Moonlight filtered through the canopies of manicured trees, dispersing a fragmented light across the surrounding palace gardens. The pungent aroma of ripe pomegranates satiated the idle, evening air. Its narcotic effect was suffocating and intoxicating. Serpentine pathways meandered in and out of the lush fernery, winding and twisting, then slipping into the dark shadows of distant trees. Florid displays of orchids were artfully arranged throughout the landscape, their iridescence was worthy of admiration. Yet, they seemed to have an affected brilliance as if they were given to exhibitionism. Their flashiness, however, was in vain for more glaring sprays of yellow hyacinths easily subdued them.
The restive stillness of the scene was soon unsettled by an ominous, impaling scream. The distant sounds of men’s voices, which were previously unnoticed or ignored, were now heard. The clangor of metallic objects echoed down the palace corridors like a thunderous prelude to an incoming storm.
Suddenly from amidst the rising tumultuous climate a young woman and two small children emerged. The woman was cloaked by a capacious light-blue shroud that left only her face and hands visible. She had the soft, dollish face of a woman no more than twenty. Her warm cheeks were pink from exasperation. Her flushed lips parted with every exhalation. Her emerald eyes were red and swollen with tears compromising their widely admired radiance. Her companions, two three year -old boys were seemingly oblivious to their threatened position. Their wrinkled nightclothes and matted hair were indicative of a disturbed nights rest. The most striking feature of the two boys however was not their clothing, their hair, nor their impressive youth but the fact that they were completely identical. They shared the same blue eyes, the same dusky hair, and the same drowsy expression.
The woman was becoming increasingly pale. Her palms were cold and sweated. It was nearly impossible to keep a tight grip on the children’s arms. The children’s lack of momentum was vexing. They only thought of the situation as an inconvenience something they did not want any part of. So like other young boys their age they became resistant. They pulled on the woman’s arms with all their strength using their weight to their full advantage. The woman felt this and being familiar with their juvenile character became slightly annoyed. But this feeling was passing. Too many other more pressing emotions surged through her body; it was not possible or permissible to address such a trivial one.
2007-01-23
07:40:49
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12 answers
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asked by
meeko6811
2