Fragments Gallery
Calm Night
It was dusk; the blazing eye of day was slowly sinking behind the far off purple mountains. In the sky hung multitudes of small fluffy white clouds, the edges burning orange in the light from the setting sun. Far from the mountains, on the fringe of a forest of deep blues and greens, stood a young couple. Hand in hand they watched the spectacle as day breathed its final breath and the sun vanished behind those far off peaks, giving way to the spreading night. Sounds fill the empty air as insects celebrate the new born dark. A cool breeze picks up, stealing away any remnants of the day’s excessive heat and leaving only enough warmth to remain comfortable. Silently the couple turn away and slowly walked back into the trees.
Among the trees there is a magical feeling, the couple notice it and they share a smile as they walk along hand in hand. Far above the moon crept out from behind the clouds, bathing the landscape in a pure, if faint, white light. Up ahead a dim ray of light passes between the trees to illuminate a rough dirt trail. One of the pair puts their second hand on the other's arm and then points to the trail. They change course slightly and head towards the worn path.
Once on the trail they can see that the path is long but straight and true. Unsure of where it leads the couple follows it. They are looking to explore.
It is an easy walk, the dirt is flat and only a few rocks and roots disturb its surface. The couple walks along peacefully. For them, at this moment, little exists beyond the others company and the beauty of the night.
After a few minutes they came across a clearing. For the most part it was a simple glade, just a grassy opening in the woods several feet across, but there was one unique feature to the clearing. In the center of the meadow amidst the grass stood a stone gargoyle balanced atop a simple stone pedestal. It was a fearsome beast. Its features were carved from the living stone as though the artist had envisioned it mid snarl glaring hatred upon its observers. Its fangs were bared, arms and wings outstretched and its ruby eyes glittered in the moonlight.
The couple stop as the beast comes into sight; they’re taken aback by the stone creature. A little shaken by its visage they skirt the clearing and walk along the edge, anxious to be back on the path that continues on the opposite side of the beast. Once back on the path they continue on. One of them laughs as they walk away; they have clearly put the gargoyle's intrusion on their evening out of their minds.
In the clearing the gargoyle stretches. Its jaws open wide with a silent yawn as it loosens up its limbs. Then, its eyes glittering with the light of an inner fire, it hops off of its pedestal and, with a shuddering creak, snaps open its wings. With a great leap it launches itself into the air and flies towards the path the couple had disappeared down.
There was much to be done this night.