Short Story/Poem Contest

[billy1975]

here is a short tale of the witch of the swamp,
night after night wheat fields she would stomp,
the settlers never knew the ryme or reason,
but they noticed it was a lot worse this season,
rumors at the tavern were getting rather scarey,
tales of the witch being shacked up with wild marry,
fishermen talking of pirate ships near by,
they only drink brew and why would they lie,
the worst rumor being spread is disturbing at least,
wild marry and the witch being knocked up by a dark priest,
im not sure why they give them such labels,
shes gathering the wheat for my stable,
ohh, the names the settlers call them with fear in there eyes,
it dont bother marry or the witch cause we got a surprise,
cause tonite at the tavern there is more than brew to serve,
all the fine settlers get first 3 rounds free as they deserve,
so grab a tall glass and enjoy the first batch of pumkin ale,
i wont mention the secret ingredient comes from beneath a horses tale.

[blackknight604]

The men of the town were disappearing. Prominent city members amongst them, no one seemed to be safe. Ever since hallows eve a cold mist had settled on the town and the night was dark and still as the grave. Reports of a mysterious rider, galloping through the night begin surfacing, but none could say who or where he came from or where he would go. As mysteriously as he appeared he'd vanish into the night and with the coming of morning not a sign could be found of him and one more settler would be unaccounted for.

A call went out to all towns and cities in the county for someone to come and solve the mystery. Many came but none were successful in tracking the culprit. Indeed many would be saviours suffered the same fate and simply vanished into the night not to be seen or heard from again.

One day a young man by the name of Eliot came to town pledging his services. He was a thin gaunt looking young man with a funny face and disposition. Many towns people laughed and said he had a face like a jack o lantern. He did, however, have impecable credentials and was schooled in the science of forensic investigation and the towns people reluctantly accepted his offer of help and in exchange gave him room and board at the local tavern.

After settling in and setting up his equipment Eliot begins interviewing the towns people. Some say the town has been cursed by the natives of the land. Others suspect bandits from another township or those from across the border for the abductions. Some even talk of a cult which had corrupted the mayor and his advisors and was slowly taking over the town to serve their own nefarious needs. Not seeming to make any progress Eliot decides to walk into town accompanied by Zeus the local sherif and Katealyst the mayors daughter, who is more than happy to help.

He tours the local shops. The butchers, the baker, the fish monger, the local provisions house, the new school. It all looks like every other town he has visited, with the exception of a local pumpkin patch that has a rather creepy looking scare crow. The local trade office is busy with merchants coming and going and errand boys running about on their masters bidding. The local barracks is stocked with beer and weapons and the men making merry in the mess hall seem in good spirits despite the recent disappearances. All would seem normal if it wasn't for the sorrowful faces of the women who's men had vanished into the night.

Returning to his lodging, Eliot with the help of Zeus and Katealyst begin plotting on a map the places where settles had been reported missing. Looking at the map they seem to be centered around a bridge on the North East side of the town and leading into a densely wooded area untouched by logging or any other human activity. Saddling his horse and with Zeus and Katealyst at his side they ride to the bridge.

Upon inspection the bridge seems like any other and in the afternoon sun it seems almost pleasant a good spot for a sandwich and drink. No sign of the missing settlers and none of the mysterious rider. The sun begins to set and a cold myst begins to wind its way down the river and engulf the bridge and surrounding fields. Darkness begins to encompass the group and Katealyst advises that they get back into town before it gets to dark to see. Zeus agrees and remounts his horse.

Suddenly the sound of galloping hoof beets can be heard and in an instand a rider bears down upon them out of the myst and onto the bridge. He is dressed all in black with a large flowing cloak and carries a giant scythe. The visage of a grim reaper, but surely not for he is only a fable told to children at bedtime and used by wives to keep their husbands home after dark.

Zeus draws his sword shouts to Katealyst and Eliot to go to town for help and charges at the menacing apparition advancing across the bridge. Katealyst and Eliot run to their horses and flee back towards town. The sounds of clashing steel and horses snorting and whinnying is heard, and as Eliot and Katealyst near town, slowly dies.

Zeus doesn't return to town and no sign of him is found. A curfew is imposed and no one is allowed near the North East bridge and surrounding forests. The priests begin working on a spell to bring permanent daylight to the land. And those who remain are left to wonder about this dark riders intentions. Some now believe the "Reaper" is raising a dark army, to what end no one can say. Eliot continues his work in town with the help of Katealyst and hopes that he can find someway to rid the town of the curse of the Grim Reaper. Whether he is successful only time will tell.

[Chipmunks]

In the greenest of our valleys
By good angels tenanted,
Once a fair and stately palace -
Radiant palace - reared its head.
In the monarch Thought's dominion -
It stood there!
Never seraph spread a pinion
Over fabric half so fair!
Banners yellow, glorious, golden,
On its roof did float and flow,
(This - all this - was in the olden
Time long ago,)
And every gentle air that dallied,
In that sweet day,
Along the ramparts plumed and pallid,
A wingèd odor went away.

Wanderers in that happy valley,
Through two luminous windows, saw
Spirits moving musically,
To a lute's well-tunèd law,
Round about a throne where, sitting
(Porphyrogene!)
In state his glory well befitting,
The ruler of the realm was seen.

And all with pearl and ruby glowing
Was the fair palace-door,
Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing,
And sparkling evermore,
A troop of Echoes, whose sweet duty
Was but to sing,
In voices of surpassing beauty,
The wit and wisdom of their king.

But evil things, in robes of sorrow,
Assailed the monarch's high estate.
(Ah, let us mourn! - for never morrow
Shall dawn upon him desolate!)
And round about his home, the glory
That blushed and bloomed
Is but dim-remembered story
Of the old time entombed.

And travellers now, within that valley,
Through the red-litten windows see
Vast forms, that move fantastically
To a discordant melody,
While, like a ghastly rapid river,
Through the pale door
A hideous throng rush out forever
And laugh - but smile no more.

[DeathEric448]

The settlers online there must be a sign
Oh look at the time. Ghosts and ghouls Rome the night what a fright. Its dark
And its time to mark our territory with a
Terrifying shark. Werewolves wander the
Night and in the dark bark. They say there bark is worse than there bite but
I wonder what a sight. So lets take flight
And see the night and see the ghouls that are cool.


By:Eric044

[Eric044]

cool

[Meretoria]

A Bad Scare

Mayor Eliot peered out the open door of the town hall, searching for his arriving guests. It was Halloween, and he was giving a party. All his settler friends and neighbors were invited.

Was it his imagination, or was it darker than usual? The stench from the pumpkin cemetary, like rotting flesh, seemed stronger, too, but Eliot didn't mind. He had got used to it and besides, he had harvested some huge orange pumpkins from it. In fact, he had taken the largest and carved it to look like One-Eyed Bert, and placed it on the doorstep to frighten any who might pass by.

Eliot jumped as he noticed dark shapes slinking through his pumpkin field. Shadowsneakers! And wolves were howling just beyond the nearest farm. He quickly slammed the door shut, hoping his friends would arrive soon and safely. He hoped the pretty girl who worked in the bakery would come as a riding Amazon. She would look great in that costume.

There was a knock at the door, and Eliot opened it to greet his first guest. She was dressed up as the witch of the swamp.

"Wow!" said Eliot. "Great costume! You look like the real thing!" His guest cackled. She even sounded like the real thing. Eliot was dying to know who it was, but it had been decided no one would disclose their identity until midnight.

He took his guest to the cellar, which he had decorated for the party. There was a table full of goodies: delicious sausages from the butcher, dainty pastries and tasty breads from the baker, and plenty of solid sandwiches. He even had a huge keg of brew waiting.

"Let me offer you some refreshment," Eliot said, opening the tap on the keg and letting the golden liquid flow into a glass. "In fact, I think I'll have one myself."

The witch mumbled something he couldn't hear.

"Happy Halloween!" he said, raising the glass to his lips.

Suddenly he shrieked. "My head! It feels like it's on fire!" He clapped a hand to his head and as quickly yanked it away again. It was burned!

His guest was laughing- cackling, rather. "Trick or treat!" she said. "The trick is, I cast a spell on your treat. That's what you get for sending your soldiers to kill me. You didn't really think they succeeded, did you? Hahahahaha!"

To his horror, Eliot realized he had let in the real witch. He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the dark window, and saw that his head had been turned into a jack'o'lantern. Oh no! What was he going to do?

More knocks sounded at the door, and Eliot stumbled up the stairs to see who it might be. Several of his friends were waiting on the doorstep, anxiously

looking around them. He recognized the woodcutter, the coal miner and Anna, the baker's helper, who unfortunately was dressed up as a nurse and not as

a riding Amazon. However he had more important things on his mind.

As he let his guest in, the witch flew out, still cackling. Eliot told his friends what had happened and they tried to think how to solve the problem. None of them would come to close to him, however, for fear they might catch on fire.

"Maybe some water from the well?" suggested the woodcutter.

"That would put out the candle, but what about my poor head?" answered Eliot.

Anna came as close as she dared, and blew strongly into his mouth. The candle went out.

"That's a little better," Eliot said, "but I still have a pumpkin for a head. And not a handsome face, either."

Suddenly Anna had an idea. "What about a really bright light?" she said. "If it can take away a darkness spell, maybe it can take away this one too."

She raced off to the provision house to get one. Luckily the provision house was right next door, so she was back in no time. She shone it on Eliot's pumpkin head. There was a shrieking sound, like demons screaming in pain, then the pumpkin head broke into pieces and fell on the floor. Eliot's head was still there, a little blackened, but otherwise normal.

"You're a great nurse, Anna!" Eliot said, hugging her.

"OK everyone, party's on- but don't drink the brew!

We don't want to go through this again!"

[Thewhitewalker]

The time is short, the time is near
When good little settlers huddle in fear
Their torches are lit, their doors are boarded
If their courage grows they shall be rewarded!

For out in their island, out in their world
Pumpkins are growing an opportunity unfurld
Rare and valued, a magical treat
can be used to build schools, oh nice what a feat!

Silos and buffs, a general and myers
He will scare your recruits post haste light the fires!
productivity is booming, and now the lights are out
Make a light buff, to the mayors house you shout!

Soon the event will be over, and the scary music will stop
Time is running out, quick get to the shop
For to get that super fast general, the ruins and the school
Another year must pass, before we welcome back Eliot the ghoul

Thankyou for reading, I hope you liked my ryme
I did it during Dark priests, a whittle of my time
But to be honest I didnt do it for you
I did it for the gems! and to kill some time too.

[Amplios]

I closed the door, engaged the latch
to keep me safe from the pumpkin patch
But when I lay me down to bed
through the window flew a pumpkin and hit me on the head
But then I woke up to see that I was fine
twas just a dream of the settlers online

[amtrackingu]

Our farm is on the outskirts of the island. It was the last week before all hallowed's eve and it was our pumpkin harvest time. Strange things were afoot as our patch had grown more in the past few days than through the growing season. Strange fogs would appear at night, and linger through most of the day. The dogs would bark on and off, and our eyes would play tricks that figures were moving within our patch.

We picked our Pumpkins on the 24th, as the village awaited for our famous sized deep rich colored pumpkins. When we awoke to harvest our bounty, laughter could be heard from the patch. Covered by the thickest fog we have ever seen, we were unable to even to lead the dogs into the patch with us. As we entered we heard movement in every direction, but unable to see beyond our own outstretched hands, no figures could ever be seen.

I came upon the first pumpkin. Its size was larger than any pumpkin we had ever grown. I had not remembered it being an unusual size even two weeks previous, but being happy with its growth I went to cut it from its vine. the pumpkin was already cut from the vine. Not only had it been cut but it had been carved on the outside. I would have been angry, but the carving was artwork. It was that of a face that had been terrified. That should have scared me, but all I could think of was the extra coin or trade our family would get for such a pumpkin.

I called my wife over. She was just as amazed, but much more afraid than I. She had always been the smart one. We ventured into the patch together this time, and the next of our pumpkins were even larger. A laugh could be heard, yet direction in the fog made it impossible to determine direction. Looking down upon the enormous gourd, it too had been carved. This carving was that of a witch on a broomstick. My wife and I continued to be as excited as we were scared. For the rest of the morning despite the fog and strange noises we continued our foraging. 100 hundred pumkins a third of them carved, twice the amount we had planted. Our bounty would see us prosperous through the winter.

A man suddenly appeared, his face shrouded in a cape and scarf. "This holiday be a happy hallowed's eve for ye. I give and I taketh away. For your good deeds this year I giveth, but remember to those who do wrong in this world tricks come them, and nasty tricks they be." Laughing he mounted a large pitch black steed, and rode away like the wind. The fog almost instantly lifted. The children had watched from the front window, and were afraid to come out of the house. After much coaxing, we were able to get them out for our long ride to the village.

"Who was that father?", asked my oldest. I replied, "I know not my child, but beware that if ye wants to stay on his good side, one must behave ones self thoughout the year." In town we told our tale, yet none of the townsfolk would believe our tale. It did however bring even more attention to our beautiful pumpins all of which were sold that very day. So beware of the unknown hallowed eve's ghost, and if you should meet pray you have been a good sole at that time. I can only imagine what would happen if one was not.

[Chellearia]

When You Left the Island of Pirates
by Chellearia

When you left the Island of Pirates, it was not because you were scared. You were just thinking of protecting your family. Three children is a responsibility you take seriously, especially since your father was rarely home once he became a general, bent on finding your mother who had turned pirate. He never could forgive her. You wish he had become a baker.

Stormy seas have brought you and your family to a small island with nine districts, independent and free of pirates or bandits. The bread is plain, but sustaining, if a bit dry. The residence is a large noble home, green-roofed and elegant, fitting ten families.

The first day, you are instructed to tend a well while your wife joins a copper mine and your children are put to work in the pumpkin patches. You are concerned at first about the witch tending the cauldron in the pumpkin patch, but the children say she’s funny, cackling jokes while they wait for the pumpkins. Plus they eat even better meals than you—baskets full of fish and sausage, in addition to the bread. You would be jealous if you were not so grateful that they can grow strong on an independent island.

When your well runs dry, you go to the Mayor’s house and stand in the doorway. The three lines leading to the Mayor vary greatly. One is raucous and joyous, men and women passing brew to one another; and after bread and water all day, the brew is inviting. The second line is full of people who look dirty and gritty, like your wife at the end of a workday. The third line is full of new settlers, a rough-looking group of bandits, cursing and joking. Is that blood on that woman’s tunic?

Now you must choose a line. If you choose the first line, go to paragraph A; if you choose the second, paragraph B; the third, paragraph C.


A: The brew was too tempting and turns out to be a frothy weissbier, reminding you of your mother’s as a kid. When the mayor tells your line to go through the back and follow the man on the black horse, you hesitate only long enough to finish your draught of brew. But when you see the tall cloaked figure handing you some bronze swords and telling you that your group leaves for battle in 25 minutes, you realize the foolishness of your decision. Within forty-five minutes you have followed the Grim Reaper back to the Island of Pirates. You are now another sacrifice to the never-ending battle between pirates and freedom.

B. You know your wife’s work is good and that she occasionally receives extra food. But as the mayor directs your group to follow a man on horseback, you realize you know the man. Everyone in your group is led to horses and is told to learn to ride quickly, the ship leaves in a couple of hours. You panic, trying to get the attention of the man on horseback, but he leaves quickly. You do not see him again until the ship arrives on a familiar island, the Island of Pirates. Your panic is unquenchable as you follow your father into battle against your mother, an unwilling pawn in their struggle. Today your father will finally be satisfied; however, he will never know at what cost.

C. You suspect the brew-carrying crew to be headed toward the barracks, and you’re not interested in working in the mines. So you decide to try your luck with the newcomers. You head down a underground passage, dingy and gray with cobwebs, yet you can tell the dirt floor is well-trodden. When you come out of the tunnel, a man yells to your group to start training with the bows he throws at your feet. A couple of hours later you are on a ship, hoping your wife is well and realizing you may never see your children again, for your training did not go well. You gasp as you see the familiar shoreline of the Island of Pirates. Yet a greater surprise overcomes you as you see your wife marching ahead of you in a recruit’s uniform. Her life is in your poorly-trained hands. As the trumpets sound, your aim is false and tears turn your wife’s falling body into a last watery vision before you too fall, once again a victim of the pirates.