[ OT ] Writing Workshop # 23 : Natural Dialogue

The only noise ringing through the street was the sound of Corporal Eradran ’ s body thumping to the ground. Helten ’ s chest heaved as his breathing began to slow. All around him, passing strangers had stopped, keeping their distance, waiting for more soldiers to arrive. Who could blame them? State education stated that magic users were crazed and dangerous, but magic users were also incredibly rare; all the citizens were watching instead of running. Helten barely acknowledged their presence. He just stood in the center of the street, blue and purple energy coursing through his arms and out his fingers, magic power only recently discovered and now burning for release. But Helten contained his new power, at least for now. Soon, the crowd began to part to allow a man on horseback, followed by two dozen guards, to approach the magic user. The man on horseback looked down at Helten with a sneer. 
 
 “ Do you know who is addressing you, whelp? ” 
 
 “ You ’ re General Pattar, leader of the army. ” 
 
 “ Very good. Do you know why my morning training has been so rudely interrupted? ” 
 
 “ Because I killed the bastard that slept with, then killed my wife? ” 
 
 “ No. Because you are an abomination and must be dealt with. ” Pattar dismounted and walked up to Helten. The crowd could easily see that their stature mimicked their status and emotion. Even though Helten was as tall as Pattar, he was crouched down, every muscle tensed and ready, while Pattar stood ramrod straight at attention. The general looked down his nose at the murderer before him, not even tilting his head. “ Do you know what I am going to do now? ” 
 
 Helten growled. “ You ’ re going to leave me alone. Justice was served, and I don ’ t want anyone else to die today. ” 
 
 “ Impossible, ” Pattar spat. “ A monster like yourself doesn ’ t deserve the air he breathes. ” He turned on his heel, marching back to his horse. “ No, you are going to die in the streets like the dog you are. ” He signaled his men with a wave. “ Kill him. And don ’ t make it quick. ” 
 
 The two dozen men slowly encircled Helten, their swords drawn. He spun his head around, trying to find an opening, but it was too late. With a mighty shout, his eyes flashed crimson, and the very earth began to rumble. It was all General Pattar could do to calm his horse, but soon, even the great general wished that he had fled along with the crowd, as he watched the ground split open and terrifying slithering tentacles pull his men into oblivion. Within seconds, the ground had reformed itself, and only Helten and Pattar remained on the now empty street. Pattar cleared his throat. 
 
 “ W…well, I suppose that, given the circumstances, I could be persuaded to forgive your, ah, transgressions. ” 
 
 “ It ’ s too late now, general. ” Helten slowly approached Pattar ’ s horse, leaving behind blue footprints that blazed with cold flame. Pattar tried to pull at the reins, but his horse refused to respond. Helten placed his palm on the horse ’ s nose, and Pattar could see the power flow through Helten ’ s arm into his mount. He just barely managed to disgracefully fall from his high saddle before the beast exploded in a ball of fire and viscera. Now lying prone on his back, Pattar could only watch in terror as Helten slowly turned to face him. `` Do you know what I'm going to do now?'' Helten asked slowly. 
 
 “ Please, ” Pattar begged. “ You said that you didn ’ t want anyone else to die. ” 
 
 “ That ’ s right, general. I did say that. ” He held his right hand over the general ’ s face, letting the potent magical energy drip onto his forehead with a sizzle. “ There ’ s just one problem. ” 
 
 “ What ’ s that? ” he stammered. 
 
 “ You changed my mind. ” 
 
 It had taken Helten nearly three minutes to kill Corporal Eradran, but it took less than two seconds to finish off the general. He stood, finally alone in the cold street. The entire kingdom would be looking for him now, but he wasn ’ t scared. He ran down the street towards the castle in the distance, leaving behind cold blue footprints. Maybe the prophecy was correct; the only way to know for sure was to kill the king. “ It ’ s not like I could be in more trouble, ” he thought to himself.
