Hopes for the Future
Entry into the Fiction Writers Group’s Weekly Flash Fiction Contest for the week of 12/29/19, featuring characters from the Council of Sons.
By: Vivian St. Crow & Xaneria Ann
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Word Count: 300 Words
Image Source:Â https://pixabay.com/illustrations/new-year-s-eve-fireworks-4652544/fbclid=IwAR0UG8pUU8Pw817XUgP8Mwpw9AsxeAPsHYdF5uumfaQ-hDc1vrSysNvDFTw
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ragnimar, eyes narrowed, observed as Isidore’s hands carefully bent and twisted slender metal rods, affixing artfully designed paper to form a lantern.
On its face, a series of characters scrawled in elegant Hana script.
Eager to imitate, Rag took up his drawing and metal construct. He jammed metal rods through the paper, ripping delicate parchment.
“Easy, easy,” Ise cautioned, sidling up next to him to assist. Rag loomed overhead, eyes locked on Ise and the art project.
The task more easily lent itself to his smaller hands. With a shred of red dipped into a milky liquid, he deftly repaired Rag’s lantern with a burst of color that matched the waiting candle and passion between them. Turning the lantern, Ise inspected it for further damage. As he paused at the crude drawing, a smile brightened his face.
Such characteristic scribbles had been crucial in the days before either had learned the other’s native tongue. They’d carved countless rough sketches into dirt and rock, discovering pieces of one another in the images.
“All done,” Ise announced, holding up the lantern and a crimson candle small enough to be pinched between Rag’s fingers.
Popping a golden candle into his own, Ise watched Rag from the corner of his eye, glancing hurriedly away when the Ryot lifted his gaze for further instruction.
Ise retrieved a slender, fragranced stick. Ragnimar watched him reach towards the wall sconce, lighting the little branch. It emitted a sweetness that crinkled Rag’s nose. Ise offered an apologetic smile, cupping a hand around the smoking incense. He touched the smoking tip to candle wicks. Twin flames sprang to life, lifting the lanterns adorned with their fondest memories.
Soon, lanterns from the crowd below joined in, taking to the starry sky to outshine the heavens with hopes for the future.Â
