Writing Exercises 2

Objective: Write small stories written around a single word.

Theme: World of Warcraft


Stories 8-13

8. Door

Crouching in the shadows, the late night vigil finally paid off in the form of a hunched dwarf hurrying over to the darkened doorway. Lowering their voices to hushed tones they greeted each other and spoke quickly. Dressed in muted grey and black garb, Saravar was near indistinguishable from the shadows except when his teeth flashed brightly from beneath the cowled hood. To Highgarden, the effect was disconcerting. The dwarf had heard rumors that Nathaniel Saravar had now added a Forsaken to his list of conquered. Which would probably explain the foul breath.

"Are you listening to me?"

The dwarf blinked. "Er, I heard ya jus' fine. Now look--" His silenced quickly with a downward swipe of his hand as they both noticed a woman hurrying up the street, shoulders straight and head held high.

Saravar grinned and shoved Highgarden further into the doorway even as he skipped down the steps, throwing back his hood with dashing air.

"I thought you had a date tonight." He caught Julienus Corwyn's hand and tugged her around, planting a searing kiss to her knuckles.

"I do." She snatched her hand back. "This better not be a personal trip. You're on Watch. Stop hiding on doorsteps like a thief and do some marching, by the Light!"

The proud commander left shortly thereafter, but he didn't think it a loss. Returning to the doorway, he acknowledged his companion with a curt nod.

"Now don' ye think ye got enough on yer plate without addin' -her- to the mix?"

Saravar laughed. "What do you know about women? You're the ugliest creature I know."


9. Drink

Cylus paused to take a drink while waiting on her shaman friend to speak.

Zakon pulled himself straighter in the chair, his tail tucked away to the side where he would not sit on it. "Now I understand your fascination with machines."

Cylus grinned. "I took to it well. My fingers can work magic over a bunch of random parts and a few shcrews."Slurring slightly, the paladin only laughed and took another swig.

Slurring himself, but less noticeably then Cylus, the draenei smiled good-naturedly at her. "And then work the magic of the Light or a blade just ash easily, hmm?"

"My mother wash a paladin. Never knew my father. I am capable, but nothing to brag about. I was left in the care of the Abbey because my mother could not take care of me. Shhe was amish... missionary of sorts." Again she paused, but this time a wistful look crept into her violet-blue eyes. "We saw each other several times a year."

His polished horns glinted with each nod, swaying a bit in the chair. "Hmm, wait. You never knew your father?"

She shook her head. "My mother disliked to speak of him. I never had the courage to pry." Cylus shrugged to indicate the matter did not weigh on her mind.

Zakon murmured softly, his glowing eyes somber. "So you know nothing about him at all?"

"None, in fact, I've never made inquiries. She kept that secret 'til she died. I'll honor that.

"Died...I'm sorry." Reaching for the grog, Zakon filled his mouth with drink. His next words were filled with courageous bravado, but it achieved the results he was hoping for. When Cylus left the bar, she was laughing.


10. Duty

They sat on the grass across from each other--Danagan delighting her with magic tricks and showing off his agile hands, Cylus sharing a few of her stories and bottles of mead in return. When twilight cast its shadow over the two, they were still talking, trailing off occasionally when the sounds of nightlife could be heard in the city. Reluctant to cut their conversation short, Danagan delicately brought up the subject of her admirers.

She blushed, waving away his hasty apology for offending her. "You didn't. It's just an awkward topic. As a Captain of the Vanguard, I have pledged several oaths. As a Paladin, I have sworn a few more. I am wed to duty. What need does a soldier have to go seeking dalliances? Especially in the ranks? No, I am content to serve and only that."

Danagan Bloodbourne eyed her a bit sadly. "I'll tell you a story. Got time for another?"

"I need to be heading back actually. Thank you for the good evening. We'll catch up another time, Dan." She gave him a friendly hug and collected the empty bottles, stowing them in a rucksack before waving at him and walking off. When she was out of sight, she unclipped her buzzbox and spoke into it. "Captain Cylus, reporting for duty. What news tonight, Vanguard?"


11. Earth

Zakon reclined in the chair, dipping his noble head as he explained. "My favorite part of the day is when all my adventuring is done and I can go explore. I go places, see things, alone with only my own thoughts and the subtle whisperings and urgings of the four different elemental spirits." He shifted his weight in the creaking chair and placed a blue palm on the table. "Earth is humble and gruff."

Cylus gestured for him to continue, intrigued by the shaman's path which she did not find dissimiliar to her own. "Do you find you embrace all elements equally?"

"You have to. Keep in mind, all four hate each other. But at the same time they need each other. Fire couldn't exist without air, earth couldn't blossom without water. For example..." Now he leaned forward getting into the discussion, eyes aflame with wisdom. "A shaman's duty is to act as a mediator between all four elements and to help them find harmony. In return, they grant you a gift, by answering your call as long as your goals remain righteous and unselfish."

Suddenly inspired, Cylus reached her hand into the small pouch on her hip and retrieved a small stylus. Turning her empty mug on its side, she began to carve little swirls into the wood. Elaborating on her initial design, leaves and graceful tendrils began to sprout under the nib of the stylus. Ivy wound its way up the side of the tankard, covering one fourth of the mug.

Trailing off, Zakon paused to peer closer at Cylus' work. "Oh... you're adding decorations to your mug." He blinked, slightly perplexed.

She grinned up at him, "Oh, you're only half right." She bowed her head, auburn hair spilling into her eyes before she brushed the locks away with annoyance. As Zakon explained more about the elements and his view of them, Cylus continued to work on the tankard.


12. End

Closing the door softly behind her, it was apparent she would never return again. She had done a great numbers of wrongs in her life, yet Artuen had agreed to the apprenticeship. Stillwaters caressed the sturdy door even as she turned the key. She could not allow this sanctuary to be found by wayward explorers. Touching her forehead to the cold oaken surface she murmured a prayer to Elune. "Let none disturb this place. Let the house of Artuen Gandragel forever be sheltered from prying eyes."

A minor ward at best, Stillwaters remembered little of her days among the Cenarians. But her prayer did not go unanswered as the surrounding foliage grew over the modest house. Where the cottage had been, now there was a tightly packed grove of trees. The night elf smiled sadly, turning to go. Her days as an assassin had come to an end.

To take up her former life would be dishonoring the memory of her mentor.

Weeping was something the stoic elf never did. Each step down the hillside however seemed to tug at the tears forming in her eyes. She took a deep breath and glanced over her shoulder to stare at the grove of trees again. "Good bye, Artuen."

When the clouds opened with light summer rain, she could not tell whether or not she cried.


13. Fall

She hugged her knees in an attempt to ignore the brisk wind. Up here, overlooking Northshire in her favorite spot Cylus could see the Abbey and the orchards. Fall's harvest was bountiful this season, Brother Neals proclaiming it a great year for wine.

Autumn also meant her mother would be gone until winter. The wind grew colder but still the child stayed. When the moon rose over the valley, its soft light guided Cylus back down the mountainside.


Stories 1-7 here!

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