(picture courtesy of flickr.cc)
The city was burning, the choking smell of war-despair heavy in the
streets. Refugees of a moment’s notice,
an hour ago simply people, rushed and stumbled with their hearts in hasty
bundles and packs, desperate.
Quick and
lethal, the Duchess’ armies had struck after their mistress had been refused
one last time, rejected by this city’s
eleven year old Duke who was, she said, the love of her life.
Three proposals, three rejections, and now
her armies came in like the tide. Spurned and insulted, she told the world.
She did not mention the city’s gold reserves.
This is in response to three prompts - Write on Edge's quotation (“Because there’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.”), Studio30Plus's phrase ("Quick and Lethal") and Light and Shade Challenge's quotation ("She tells enough white lies to ice a wedding cake")
What a portmanteau entry! Very nice, very sharp. LM x
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyssa, glad you liked it
DeleteWow, this is a great flash. You capture the sweeping in a short emotional burst. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated FB - thanks for the feedback
DeleteBrilliant writing. You didn't waste one word. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ashley, glad you liked it
DeleteA woman scorned was never written so well. I felt so many emotions reading this, and wanted to despise her..it was hard. ;)
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated Kir, always glad to hear from you
DeleteI want to say that the 11-year old was perhaps wise beyond his years, but mostly what I should say is that this is strong, efficient writing. Well-done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joe, glad you liked it
DeletePolitics is always such a quagmire. Never simple, or straight forward. I hope the Duke gets to keep his head!
ReplyDeleteI hope so too - thanks TMW!
DeleteAs usual, your writing is powerful and the scene you set brings to mind how many average people suffered the whims and greed of aristocracy throughout history.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, getting three prompts into one writing always makes me smile. I have a hard enough time with one prompt, but you did it well.
One doesn't mention the gold reserves. It's so... distasteful. ;)
ReplyDelete