Stretch: The Ever-Folk
Writing Exercise #30
Continuing August, the month of the Blackpage! See the previous installment here. This is the setting for a fantasy story that I am trying to flesh out, so documenting these short stories is helping me to give life to this world before I undertake a story proper!
This is a new kind of exercise—a Stretch. It’s 500 words long, rather than the usual 250.
If you have ideas for Prompts, Crunches, Sprints, Relays, Stretches, or other writing exercises in the future, please leave them in the comments! If you would like to write your own take for this exercise, please comment with a link so that I can see what you wrote and support your work, maybe even share your version with my subscribers. Please let me know if you have any thoughts, comments, or constructive criticisms as well!
Enjoy!
Stretch: Write that idea about elves.
Harold had been looking forward to this. Ever since his birthday, his Father had promised he could join him on a caravan to Westport. Harold had a flimsy grasp on what exactly the caravan was for, but what excited him was getting to see a little bit of the world outside.
As the days and weeks passed, Harold counted the days until the Caravan would depart. With 10 days to go, some Free Knights came to the town—they would serve as escort, his father explained. With 4 days to go, some travelers from nearby villages arrived. With one day to go, Harold’s father took him aside.
“Tomorrow we leave! Are you excited?”
“More than ANYTHING! I can’t wait!”
“We’re going to be taking the Pilgrim Road west to the Kings Road, and follow that north to the town of Latham’s Ford.”
Harold knew these names—the Pilgrim Road was the main road that passed through their humble village of Barksburg, and everyone knew the Kings Road—the road that passed all the way north and all the way south across Daranna. Latham’s Ford was situated on a river. The only map in Barksburg was in the chapel rectory in the care of Brother Truman, and Brother Truman occasionally would let Harold pore over it and ask him questions.
“We will stay one night in Latham’s Ford and from there pass west into the Even-wood road.”
Harold became suddenly quiet. Brother Truman told stories about the Ever-folk who lived there.
“The Even-wood road will pass through the range of Yan Dawil. It is very important you listen to me to stay safe on the Even-wood road, do you understand me Harold?”
Harold nodded, his face pale—his father was a good natured man, he had never seen him so serious.
“Why is the Even-wood road dangerous, father?” he ventured.
“It’s not the road that’s dangerous—it’s what may happen if we step off the road. Yan Dawil is one of the Ever-folk, and they’re dangerous people. We better hope against hope we don’t run into him—more’s the reason we better stay on the road so he doesn’t run into us! Do you understand, son?”
“Yes, father.”
“Do. Not. Stray. Stay close to me. It’s a days journey on this road, understand? In fact, stay in eyesight this whole journey. We might feel safe and at ease but things can turn in an instant. You never know what you may find outside town.” His father paused and looked seriously at Harold, then continued good-natured as ever.
“After a day’s journey we’ll be at Evenidge, where we will rest once more for a night before proceeding a short journey to Westport. Ok? You understand the journey? No small task, son!”
“I’m ready!” Harold grinned.
“Good lad. Now, help me pack up the wagon. We’re leaving bright and early tomorrow!”
Harold smiled as he went to bed. That night, Harold dreamt of an elf, following them, barely visible through the woods.
(499 words)
The Promptee Has Become The Promptor
Your feedback helps to improve my writing. I would really appreciate a comment on your thoughts on this writing exercise. Consider telling me your thoughts about:
Did either or both of your parents ever take you on a business trip as a kid?
Have you ever gotten lost in the woods?
What restaurant has food worth traveling a long distance to get?
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy! Come back next week for another writing exercise!
Hey, before you go—have you read my recently published Serial, SANDBOX EARTH yet? You can buy a hardcopy too! Check it out at the link!
God bless!
Also: https://indianamichael.substack.com/p/an-unexpected-meeting
I'm waiting until after baseball season ends (as I've made it a rule to not write on days I'm working games), but I'm thinking of doing a daily 100 words a day thing for at least October. Mainly just to challenge myself.