October 2010 Writing Challenge -- Tiebreaker Poll

[Teresa Edgerton]

Here are the stories:

HareBrain

Gift

I opened the door to autumn night. The Wanderer held out his closed hands.

‘Don’t choose,’ whispered Father. ‘You’re my last.’

But behind the Wanderer were the shades of my brothers, taken yearly, and my sister, first tricked.

Always the wrong hand. A doomed choice.

‘Here.’ I offered an apple.

The Wanderer's eye gleamed. Desiring the fruit hale, he opened his Blessed Hand to take it; and my kin were released into life, laughing.



Parson

Justice Exquisitely Sensual Undoubtedly Severe

The day is ghastly dark. But it suits the job. Most of the Emperor’s men do not like this duty. For me; it’s a treat! I love to hear the curses and cries of those condemned.

This one, disappointingly, says little. They said he was a king; still, blood oozes, death looms. It’s too soon for me. He gathers himself to speak. Hopefully, I listen. “Father, forgive them.”

What kind of a trick is this?!

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Perhaps not as tough as I thought. I went with Parson on this one because I liked his anagram title and it gave me a nice smile again.

 

[Mouse]

Funny sort of anagram, mister!

I also voted for Parson again, although I just read them both there and suddenly understood HareBrain's! D'oh! Both very good.

 

[No One]

Well, HB was my choice and so my vote goes to him again, with apologies to Parson and his also-excellent story.

 

[J-WO]

HB's did it for me, but it was a tough choice.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I was entranced by HB's from the start, although in my original vote I was finally swayed by Devil's Advocate; so this is the vote I nearly gave HB to start with!

 

[Culhwch]

And with the tie-breaker closed, the winner for October is...

HareBrain!

Congrats, HB! And on to November!!