The challenge? Write a story in exactly 6 sentences based on Denise’s one word prompt: PANEL. Visit, comment, and write & perhaps post your own on SIX SENTENCE STORIES. The Café is open. Come as you are!
The sun set extra late and rose extra early in this northern clime, and the journeywoman rose, the normal energic exhilaration that accompanied such long summer days thin in the shadow and grief of her mother’s passing.
Patting her chest pocket to ensure the relic remained safe from any night humors and demons, she glanced over at Horse, who’d risen early to nibble at the abundant strip of green lining the creek’s edge.
Sated still from the previous night’s late dinner by the fire, she brewed a simple cup of dark Claron and studied the panel of ingredients needed for the relic’s final ceremonial return; the forest, westward, was still dark and thus dangerous, though the fields eastward glowed bright in the sunrise.
Most of the listed items would be easily gathered from the wood – humors and demons notwithstanding – but one item would have to be charmed from a liminal waterfall at the mountain’s base, and another carved from the peak where her mother had been born.
The journey woman smiled; as usual, Mother had chosen the most opportune time to die, and ensure that her daughter’s task would most likely succeed.
Her father’s birthplace may have been the sea, but her mother’s was definitely the mountain; the couple had created a life and balance in the space between, but upon both their deaths, it was critical that before-time balance be restored.
© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2024)
Earlier episodes, if you wish to visit: One, Two, Three
Valley of the Trolls 
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Nice use of the word “panel.” And a lovely story. I love the visual descriptions and could so imagine the journeywoman using her knowledge of the natural world do to what she needed to do. Bravo!
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Thank you, Someone. We do what we can, when we must. 💐
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Excellent intent and content. Choice of ‘atmospheric’ already chosen! Cheers. Joy Lennick
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Thank you Joy. Your comment sparked joy, indeed!
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Wonderfully atmospheric, Liz!
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Thank you kindly, Keith!
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I wish her good journey and much success, and hope we get to come along to witness.
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Thanks, Mimi. Slowly unfolding…
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engaging and that crucial (magical) element of drawing a picture, describing a world that we Readers find a short step to become a part (in the background only, of course) of as your story unfolds
cool
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Thank you Clark! The veil peels back with the right prompt…
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This is so interesting! I love myths and legends😊
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Thank you, Chris!
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May her inner knowledge guide her well.
This is a fabulous story. I’m so pleased that you’ve continued it.
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Thank you Misky. Me too!
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Very interesting story Liz
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Thank you for your kind comment, Sadje!
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Most welcome Liz
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“…it was critical that before-time balance be restored.”
That is a heavy burden the Journeywoman as been carrying, although I suspect she doesn’t consider it a “burden”.
I’m glad this series is continuing, Liz.
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🤗
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May the sunrise brighten the dangerous forest so she can complete her tasks.
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Maybe a second cup of Claron would do as she plans… :-)
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