I've been busy since I first set my sights on this competition in October, but now I finally have mustered some time to write. Whilst I had several ideas, the one I decided to do is this one. It is a second draft. The changes and improvements from the first draft (not posted because I accidentally saved over it, though it…
Update: After putting some distance between myself and the story, I've come to realise some of its flaws. With an 1000 word limit, we need to get into the thick of the story far faster. Much of what happens before Poppy shows up can be removed. The trader (protagonist) can have his sinister intent of stealing the hammer…