#musingsofawhimsicalmind

The young men ahead jogged alongside, encouraged by the shouts of joy. The mountain fort doors slowly pulled open, and the shouts grew louder as we entered with the supplies.⁣ ⁣ I scanned the faces of the ragged men, searching for the familiar, bright blue eyes. Nowhere to be found. The eyes I looked over were aged with forgotten hope or dulled with defeat.⁣ ⁣ “Jared.”⁣ ⁣ I stopped searching and returned eye to duty. I strode quickly to stand before the commander. ⁣ ⁣ “The captain here says your son is posted here?”⁣ ⁣ “Yes sir.”⁣ ⁣ “Ah. I had no idea such prowess ran in the family. Your son's known as a hero in this fort.”⁣ ⁣ A lump formed in my throat. "Oh?"⁣ ⁣ "The dragon had eyes for him," the captain explained. My stomach knotted but I stood tall. "Caught him scouting outside the fort. Bit his leg clear off. Thomas didn't go down without a fight and took his eye, however." He turned to chuckle with my commander. " A half-blind dragon will make for a little easier haul."⁣ ⁣ So calloused. ⁣ ⁣ “Were you at least able to recover the rest of him?” My voice never sounded so harsh.⁣ ⁣ “They were, Father, as I am here.”⁣ ⁣ I turned anxiously at the familiar voice. The young man walked to me, leaning on a crutch with missing leg. Emotion overcame me and I threw my arms around him, holding him tightly. I held my head up to let the air dry my tears before anyone could see.⁣ ⁣ “Father, I am anxious to return the favor,” he whispered as he patted my back. My son would save me from embarrassment.⁣ ⁣ I nodded and pulled him away, placing my hand upon his shoulder. ⁣ ⁣ "Then," I announced, "let's find us a dragon." #musingsofawhimsicalmind #authorsofinstagram #amwritingfiction #amwritingfantasy #authorsofig #learningphotoshop #photomanipulation #photoshopfantasy #photoshop #photoshopartwork #fantasylandscape #bentsoldfort (at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzECoAgpjZj/?igshid=1sgr07mrsqmih

The men’s voices sounded far off. The blue sky hidden behind a few clouds slowly came into focus. The smell of stale water and mold penetrated my nostrils. ⁣ I blinked a few more times and sat up. ⁣ ⁣ “Gave us quite a scare, Lass!”⁣ ⁣ The stranger who spoke kept busy coiling a rope. “Been out three days. You are lucky the flag was still attached to that bit you climbed on. You are properly lucky. We saw you right away.”⁣ ⁣ “Where am I?” I asked. Certainly, I lay on the deck of a ship, but no one walking around looked familiar.⁣ ⁣ “Fishing vessel,” he answered, still not looking at me, but finishing his coil. “That there is the coast of Lyon.”⁣ ⁣ “Lyon?” I repeated. Then, I remembered my duty. The storm! The waves, the boat! The screaming, the cold of the water, the darkness. All memories rushed back in a painful torrent. The stranger dropped the coil when I jumped to him.⁣ ⁣ “Did you find anyone else?” I demanded. I unconsciously grabbed his shirt collar and shook him. “Did you find a young boy?”⁣ ⁣ His eyes widened by my actions, but he shook his head. “No, Lass. You’re it.”⁣ ⁣ I released him and collapsed on the splintered deck. He watched me carefully, but kept his distance. ⁣ ⁣ “Then,” I muttered, trying to hold back my sobs, “we are all doomed.”⁣ #learningphotoshop #photomanipulation #photoshopfantasy #musingsofawhimsicalmind #writersinpiration #storystarters #authorsofinstagram #pictureprompt #amwritingfiction #writerslife #authorsofig #writeracommunity #amwritingfantasy https://www.instagram.com/p/BytCovjl5sv/?igshid=m3cpzcbuikkf

When I reached the bottom of the hill, I plopped to a seat in weary disgust. More mountains still over that way. They had to be at least four leagues away. If I even made it that far. I would have to cross that huge lake first.⁣ ⁣ Such a shame my horse died a few days back. And here, finally! A river. I put my lips to the cool waters and drank. My supposed-to-be month-long quest seemed to stretch into an eternal pursuit. At the rate I searched, I’d be an old man before I found the mountaintop monastery. ⁣ ⁣ “Hello! Hello!”⁣ ⁣ I wiped my mouth and looked around. I couldn't remember the last time I saw another person, let alone a woman. No, still, I was alone. I stood and listened hard to the wind. Perhaps it was my mind playing tricks on me.⁣ ⁣ "He's so handsome!"⁣ ⁣ I spun at the sound. Surely, I was alone. Yet, the giggles sounded very distinct.⁣ ⁣ "He must be weary!"⁣ ⁣ “Oh, I will give him food!"⁣ ⁣ The river. I looked down to see three water nymphs spinning where I just drank. One pushed her head out only long enough to wave at me. She had some kind of delicious-looking loaf in her hand, which soon disappeared with her below the surface. ⁣ ⁣ “Aren’t you hungry?”⁣ ⁣ With a sigh, I bent into my sack. Of course I was. The giggles grew louder as I rummaged. ⁣ ⁣ “I bet he brings me a gift!”⁣ ⁣ I bet not. I found my crossbow and fired it into the water. I missed, but they scattered anyway.⁣ ⁣ I always hated nymphs. ⁣ #musingsofawhimsicalmind #learningphotoshop #photoshopartwork⁣ #amwritingfiction #amwritingfantasy #authorsofig #write ⁣ #writerscommunity #photomanipulation⁣ #ireland #writing #writeastory ⁣ ⁣ read more random musings at Taliahaze.com (at Ireland (country)) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByYQ5f9l2vQ/?igshid=13ro6icca4t5a

The voices of the past seemed to whisper in her ears as she finally reach the top of castle ruin. She walked across the stones to the edge, staring out over the grounds. It had only been 20 years since the devastation, yet already the wilderness had taken over. Moss and grass all but completely covered the ruins, tinting the once-great city in green. As she stared, she tried to remember what each stone foundation once was...the temple, a store, her home. Home. Her home now no more than blackened rubble sat off in a heap just below. Childhood memories filled her mind... screaming, heat, smoke...the warlord's laughter. She rolled her head, stretching the muscles in her neck and reveling the power that coursed through her veins. Let him laugh. She would avenge her kingdom. And bring utter devastation to his. #musingsofawhimsicalmind #storystarters #authorsofinstagram #pictureprompt #authorsofig #writerscommunity #amwritingfantasy #learningphotoshop #belize #photomanipulation #photoshopfantasy #writing #writersinspiration #photoshop #photoshopartwork #altun-ha (at Belize Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace Nature Excursion) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxqtPMpjF82/?igshid=zlj9hvi2pjw0

He turned around in a huff, his old eyes returning their scan of the black waters. Tall reeds were the only movement on the river’s shores. He exhaled slowly, the steam from his breath adding more frost to his mustache. Surely, they were almost there. His men were loyal and brave, yet he still couldn’t be certain of how many more days on the river they could stand.⁣ He gave a quick glance over his shoulder. The men no longer joked with each other but sat quietly, each with jaw set with brave determination, but also each with eyes dull with lost hope.⁣ “Take heart,” he said softly. “Take heart.”⁣ “Captain.” One of the men grabbed the captain’s shoulder tightly. “I see light up ahead!”⁣ The men stopped rowing, daring not even to breathe as the captain squinted into the mist. Sure enough, a lantern bobbed far ahead. The archers drew back their arrows.⁣ “Hold,” he ordered, softly. The lantern ahead shone steadily through the darkness, before disappearing suddenly. Quiet murmurs traveled through the crew and the captain’s heart skipped a beat. “Hold!” he ordered again in a harsh whisper. The missing lantern was soon replaced with one, two…several! Dozens of lanterns lit up the night sky. “Get ready.”⁣ As the small boat approached the many flickering lights, the captain held up his open hand. “On my go…”⁣ “You mean to shoot me, old friend?” a jolly voice called out from ahead. The captain dropped his hand, exhaling deeply. The men disarmed, the long silence broken by their cheers. “Captain Lere! You’ve made it!”⁣ ⁣ #musingsofawhimsicalmind #writersinpiration #storystarters #photomanipulation #authorsofinstagram #colorado #pictureprompt #amwritingfiction #learningphotoshop #fountaincreek #writerslife #authorsofig #writeracommunity #amwritingfantasy⁣ (at Fountain Creek Nature Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxamh8WgCfE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1suzfyraze52k

The girl turned at the sound, smiling broadly.⁣ ⁣ “I feared you would not come," she said.⁣ ⁣ He couldn't answer right away. The moonlight poured so beautifully through the old windows, gently covering her in soft blue light. Her scarf had slipped off her hair, and hung daintily within the dark strands.⁣ He couldn't help but stare.⁣ ⁣ “An entire battalion couldn't keep me away,” he finally answered. She smiled softly and walked over the foliage towards him. He could barely catch his breath as she leaned against his armor.⁣ ⁣ “I’ve missed you dearly,” she whispered. He looked away. He missed her too, more than he could ever admit. She reached up, gently unlatching his helmet. It thudded noisily against the leaves.⁣ ⁣ “Will you not speak to me?"⁣ ⁣ Nor would he look at her. He couldn't. What words could such a man give after such a long time?⁣ ⁣ Her soft hands reached and grabbed both side of his face, gently pushing his head in her direction.⁣ ⁣ “Please, do not regret. You have returned safely... Let yesterday be gone. Let us look to here...now...”⁣ She trailed off looking around her, her hair gently blowing before her eyes. "Let us just enjoy this moment now."⁣ ⁣ He smiled in spite of himself and gently grabbed her chin. ⁣ ⁣ “I love you," he finally said.⁣ ⁣ #musingsofawhimsicalmind #writersinpiration #writeracommunity #storystarters #authorsofinstagram #pictureprompt #amwritingfiction #Ireland #writerslife #amwritingfantasy #authorsofig #writeracommunity #writersinpiration⁣ #killaloanchurch (at Killaloan, Clonmel) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxKyCV-g79_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1obpy6pmt0eke

The young mistress ran out, feet bare and donned in only her chemise and petticoat. A whole host of butlers and maids soon followed after her, but in vain. She ran swiftly across the lawns, quickly putting distance between her and her pursuers.⁣ ⁣ Once in the safety of the trees, she collapsed on the old stump. Stillness once more enveloped the night, save her breathless gasps.⁣ ⁣ “It wouldn’t have been so terrible,” I said after a few moments. She shook her head, angrily stretching out her hand. I complied, handing her the dagger at my waist.⁣ ⁣ “And you have never met the duke,” she answered, running the knife against her hair. I mourned each brown strand that flitted to the ground. “No one should ever marry that man. I hope he dies alone.” ⁣ #ireland #musingsofawhimsicalmind #writersinpiration #storystarters #authorsofinstagram #pictureprompt #amwritingfiction #muckrosshouse #writerslife #amwritingfantasy #authorsofig #writeracommunity (at Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw-7o18gbuj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lzrz4y2wmp2l

It hadn’t even been two days, yet already he grew weary of the task. What was the point anyway? Nothing could be seen through the dense fog and heavy mists. ⁣ ⁣ With a sigh, he scanned the gray wall in vain. He wouldn’t be able to see anyone unless they stood only a few feet before him. ⁣ ⁣ The waves crashed in an iterating rhythm against the rocks far below and the wind blew in strong gusts across the bluff. ⁣ ⁣ He quickly brushed the water off his arm, before returning his hand to his hilt. It wasn’t raining; the fog was just so thick that anything within it was soon drenched.⁣ ⁣ A soft ripple sounded in the air, quickly followed by the flash of a red feather waving in the wind. He turned to the heavy door to find an arrow sticking out of it. ⁣ ⁣ Though he still hadn’t quite worked out in his mind what had happened, he instinctively raised his shield before him. The move saved his life – four more arrows pierced the fog, stabbing hard into the wood.⁣ ⁣ “We’re under attack!” he cried out.⁣ #ireland #musingsofawhimsicalmind #writersinpiration #storystarters #authorsofinstagram #pictureprompt #amwritingfiction #brayhead #writerslife (at Bray Head (udde i Irland, Munster)) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw2sKx4g6mR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1r9effmdax18t