literature

The Woods of Eraliel

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Literature Text

The ravens sing their song of lust and death; I feel it in the air. I am not alone.  

Long have we sung of the monstrous beings hidden in the shadows. The darkness has consumed their minds, it holds them captive and some, not unwillingly, bid the call to their dark masters at every stroke.  They seek shelter in these woods, it is their only sanctuary.  We have long beseeched them to renounce the evil, yet they drive further into the hollow, towering trees.  Charring the land with their blackness, they are dangerous as wildfires but not as easily contained.  They hunt on the outskirts of unsuspecting villages, they devour innocence as if it were sweet drops of golden honey.

I now lay within their realm, within their murky grasp.  I hear the angry cries; they feel my presence.  They taste the scent of a foreign being and are fearful, but faint heartedly curious.  I know they watch, their deceitful eyes gnaw at my bones and scald my soul.  Ebony tales are woven in their tongues; they know I am too far from my homeland.  The woodland path before me is long and winding, I know it well.  It is a less traveled path, for there is darker territory still.  They cringe at my footsteps and I, to their irregular heart beats. We are alone.

The autumn breeze does little to stir my soul, the bleakness of my predicament has settled in.  I am abandoned.  I will not stay in this irksome forest, for my trust may be broken but my mind and heart remain strong.  The sword is oppressive, as it languidly sits in my hand.  I listen to the forest, while the trees whisper forebodingly of what lies ahead.  

I must press on, though their darkened callings become more ferocious.  Their sooty words ring throughout the forest, smearing their hate upon the living elements.  A voice cackles, as it tries to greet me.

"She-elf," the words were spat out like overripe poison, "you can not escape. Your destiny has brought you to me," the voice becomes louder with each word, as if gaining momentum.  

The creature's voice booms monotonously as he rambles about what he plans to do. His deeds are known even to my people.  He prides himself in his work, a loathsome creature, pitiful indeed.  I will not fall victim to his taunts; the sword in my hand steadies, the blade sings out softly. I am not its master, yet I know it will not fail me if I should use it.

"Begone," I order the creature. I can hear his shallow and raspy breathing while trying to conceal himself behind the trees.

"I take no orders from you, she-witch.  I am Kyzor, King of the Clan Darkfang.  You shall suffer for entering my territory!" he hissed through fouled lungs; emphasizing his title.

He will not lunge at me, for even his kind is not that foolishly reckless.  They are petty creatures, full of lies, hate, and demented intelligence.  My voice rises over his, like a hawk over her prey.  His sanctuary may be in the woods, but the forest will forever look after its caretakers.  

"From the scars you have inflicted, may the ground release from its bearings protection for the innocent blood you have spilled."

I whisper to the trees speaking to them in a language as forgotten as the love that freely drifted towards the ground. Their power protects my people, even where the light does not shine its golden rays upon the muddied ground.  Menacing footsteps begin to creep closer, but another heartbeat pounds in the air. They are here; I will remain unscathed by the evils that lurk.

"Kyyyzooorr," a towering voice booms, echoed a hundred times over.

The trees awaken, their dusty mouths parched with anger. They know the desolation brought upon their kind. Their lofty arms reach forward, gnawing on the fear that has been seeping through their forest. I close my eyes. I am not alone.
This is my submission for Mercuralis' Strange Sights Story Contest. The object is to create a background story for the character(s) in the picture. I chose Autumn Wood to write a backdrop for. Something about the creature lurking in the shadows and the tense but not too fearful elf maiden, drew me in. It is a beautiful piece of work, hopefully my story does the painting justice. :D

Though I didn't name her in the story, I did pick out a name for her. I believe it suits her quite well (and I think it's pretty) : Maera.

Oh my. This is completely different from what I thought I was going to do. Still, I am rather pleased with the outcome. I couldn't pry myself away from this until it was finished and I'm going to pay for it tomorrow. ;D At least I can go to bed now!

I simply love the voice in this piece, it's hauntingly intelligent with a pang of fear. I had quite a bit of leeway room with this piece, so I went a bit more into detail with the shadowed character using the female elf's voice. By using her as the narrator I created both characters (though I have to say the creature is described more outright). I'd love any feedback on this. Especially if it needs more content, I keep thinking I should add another paragraph or so but I'm not sure.

Edit 4/2/08 I changed the ending a bit.
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PhoenixCheshire's avatar
actually you really shouldn't worry about commas and semicolons for most things because it is more a style choice. that is why when we critique one another's work we are both differing on that. Sometimes you change my mind on it and sometimes not as i am sure it is with you. It is differing on the speed and rhythm one wants for the story and the flow style of each person. then of course is your spelling which is minor mistake so not much we know what you meant. Anyways also I think the ending was fine people just don't get abrupt endings. They want everything to work out in nice wrapped little packages all convenient but life isn't like that. It works out how it does. Remind me later to tell you a story on that subject. Anyways although i love your writing always and this too I feel I don't know, don't hate me for saying this, but in fantasy elf stuff and etc is kinda played out to the max. I don't know I could be wrong. I just feel something different could be better. I don't know. Just a few lines were awkward but that is because you were writing the fantasy style so forgivable. I look forward to your next story. :)