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mklynds · 07-01-2009, 07:04 AM

I have never tried flash fiction. It has also been a long time since I have put words to paper, or page, for anyone other than myself to read. 500 on the dot I believe.

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The murky lamp light is made even hazier by the vast amount of dust floating inside the command tent. All seven of the War Chief's captains stand hunched over the map table on three sides. Their Chief standing alone on the fourth. This unusually hot spring day has all seven captains squirming inside their armour. The sound of their armour impacting as they squirm adds a most tiresome sound. Why is it then that their Chief stands there like a statue given speech. Does this heat, sweat and dust not bother him?

All these things come to mind as I sit on my crate. These things and many more. I sit on my raised crate, five paces back and three to the side of the Chief. I am his Harkener! It is my task to sit and to listen. To listen and remember. To remember and to make it known. I have been here, behind and to the side of the Chief, for many years and have yet to have reason to make known anything that I have remember. This Chief is not one who would repeat his errors or listen to an outsiders advice. He leaves me to listen, with no hope of ever being of use. I have come to fear that the day to speak creeps towards me out of this haze that is my life. The day that I shall remember, that I shall have to make it known, that I will have forgotten how to speak. This is my fear.

........

The day I have long feared has come at last. My imagination made much of this day.

“Chief, it is I the Harkener! I have listened, I have remembered, I must make it known” The words spill from my mouth before my thoughts have enlightened me of the reason.

“Captain McKay, I want you too continue to move your mounted archers.....” I almost shudder as the Chief stops mid sentence, finally coming to grip with my strangers voice. He turns his gaze upon me. His cold grey eyes attempt to devour my resolve. “You would council us Harkener?” If I were to but open my mouth I would taste his contempt for me.

“I have listened, I have remembered, I will make it known.” He will hear the old words and he will obey his oaths. It is strange to have spoken the words aloud. I have not even thought this phrase in the last thirteen years that I have been Harkener to the War Chief of the Endless Plains. Not since my training in the Shallow Pass. I remember well, my training and that which I must now speak. Odd that as a Harkener it is my memories that now keep me silent when I should be speaking. Taking four long, confident strides, I take my place at the War Chiefs side.

07-01-2009, 07:04 AM	#6
mklynds That guy, no not that guy Posts: 337 Karma: 2846 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Device: PRS600 Red	I have never tried flash fiction. It has also been a long time since I have put words to paper, or page, for anyone other than myself to read. 500 on the dot I believe. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The murky lamp light is made even hazier by the vast amount of dust floating inside the command tent. All seven of the War Chief's captains stand hunched over the map table on three sides. Their Chief standing alone on the fourth. This unusually hot spring day has all seven captains squirming inside their armour. The sound of their armour impacting as they squirm adds a most tiresome sound. Why is it then that their Chief stands there like a statue given speech. Does this heat, sweat and dust not bother him? All these things come to mind as I sit on my crate. These things and many more. I sit on my raised crate, five paces back and three to the side of the Chief. I am his Harkener! It is my task to sit and to listen. To listen and remember. To remember and to make it known. I have been here, behind and to the side of the Chief, for many years and have yet to have reason to make known anything that I have remember. This Chief is not one who would repeat his errors or listen to an outsiders advice. He leaves me to listen, with no hope of ever being of use. I have come to fear that the day to speak creeps towards me out of this haze that is my life. The day that I shall remember, that I shall have to make it known, that I will have forgotten how to speak. This is my fear. ........ The day I have long feared has come at last. My imagination made much of this day. “Chief, it is I the Harkener! I have listened, I have remembered, I must make it known” The words spill from my mouth before my thoughts have enlightened me of the reason. “Captain McKay, I want you too continue to move your mounted archers.....” I almost shudder as the Chief stops mid sentence, finally coming to grip with my strangers voice. He turns his gaze upon me. His cold grey eyes attempt to devour my resolve. “You would council us Harkener?” If I were to but open my mouth I would taste his contempt for me. “I have listened, I have remembered, I will make it known.” He will hear the old words and he will obey his oaths. It is strange to have spoken the words aloud. I have not even thought this phrase in the last thirteen years that I have been Harkener to the War Chief of the Endless Plains. Not since my training in the Shallow Pass. I remember well, my training and that which I must now speak. Odd that as a Harkener it is my memories that now keep me silent when I should be speaking. Taking four long, confident strides, I take my place at the War Chiefs side.