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I am but one, amongst the multitudes of people swarming into the packed area. The bustling crowd of men, women and children alike are all anticipating the same thing. The packed-mud floor and stale scent of sweat and earth add to the electric atmosphere that clouds over the swarm of people, clinging to them like thick smog.
The heavy beat of the drums and the constant deep thud of footsteps as warriors and civilians march inside the hollow stadium. It is packed, I am shoulder to shoulder with two other men and there isn’t room enough to breath, let alone move.
In minutes that feel like hours, we wait in silence to be graced with his presence. Finally our silent prayers are answered and a man with a white plaid shirt and a shimmering golden crown slowly walks out onto the solid stone podium, built for this one occasion. You could hear a pin drop. He clears his throat and prepares himself to give the speech that will change the future for everyone present.
Children clutch their mother’s hands, women squeeze their husband’s arms and men grasp their broadswords. Finally he speaks, his booming voice echoes throughout the arena, “The future of the nation has been decided. We have come to a resolution that I am sure will please you all. We will march tonight, we are at war!” A deafening cheer causes me to cover me ears. Men wave their swords in the air, women whoop and yell encouragement to their warrior husbands and children squeal with happiness.
Why do they have to resort to violence? That is the question that echoes through my mind. They could have reached an agreement, divided the lands that a war is to be waged over. Lives will be lost and hearts broken, all in the name of progress. I will not fight for an unworthy cause, I will not end the lives of others because of the commands set by a greedy overlord who thrives on power and fear.
The doors are flung open and each and every man runs through them, a thousand voices let out a thousand separate war cries. But I stood there alone and unmoving. The remaining women and children began to stare at me, their whispers cutting through my thin skin like sharp blades. Nothing hurts deeper than knowing you are unwanted and looked down upon. To the surrounding people I am less than nothing. Tears tarnish my unwashed face and my sword escapes my grasp and lands handle-up in the dry mud. The whispers become louder and break into a chant. A circle of people surround me, the same thing is on all of their minds. I fall to the floor, cowering from the truth that has been presented to me.
I am a coward.
The heavy beat of the drums and the constant deep thud of footsteps as warriors and civilians march inside the hollow stadium. It is packed, I am shoulder to shoulder with two other men and there isn’t room enough to breath, let alone move.
In minutes that feel like hours, we wait in silence to be graced with his presence. Finally our silent prayers are answered and a man with a white plaid shirt and a shimmering golden crown slowly walks out onto the solid stone podium, built for this one occasion. You could hear a pin drop. He clears his throat and prepares himself to give the speech that will change the future for everyone present.
Children clutch their mother’s hands, women squeeze their husband’s arms and men grasp their broadswords. Finally he speaks, his booming voice echoes throughout the arena, “The future of the nation has been decided. We have come to a resolution that I am sure will please you all. We will march tonight, we are at war!” A deafening cheer causes me to cover me ears. Men wave their swords in the air, women whoop and yell encouragement to their warrior husbands and children squeal with happiness.
Why do they have to resort to violence? That is the question that echoes through my mind. They could have reached an agreement, divided the lands that a war is to be waged over. Lives will be lost and hearts broken, all in the name of progress. I will not fight for an unworthy cause, I will not end the lives of others because of the commands set by a greedy overlord who thrives on power and fear.
The doors are flung open and each and every man runs through them, a thousand voices let out a thousand separate war cries. But I stood there alone and unmoving. The remaining women and children began to stare at me, their whispers cutting through my thin skin like sharp blades. Nothing hurts deeper than knowing you are unwanted and looked down upon. To the surrounding people I am less than nothing. Tears tarnish my unwashed face and my sword escapes my grasp and lands handle-up in the dry mud. The whispers become louder and break into a chant. A circle of people surround me, the same thing is on all of their minds. I fall to the floor, cowering from the truth that has been presented to me.
I am a coward.
Dr Duck wrote:
> Nice.
Very vocal pal :-D
> Nice.
Very vocal pal :-D
Nice.
Thank you EP - there will be many more to come, no worries about that.
Nice one.
Keep it up, I'm enjoying your stuff.
Keep it up, I'm enjoying your stuff.
Thanks to everyone for the replies. Black Glove - I am honoured to get a compliment from such a storymaster as yourself :-D
That's an interesting and thought-provoking little story.
Excellent.
:-)
:-)
Great story, hope to see more of them.
:-)
:-)
I am but one, amongst the multitudes of people swarming into the packed area. The bustling crowd of men, women and children alike are all anticipating the same thing. The packed-mud floor and stale scent of sweat and earth add to the electric atmosphere that clouds over the swarm of people, clinging to them like thick smog.
The heavy beat of the drums and the constant deep thud of footsteps as warriors and civilians march inside the hollow stadium. It is packed, I am shoulder to shoulder with two other men and there isn’t room enough to breath, let alone move.
In minutes that feel like hours, we wait in silence to be graced with his presence. Finally our silent prayers are answered and a man with a white plaid shirt and a shimmering golden crown slowly walks out onto the solid stone podium, built for this one occasion. You could hear a pin drop. He clears his throat and prepares himself to give the speech that will change the future for everyone present.
Children clutch their mother’s hands, women squeeze their husband’s arms and men grasp their broadswords. Finally he speaks, his booming voice echoes throughout the arena, “The future of the nation has been decided. We have come to a resolution that I am sure will please you all. We will march tonight, we are at war!” A deafening cheer causes me to cover me ears. Men wave their swords in the air, women whoop and yell encouragement to their warrior husbands and children squeal with happiness.
Why do they have to resort to violence? That is the question that echoes through my mind. They could have reached an agreement, divided the lands that a war is to be waged over. Lives will be lost and hearts broken, all in the name of progress. I will not fight for an unworthy cause, I will not end the lives of others because of the commands set by a greedy overlord who thrives on power and fear.
The doors are flung open and each and every man runs through them, a thousand voices let out a thousand separate war cries. But I stood there alone and unmoving. The remaining women and children began to stare at me, their whispers cutting through my thin skin like sharp blades. Nothing hurts deeper than knowing you are unwanted and looked down upon. To the surrounding people I am less than nothing. Tears tarnish my unwashed face and my sword escapes my grasp and lands handle-up in the dry mud. The whispers become louder and break into a chant. A circle of people surround me, the same thing is on all of their minds. I fall to the floor, cowering from the truth that has been presented to me.
I am a coward.
The heavy beat of the drums and the constant deep thud of footsteps as warriors and civilians march inside the hollow stadium. It is packed, I am shoulder to shoulder with two other men and there isn’t room enough to breath, let alone move.
In minutes that feel like hours, we wait in silence to be graced with his presence. Finally our silent prayers are answered and a man with a white plaid shirt and a shimmering golden crown slowly walks out onto the solid stone podium, built for this one occasion. You could hear a pin drop. He clears his throat and prepares himself to give the speech that will change the future for everyone present.
Children clutch their mother’s hands, women squeeze their husband’s arms and men grasp their broadswords. Finally he speaks, his booming voice echoes throughout the arena, “The future of the nation has been decided. We have come to a resolution that I am sure will please you all. We will march tonight, we are at war!” A deafening cheer causes me to cover me ears. Men wave their swords in the air, women whoop and yell encouragement to their warrior husbands and children squeal with happiness.
Why do they have to resort to violence? That is the question that echoes through my mind. They could have reached an agreement, divided the lands that a war is to be waged over. Lives will be lost and hearts broken, all in the name of progress. I will not fight for an unworthy cause, I will not end the lives of others because of the commands set by a greedy overlord who thrives on power and fear.
The doors are flung open and each and every man runs through them, a thousand voices let out a thousand separate war cries. But I stood there alone and unmoving. The remaining women and children began to stare at me, their whispers cutting through my thin skin like sharp blades. Nothing hurts deeper than knowing you are unwanted and looked down upon. To the surrounding people I am less than nothing. Tears tarnish my unwashed face and my sword escapes my grasp and lands handle-up in the dry mud. The whispers become louder and break into a chant. A circle of people surround me, the same thing is on all of their minds. I fall to the floor, cowering from the truth that has been presented to me.
I am a coward.