This one would not beg. I was sure of it.
I have been sure before. I held my aim steady above his heart and spoke the words ordained for me.
“Halt, trespasser!”
The chamber was built to hurl my words like brazen knives against any man who entered, but his step never faltered.
Let him get close enough to see, I thought. Let him understand.
He was tall but walked without swagger; well enough set, but nothing to make the girls swoon. Yet I could warm to him, I realised. It was his eyes: puppy dog brown, made to plead. But he was not pleading, and now he was close enough to see how my eyes belied the words I spoke.
“Cower, trespasser, and pray my mercy.”
One last step, and he touched the arrow’s tip.
With a sigh of effort I unbent the bow.
We had found our hero.
Well we could always use another hero, right? This post was a response to Angela Goff’s VisDare challenge. I cannot recommend strongly enough that you go and take a look at the other responses.
Alex Brightsmith 
I like. What do they need a hero for?
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I’m afraid I’m resolutely refusing to speculate; I’ve got a feeling it’s a standing challenge, though, so they must consider it generally useful to have one around, just in case
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We do indeed need a hero from time to time. I really enjoyed this!
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Thanks for taking the time to say so
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A hero without a cause. A test without end. Is there a problem without a solution in there too, somewhere? This is good.
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Oh, it’s you, I alomst missed you 🙂
So pleased you liked it. Yours is charming.
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thank you. 🙂
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I guess she was holding out for a hero! Great twist at the end.
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🙂 I did indeed have a good blast of Ms Tyler stuck in my head for the rest of the evening
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Really enjoyed this piece. She has such a strong voice and character, but I like that she unbends with relief, as if, at last, she can sit back and have a cup of tea.
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