Tale of the Week 293: Tyrant - Winner's Circle

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Tyrant


By Unknown author - Zengxiang quantu Sanguoyanyi source

After the first round of voting left us with a close-run tie between two skilled writers, we finally have a winner!

One of the challenges for Tale of the Week writers is to create a credible setting in a few words. Kilo11's entry brilliantly conjures up a somewhat familiar setting, which the reader is likely to recognise as the tale progresses. With superb phrasing (such as the observation about the most aliens who looked most demonic) and vivid description (such as the detail of the newcomer's tongue), this is a worthy and entertaining winner!

If you missed a chance to read the storyboard you can catch Mhaedros's very enjoyable entry here and read Kilo11's winning entry below:

TotW 293: Tyrant - Winning Submission

The smuggler sat at a side booth in a dark bar filled with vagabonds and killers of every stripe. Some had matted hair that looked more like fur. Some had faces that were scarred and broken, fronted by bulbous noses. Some bore the appearance of fairytale monsters and demons, and yet, somehow, they appeared least harmful of all.

The smuggler sat calmly, nursing his third drink, waiting for a warlord to sit in the seat opposite, and he let his eyes casually wander the room, taking in the sour sights of so much scum and villainy. However, between the men and beasts, he failed to spy the one person he was to meet. The man was supposed to have been there already, waiting for him, and yet the smuggler could see no trace of him. There was nothing but the thousand faces of lesser criminals, their heads ever so slightly bobbing to the tune of the band that played in one corner.

His attention momentarily elsewhere, the smuggler did not notice an individual sliding sidelong towards him from the far wall, and when finally he did see the approaching figure, he, or she, or it, was already sitting down, taking the empty seat meant for the absent warlord.

“Do you know who I am, Spice Runner?” the newcomer hissed.

“Can’t say that I do.” the smuggler answered in easy, charming tones. “But I’m waiting for someone, so you’ll need to be going.”

The newcomer’s eyes narrowed. “Hush yourself, spice runner.” it snapped, the words sounding like steam escaping from a broken pipe. “I am a hunter, and I have seen your face before. You are wanted by the Emperor.”

“Could be.” the smuggler replied. “A lot of people are wanted by the emperor these days.”

“Yes. But only one of them sits before me now.” The newcomer then leaned in closer, arcing its back over the table. “I can almost taste the reward.” it purred, flicking its tongue in and out like a snake.

The smuggler, who through the whole discussion had continued to watch the room, finally turned to face the hissing newcomer before him. “Listen, bub,” he said quietly, as though to a fellow conspirator, “I really don’t have time for this, but if you come back later we can talk more.”

The newcomer leaned back and growled, deep in its throat. “No. You are coming with me. Now! And I must say, I have been looking forward to this catch for a long time.”

“Yes. I bet you have.” the smuggler answered with a smile, and from below the table he fired his blaster. With a flash of sparks and cloud of smoke, the newcomer fell forward, his flickering tongue finally stilled, and Han rose to his feet. Shaking his head, he made his way toward Chewie, near the cantina entrance. “Well, old pal, I don’t love how often that happens here.” he said, and together they left, losing themselves in the noisy streets of Mos Eisley.

Kilo11 receives 1 Writers' Study competition point for this win, which earns him a gold Writers' Study Competition Medal - congratulations!

Thank you to all who entered and voted!

TotW 293: Submission thread | Voting thread | Tie-breaker thread

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If you would like to take part in the Tale of the Week, you are invited to enter Tale of the Week 294: Battle of Trenton!

[Mhaedros]

Congratulations to Kilo11

[Kilo11]

Thanks Maedhros, and to everyone who voted. I hope everyone enjoyed the tale. I myself had loads of fun writing it, trying to work in as many subtle references to different Star Wars things as I could.

As a bonus for this tale, I will give one rep if you can tell me three distinct references that are made in the course of things!!! I just read through it again, and I located nine in total, so there are three reps up for grabs. But please, only tell of three, even if you found more, as I'd like this to be fun for everyone involved