My collection of neglected words beginning with the letter R :-
Rubican, of a horse’s coat, black or red with specks of white.
Rulley, a four-wheeled flat wagon used for carrying goods.
Rudstay, Strap over a horse’s back to which a wagon can be attached.
Redoubt, rough and temporary fortification.
Rideau, a ridge or mound used for defence.
Robinet. cannon
The messenger leapt from his rubican mare and handed the village headman a rolled parchment. It was not favourable news.
He sounded the tocsin, and the men ceased their labours and assembled in the square. They were to prepare for an invasion by a renegade group of turncoats from a township to the north.
With all due haste they fetched a rulley. Using heavy leather rudstays they appended four fine stallions. After heaving a robinet and a collection of weapons aboard they started to trudge up the steep incline to a redoubt atop the rideau.
*
Come dawn, the sky above the vestiges of the village was thick with black smoke.
Alas, their efforts had been in vain. Its men were taken, their women and children left to fend for themselves.
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Keith's Ramblings 
Wow, are you ok today? Usually your stories are not so dark… By the way, Robinet is a fun word as in French it means a faucet 😉
R is for Rayures
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Don’t worry, it won’t last! I’ll think of your comment next time I turn my tap on!
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Such a sad story today 😦 I think my favourite word is Rubican – it has a nice shape to it.
Tasha 💖
Virginia’s Parlour – The Manor (Adult concepts – nothing explicit in posts)
Tasha’s Thinkings – Vampire Drabbles
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It does! Thanks Tasha.
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I think, this was once a very common thing. It was their sad reality. This is a somber story but I equally loved it. You have amazing storytelling skill, Keith. I am a fan of your stories.
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That really is so kind of you. They say a change is as good as rest. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow!
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I’ve been watching a program on ‘the Rise and Fall of Islam in Spain.’ This story reads like the series. Constant warring between religious factions. Sad.
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An interesting programme I’m sure. Such stories abound throughout history. Thanks Denise.
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Oh, this is sad. History is so full of such instances.
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Indeed it is. Thanks Srivalli
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Something away from your usual style but still good.
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A dark and grey day today Keith. Hope you are well.
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Dark and grey my tale might be, but outside there’s a blue sky and a golden sun! I’m very well. I trust you are too.
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For the first time, I read a story here that made me sad at heart.
The only victims of any war are always the women and the children, on both sides of the warring factions.
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Sad but true Anagha. Thanks so much.
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Oh this is sad. But it was a reality for many unfortunate, oppressed souls. This is a deviation from your usual, funny self. I hope everything is alright. 🙂
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It certainly was and yes, I’m fine thanks. Hopefully I’ll raise a smile again tomorrow!
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There is actually a Fort Redoubt near where we vacation each year. It is a rough and ready place, for sure, old and well preserved.
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This is so sad…
R is for Reminisce
https://thedreamgirlwrites.wordpress.com/2020/04/21/reminisce/
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Indeed it is.
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They did the best they could 😦
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Oh what a sneaky enemy….
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An exciting and realistic story. I see you did soften the ending. After a normal historical battle the outcome was more like: the men were massacred, women and children taken as slaves.
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Oh that was a sad ending but war is never nice. A realistic story with an interesting repetoire of R words
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Absolutely Thanks so much.
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Oh dear this is very sad.
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Afraid so Kathe
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