Prescriptum - A few weeks ago, I was asked by my English teacher to write four paragraphs on any topic. Two had to be descriptive, and two had to be narrative - include dialog - and they could only be one paragraph long apiece. Rather than do the obvious thing and write four random paragraphs about four random topics, I wrote four paragraphs connected to an underlying story, that is, my fan fiction that I'm still writing. These paragraphs progressively describe and summarize a portion of my story. All four have been posted here, and the one in bold is my entry for Tev's Great Big Contest Week 6 mini contest.

How Did I Get Here? (Descriptive)
The entire place feels quite familiar, and yet I can’t seem to put a finger on it. It’s a large courtyard with no roofing and only red smoke above. The entire area is charred, as if a firestorm went through the plaza. Fires burn in corners and cinders lay scattered about on the ground. The sound of crackling fires echo in and out. To the front of the area, on a raised dais, is an entrance to what appears to be a throne room, but the path is blocked by flaming slabs of wood. To either side of the courtyard are four exits. I can remember that they lead to separate rooms, each housing traps and an important being. The most attracting part of the room is tiny oasis, a shining green spot in the middle of the devastated square. The entire place smells of acrid smoke, which burns my eyes and nose. If only I could remember what this place was.

For Better or For Worse (Narrative)
One minute, he was trying to figure out where he was. The next minute, the knight named Merick was fighting for his life. A large hulking figure called Vanaduke charged him, mace in hand, and nearly took Merick’s head clear off his shoulders. Fortunately, the lost fellow had acute reflexes and dodged just in time. All of a sudden, seeing Vanaduke’s face, Merick began to remember. He remembered his squads waiting for him back home. He remembered his girlfriend, Rhoda, at the campsite, where Merick was supposed to be. And most of all, Merick remembered that Vanaduke was his sworn enemy. All of this he remembered in a split second. Unsheathing his sword, Merick took a deep breath and promised himself that he would do all that he could to save his squads from Vanaduke’s wrath. And with that, he turned and ran. He ran out the courtyard to the south side, dashing across the unstable wooden bridge. He hoped that Vanaduke would try to cross it and possibly fall through. But instead, Vanaduke sauntered up to his side of the bridge and said, “Ok, little knight. Go run. Go tell your camp what you have seen and heard. Remember the Trojans. My armies are ready and you will fall.” At the mention of Trojans, all means of remembering returned to Merick’s mind. His heart beating furiously, he turned and walked out of Vanaduke’s blackened castle of residence. He didn’t want to look weak, but he had no choice. He had to warn the camp of Vanaduke’s impending attack. Merick hadn’t won yet, but he was their only hope for survival. And he had a plan.

Haven - Camp and Refuge (Description)
The camp Merick returned to was nothing like a camp we relate to. No, this was more than a camp. It was a refuge. The main plaza sat in a valley of rough paved stone and makeshift shelters. The center of the courtyard showcased a large gurgling fountain. In front of the fountain was the famous Auction House, where knights exchanged and bidden on gear and other items of importance. Off to the west was an training hall where knights practiced for combat and honed their skills. The Sun shined brightly here, with usually clear blue skies and a cool breeze always blowing through the valley. Haven, as this refuge was called, was always alive with sound. The chirping of birds called snapes, the splashing of the fountain, and the general ambience of knights in conversation composed a cacophonic and yet peaceful atmosphere – not in the least a bad place to hang out.

The Bearer of Bad News (Narrative)
Merick bursts into the Haven courtyard, his eyes scanning wildly about. “Where’s Feron?” he shouts to no one in particular. For indeed, there is no one there. Feron is Merick’s commanding officer and older cousin, and Merick has vital information to report from his scouting ASAP. But Feron, nor anyone else is to be seen. The entire plaza is empty, save for the snapes flitting about and the ironically peaceful fountain. “It shouldn’t be like this,” Merick thinks. “The attack is scheduled for two days from now.” Thoughts of worry begin to fill his mind. Have his memories been corrupted? Has Vanaduke lied in order to trick him? And if so, how could he have known that Merick was spying on him? “Except,” Merick thinks, his heart sinking. “Except if Vanaduke has a spy on the inside... I have to find out who. It doesn’t end this way.” (77 words) Even though his frame is all but shaking from exhaustion, he turns and runs back to the Arcade, preparing once again to delve into the depths of the planet to find his brethren.

Edit: :'( The paragraph was more than 100 words, so I lopped off parts so its not part of the entry but so that you can still see it.