WRiTE CLUB - Skirmish #3

Here I am again to offer a chance in the ring for the writers who submitted an anonymous sample of their work to WRiTE CLUB 2012, but weren’t lucky enough to be chosen to compete.  There are no prizes to be won, or further advancement beyond this one bout, but as all of the other contestants have discovered before them -- there is still plenty to be gained…and learned. I will post one of these skirmishes each week until I run out of contestants.

In the near corner…weighing in at 495 words…I give you…Little Dragon.

Lightning flashed, illuminating the flat wet stones that marked the path, grass grown long between them. Kaida stepped lightly, pulling her hood up before she stepped into the dark of the wood, letting it swallow her. The ground slanted down sharply, the smooth flat stones turning into heavy into blocks that angled down to the river and a stone wharf. It was one of many the royal family maintained. This one, however, had been forgotten.

Or so she’d been told.

It didn’t look forgotten, she thought, catching bright glimpses of it each time the lightning flashed. No mold, no leaves skittering about, no debris at all. Everything neat as a pin. Wooden stairs descended to the river and the long stone wharf where a single boat rocked lightly at the dock.

Kaida paused and sniffed the air, scanned the shadowy tangle of wood and bramble ten times at least before the smallest of movements caught her eye. 

Her hands went to her knives. “Show yourself,” she said, pitching her voice low.

A moment later a light flared, and she let go an inaudible sigh and relaxed her hands, dropping to one knee.

“Master,” she said.

“I am glad to see you have not grown soft and forgetful…” he said, “Court life can dull the senses, I’m told.”

He stepped out from the trees and the dark, coming to meet her at the top of the stairs. He reached out and took her hand.

At once the rain ceased above them. It still fell hard and fast, splattering against stone, filling cracks, hitting leaf and branch. But not a drop touched their heads.

Kaida didn’t ask how, only envied the trick and wondered how long until she learned it.

“Soon,” he said with a small smile, sensing her thoughts, “But first, the matter at hand, the reason you were sent here.”

She looked up at him, hope fluttering in her chest. Had the time come at last?

“Are you ready?”

Kaida stood up straight, shoulders back. “I am ready, Master.”

He nodded and withdrew something from his robes: a small wooden box.

“It’s a puzzle box,” he said, handing it to her. “Inside you will find two scrolls and a few ingredients I know you will find useful. Remember your training.”

Kaida went to kneel again but he stopped her. “Complete this task and you will be an Adept, Kaida; you will bow to no one.”

She swallowed hard.

This was what she’d been hoping for, working toward. All she had to do now was succeed.

“Thank-you, my Master,” she said, taking the box and folding her shawl over it.

“Go then, and be careful,” he said, adding, “And if you run you might not get wet!”

He let go her hand and passed his hand over her head. Immediately she felt it, the invisible umbrella, shielding her.

She ran, hearing his laugh follow, a taunt to test her.

 

It was time to kill the King.
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And in the far corner, boasting 421 words, let me introduce to you…Caffeine Queen. 

I was prepared for the flashbacks of my life, but watching the experiences of my children…I just don’t know how I could have prepared for that. I watched as Jack arrived at a door, made sure the box holding the diamond ring was tucked deep in his coat pocket, tapped on the door twice and opened it.  “Megan?” 

His entrance startled a kissing couple. 

“Jack!” The girl was surprised to see Jack. And nervous. Not the good kind. “Hey…I didn’t know you were coming.”  Jack was silent, staring at the girl in front of him.

“Hey hun, who’s this?”  The man wrapped his arm around her shoulders. 

“This is Jack.” She bit her lip and took a deep breath, “Jack, this is my…” Oh no.

The man took his arms from across her shoulders and extended his hand. “Fiancé – Paul. She probably just hadn’t thought about saying it before. We’ve only been engaged for a few hours. Funny how the holidays bring out the romance, you know?”  Oh, my Jack.

Jack nodded his head once, shaking the hand but looking beyond the owner. “Seems to be the case.  Nice to meet you Paul.”  Jack was quiet, his gaze locked. “I…just…” He cleared his throat, looked at the floor and continued, “stopped by to let you know that I got accepted to the University of Washington’s Medical school.  I…was thinking about taking the summer off, but…” He looked at the girl in front of him.  “I just wanted to tell you in person.”

I wanted to jump into the past, tell little Megan dearest that girls don’t do this to great guys like Jack when Granny spoke.

“Nora, you can’t change it. Your only option is to watch and understand. Stay focused.” I nodded.  Looking on the replica of Jack, the hurt he was trying to hide, I had to put my hand over my mouth to hear the rest of the conversation

Paul was still all smiles.“That’s great news, man,” He looked at Megan. “Isn’t that great hun?”  Megan stood silent.  Paul looked between Jack and Megan, clearly confused.  I wondered if he ever found out the truth.

“Congrats on the engagement you two,” Jack turned to the door. “I hope you are happy.” Jack’s departure was the start of his life filled with what had been uncharacteristic silence. In silence, he pulled the door closed. In silence, he walked down the stairs. His silence even became an act of dismissal when he refused to turn as Megan called his name.

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Now it’s time for you to tell us the one that resonates with you the most in the comments, along with a brief critique if you have time.

Thank you for taking the time to help these writers out.  See you again next week. :)