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how it works

TITLE: Saving Grace | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lindsey Conrad
05/28/07
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A gasp and then a groan were the first sounds Admal had heard from the King in a while. He quickly re-soaked the cloth and dabbed it on the King's forehead. His gaze shifted to the wound in his chest. Blood continued to seep through the padding. He averted his eyes and finished wipping off the sweat. He turned away but the king grabbed his arm. "Call my daughter! Bring her to me!"

Fear gripped Admal. "But sire, she is leading the battle, if I..."

"I am dieing. The last things I want to hear on this earth are the sound of my daughter's voice lifted up in song for our Lord. Besides the battle..."

Is lost, the words hung in the air unsaid. They had lost! For a moment, Admal couldn't move from fear.

"Go!"

Quickly Admal hurried to follow the command. He disappeared behind the flap into the outer world filled with the sounds of swords clashing and spears jabbing. A scream reverberated through his soul as a poor soul released one last dieing breath.

The sound of a woman's voice came from inside the tent. It made Ehren Barack pause. Her voice was light, sweet, soothing. The tongue was his enemy's, but he could make out a few words from her adoration. She was praising their so called god. "Stupid superstitions," he scoffed. "Who really believes a king would die for his subjects!"

A cough erupted from inside the tent, then a cry of pain. Finally, silence.

Ehren pushed aside the flap and entered. A young woman spun around, her sword at the ready. Fire flashed in her eyes, "You won't touch him!" Ehren studied the woman, and then looked at the man on the bed. The king! One look told him he was dead. "You won't disgrace him!" She warned again. Ehren stepped forward, but jumped back as a parry nearly cut through his gut. Suspicious now he scrutinized the girl more closely. His eyes grew wide; she was the adversary he had faced so long on the battle field. His mind spun. In his hesitation, Ari had stepped forward attempting to capture the girl. With one swift motion she had her sword up against Ari's throat. Fool! Ehren wanted to yell. His face contorted with anger. "Stop! What do you want?"

The girl seemed startled. "I don't want you touching my father!"

"Well as I see it, you have little choice. The battle is nearly lost. You have few things to bargain."

A wave of emotions rushed across her face. "I have one."

Ehren crossed his arms, unimpressed, "Which is?"

"I will stop the blood shed. I can offer a full surrender."

He straightened, "I thought," he studied her again, still holding the sword to Ari's neck, "Never mind. What are you proposing?"

She glanced around nervously, "Give me a chance to properly care for my father, give him a King's burial. Then we submit."

Once again Ehren studied the girl. Could she be trusted? "If I let this be. We watch over every minute of the burial, no acceptations!"

Relief flooded her eyes. "Very well." After a moments more hesitation, a shaking arm released Ari and she grabbed up the horn. Running to the door she blew the horn. Realization hit Ehren, "Ari, quickly call a cease fight."

Trying to regain some of his vainglory, he quickly followed command. Ehren listened, and eventually the sound of the horn grew louder as the clashing of swords dwindled. He glanced once more at the king. No, he told himself, breaking the bargain was not worth him...for now.

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