLY A WAVE OF ARROWS SNAKED INTO THE AIR.Jamie ducked, her eyes glued to the stable doors, one hanging askew, as greedy crimson and yellow flames licked the worn wooden siding. She sucked in a breath and with a skyward glance, sprinted across the packed dirt road. She prayed for the archers. That they would be safe, that their shots would fly true. That one random arrow wouldn’t fall short and find a home in her body.
Half a block away, the church bell’s clangor of warning slowed, its last peal fading on the stiffening wind.
She choked. The smoke curled and twisted, stinging her eyes and burning her throat as she slipped past the searing flames and into the stable.
“Talon! Talon! Come here boy.” Please, please, come. A lump of despair lodged in her throat and tears brought on by more than the smoke cooled the fire in her cheeks before evaporating in the heat.
Talon’s bark—barely heard above the noisy flames—kindled hope in her heart. There. He’s where I left him.
She turned the corner around a box stall, peering through the thick smoke. Coughs, deep and shattering, ripped through her. Blinking her eyes open, she froze at the sight that met her eyes. Talon stood next to a tall stranger. Long white braids framed a lean copper face. Enemy!
The man turned and to Jamie’s horror, Talon—her best friend, the dog she had raised since a pup—followed him through a break in the wall without a hint of hesitation, or a backward look, vanishing into the brightness beyond.
How could Talon? It was like he knew … Knew what? She let the question hang and glanced over her shoulder at the flame-engulfed doorway. No choice. She plunged through the broken siding.
The enemy trotted away from town in a straight path, up into the hills, Talon’s black and tan tail waving above the weeds, beckoning Jamie onward like an irresistible force.
She followed, leaving behind her family, her friends, and the life she had known.
HIGH ABOVE IN THE AZURE SKY, THE VULTURES WERE CIRCLING.
Mod
Really loved this--didn't want it to end (honestly felt sad/cheated for a second). I liked your descriptions, so fresh and unique.
i can't wait to see what our friends come up with.
-Sean
Sean, Thanks! Yes. I look forward to what the others will come up with. I'm really enjoying these challenges and the variety of perspectives.
WHEN SHE GOT OFF THE TRAIN AT EusTON HER LEGS ALMOST GAVE WAY. Several suits squeezed their way beside her, forcing her further onto the boarding area. Striving to shake off the apprehension which debilitated her, she remembered His saving grace.
I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me...
I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.
I CAN DO ALL THINGS IN CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME! (Philippians 4:13)
Okay Lord, Stay beside me. Give me the peace that passes understanding! You are with me and will never leave me. If you are for me, who shall I fear? I'm diving in!
Boldness infused her legs, determination settled into her face. Scanning to her left, then to her right for a gap in the swarm of people, faceless nomads heading to their own personal purgatory, she prepared to adhere to the same cadence of bodies going in the same direction she was headed in. Here it was- a breach. Quickly she slipped in, matched pace, breathed, rehearsed...eyes raised to the sky, silently she mouthed a prayer. "Lord, I know you've got this, but I sure could use a friend right now!"
As the crowd thinned, a familiar stance came into view. Seriously!?! she screamed inside, Is he my answer to prayer? No,no,NO! Lord! You've got to be kidding! That man never took the beat of his own heart seriously, much less anything I've ever said. Maybe he's just out for a stroll. Oh... he sees me.
"For the thing which I greatly fear is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me." (Job 3:25)
He's nodding his head, waiting for acknowledgement. What do You have in mind for me at this junction?
"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6)
All I can do, is admire your sense of humor. Lord!
An amused grin unfurled across her face displacing all skepticism and foreboding, as she approached within his personal space.
IS THERE SOMETHING FUNNY? HE ASKED, STUDYING HER FACE A LITTLE TOO LONG FOR COMFORT.
Kate Atkinson's Life After Life
A couple of things, I had to Google Euston, and I wanted to try to write from 1st person, but I don't know what I'm doing. Also, I'm not sure of punctuation of thoughts and scripture. I'm sure having fun trying though!
Sean and Chris, loved both your stories! Sean, I enjoyed the camaraderie between your characters and Chris, I really want to know why the dog is following an enemy! both stories really pulled me, great job!
Mod
You really did a great piece. i was hooked from the first sentence. interesting character and finish. Well done, Ann!! And so glad you're having fun through these challenges.
i agree, Ann. i want to know why the dog followed... Haha so much fun!
Ann wrote: "WHEN SHE GOT OFF THE TRAIN AT EusTON HER LEGS ALMOST GAVE WAY. Several suits squeezed their way beside her, forcing her further onto the boarding area. Striving to shake off the apprehension whic..."
Thoroughly enjoyed your story. You left many questions as well ... such as ... who was he? I can let my imagination go a little wild with that one. I felt her discomfort in the crowd, 'the cadence of bodies' (I like that). I don't do well in crowded places so I can empathize.
As for the dog following ... maybe another challenge will allow me to shed light on that little question. ;-)
Mod
-Sean
Sean and Chris, thank you so much. I closed this one up fast, because I wasn't sure who the guy was either!
Ann wrote: "Sean and Chris, thank you so much. I closed this one up fast, because I wasn't sure who the guy was either!"Really? You'll have to think up something. I already have a reason why Talon followed the enemy. Perhaps some enemies have more to them than what we think ...
Mod
I don't know ... just because you're a new mom and very busy, I don't understand how you couldn't have oodles of time to participate in this delightful challenge. (This is tongue-in-cheek--figured I'd clarify that in case someone read this and thought I was being serious.) Now is the time to enjoy your little one. Writing challenges will come and go, but you only get to raise this child one time. Enjoy! Sean said he'd keep these posted so you can catch up when the opportunity presents itself and you can take pleasure in participating then. (And we can have fun reading what your creative mind dreams up.)
Mod
Anyone else want to join in the fun for this second challenge?
This is open-ended group, so please add to it as you feel the desire!
-Sean
Let your creativity flow! That's the purpose for the WRITER'S CORNER! And to practice. Enjoy!
But it is also here to encourage and to have fun.
Please note: This is not just for writers but for ANYONE who loves having fun with words. Please participate and see what happens.
Each weekend, I will post a NEW CHALLENGE. Over the next week, I hope to see entries. Please comment on entries posted; perhaps give advice and/or share your reaction with thoughts.
(This session should take you 5-15 minutes in total.)
WEEK TWO CHALLENGE: FINGER IN NOVEL (PART 2)
For this challenge, which is similar to last week's challenge, the prompt will be the same for ALL OF US (randomly chosen). It will be interesting and fun to see the variety that comes out of this prompt.
Rules:
1. Read the prompts below. Prompt one is for the first sentence of your writing; prompt two is for the last sentence. Two choices have been offered, in case you don't want to face arrows and vultures.
2. Please avoid reading any others' posts until AFTER your own is written. This will allow each individual's unique creativity to be unearthed.
3. Write as long as you wish, but with the intention of completing a scene and/or overall idea.
4. Initially, please don't worry so much about editing as this is a creativity prompt. Treat it like a first draft. Feel free to edit after it's posted if you like.
5. Have fun.
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CHOICE ONE:
***Begin with this prompt (1st sentence in ALL CAPS)***
"Suddenly a wave of arrows snaked into the air."
***End with this prompt (Last sentence in ALL CAPS)***
"High above in the azure sky, the vultures were circling."
(From the novel by Ben Kane, "The Forgotten Legion.")
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CHOICE TWO:
***Begin with this prompt (first sentence ALL CAPS):***
"When she got off the train at Euston her legs almost gave way."
***End with this prompt (last sentence ALL CAPS):***
"'Is there something funny?' he asked, studying her face a little too long for comfort."
From Kate Atkinson's novel, "Life After Life."
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This is a bit more of a challenge. But push through and let's have some fun!
Enjoy!
-Sean
(Note: Challenge Three will be different from these first two challenges.)