The morning after the battle, we surveyed the damage. Counted our dead.
The air was thick with smoke – gunpowder sharp in the back of my nose – every familiar building resculpted. The library windows were smashed, like eyes put out in a great marble head; every column in the temple disfigured, the stone pocked by missiles, chunks littering the paths in drifts and heaps. The priests burned offerings to the gods, adding the stink of charred bones and gizzards to the haze.
Rand walked ahead, kicking rocks into the gutter. The wound on his arm had reopened, a fresh drizzle of blood mixing with the dirt and sweat, the colour bright in the grey world.
‘Here,’ he called.
At his feet was a lump of rock, carved like the back of a hand, the fingers missing below the first knuckle.
‘Is it all that’s left of him?’ I asked.
Rand shrugged.
‘Find what you can,’ I said. ‘We’ll bury him tonight.’
‘He was carved of granite -‘
I cut him off. ‘Bewitched granite that saved a city, Rand.’
He nodded, smile puckering around an old scar. ‘The times we live in, eh?’
Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction prompt. See the pic and write a tale of no more than 200 words. See here to join in and to read the other stories.
And here to read another story featuring Rand and Mitchell.
Great take. First half was vivid war story, then turned into something a bit more fantastical and mystical. Liked it a lot 🙂
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Thank you Iain. Yep, those boys have days filled with warring and battles – and the occasional moment of magic thrown in the mix. Thanks for the feedback and the great comment 🙂
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Intriguing stuff, Lynn.
Nothing to beat a bit of everyday magic!
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It’s a sort of fantasy set up I’d say, the MCs being brawlers, sword wielding men for hire. Throw a bit of magic in and we’re heading for GoT territory! Thanks for reading, C 🙂
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GoT?
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Sorry. Game of Thrones 🙂
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Sharp, vivid imagery and a touch of mysticism. What’s not to like!
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Thanks Steve, glad you liked it 🙂
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This is in remembrance of the War and the people who lost their lives in the war ?
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It wasn’t consciously, but perhaps the closeness of Remembrance Day was playing in the back of my head when I saw the damaged stonework. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Lovely Lynn. You have a beautiful smile.
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🙂
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Great story. I like the ending. Their saviour, something like a golem.
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Yes, I think you’re right. A golem or a Terry Pratchett idea of a troll – a big chap made of rock. Thanks Al. Glad you liked it 🙂
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Great story! I love that they’re going to bury the statue (golem?) that saved them.
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Thank J.A. Yes, credit where it’s due – even if it is to a lump of animated rock 🙂 Thanks for reading
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Excellent. Great imagination, Lynn
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Thank you Chris, very kind. Something poignant about that smashed hand, I thought, even know it’s only stone. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Interesting, the statue had this magic or power that saved the city, against the harsh realities of war. Enjoyed very much.
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Thanks Amanda. Yes, a magical statue, though if I’d had more words I would have made it clear that the setting was a fantasy one – swords, sorcery, dashing heroes, that type of thing. Thanks so much for reading 🙂
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