Robyn at Captivate me created this wonderful challenge of weekly processing a photo four ways. Do check out the One Four Challenge in the reader for all the great submissions. I’m a bit early.
(previous chapter one)
For those who enjoy reading and who requested more story here it is and I hope I won’t disappoint. For those who don’t I hope the image is a story in itself!!
The Meeting
Lady Ho Chuen stepped out from the shadow of her loom and spoke softly. “You have come at last! My father and the priests have been waiting and so have I.” She invited the young man to sit and servants soon appeared at the door bringing ceramic vessels filled with hot atole. As they both leaned forward to drink, Smoke Jaguar saw serpent tails of steam curl over her long forehead and into the luxurious black hair that was dressed in high rows on top of her head. Her eyes caught the fire from the torch lamps and flashed like an obsidian knife. He shivered slightly and a gust of night air from the hallway shook the blue green feathers of his headpiece. Not long ago he had hoped they would marry and an alliance be made between their two cities, but now with the hardships that had come, those wishes had been put aside as the people struggled to make sense of what was happening.
Putting down his bowl, Smoke Jaguar turned suddenly and embraced the woman at his side. He felt the beating of her heart quicken against his chest like the rushing wings of the quetzal bird whose feathers he wore. After a few moments she reluctantly broke free and began to speak. “The people are leaving the cities” she said quietly, “The great ball courts are empty and there is talk of worse to come. The priests and nobles have been unable to appease the gods.” Lady Ho Chuen gripped his hand tightly. “Smoke Jaguar, last night I had a dream! The great Kukulkan swallowed the sun and was fleeing from the heavens. A blood rain fell upon our cities and temples.” Momentary fear gripped Smoke Jaguar. “Aiiie my lady,” he exclaimed softly, “this is a powerful dream! It must be entrusted to those who will understand and I have brought the codice from the priests of the Wizard’s Well that may shed light on it all”
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original
week one
week two
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to chapter 3– The Road to the Heavens
also see: In the Jaws of Kukulkan
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Your love and your knowledge of your subject just shine through. Lovely work x
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again sorry for the late reply, so pleased you liked it!
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I am away to rad more. Just been so busy this week. Sure you know the feeling x
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that’s music to my ears of course lol!
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Breathtaking ♥
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Many thanks Cougar!
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Beautiful night sky, Cybele!
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thanks so much Stacy!
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I love the night effect! A beautiful edit, Cybele. Great story, as well – as always. 🙂
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so glad you liked it Louise!! Stay tuned lol!
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As always, very expressive and powerful writing. Loving the story!
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much appreciated Lizzie!! hugs to you my friend.
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The night sky served perfectly as the mystery ground for your story. I enjoyed the story and loved the effect on the photo. The Mayan civilization is so interesting but only little is known about them.
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so true Norma but lots of theories and of course wonder!!
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I liked the original version, also week one’s submission…but this one is all kinds of WOW!! I really love it! I agree with one of the other commenters…it fits great with your story. 🙂
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That’s wonderful Tracey- thanks so much- and for reading the story!!!
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What a great image to work with! I love the original but your treatments are delightful too.
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thanks so much Lynne!
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Such a wonderfully mysterious night image! Each version of this image is so dramatically different – great work!
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thank you Eliza!! I love the place!!
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Just brilliant, Cybele, and no need to apologise for taking artistic licence. That photograph looks like a painting.
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So pleased you like it Sarah!! Thank you!
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I like the night time feel in the and the stars in the sky. I really like the image.
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Many thanks Ben!!
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Always an interesting series of versions that you come up with. Glad to see you are still keeping up with the challenge.
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thank you Robert. This is a subject I love to photo and write about.
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Left a comment this morn, but WP ate it again 😜
Love the night version Cybele! Its gorgeous.. and I have to say Ms 5 Monkey suits you perfectly – Illusion and Creativity! Fab image and words as always!
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😀 thanks so much Robyn!! I like this mysterious version. I was a bit early but my time seems a bit choppy these days- I’m all over the place! I’m especially pleased if you enjoyed the story too!
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Oh boy, I can so relate to being ‘choppy’ and all over the place! Crazy 😜
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oh yeah!! 🙂
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Not sure about the monkey thing but it has been spoken – that is my animal!!
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Lol!
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You have just enriched my day with the story.
“Smoke Jaguar saw serpent tails of steam curl over her long forehead and into the luxurious black hair that was dressed in high rows on top of her head.”
I love this description. “serpent tails of steam”–ha! It is wonderful. And then you proceed to describe the lady: the long forehead and luxurious black hair dressed in high rows form part of a point observation. So much emotion is expressed in it. Such admiration. He had wished to marry her; so much is revealed about his life and his people by just this line. Then he hugs the lady and feels the beating of her heart. This completes it.
It is better than saying “She had a long forehead and luxurious black hair dressed in high rows on top of her head”–which would make the reader question: ‘why are her forehead and hair important?’
Also, the quetzal simile is great. “whose feathers he wore”–puts the bird in context. You incorporate it in the story instead of just saying “like the rushing wings of the quetzal bird” which would make a reader ask: ‘why the quetzal?’
You are a wonderful writer, Cybele. I am a fan.
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Oh my Peter, thank you so much for the analysis!! those details kind of flowed into my fingers on the keyboard and I tapped away not sure how they would translate. Sometimes I worry about too much detail!- but, hey from now on I may run things by you!! Writing about love from a romantic sense and to impart that sense of loving fixation isn’t easy I think. I shy away from it most times so if it is successful I am thrilled. And you picked up on those nuances!! Great minds think alike lol!! You are so encouraging and I am so happy I have your support and feedback!
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wow, such an impressive result!
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http://travelingrockhopper.com
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a lovely comment! thanks so much for coming by my blog!!
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Ah beautiful, Cybele. I feel like the night sky effect and the story work together to portend dark times ahead.
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yes there is a dark river of mystery that runs through the Mayan story- and ultimate tragedy. Thank you Anita!
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You know that kinda makes me not look forward to the next version… 😛
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oh brrrhahha!!
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i love the blue version
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much appreciated Sedge!! Thank you!
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an amazing edit with this night-time version!!!
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so glad you like it! Thanks Cool!
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Beautiful post – this week’s version is definitely my favourite so far 🙂
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colour me blue happy!! Thanks Lisa!
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I really love what you’ve done again this week. Week one and week two are as different as night and day! 😀 I have a lot of information on the ancient Americas if you’re interested. Here is a link to one article if you wish to check it out. (It is on my church’s website but I’m not proslytizing!) There’s a boatload of information which includes the Mayan culture. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1984/09/digging-into-the-book-of-mormon-our-changing-understanding-of-ancient-america-and-its-scripture?lang=eng
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thanks so much Linda I am going to check it out. Will get back to you!!
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It’s a lot of reading! Hope it’s something you find interesting! 😀
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🙂
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Oh Cybele what a stunning result. The night sky and blue filter work wonderfully to add mystery to the image and I like the light on the gate too. May I ask you how you got that night sky? Was it a photo you had taken and combined into this one, or is it a pre-set?
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hey Chris, it was an old photo in my background folder. So glad you liked this Chris- hope the story wasn’t too ominous lol! ( though it is!)
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Love your processing this week, Cybele – truly mystical! And great prose, as usual!
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thank you Sue, I’m glad you liked the story too!
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Love the night effect Cybele and it works perfectly with your words 🙂
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thanks so much Andrea!
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I feel some horor things in the story.. Or it just my feeling due to the pictures above .. the night effect is perfect, Cybele..
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It’s a very interesting and mysterious civilization with lots of scary and dramatic mythology!! They only just deciphered their glyphs not that long ago and are still trying to piece their story together. Much of their history and writings were unfortunately destroyed by the Spanish who considered them to be works of the devil!!
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and thank you Nurul!! I like the night effect too!
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