A Cruel Twist in Fate
Response To Challenge 24 on Dancing Dove
1. One minute, Alanna was skating on the ice, thinking that she ought to skate more often. The next, the ice gave way and she was in the cold, icy water. While cursing the fear of cold that made her wear the many layers that were now pulling her downward, she swam and groped for the whole she fell through. Her hands connected with ice. Terror rose up, choking her. Lungs burning, her vision grew dark. With the last burst of energy, she flailed, searching for something or someone to help her get out of this icy grave. There was nothing except the Black God, coming towards her.
2. She was running as fast as she could, bandits at her tail. If only she had accepted Lory's offer to stay the night Daine thought. But her ma was expecting her home, and the night animals would protect her. When she reached the house at dawn, everything was aflame.
"Daine, Run and get help!" her ma screamed as she was cut down by a bear of a man. And so she did. Thump, thump went her feet, matching her frenzied heart beat. She did not notice the tree root, poking out of the path to the village. As she tripped, a bandit scooped her up from horseback.
Another bandit called, "Nice catch, Ivor! She's pretty wench and has no gift to bother ya with!"
3. As he walked up the steps to the executioner, Numair cursed himself for having been caught. Looking at the crowd that had gathered he saw Kaddar, Lindhall, and the smug face of Varice Kingsford. He never should have trusted her to help him find Daine. She had been the one who had alerted Ozorne that he was hiding in the university. His attention was drawn back to the present by a rat-faced man who had begun to announce.
"Arram Draper, also known as Numair Samalin." He called out, "His crimes include, but are not limited to treason and attempted regicide. For his crimes, he will now be hanged in the name of His Most Serene Majesty Emperor Ozorne of Carthak." With that cue, the executioner fixed the noose around his neck.
4. They had just crossed the marketplace when Alanna yelled, "Thayet!"
Liam had been afoot, leading Drifter. He dragged the princess and the baby she had slug across her chest from the saddle as an arrow sliced past. Another arrow was fired. He went to grab it, but instead of wood his hands closed around thin air. With a small cry, Thayet crumpled to the ground, an arrow buried in her neck.
5. "Meanie! You not suppose to push me, Conal! Papa said!"
"I'll do whatever I want, you little brat!" he snarled as he grabbed his youngest sister's arm and swung the girl over the balcony.
"S-Stop it Conal! I'm going to-o fall!" Kel cried out in a wavering wail.
"It'll serve you right, brat! You need to show me some respect."
"Master Conal, what on earth do you think you are doing!"
Surprised by the maid's cry, his hands slipped. With a sickening crunch, the little girl fell and hit the ground.