Joseph Peck

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Apr, 2023

Stories (10)

10 Stories

171 karma pts

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“Ambush at Twilight” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #216

The sun had dipped between the tree line when their column was attacked.  Their cohort of three hundred was battered and marked, the scars of defeat wearing them all down. Armor that had once gleamed in the sunlight had now become scratched, dented, and rusted. Pikes were held in worn leather clad hands, whilst sabers were belted at the waists of each soldier. The metal masks of bearded men attached to Morion helmets stared forward, blank and emotionless, hiding weary gazes. In the center a few dozen men marched, arquebuses leaned on th...

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“A Deal Signed by Blood” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #215

Drip, drip drip.  In the dim candlelight, crimson droplets dripped down from the stone ceiling and along the stone walls to puddle into the carved channels of a rocky floor. Into these channels they ran, going across the floor in all manner of intersecting loops and twirls. In the spaces formed by the bloody rivers lay piles of bones, many bearing the mummified flesh of their previous owners.  Drip, drip, drip.  On a stone outcropping a few feet away, a stone altar sat, a dozen candles burning low on its obsidian surface. With...

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“A Poor Beginning to a Summer Journey” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #214

DING! DONG! The silence of the summer air was suddenly broken by the chiming of a bell. Silence returned when the bell fell silent. It was broken for a second time when mobs of robed figures started streaming from the inside of the buildings. Some of them immediately passed through the wrought iron gates and onto the road, heading in the hazy direction of the city in the distance. Most, however, instead chose to congregate in the courtyard, gathering in small groups to chatter and bask in the flowery aromas of the gardens in the afternoon s...

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“Hands of Time” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #213

He was being watched. He couldn’t see them, surrounded as he was by the vast crowds around him, but he could feel a pair of eyes staring at him. Sweat trickled down his spine as the hair on his neck stood up. Unthinkingly, he stretched out his hands. The black gloves he wore flexed as he did so, the leather old and worn. He tucked his arms back beneath the folds of his cloak, hands once more hidden from sight. Boot clad feet stepping gingerly over the snow covered cobblestones, he swiveled his head to and fro, seeking for his watcher. His ea...

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“The Omens of War” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #212

To the Cossacks of Taridistan: As High King, son of Eckvar; brother of the sun, moon, and the stars; grandson and viceroy of Tengri; ruler of the Eastern Steppes; King of Kings, Ruling over Rulers; Khan of Khans, never defeated; Eternal Master of the Golden Horde; steadfast guardian of the tomb of Yemo; the chosen of Tengri Himself; the hope and comfort of Eckvarians; confounder and great defender of the lesser races – I command you, the Cossacks of Taridistan, to submit to me voluntarily and without any further resistance, and to cease and ...

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“A Beginning Conspiracy” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #211

“Where is it, where is it?” The panicked cry was sounded right before the two pinewood doors were thrust wide open. Sweeping through the entrance on swift legs came two robed figures, once clad in viridian and the other in scarlet. The green robed figure was a towering male, bearded face crinkled in worry and movements hurried. His companion wore her almond hair in a simple bun, her face stern. Her eyebrows were furrowed in thought.  “Have you checked the Forbidden Section Director Grunwald?” Her query earned her a huff in response.&nbs...

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“Bloody Death is Dead” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #210

Lexi hated Allen. She didn’t care about how many push ups he could do, or how good he was at sports, nor did she care about Allen’s relationship with his boyfriend, Kuro.  “Allen, for the last time, I don’t give care about you and Kuro,” Lexi snarled, a sneer curling on her lips. Feeling the slight pain of chapped lips, Lexi wished for the hundredth time that she had some lip balm. Years after the world went to Hell, and she still could not find any lip balm.  She brushed filthy blond strands from her eyes, ignoring Allen’s af...

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“Illegal Magic” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #205

Silent they crept through the woods, sure and steady. Spry and swift, they crept forth on bent legs, always hiding in the shadows of the trees. Their only light was the Full Moon, glaring down at them, cold and unforgiving. Nevertheless, even now the five of them could feel subtle power work upon their minds. Through the night they went, advancing in stealth. Following a dirt path worn with use, they finally came to a great copse of trees, within which lay a great clearing. In the center of the clearing lay a circle of tall, standing ...

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“Encounter With the Rebel” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #204

The sun was slipping beneath the horizon when the strangers came to the village. As golden rays of light set the skies ablaze, three men rode into the settlement  astride tall horses, two of them armed as if for war and all coming one after the other. Their shadows stretched across the sandy streets, as tall as the men who gave them shape.  The first man wore a hauberk of riveted maille, covered by a surcoat emblazoned with the sigil of a winged serpent in flight. A forest green cloak hung at his shoulders. Slung across his back wa...

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“The Prince and the Jarl” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #203

WARNING: This story features several mature topics, up to and including implied threats of forced marriage/unwanted romantic attention, implied threats of violence, and an antagonist who is crazy. With that, let us begin. “Jarl Hal, please, this is madness!” A great oaken door was hurled open as an irate young man garbed in armor marched out of the room. His blue eyes brimmed with rage beneath furrowed brows, a snarl on his lips. His fair hair was in disarray. His suit of plate and maille clanked as he walked through the stone walls of ...

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Author bio

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