Module 2 Writing Exercise from Centre of Excellence's Fantasy Writing Diploma
As I work my way through a fantasy writing program through Centre of Excellence - an accredited online learning institution - I plan on sharing some of the blurbs and snippets I write for the writing exercises.
Module 2 looks at tropes of fantasy writing. One of the writing exercises for this module was to write a story about a trope and use cliches to help describe the scene. I decided to use the classic fantasy tropes of a chosen one and a dark lord:
The rain fell steadily against Leland’s windowpane, the wind whipping the droplets in every which direction. The storm was here, and that meant so was the Underlord.
Lee closed his curtains, blocking out the darkness outside but unable to block out the darkness that was creeping into his soul. He could feel its tug. Feel its power calling for him. His head pounded with the effort of keeping the darkness out, but he would not let the Underlord win. He would not let himself be taken.
A loud banging at his front door echoed through the small cabin.
Leland frowned. It was late and no sane person would be out in this storm. He grabbed his dagger from the mantle above the fireplace and slowly went to the front door.
The knocking as ceased, and he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.
Pressing his ear to the door, Leland listened. The rain drowned out most noises, but it could not block out the noise of magic—a soft hum that only some had the ear for.
Gripping the dagger in his hand, Leland threw open the door and swung his blade up, ready to bring it down on whomever was outside.
There stood a young woman, brown hair falling over her shoulders in thick braids. She wore a forest green cloak, though her hood was not up. The fact that her hair was dry did not even phase Leland—he’d already heard the power she possessed.
“Who are you?” Leland demanded when she made no move against him.
The woman glanced up to his dagger, hazel eyes unafraid. “I am Kayana Finch. I come from the hills to the west.”
Leland narrowed his eyes. The Underlord resided in the east, and Kayana’s eyes were not white. Still, he had to be careful. “What do you want?”
“May I come in?” Kayana asked, tilting her head to look out at the grey sky. “It’s so dreadful out here.”
When he said nothing, Kayana held up her arms. “You may search me if you wish and take what I have if that’ll make you feel better.”
He watched her a moment. Even without her weapons, she could still use her power against him. Still, something about her made him want to trust her. Maybe it was his being in isolation for the past month.
With a grunt, Leland tucked his dagger into his belt and moved her cloak out of the way and began patting her down. He removed a dagger at her waist, a potion bottle containing God knew what, and a small quiver of needles at the small of her back. Then he knelt and pulled up her skirts, finding another dagger attached to her shin.
“You’ve done this before?” Kayana inquired, looking down at him with an amused smile on her lips.
“Once or twice.” He rose and looked at her closely. “All right, Miss Kayana Finch. You may come in.”
“Thank you, Prince Leland Westaver.”
He started as she brushed past him into the cabin. “How do you know my name?”
She took her cloak off and hung it on the empty coat rack near the door. “You didn’t think I knocked on that door without knowing who was on the other side, did you?”
She made a good point, though that didn’t exactly answer his question. He stepped inside and shut the door, brushing droplets of rain off his sleeves. “What do you want?”
“Lovely little place,” Kayana said. "Not exactly fit for royalty, though."
“What do you want?” he demanded.
She turned to face him, clasping her hands in front of her. “I have come to deliver a message.”
“What kind of message?”
“One that’ll change your life forever.”
Leland blinked. “I think I’ll pass.”
Kayana frowned. “I’m sorry?”
He shrugged and went to the small kitchen, discarding the weapons onto the counter. “I like my life the way it is, thanks.”
“Forgive me for saying so, but I find that hard to believe. You’re in hiding, away from civilization, being hunted by the Underlord. You lost everything - your title, your people, your life...” She paused, waiting for him to say something. When he didn’t, she continued, “I can help you.”
Leland laughed and leaned against the counter, folding his arms across his chest. “I doubt that. Unless you can make the Underlord disappear—”
“I can.”
Had he heard her correctly? “You… what?”
“I can defeat the Underlord,” she said, holding her chin high.
He laughed again. “You had me going there for a minute.”
“I’m telling the truth,” Kayana said with a frown. “I can do it. But not alone. That’s why I’m here.”
“Look lady, if you’re trying to recruit me for some suicidal attack squadron, I’m not interested. That's what got me into this mess in the first place.”
“I’m not making a squadron. I’m just here for you. You’re the only one who can help me defeat him.” She met his eyes. “With your power, we can stop him.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked, voice quieter than he’d planned it to be.
Kayana sat on the small leather couch, hands folded in her lap neatly. Her back was straight and she held herself in such a way that told Leland she grew up around royalty as well. She sat with determination and confidence, but her facial expression gave away her true feelings: she was terrified.
“Have you heard the tale of the two stars?” she asked.
Leland huffed. “The children’s story about two fallen stars that were actually from God? Yeah, everyone’s heard it.”
“It’s not just a story. It’s our history.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked incredulously.
“And when Night falls and Stars leave the sky, Star Dust will birth anew. With the power of God and the might of Galaxy, Star Dust will light the way,” Kayana said, quoting the story.
“What does that have to do with me?” Leland asked.
“We are of Star Dust. We are the fallen stars sent to this world to defeat the Underlord. Only together can we bring back peace.”
I want to hear more:)