First Campaigner Challenge!

For all the details, check out Rachael’s blog

The time has come for my First Campaigner Challenge, woot!!! The Challenge is:

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:

• end the story with the words: “everything faded.” (also included in the word count)
• include the word “orange” in the story
• write in the same genre you normally write
• make your story 200 words exactly!

My lovely attempt is below and sits at exactly 200 words.

Shadows crept across the wall.

I sat up in bed, my covers drawn to my chin. I shivered from the cold…and fear. Please, tell me he hasn’t found me again.  I stared at the patch of stumpwork roses on my coverlet.  No.  He couldn’t have. The fortress is protected.  I saw the sorcerer, Graffus, weave the spell himself.  But what else could project its winged shadow on the solar walls?

I threw the covers off and tiptoed to the window, the stone floor like ice against my bare feet.  The castle rose like a giant spiked beast from the ground in the moonlight.  It was the first time I’d seen the stronghold from this vantage point since I arrived yesterday morning. The Baroness and her handmaiden found me alongside the road to Coryt, battered and near death, a victim of his attack.  I don’t remember much of what happened, just strong arms and beautiful but dangerous green eyes.

Footsteps pounded the hall and stopped outside my door.  I spun around, my breath caught in my chest.

“Who’s there?” I shouted.

The door opened.  The last thing I saw were those green eyes and a breath of orange flame.

Everything faded.