A Drift of Quills for November 2020

Yes, 2020 will surely go down as one of at the most difficult years of all time. There's no surprise there. Our lives have been in turmoil from the outset, and as we are nearing its end, things are not looking any more stable, particularly since today is a Friday and the 13th of the month! So what better time than now to escape, even if only for a few minutes? Here's your chance with our latest flash fiction stories.

This time, P.S. Broaddus, author of A Hero's Curse, chose our prompt.

The artist of this beauteous piece, entitled, "Golden Fish," is Laura Diehl, found online, here. 

As you all know, I consistently challenge myself to come in under 1000 words for my flash fiction. This time, I'm running at roughly 575 words. I look forward to hearing what you think.

He Needed Her
by Patricia Reding
Copyright Patricia Reding 2020

Crimson waxy leaves glistened in the waning sunlight, chattering amongst themselves as a cool breeze moved through. In the distance, the cat-like cries of black-tailed gulls sounded out.

Kaida flitted down the garden path toward the sea. On reaching the water’s edge, she came to a sudden halt. Before her and a short distance from shore, tiptoeing from one semi-submerged rock to another, an egret meandered. On sight of her, he spread his snowy white wings, then took to flight, joining the mewing gulls in their happy airborne ballet. Kaida grinned at the bird’s gangly legs that seemingly dragged behind, but then quickly turned serious once more. She had to get back to KanaRyu as quickly as possible. He needed her.

Spotting her boat hidden in the nearby rushes, Kaida ran to it and then dragged it toward the water. While its bow still rested on the sandy shore, she tied her lure to its curled end, knowing full well that once at sea, she could not do so without capsizing. When through, she pushed the boat out until water surrounded her. Then she jumped aboard before catching the wind in her sail. 

Short minutes later, as she rounded the tip of the peninsula that she called home, the sun sank below the western horizon, while the moon began its ascent in the east. Now came the part Kaida found the most difficult—waiting, as the hours passed, while her lure filled up with needed moonlight. Still, she remained focused. For KanaRyu’s sake, she dared not fall asleep and miss the moment. He needed her. 

Finally, as the moon began to set, Kaida’s lure reached its full capacity. Immediately, it began to glow and to sing. Soon, its golden light spread across the water, while its music filled the air. The calming sound reminded Kaida of when her grandmother played her end-blown flute. 

When the light and sound surrounded her, Kaida threw her bait out, then watched as the fish approached the dragon-scales, ate, and then swam to her hand. The minutes passed quickly as she worked. Finally, thrilled with her catch, she turned her sail toward home.
​

As the pink of dawn lightened the sky, Kaida rushed back up the path, toward the tea house sitting in the center of the garden. Grandmother had not been happy about Kaida’s bringing home a pet, and had only reluctantly—and temporarily—agreed to give up her quiet space to house him until he grew too large. But two things Grandmother had vehemently refused: to feed him, or to gather what was necessary to restore his magic energy, as and when necessary. That was Kaida’s job, and Kaida well knew that in that regard, KanaRyu needed her.

She pulled the door open, stepped inside, then bowed.

“A minute later may have been too late,” KanaRyu whispered, slowly opening his steely blue eye, “as my magic was sorely depleted when last I ventured out.”

“I’m sorry!” Kaida cried. “But I made, indeed, a wondrous catch! So many were willing to sacrifice for you and for the sake of your dragon magic!” She emptied before him, her pouch of the gold pieces that the fish she caught had become—the very gold KanaRyu has asked her to gather, the gold he needed to survive, the gold for which she knew he needed her.

Kaida’s heart swelled as he sniffed, then smiled, his scales glowing in appreciation and anticipation.
​

I hope you enjoyed that quick tale!

Parker is temporarily delayed, but I will be sure to bring you his tale when it becomes available. Parker?

Light Out of Darkness
by P.S. Broaddus
Copyright P.S. Broaddus 2020

Akari knew Grandfather’s stories. The stories of creation–of the sun and moon and wind. Of Amaterasu, the sun goddess, of how she put her light into the darkness of the sea and brought forth life. Or Akari’s favorite, of how the goddess hid from her brother in a cave. Akari knew how the sun goddess felt. Sometimes she wanted to hide from her brothers too.

Grandfather’s face would grow serious, and his white eyebrows seemed to grow even bushier and more wild than usual when he told of Yomi, the land of the dead—but then his eyes would crinkle with laughter as he told of how the gods tried to get Amaterasu to leave her cave and give light to the world once again. “It is light that gives life.”

​“Light, and love,” Grandmother interjected.

(Be sure to follow the link for the rest of the story ...

Thank you, Parker!

Robin? I can't wait.

Golden Girl
by Robin Lythgoe
Copyright Robin Lythgoe 2020

The third plank in from the window was the one that squeaked, and Mashika avoided it as she climbed carefully through the window, shrouded in summer’s warm shadows. Getting caught sneaking back into the house after hours was not a good idea. Light came from downstairs in the kitchen. Someone was still up. She held her breath, and after a moment she heard voices speaking. Mama and Papa were still awake.

​“There’s no choice," Papa was saying. “We’ll start tomorrow night.”