I am sorry I am a bit late getting this journal up, Computer issues the last few days.

I am pleased to announce that has won the first place prize with her beautiful entry..
and I thank her so much for entering.

Now I know there might have been others who wished to enter, but could not meet the deadline, so I still have the 2nd and 3rd place prizes to give away so.....

I will continue the contest until June 6th. You could still win the second or third place prizes


Second Place.... 6,000 points = $75 dollars

Third Place .... 4,000 points = to $50 bucks

Here are the rules again....

So here is the contest, entitled "Faces of War"  No happy scenes this time, I am looking for submissions where the faces show the signs of stress, fear, anger, Loneliness and sorrow on the battlefield. Any of the characters I have so far introduced in the story are eligible entries, since all of them will soon be in battle (except for Aiden Bane, who is sitting out this conflict with the Pixies, however he is still a candidate as he fought in the Great Fae War of 1133-1137 mortal calender in Britain. That was where he received the disfiguring wounds to his face and head [link] )

So, any Low Road character or characters are eligible as subjects for a scene that shows the emotions and stress that accompany those who fight. A bit of visual inspiration I made years ago... [link] [link] BAckgrounds are a plus But it is the details of the faces, how they convey the emotions running through the character that count the most. Showing some action, One character comforting another etc... just some ideas.

For those who do not mind partial SPOILERS, I can give the following future event scenes. There will be a major FICTIONAL face off between Brian's regiment and Rory's regiment at a town called Barnard Castle. The place is often called "Barney" these days but it is an old town with a castle that Brian will decide to hole up in to delay the Redcoats at. One of the leading characters among his officers will die here, and while I will not give his/her name here, you might be able to guess from the following descriptions I write, so if you have read most of the story, beware as this may be a spoiler. If you dont figure it out but wish to know who the poor character is, I will tell you in a personal note.

Barnard Castle is a rural village with a castle that by the 1700's was not only in disrepair, but was already being further damaged by it's owners as a source for stones to be used in another castle they owned which they were expanding and updating as their primary estate. The ruins make for a good strong point, although it will become a mistake on Brian's part to stop here... Some links with pictures of the castle and the homes built around it today that actually existed in 1745.... [link] of the castle as it stands today are pretty much the way Brian will see it in 1745. [link]

Events will force Brian to leave behind 60 of his men, all too wounded or dying to be moved, as a rearguard as the rest of the regiment escapes from the town. As they leave, either through a trick of the walls of the castle enhancing the volume of the singer's voice, or some twist of the fates that allow a dying man to share his last thoughts through song. The song is not a Scottish tune, but one that was well known by all soldiers  in the British Army, even in the 1700's, it is called "Love Farewell"  There have been many versions of this song, and I basically borrow bits of the original lyrics along with John Tam's version which you can listen to here... [link] and then my own words to make it fit the situation, which is what many soldiers have done to various songs throughout history ....

He looked out from the glass-less window toward the far end of the town, where in the light of the set fires he could see the regiment forming to march away, and he smiled, a trickle of blood escaping his lips as he began to sing a tune he had learned while serving in Flanders.

Hark now I hear the Colonel crying,
"March, brave boys, there's no denying,
Colours flying, drums are beating,
March, brave boys, there's no retreating!"
Lads, farewell!

The Major cries, "Boys, are ye's ready?"
"Yes, your honour, firm and steady;
Give every man his flask of powder,
And his musket on his shoulder!"
Lads, farewell!

He turned his face away from the window and his gaze strayed northward as his thoughts turned to his wife and young son.

If I should fall in far off battle
The Pipes, they call, and muskets rattle
Thoughts fly homeward - of words unspoken
Valiant hearts are oftimes broken
Son Farewell

My soul must go, yet still I tarry
As thoughts recall, the day we  married
I Would that moment had been forever
When we embraced, I'd left ye never
Love Farewell

He turned back to gaze to the south, seeing the last of the men marching into the darkness of the night beyond the town. His vision began to grow dark as his strength left him.

I thought I heard my Colonel crying
March brave boy there's no denying
Cannons.... roaring.... drums are beating
March.... brave.... boy.... there's no retreating
Lad..... Farewell

He closed his eyes for the last time, still sitting against the window embrasure, still clutching his musket to his chest. A soft smile on his weary face.


Good Luck