Morning all and welcome to Wednesday. That’s right we have made it to the middle of the week. I don;t know why it seemed like such an effort to get through Monday and Tuesday this week. It just felt like every action took twice as long as anticipated. Hopefully it was like climbing a hill and now we just have to walk down the other side. At least that is the hope. So let’s get started and see if hope is realized. Ready to kick off the day with a writing prompt? f course you are, that’s why you are here. So let’s give this one a go, shall we?
Interesting. I think it could make for an interesting fantasy story, depending on what our protagonist ends up searching for. I may have to double back and think up some details for this one. But it definitely has potential for use as next year’s fifteen minute novel if nothing else..
Wednesday, August 4th: Dust rose in small puffs with every step.
Dust rose in small puffs with every step. It was clear no one had entered this place in a very long time. As we moved down the corridor, I wondered about the last people who tread this corridor. Were they people like me, exploring a forgotten building in the middle of the woods? Were they scavengers seeking opportunistic pickings? Survivors packing their essential belongings before departing or were the last footsteps this building saw those of the invader?
I didn’t know but the mystery of it tingled along my spine.
This building, this castle to give it it’s proper title, was built before the world changed. Before the land changed, before the rule of law changed. It was said that all those who once ruled our land, basing themselves in castles like this one were put to death in the invasion. They were killed so that no one would be left alive who could legitimately raise the banner of the old order.
In the semi darkness, I allowed myself a half smile.
I remembered the stories. Those told officially in the schools and the ones whispered by our family fireside in the dark of winter.
At least one escaped. Ferried out by a protective nursemaid through the secret passageways, once the attack was over, the daughter of this house was passed off as her own child. It saved her from execution. She alone of her family survived.
The tale along with paperwork and a few treasured heirlooms were passed down. It was how I knew where this place was located, how to find it in the abandoned lands. I had no illusions about bringing back the past, no matter how glorious my grandfather believed it. It had been his mother who escaped. Time enough for the invaders to change the world and establish a new order.
I wasn’t here to raise a standard or to start a rebellion. I was here for a much more personal goal.
“I can’t believe this place still exists,” a voice whispered behind me. I winced. Larus. For a moment I forgot he was with me. “How did you know it was here?”
I hadn’t meant for him to come with me. He was son of the town’s current commander and from what I knew of him, he had no opinions of his own but was merely the mouthpiece for the opinions of others. When I left, he tagged along. At the time I thought it would look more suspicious to leave him behind. Now I wasn’t so sure.
“I didn’t,” I lied. “I heard someone mention a building in the woods, that’s all. I thought it might be an old hunting shack.”
I looked over and saw Larus nod. Recently hunting rights were secured by my family and we were now legally allowed to hunt in the woods we once owned. Not that the government knew we once owned them, of course. It would make sense to him that I would be looking for a place to put a hunting cabin or be willing to take advantage of one already out here. The lie passed and I turned away, continuing down the hall. I would have to find a way to break free of Larus before I began my search in earnest.
Ten til Midnight 