As I learn the writing craft, I’ve spent a lot of time on a site called writing.com. The site offers writers a place to hone their skills and get feedback on their stories and poems. Over the years, I’ve taken part in many of the daily contests the site offers. This is one of the many entries I’ve submitted to the daily flash fiction contest.

Kaitlin shivered as the icy wind cut through her woolen cloak and the leather of her breeches and jerkin. She hunched down into the thick cloth wrap, trying to warm her ears. She thought of the cozy fire she knew was burning in the hearth upon her return and hurried along the avenue, not heeding her path. A jolt brought her back to the present.

“My pardon, sir,” she said, trying to side-step the cane with which the old man struck at her. The pain in her shoulder almost caused her to drop the parcel she’d gone to the marketplace to fetch.

She had almost run into an officer! She’d better watch where she was going or she would find herself in even more trouble than she was already in. Kaitlin didn’t know how the training master found out about the prank Dari had talked her into helping with a few weeks past. She wished she had never listened to the little minx. The last time she had let Dari talk her into going along with a prank, she had almost lost her position in the company. She was sure the commander would not look favorably on her after this last bit of mischief. It was all Dari’s fault! That girl was too charming for her own good. And Kaitlin fell for her silver tongue every time. Well, that would change this night, she promised herself.

As soon as she delivered the wheel of stinky cheese to Dari.