She didn't look back. After all, she was of the Bakiai, and the Bakiai always looked forward. That was how their paths stayed true.
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The Ways of the Paths
The Touch of his Hand
"Ssh," he soothed. "It's all right now. Everything's fine." Magic effervesced beneath his fingertips as he ran his hand in calming strokes down her back, his powers reinforcing his words...
FFfAW: The Touch of his Hand
The Touch of his Hand "Are you coming, my dear?" Millie looked up at the sound of his voice. Tommy stood in the doorway, his hand outstretched, waiting for hers to join it. She still remembered the first time their hands had touched, all those years ago. She'd shyly slid her fingers into his as they'd... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: A Mother’s Grief
A Mother's Grief "We didn't do anything to it, Ma," Aeliene said, a waiver in her voice that broke Shylie's heart all over again. "We were just playing. It came out of nowhere and attacked us. Baen tried to stop it, but, he... he fell... and... and..." Shylie gathered her daughter close. Grief encased her... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: The Name on the Stone
The Name on the Stone Kaeri murmured a prayer and dropped the stone into the urn, calmly meeting the gaze of the priest on the temple steps. He watched her with narrowed eyes, his attention unwavering until she moved out of sight. She'd performed the ritual every day for years. Each stone had borne the... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned Hunger gnawed, growing increasingly harsh and insistent as hours dragged by. The dish of food remained frustratingly out of reach. Finn scowled, trying again to rise. This was ridiculous. He didn't know what she'd done to him, but the old woman was clearly deranged. "If you wish to eat," she'd said, "use the... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: The Truth in the Tale
The Truth in the Tale Jonin enjoyed telling stories. He couldn't deny it. As a knight of many years' service he had numerous exploits to share. But there was one thing everyone wanted to know - what really happened after the Battle of Ebden Moor? There were only a few known facts. He and Mikael had... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Promises Broken
Promises Broken The day had promised so much. Bright skies and a clear forecast meant their shift at the lifeguard station should have been pleasant - with only the usual idiots and accidents to worry them. The crystalline sea had lapped at the beach as if no dangers lurked in its depths. It was a... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Artistic Representations
Artistic Representations "Will you hold still!" Pikey scowled. "You try standing still this long and see how well you manage it." He rolled his shoulders. "How much longer?" "I'll be done a lot sooner if you'd just hold still." "Fine. Just hurry up, 'fore I freeze like this forever." Squiffle gave him a jaunty grin over... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Homecoming
Homecoming Something was wrong. Majif frowned. He'd spent too long evaluating his enemies' weaknesses to overlook the lack of guards on the gate. He freed his blades, fearing the worst... Reality outdid expectation. Within the walls guards and servants alike sprawled in macabre display: blood drenched and staring; throats slashed open. The attack had occurred... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: The Search
The Search "They were around here somewhere. I swear!" Tynen scrambled recklessly over the rocks ahead, peering into each nook and cranny with almost feverish intensity. Velana followed at a slower pace, choosing each footstep carefully as she climbed the craggy slope. "No one's found any in years, Ty. Admit it - you imagined 'em." Her... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Waiting for the Returning Tide
Waiting for the Returning Tide "Suzy would've loved it here," Janet said, her gaze fixed on the panoply of vessels bobbing idly in their moorings. "She was always fascinated by boats. Do you remember? They filled the bathtub!" "I remember." "She was such a happy child. And that smile was so infectious. But she was... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Winter’s Child
Winter's Child He had to wait for winter to arrive. Or so they told him. The summer, they said, belonged to others. He had to wait for the air to turn chilly and the wind biting; for the frost to form on the trees. Only then would it be his time. But the summer seemed... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Greeting the Four
Greeting the Four The seats had been placed with utmost precision: north, south, east and west, each one carefully aligned. Veraen nodded in satisfaction. "Anything else, Sir?" his assistant - Jaeden? Jened? - said, and he gestured in dismissal, shooing the man out of the sacred space. He'd spent too long in preparation to let... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: The Lady’s Advice
The Lady's Advice "You need to hold your head up high, child," the lady said, lifting Gilli's chin with elegant fingers. "Keep your spine straight and your shoulders back." "I can do that." "Act as if nothing anyone says or does bothers you. Confidence is essential. You must remain cool, calm and collected at all... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Victim?
Victim? she felt sick seeing him there performing his songs as if he didn't have a care in the world after everything he'd put her through everything he'd done to her and to those she loved seeing him so blithely carefree set her guts to roiling * she carried the knife in her bag for protection... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Silenced
Silenced It seemed an age since music had last filled Abigail's home. The piano remained covered: its melodies smothered by leather; its keyboard untouched. But it hadn't always been so. Once, joyous refrains had resonated throughout the building. Music had been her life. Her passion. And Robert's, too. Their skillful playing had filled concert halls around the globe. Their life together... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Testing Times
Testing Times Gretnya gripped her husband's hand, writhing anxiety choking her as the final calf was led into the testing area. Please, she prayed to any deity listening. "It'll be fine," Brindel said. "This time it'll have worked, you'll see." The tremble in his voice contradicted the confidence of his words. She squeezed his hand tighter. The... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Puddle Splashing
Puddle Splashing “What are you doing?” Mikey pulled a face. What a daft question. “I’m splashing in puddles, of course.” He was tempted to add ‘silly girl’, but Mummy said he should be nice, even when he didn’t want to be. “Why?” “Because it’s fun.” He leapt towards the next puddle. “Can I have a go?”... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Happy Families
Happy Families It was supposed to be a celebration. David drummed his fingers on the tabletop as his siblings exchanged barbs. Couldn't they make an effort to get on? Just one evening was all he asked for. But no - they couldn't even maintain the facade of a happy family for a few hours. He gritted his teeth.... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: The End?
The End? "It's finally over." Jonin's voice held a mixture of relief and sorrow as he gazed at the courtyard below. Helleni hummed her agreement. Leaning into his embrace, she watched in satisfaction as the final cobble was laid. Only they and the workmen were aware of the crypt hidden beneath the stones - and no word of... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Time to Leave
Time to Leave The boats were full, despite the lateness of the day. Ingrid paused, her foot poised on the gangplank as she looked back at the town. Her throat tightened as tears threatened to fall. How could she leave? The place was central to all of her memories: she'd married Jimmy in the church on the market place;... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Unexpected Consequences
Unexpected Consequences Adrugian gazed wearily over the arid landscape, the insistent beat of the sun sapping energy he could ill afford to lose. He knew the villagers below didn't understand why he traipsed so often to the heights. He'd seen the looks they exchanged. He'd heard their snide comments. Unfortunately, the truth was something they... Continue Reading →
Light and Dark
Light and Dark Tammy hummed a tune as she walked, contentment a pleasing weight on her shoulders. Home's warmth drew her onwards. Until light shattered the darkness. She stumbled back, shielding watering eyes. Her throat tightened with sorrow. She'd known the summons would arrive someday - but, so soon? How could she leave everything behind? She wasn't ready...... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Preservation
Preservation Loreli scratched at her temples where the threads made contact. After nearly twenty years of treatment she should be used to the sensation by now, but they still made her skin crawl. After all, while she knew she'd visited the clinic for years, it wasn't as if she could really remember it... "How much longer?" she murmured. The doctor would hear, no... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Time to Reconnect
Time to Reconnect She hadn't written to them in far too long. Back in the early days, Felena had penned letters weekly, though each one had simply been added to the stack in her drawer. Eventually she'd forced herself to stop. She'd needed to move on. It was now over a decade since anything had actually been delivered to the... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: A Walk in the Park
A Walk in the Park Jake stumbled along the familiar route, drawn to the warm light shining through his window. Home. He was nearly home. The chill air bit into his exposed arms, the thin shirt doing little to warm him, and he shivered. His thoughts skittered as his gaze caught on the trees lining the path. This... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Unceasing Strife
Unceasing Strife "Is that food ready yet, woman?" Julian sighed - here we go again. "It'll be ready when its done. If you got off your lazy backside and helped out, maybe it'd be ready sooner!" Every day it was the same: Henry would snarl and Edna' strident voice would rise in response. He'd found... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Susceptible
Susceptible Willow spotted the pair long before they reached her. The man was perfect, open minded and curious. The woman was more... problematic. She exuded confidence, carrying a fixed world-view that prevented any tampering to her thoughts. But the man was too good to ignore. "Come," she whispered into his mind. "This way." He stopped, his vacant gaze turning towards the doorway where Willow... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Captivated
Captivated Raedan's hands clenched around the gift box as he listened to the announcement. Lady Seleste had chosen her suitor. And it wasn't him. Everyone else faded into insignificance as she glided across the hall. With each tilt of her head, each flash of a smile, she set his senses reeling. She'd captivated him from the first. Now he had one... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Wisps of Gold
Wisps of Gold Emily stood beside the piled leaves, peering around the garden for any that might have escaped her notice. It had taken far longer than she’d expected to scrape the mound together, each breeze threatening to undo her work, but she’d been determined to gather every golden scrap she could find. "Well?" she called. "How's... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Seven PM
Seven PM Edmund stood on the shoreline. Waiting. It was something he was good at. As a child he'd waited for his father, watching the ticking clock. At seven pm, daily, the man would hear the governess' report, granting him a fragment of his time: a smile, a question, a word of praise... if the report was fair. On days when... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Sidelines
Sidelines Jenny hurried past the sports field with her head down, eyes fixed on the path before her. The hubbub of the players stirred memories she'd rather ignore. Plus, he was there. She could hear his voice, bellowing orders over the field. She could feel the weight of his knowing gaze. She'd spent so many hours standing on the sidelines, cheering... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: The Children
The Children "For your disregard of our laws-" "Father, please," Lia said, tears flowing. But no trace of her doting parent was visible. It was the High Councillor who faced her: stern and forbidding as he passed sentence. "-you are hereby banished." Her hand tightened on the pony's reins, and she avoided looking at the children on the... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: The Birth of Ambition
The Birth of Ambition "This used to be one of the greatest gardens in the area." The rough voice caught Finley's attention as he stomped along the path. "Some day it could be again." Finley paused, juggling his armfuls of equipment as he peered at the old gardener leaning on his spade beside the path. With weathered... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Imaginary Friends
This post is for Priceless Joy's Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. This week's prompt was provided by me. Imaginary Friends "It's just your eyes playing tricks on you," everyone always told her. "None of it's real." Even her grandmother - who told the most wonderful stories - had always waved a dismissive hand and said, "Your imagination is running away... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Crisis Point
This post is for Priceless Joy's Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 100-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week's picture was provided by TJ Paris. Thank you TJ! Crisis Point The library had always been her sanctuary, her escape from life's hubbub - until her world... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: The Window
His post is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a flash fiction challenge run by Priceless Joy, that asks you to write a story of 100-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week's prompt was provided by Nonnaci. Thank you Nonnaci. The Window Raen stood in the doorway and considered the benefit of retreat.... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Perfect Position
This post is for Priceless Joy's Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week's prompt was provided by TJ Paris. Thank you, TJ! Perfect Position Viordan clambered up the scaffolding with the ease of long practice, the familiar weight... Continue Reading →
FFfAW: Seeing is Believing
This post is for Priceless Joy's Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a challenge that asks you to write a story of 75-175 words based on the photo prompt below. This week's prompt was provided by Yinglan. Thank you Yinglan! Seeing is Believing "Did you see that?" "What?" "That sign - the dinosaur - it moved!"... Continue Reading →
