Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/10/08)
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TITLE: ONE MAN'S QUEST | Previous Challenge Entry
By mick dawson
01/16/08 -
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The Forgotten One visited the graves of his wife and still born child. He raised one of his bandaged hands to brush away a tear that had newly formed. Even his face along with any other exposed areas of his flesh were wrapped in bandages as the lepers did. He gazed down at the headstones decorated with wild flowers.
The moonlight exposed his mighty thewed frame clad in the armour of the king's elite, the Blue River Guardsmen. His coat of mail and horned helm were well worn but in good repair. His tunic of deepest blue however had become threadbare and torn. As he twisted in the moonlight the orange crest of the snarling dog still showed clearly emblazoned on his chest.
A single name was etched into his wife's headstone...Dekra. All at once he dropped to his knees and gripped both sides of the stone in his hands.
“Dekra, my sweet, sweet queen. I know that I had not loved you as you deserved...and I know that I have been cold and distant to you...our child...and to our people...I want you to know that I have given my throne to another and I vow that I will have nothing to do with another soul until the day comes that I love others as I should.”
The once king promptly arose sweeping up his axe in one hand and carried it with no more effort that anyone would carry a cane.
He entered the back streets of Nusalle's capital, Caliet. A scream filled his ears jolting him into action. As he rounded the corner he saw two thieves holding a young girl at bay, one with a dagger in his hand.
Coming upon them from behind they were unaware of his presence until the nearest of the vagabonds felt his bandaged fist slam down on his head. Before the thief fell, the intruder took hold of his tunic in his free hand and held him to his feet. They dangled barely touching the cobbled stones in his unconscious state.
Drawing a sword, the other thief sought to slash at the bandaged crusader only to have the blade casually swatted from his hands with a single swoop from his axe.
Panic overwhelmed the thief. Spinning he took flight in the opposite direction of the lane. Only a few steps were taken when the bandaged figure hurled his companion into him. Together the thieves slammed headlong over empty barrels. The Guardsman waited for them to rise but saw no movement. With the threat now despatched he turned to the reason he had intervened. The girl cowered from him, cringing in the gutter.
“You have nothing to fear from me, child.” he whispered.
He slowly extended his brawny arm and waited until it was accepted by the elfish hand of the young woman.
“Who are you?” she asked with an edge of apprehension to her voice.
Sighing wearily he answered, “I have no name. Men merely call me 'The Forgotten One.' Tell me, what is your name?”
“Samona.”
“Well Samona, inform the city watch that they can collect two more undesirables here and in future, dear girl...please do not walk the streets at night alone.”
She nodded curtly and taking his leave the Forgotten One meandered further along the back lanes of the poorer quarter. Barely anything stirred here. The occasional selskirt or a drunken laborer. In almost total solitude, the Guardsman pursued his thoughts.
'Another good deed served. Another life protected and tonight two more would be accommodated in Caliet's prison.'
A warmth passed through him. His city was rid of two more criminals. That was two closer to Caliet living without fear but then another thought struck him.
'What would happen when he had cleared Caliet of her denizens? Would he be needed anymore?'
A rushing of feet alerted him to the alley behind him. Sprinting down the thoroughfare he was in time to see several misshapen figures jump into an open hole in the street. The last of them rolled an unconscious pirate into waiting bandaged hands. The lividly grotesque face of the leper glanced hurriedly at the crusader then joined his companions. What seemed an army of hands pulled the iron grate back into place and disappeared.
He knew the inevitable fate of the pirate. They were cannibals
The Forgotten One smiled to himself as he set his hands to the grate and wrenched it free. It then occurred to him...'he would always be needed.'
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I was a little confused as to how it related to the topic. This could be a part of a longer fantasy story.
Good job...keep writing.