Ficlets

Origins

The celebrations and feasts in the city grow more and more uncontrollable, and Reita retreats to her castle. After the day’s festivities, she requires rest. The cobbled streets are lit by strange glass bulbs, the origins of which no one remembers. They illuminate, though not very well, the painted walls, decorated with illustrations of sacrifice.

Reita shakes her head, pausing to wonder at one of the small, twisted wonders of light. It must be a gift from the Sun God, she assumes, and dares not touch it for fear of its dreadful heat. She turns away after a moment, and lights dance before her eyes in the darkened street.

She approaches the temple, her palace, and walks slowly up the stairs. She is lonely, but need only summon them, and her lovers will come running to her service. She lingers, though, at the ruin of the relic they have, the only one from the River Goddess.

A metal shell, twisted and rusty with age, flakes beneath her fingers. On the front hangs a blue circle and silver letters, “Ford”.

View this story's 1 comments.