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8 = Evidence (A murder, mystery, medieval fantasy short story below)


They'd poured nights investigating Pentre’s murder. Too many foes, too many suspects, no witnesses.

Merthyr returned to their outpost alone, hunting for missed clues. He searched relentlessly and finally uncovered his comrade’s hidden chest. There it was: a blood-stained blade, the victim’s ring, a ledger of debts, hastily stuffed inside among other items. Betrayal gutted him.

As The Hanged Man arrived, his face blanched at the sight of the open chest, further proof of guilt.

“Evidence turns suspicion into conclusion, murderer. Guards!” spat Merthyr watching them seize the accused and take him away

Janella sneaking off into the shadows snickering.


Background for those unaware.

Merthyr is royal prince, righteous, too trusting if gullible at times, who doesn't rest until justice is done. A close if unlikely friend to The Hanged Man and Janella among many others.

Sir Tron Pentre is the most brutal, ruthless, cruel, black hearted knight to roam RPR lands. The only thing knightly about him is his official title as a knight of the realm. He has so many enemies it would fill a book and they would all gladly own up to his murder and gloat about it too.

Pentre has two nemesis: Janella Silentread and The Hanged Man.

The Hanged Man is one of a kind character I can't wait to lure back into my RPs! He had to be part of the story even if as the fall guy.

Janella written by JustABitEvil is one of my all-time favourite characters to roleplay with so this short story had to have her!
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 8.
Tone is my topic.

———

She almost whispered the words, “It’s nothing.”

The problem was the words were too soft. They felt emotionless. Everything she felt was usually easy to read, but not those two words.

Dread settled in his chest. He had learned to listen past what people said. The pauses, the way someone looked away too soon or didn’t look at all, mattered.

This wasn’t nothing. It was the kind of whispered words that closed doors without a sound.

He stepped closer. “Say it again,” he murmured.

She met his eyes.

And didn’t.

Instead, she pressed a light kiss to his cheek and stepped back.

That was when he understood.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 6.
I've got Mercy.

-

Lieutenant Soren drifted through the silent station, boots echoing against metal. The alien he’d hunted crouched ahead, wounded, luminous blood flickering in zero gravity. Orders were simple: eliminate.

“I did not attack,” it pulsed through his translator. “I fled.”

Soren remembered the colony’s fear, the panic. He also saw the creature trembling, alone.

His finger eased off the trigger. “Go,” he said, opening an airlock route.

It vanished into space.

Months later, when their ship was failing, a fleet of silent lights surrounded them, guiding them home. Mercy, once offered in darkness, returned as a path through it.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 7.
Alright let's see what I get.

Edit:

Backstage!


Up on stage she sings a song. She dances for her audience and smiles at their cheers. Every rose thrown is caught, and every picture taken is cherished.

They don't know the truth.

Off stage, behind the curtains... Underneath layers of foundation, her skin peels. Perfume covers rotting flesh. Once pretty blonde hair falls off in chunks underneath a lace front wig.

Each night she takes her heels off, and each morning sutures her feet back onto her legs.

She looks into the mirror and practices her smile, dentures fixed in place.

She doesn't know. Tonight will be her last.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 9.
I don't know yet if I'll write it but I had a last moment stroke of inspiration last year!
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 10.
Lessee what we get...

Edit 1: Diversity. 'Kay.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 1.
Hmmmm maybe this will be a good away from work relaxation..

Evidence!! Right up my alley. Hopefully I get a lil time.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 8.
She sat alone in empty room
With nay a boon in sight. And in that long and empty night she shivered under gloom of moon, till morning came and breath came not, a silent fight, a quiet doom at dawn.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 4.
Might as well join in for another return to RPR :​3
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 3.
The Least That Can Be Said.

"And thanks is the least I can give, Claire.
The least for the work you've done."
A praise, albeit small,
Expresses much more than I could a hug.
"A journey always ends,
Yet the travel leaves a story.
And from all I've read from you
Is what makes me feel such gratitude."
It's been years, and I still think,
Think how you prayed to god,
Yet I've stopped answering long ago.
As what you've told had been much more valuable than anything I could give.
And for that, I give thanks.
Backstage
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 9.
I think this could be fun!

My topic is: Language

Update - My final total is 97 words! I hope you enjoy my short story!

My friend comes from far away.
They spoke a language foreign; a voice of chord conversing in concert.

But people don't speak in song, so I thought it my purpose to teach an instrument to mimic man.

The joyful melody of old simmered with frustration. Every crack, each off note twinge and the melody's pace grew tired and bitter. I tuned my friend relentlessly until words flowed, but the notes seldom played again.

I shaped an instrument into the shape of a man, but the chorus was gone, and now I have no music in my life.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 5.
Why not? Let's see...

Edit: Alright. I shall be back.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 9.
Perhaps.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 3.
Let's see what I get.
Language

The fresh air that flowed in from the door opening was welcome, even if it was just in her head. Lily couldn't really feel any of it through her space suit. There just wasn't enough oxygen on this planet. The camera drone following behind her turned on, and she took it as her cue to start moving The diplomats she was meeting were in a semicircle at the bottom of the stairs. Lily walked confidently to join them, and did her best to remember this species' traditional greeting. It wasn't like she'd been allowed to bring a dictionary with her.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 5.
Very excited to write a little story
"Mama!" I cry. The pouring rain drowns out my plea and I am stuck here, in the mud, alone and cold.

What gives me solace is seeing her in the distance, in her warm house, and just her silhouette sends me back to when I was a baby, cradled by caring arms. That is who I want to see, who I want to call out to with all my heart. Even without the rain she would never hear me.

I stop crying. I am nothing to her, so I am nothing at all.
rolled 1d10 and got a natural 4.

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