One shot stories Options

[Kell-Reevor]

Just a short piece I put together out of boredom. Hope you like it.

*************

It is dark. Two figures traverse a well trodden path out of Suran. The first is a swordsman. The second... his would-be killer.

The swordsman knows of his follower's presence. He listens attentively as the assassin follows. He is clearly untrained, and this may be his first mark. There is no rattle of quarrels or arrows. It is likely the swordsman need not fear a ranged attack.

The swordsman has made an enemy in the Nobles of Suran, and was aware that eventually they would seek his life. But he is not afraid. As a swordsman, death has followed him as a companion he has developed a deep respect for.

His trained ears pick up a sound... a soft and smooth "whif" as a dagger is pulled from a belt.

Spotting a shrine by the road, he approaches. He has no love of the Dunmer, nor has he a love for their Temple, but he is a spiritual man and pays his repects nonetheless as his killer moves in.

He moves his thumb for the guard of his sword. Years of oiling grant it silence as he nudges it from his sheath.

In a flash, he grips the weapon. Rips it from its home. Then thrusts it back, cutting into the assassin's belly. Turning, he frees the weapon with a horizontal slice, then brings the weapon up for a finishing downward cut.

The ordeal is over in a mere span of two seconds. The swordsman flips his sword to remove any blood, then returns it to it's home. He kneels in respect to the life he had just ended. If the nobleman had hired a killer even a tad more competant, the outcome would have been drastically different. If his foe had been equipped with a bow, or maybe armor, or perhaps knowledge of magick, HE would have been the one to die tonight.

He closes the dead man's eyes, mutters a short prayer... then is on his way.

This post has been edited by Kell-Reevor: Mar 2 2006, 02:01 PM

[mplantinga]

A very intriguing short story. I particularly liked the level of awareness that the swordsman had, and how he used that knowledge in his defense. The would-be assassin definitely sounds untrained. However, I am a little curious about the swordsman's final conclusion. He thinks that if the assassin had used a bow instead, he may have died. However, it seems to me that since he was aware of the assassin long before the dagger was drawn, he may have been able to do something in his defense if there had been a bow. Or perhaps you were thinking that if the assassin had a bow, the arrow would have been fired from much farther away, thus robbing the swordsman of the opportunity to hear the assassin before the killing shot?

[jack cloudy]

One thought popped up in my mind while reading it. Yes, I also thought that it was a nice short story, but this was a different one.

This is the kind of thing I could expect as one of those books in Morrowind that teaches you something. In this case, long blade. You described very good how he dealt with the assassin who was behind him.

[Taillus]

I so whole heartedly agree with cloudy on this one! It makes me feel as though my long blade skill had just leveled up after reading it. It was very well written and quite nicely described given how short it was. It made me feel as though I was within a short distance watching it all happen.

[Kiln]

Very nice short story Kell, very nice indeed. I really liked the smooth way the story is written and it is described quite well. Good job mate!

[Kell-Reevor]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad you liked it.

If anyone else has any very short stories they would like to share, feel free to post them her. I would be interested in reading them.

[Taillus]

A solitary doe dips its head into a flowing stream for a quick drink before quietly and majestically strolling back into the sprawling fauna that stretches as far as the imagination. Birds chirp their mid morning song as they hop from branch to branch whistling their cheery songs. A gentle breeze stirs the leaves over head and the sun peeks through the thick tree tops letting its warming rays caress all living things and wrap the world in her nurturing embrace.

A lone wood elf creeps slowly in the bushes mere feet from where the young doe quenched her thirst. He is clad in a light leather armor and sports a leather quiver with about a dozen hand made arrows. He carries his bow in hand as he creeps closer trying not to give himself away. Each footstep a strategic and carefully thought out move much like a game of chess.

The wood elf carefully slinks closer as the beautiful doe stops to enjoy the day, oblivious to her surroundings and unable to sense the predator that will soon take her life. She stands watching a lone butterfly as it flutters around her head without a single care on earth.

Such a beautiful scene and would be one that a normal man would simply smile and reflect on how lovely life is but in this case, our wood elf friend is quite hungry and thus brings to mind how the food chain works. This is the one of the many facts of life.

As the hunter closes on his prey, he stops to give thanks that he was able to find such a perfect specimen and he would feel very badly if he were to do this for sport but he had been having bad luck with food and this would remedy his churning stomach.

He slowly and carefully pulls an arrow from his quiver and knocks it into place. He slowly pulls back and gets ready to fire. He can almost taste the meat now as he licks his lips and as he is just about ready to fire, a fiery hole in the very fabric of earth rips realms exposing Oblivion to the world.

The young deer, frightened, runs quickly in the other direction jumping over stumps and bounding over large rocks as it dissappears from view, and our Wood Elf hunter is quickly placed into the position of the hunted as he frantically tries to outrun the snapping jaws of a blood thirsty Daedroth.

Oblivion is so close I can taste it! Have fun everyone!!!

This post has been edited by Taillus: Mar 3 2006, 01:30 AM

[jchamber]

One thought popped up in my mind while reading it. Yes, I also thought that it was a nice short story, but this was a different one.

This is the kind of thing I could expect as one of those books in Morrowind that teaches you something. In this case, long blade. You described very good how he dealt with the assassin who was behind him.

sorry for being a little late on the reply with this one...been busy

I think it might also have leveled my sneak...or counter sneak....or hearing...lol, but long blade would def. be my second choice. I liked this story very much.

[Kell-Reevor]

Well written Taillus, you described the envrionment very thoroughly and did a great job comparing the wood elf mentioned to your eagerness for Oblivion (not sure if that was your intention, but I'm impressed nonetheless.)

[Taillus]

Ha you hit the nail on the head Kell! Thanks BTW but it still like yours more

[Kell-Reevor]

A very intriguing short story. I particularly liked the level of awareness that the swordsman had, and how he used that knowledge in his defense. The would-be assassin definitely sounds untrained. However, I am a little curious about the swordsman's final conclusion. He thinks that if the assassin had used a bow instead, he may have died. However, it seems to me that since he was aware of the assassin long before the dagger was drawn, he may have been able to do something in his defense if there had been a bow. Or perhaps you were thinking that if the assassin had a bow, the arrow would have been fired from much farther away, thus robbing the swordsman of the opportunity to hear the assassin before the killing shot?

Sorry, guess I meant to answer this earlier.

The swordsman I described was able to pick up the assassin's footsteps because he had to get in close to use his dagger. The swordsman had been moving the whole trip, and it took some time for the assassin to get close without compromising his stealth (though we know the swordsman was already aware of him). With a bow, he could have simply shot the swordsman from a distance.

Even if the swordsman had detected him, it would still be extremely difficult to defend himself from a speeding arrow, as well as close the distance to dispatch his enemy.

At least... this was my logic as I wrote this .

This post has been edited by Kell-Reevor: Mar 3 2006, 01:04 PM

[jack cloudy]

Not sure about how good this one is, but it is something I wrote at school when I got bored. (Don't tell the teachers )
Funny thing is, it sounds like it is only part of a story, but I have no idea what that story would be.


Slowly, the ship drifted amongst the waves. The only sign of life were the torches burning on the bow and stern. Or was that all? No. At the bow one man stood, gazing at the sky. He was old, with long flowing hair as white as snow. He stood there like a statue, only moving on his heels to compensate for the boat’s movements.

A High Elf opened the door and looked over the deck. There was the man he’d been looking for. He took a quick glance at the sky and sighed. Then, he moved over to join the old man.

,,In a few nights, the moons will be full again.” He said. The Old man remained silent. Finally, after two long minutes, he spoke.
,,You know I don’t fear the servants of the moon.”
The High Elf touched an amulet hanging around his neck, lost in deep thought. The amulet was beautifully crafted and looked just like the moon.

,,I know, how could I forget? You’ve proven it before my eyes.”
,,Yes, I did. But that's not what we're here for. We should reach the island before the moon is full. It has been a long time. Perhaps you should join the hunt once more.” The old man said.

,,I will think about it. We are drinking a bottle of whine below deck. If you like you may join us.” With those words, the High Elf left.

The old man however, remained behind. He didn’t go downstairs and instead waited till he saw the land appear on the horizon. The land had called him and he realized he had much to do with only little time. He smiled at the thought. It had been a many years since he had last worried about not having enough time at his disposal.
,,So we’ll meet again, old friend.” He muttered and finally joined the people below deck.

[Agent Griff]

Interesting story. Since it tells of the full moon and the servants of the Moon I gather this story is about werewolves? And is the mistery island Solthsteim? Keep it up because it sounds interesting.

[Kell-Reevor]

Indeed, it does have the feeling of a small part of a longer story. I also got the impression that werewolves were somehow involved.

Very good story. Not all great works have to be filled with fight scenes.

[Taillus]

Very much agreed Kell. It doesn't take a well executed fight scene to create a good fan fic. I like this One Shot Story idea. It allows me to get away from the chaos of a larger story. But I still have to say that Kell's story has been the best short one on here so far.

[jack cloudy]

Thank you and yes, Kell's story was really good. As for the servants of the moon and all, I was indeed talking about wherewolves. I might continue with it in its own thread, after figuring out just what it's going to be about. I do plan on including some of the more feared beings of Tamriel in it.

[Kell-Reevor]

Here's another "way of the sword" style story.

I doubt it's as good as my first, but I'll share it. Hope you like it.

**********************************************************

Two men meet on a dusty road somewhere between Balmora and Ald-Ruhn. For years, this territory has been contested. Many lives have ended here in this pointless struggle for territory; many more will end in the years to come.

The first man is an Argonian, and is a champion of House Hlaalu. The second man is a Dunmer, and is a champion of House Redoran.

These two master swordsmen hold no malice for one another. Once upon a time, the two had been great friends. But now, the Argonian’s loyalty demands he slay Redoran’s greatest champion, as the Dunmer’s duty is to slay Hlaalu’s greatest champion.

Loyalty meets duty…

The two stand straight and loosen their shoulders. The Argonian takes hold of his scabbard with his left hand, and then steps forward with his right foot. The Dunmer notes this. The Argonian proceeds to approach, landing his left foot while gripping the handle of his sword.

The Dunmer recognizes this attack. It is a technique that quickly slashes the throat of an opponent as they prepare to attack. It is the very first attack the two learned together so long ago… The Argonian knows the Dunmer recognizes his attack; this unusual choice of technique is more symbolic than effective against this foe.

Finally, the Argonian plants his right foot and strikes. The Dunmer points his own sword upward and catches the blade. He forces the blade to his right, and follows through into an upward-diagonal cut.

The Argonian recovers from his own attack just in time to leap backwards. His flowing old robe obscures his movement and the Dunmer’s blade catches only air and fabric. He then returns with a thrusting attack. The Dunmer spins to the side as his opponent’s blade scrapes his cuirass.

The two continue to exchange an array of their most basic to their most advanced attacks. Time passes, and they are exhausted and pained from fighting one another. A pause comes to their attacks and they regard one another. They can not bear to fight any longer, but they must not go against their orders.

Though no words are spoken, a decision has been made.

The two nod and prepare for a final attack. The Dunmer brings the pommel of his sword to his belly and prepares for a thrust attack. The Argonian lowers the tip of his own sword to the ground and braces himself. The Dunmer charges and the Argonian lifts his sword.

The Argonian is impaled by an upward thrust through the belly as he stabs the Dunmer through his exposed neck with a downward thrust.

Two lives have ended this night, and nothing is gained.

[Taillus]

Wow...That was a masterpiece just like your other one. Your short works always make a very bold statement and they are such a pleasure to read.

[Kell-Reevor]

Wow...That was a masterpiece just like your other one. Your short works always make a very bold statement and they are such a pleasure to read.

Thanks. It turned out a little longer than I hoped it would though.

[Agent Griff]

I must say Kell, if there is one story I would qualify as the best in this thread would be yours. You depicted that battle quite well with almost "Wolfie"-like detail. Good Joob! I would recommend that you post this story as a book on the Silgrad Tower mod Literary Department. I'm sure the work will get apreciated there. Here's a link!
http://www.silgrad.com/wbb2/board.php?boardid=45 (btw, you have to register to see that thing, but I recommend that you post it there!)