Daily drabble challenge - Day 13 - "...and there burned a a great part..."

[tanaquiljall]

Day 13: rakshathedemon asked for Something about the Corsairs of Umbar, either Ring War era or earlier, their viewpoint.


Nominated for the MEFAs as part of the The Insolence of the Corsairs series.

"...and there burned a a great part..."

Bucket chains were quickly organized, but it was too late, always too late. Loosed ships drifted into each other, groaning in their death throes as timbers grated, while exploding magaines sent flaming strakes arcing towards untouched moorings. The sailors and lightermen and dockers fought on, soot-stained faces streaked with sweat, lungs aching with choked-down smoke, but the flames were faster, stronger, hardier...

Morning came with a thin rain that pattered against the charred ribs protruding here and there above the waterline. The sky's quiet threnody could not mask the ululation of widows and orphans in the streets beyond the harbour.


Feel free to leave more prompts in comments to any of the posts.

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Comments

[gwynnyd.livejournal.com]

They should of stayed home and not attacked Gondor in the first place. War is hell.

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

Yes, they, too, would have widows and orphans from the night's activities. We forget too often that the enemy is all to often as human as are we.

Prompt!

[phyloxena.livejournal.com]

What if Saruman listened to Gandalf and switched sides once more?

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

A vivid depiction of the horrors of war.

[dkpalaska.livejournal.com]

You are always good at vivid imagery, but this one really is exceptional. The language is awesome at setting up the various scenes and capturing the desperation and grief involved, as is the reminder of the humanity of the enemy. Fantastic use of the quote as title.