07-04-2007, 04:28 PM
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#1 (permalink) | ||||||||
New Member
Posts: 19
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Texas, USA
Age: 19
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Soldiering On..
Probably the first short story that I've actually finished.. I hope people enjoy it or at least don't run away screaming lol Soldiering On “Mother! Mother! I just spotted a courier a headed this way!” A woman looked up to see her child running towards her, his five year old legs carrying him as fast as they could. She smiled at the sight. ‘Little Nathan… how I wish his father was here to see how beautifully his boy has grown’. Her smile wavered at the thought. ‘My darling husband… how much more shall this war take from you? Your presence is greatly missed here. And every day that passes my fear for your safety grows…When will you come home my love?’ “Are you the Mrs. Thompson?” The messenger spoke, breaking the silence of Mary’s reverie. “I am.” She replied. “Madam I have a letter for you. I beg your pardon for the delay of its arrival. The service has become more hectic what with the war bringing even the littlest things chaos.” “That is alright my boy. Who is this dispatch from? Is it from my husband?” she asked. Hope had been a precious thing that had been slowly escaping her since she last heard of her husband’s health. Hope had only began to make itself known to her heart again; she dearly wished that whatever the letter holds that it would not just leave to a failing a spirit and a broken wish. “Indeed good lady. Here. Take this letter from me. I hope it gives you words that may comfort your weary mind.” With shaky hands she delicately grasped the envelop that held the words of her faraway husband. Almost as if she was afraid that a quick motion would cause the letter to disappear. She slowly broke the seal and unfolded it; Nathan, forgotten, peered over her shoulders, curious at the tension and concentration on something as plain as parchment. Sometimes those in shoes much like Alicia’s could only wish that they had the innocence of a child. ‘Steady breath now. Steady…’ Her eyes affixed itself on the first lines of the message. ------------------------------------------------- My Dearest Alicia, ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marked the quill held by a bandaged hand. A young man in his later 20s paused as images of home filled into his weary mind. A bittersweet smile graced his face as thoughts of a beautiful wife and a beautiful boy warmed his heart yet at the same time burdening his spirit with their absence. It is with all my heart that I hope that the both of you are well. It has been three long summers and three white winters since I saw you last. Candlelight flickered; for a moment Benjamin let himself dream that he was watching the shadow of his beloved as she stood behind him, reaching to place a hand upon his heavy shoulders. He closed his eyes and let go, leaning his head on the invisible hand that held him up all these years. For many nights had he done this; and every time it broke his heart that he did not find the warmth of a soft hand by his neck. I miss you both. There is never a moment when every beat of my heart made my longing for your company fail to grow stronger… The weary soldier chuckles as his twinkles with a fond thought… How fares my boy? It has been a while since I have heard the sounds of Nathan’s laughter. It seems so long ago when I had him on my knee while you placed dinner on the table. Such memories and the desire for more never fail to remind me of the need to protect the peace on our little plot of land… The hand with the quill grips tighter as images of war torn homes fills his mind. Benjamin once again remembers the face of a boy he saw not long ago. A boy ash faced and cut up staring at what was once his home. A crying mother stood by him; a hand peeks out beneath the rubble that piled before him. Benjamin had frozen at the sight just as he freezes and shakes now… Not my boy… Not Nathan… He shouldn’t have to go through that… No child should… The war has spread deeper into the country. My compatriots and I are pushing back with all our might. We know our cause is as just as this war should never have had to be. If anything, all of us fight’s so that no one else will have to. I fight so that Nathan will never have to know of these horrors. The thing’s I’ve seen… I cannot even begin to describe… The ghosts of cannons and dead men charges on the shadows beyond Benjamin’s candle… The barks of battery commanders’ in despair… The sound’s of gunfire and the scent of gunpowder… The cries of dying men… --------------------------------------------------- A tear drops onto the parchment… --------------------------------------------------- Alicia chokes in a sob; her son stares at mommy confused. Her hand reaches forward to touch the stain caused by tear and ink… I pray that this conflict ends soon. And maybe it shall; news from the front sound of renewed hopes and better morale. If so, then perhaps I will come home sooner. Until then I will guard myself with prayers and strength- “Men! The enemy have been spotted on their way to our encampment! Douse your fires and all lights! We are setting up ambush!” The soldier named Benjamin finishes up his letter quickly. He plucks the fire from the candle and folds his letter. He drops it off at the head of the camp. The dispatch rider will take all mail to their destinations away from the upcoming battle. Benjamin looks towards the woods and rushes to take cover behind the trees. I cannot wait to step foot on the stones leading to our home, to smell the flowers of the garden… Be a soldier now. Load your rifle. Wait for me then love… “Hush boys. On my command open fire on these fools.” The sounds of rifles and soldiers silence. Everyone keeps their breath steady and listens for any sound or disturbance. I will see you soon… Footfalls on dead leaves can now be heard. The crunching of earth fills the quiet forest. Tell Nathan I love him. Know that I love you… The enemy is amongst them now. Benjamin and his allies are shadows. “Open fire!!!” And he does. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Your loving husband and soldier, Your Benjamin. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Shaking hands hold the letter close to her chest. A child hugs his mother, unsure of what has caused her such sorrow. The forgotten dispatch rider silently leaves the now crying woman with a sad smile on his face. So many times have I seen this… As he walks out the property he spots a figure in the distance. It is a rider coming this way. With little thought of it he climbs up his own stallion, ready to deliver more letters much like the one he just gave a few moments ago. The courier looks ahead of him, the unknown rider stops. His eyes widen at the symbol on his arm: a white cross. He dares not look at the tearful lady he had just met as the rider hops down with another letter in hand. The rider is grim. The courier’s heart sinks. As he leads his horse away he hears the sound of heartbreak. The lady had seen the new rider and the burden he carried. The courier rides off. Too many times had he seen scenes like this; far too many… -End-
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 Pen & Sword
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07-04-2007, 11:58 PM
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#2 (permalink) | |||||||||
Network Owner
Posts: 6,245
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Georgia, USA
Age: 21
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Pen, great job! I really enjoyed reading it. You can see that a lot of time and emotion was put into it.
Very well done! - Compu
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it's always great to have such a good response to my work
