My brother inadvertently gave me the word "Battles", so even though he didn't officially post a word in the comments section, I'm going with that one to kick this off! Sarina knew it was over. As she was dragged in to the long hall where the king sat on his throne soaked in blood, she knew what awaited her. Her mind drifted back through her brief time as queen of her people, knowing there was nothing she could do to change the outcome, but fiercely wishing it anyway. She thought of the battles fought in her name, carrying on the tradition of her father and grandfathers, dating back hundreds of years. She thought of the children in her care, huddled in the lower levels of her keep, waiting for her to return and assure them that all was well. She thought of her closest advisor, Garin, now dead on the bloody battlefield, the scores of her soldiers lying with him. She had failed. Her heart sat like a stone in her stomach. She had failed them all. Since her father had died, King Aldric had sought to add her throne to his own. Her kingdom had fallen to the one man she had fought for five years to overthrow, and now she was being pulled in to his very presence. The guard that pulled on her chain wore heavy leather armor and boots that were caked in mud. He grunted and pulled harder as she dragged her bare and bleeding feet as best she could. Her leather coverings had been taken from her when she was captured, simply to humiliate her. She was thrown unceremoniously at his feet. "Well, tiny princess, it seems we meet at last face to face," his deep baritone voice boomed. She was surprised at how young he was--no more than thirty-five--and she despised herself for noting vaguely that he carried nobility in every gesture. "You mean to address me as queen, I think, your highness," she replied with nobility of her own. "My father's crown passed to me at the age of twenty." Humor sparked in his eyes. "Ah, yes, of course. But, as of late, your actions have not been those of a queen. Sending her own men to be slaughtered by the hundreds? Only a foolish queen would do such a thing." The chain around her wrists were sore but she fought against them anyway. She glared at him, her dark green eyes emitting sparks. "I stood on the battlefield at the very mouth of death. I would do anything to protect my people." He stood up and paced the hall for a moment, in thought. His robes dragged behind him, the only other sound to the fire blazing in the enormous grate in the wall. Finally, he turned toward her and smiled. "I agree. Your actions have proved you to be a very worthy opponent." He came to stand in front of her and looked down, regarding her with new interest. "I think, princess, it's time to put a final end to this conflict. Can you deny that you want an end to it as well?" She met his gaze, ignoring his determination to address her informally. "Yes, I want an end to it." "Of course you do. But I can see only one way to guarantee the success of any agreement we make. I propose a union between our kingdoms." Unable to control it, she let out an audible gasp. "A union of our two countries," he continued, "which would make our countries untouchable. Can you tell me the idea doesn't appeal to you?" Her heart nearly stopped along with her breathing. Rather than certain death, he was giving her a choice. She could marry him, bear his children and heirs, and rule beside him. Or die.

Beginning ecrit

The idea behind Ecrit Avec Amis starts with my desire to write. I've always loved to write and even still have notebooks full of stories that I started when I was a kid. However, becoming an adult is surprisingly detrimental to creativity and now I find myself in need of inspiration. And so I invite anyone to leave me a comment in the form of a sentence, a phrase, a paragraph, or even a simple word. I'll take that phrase, word, etc. and write into a scene which will get posted right here on this blog. (Put your sentence, phrase, word, or paragraph in parentheses so that I know it's not just a comment about the story). You may see some recurring characters, continuing of storylines, or even an entire novel (you never know just how inspired I'll be!). Go ahead--challenge me! Let's see what a little "writing with friends" can do!