Thief
The breeze stirred the leaves that had fallen at the base of the great tree. Its trunk reached into a sky that had begun to show to change from black to azure at the horizon.
The breeze ceased and the world paused.
The rays of light exploded from the horizon and the tree was crowned with brilliance.
The dawn, an audacious thief, banished the night and brought forth the day.
Surrender
Ajx, the dwarven commander, leaned on his ax amidst the bloody battlefield. His muscles protested the ill treatment they’d received over the course of the day’s combat.
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The elven king approached, his left arm wrapped in a red-stained bandage. He acknowledged the dwarf with a single nod and lifted his sword in salute, “We surrender.”
A cheer went up from the victorious dwarven host.
Forgive
Shu walked from the village to the temple on the hill. He paused half-way to look over his shoulder at the thatched rooftops.
His sin was heavy in his mind. What would the priors say? How could they forgive him if he couldn’t forgive himself?
He sighed and walked on.
Listen
Prillana looked over the edge of the abyss. A gray mist had settled into the crevasse so that the bottom was obscured from view.
She took a breath and the old magi’s last words returned to her mind.
“Listen,” he had said. “Just listen. The gods will speak to you.”
Twilight
Striking like lightning from the deepening shadows, the basilisk’s jaws closed on Isaac’s right arm, burying poisoned fangs into his flesh.
Isaac let out a grunt as his great ax swung in a savage arc.
Isaac sighed. Although his enemy was dead its poison ensured Isaac would soon join him.
Curse
Isidora cringed and looked down at her arm. The pink-purple splotches that had first appeared on the back of her hand had spread up her forearm. The discomfort that had started with an itch now burned as if with fire.
Isidora opened her mouth to curse but could only scream.
