Well this is a lovely way to start my morning! Thank you for your votes! This is my first story to win and I am surprised, given the strengths of the forum's writers in short form, but very happy that you liked my story.
I don't know how obvious it is or isn't, but some might be interested in this story's background, because it was us. This story has been in my head for awhile, since last summer when I was new and Ms. Scarlet's health was at risk. M3mnoch responded to a post of hers with a beautiful picture of a flight of dragons coming to her rescue and that image stayed with me. I composed a melody of that idea on my keyboard, and over time it grew into a story of pictures and moods, but no words until this topic came along. So the blighting corruption in the story was inspired by cancer, and the dragons by M3m's picture. The Clockwork Keep, whose purpose is only hinted at, is this forum, where East and West meet. And the Clockwork Queen is Ms. Scarlet, who seems to keep things positive and balanced - a noble purpose, indeed. The disheveled knight was new to the idea, and represents the way we all feel when our strengths are of no use. Anyway, I am flattered to win. Thanks again.
