13
Apr
Here’s another flash fiction piece, 445 words in length. I appear to be getting a little shorter the more of these I write. I hope you read, enjoy, and comment.
I stood alone against the ravening hordes. My companions had fled, and I faced down the screaming, slavering numbers on my own. Cowards one and all, both the companions and the hordes. The horde feared me, and would not charge, and my allies had feared the horde and fled from it, leaving me to my fate.
I perched atop a hill, and spread out to the east beneath me was the army of foes, a seething mass of orcs, goblins, minotaurs and other horrible creatures, each one shouting for my blood. They had gathered here on this day to negotiate with me and mine, but those discussions had broken down. I thought them foolish and stupid, and they thought me arrogant and presumptuous. Mutual loathing made our current situation inevitable.
Below, I could see commanders moving through the barbarians, shouting and striking and building courage among their troops. I knew that soon they would come for me, and so I began to ready myself, swirling round and round the top of the hill. It took them over an hour to gather the strength of will to charge, and so I was quite finished with my preparations by the time they charged the hill.
It was satisfying to see the first waves of goblins run over the traps I had laid down, the fire exploding from beneath their feet and burning their flesh. Stupid creatures. Thorns grew up and entangled those next to come, and then hail broke over their heads, battering the trapped forms. Rocks tumbled down the hill, an avalanche of stone and scree, and finally lightning speared down from the sky, transfixing the last of the courageous hordes. I had prepared very well, and they had studied me poorly. Again I say, stupid creatures.
I chuckled as those on the plains fled, and with a gesture, I sent a wave of shadow speeding down the hill, blackening the sky and stealing away the light. When I could see again, every last orc, goblin, and minotaur lay dead on the field. The sky darkened once more, and a murder of crows descended to begin their feast.
I watched the crows feed for some little time, and then I began to laugh, a full, deep noise that echoed around the valley. Poor, poor stupid barbarians. Yes, I had asked them to meet me here. Only, I had no intention of negotiation. This site had been readied weeks in advance, and I began the ritual that would raise the entire army as undead servitors. This is why I had called them here. For the third and final time, stupid creatures. Mortals ever took the short view.
Comments
Leave a Reply