One thousand and one lights

PHOTO PROMPT © Carla Bicomong

 

The last thing Jinaka told me before the golden blade of the demon warrior’s sword plunged into his back, piercing through his abdomen, was to take the map to the city of Kunto.

Before I could catch him, he had thrust the bag and its sacred contents into my outstretched hands.

I ran, cowardly and guiltily. I looked back over my shoulder just as the demon towered over Jinaka, sword raised high. After fifteen years, my mentor was gone and independence weighed heavily on me.

Ahead the first lantern shimmered. One thousand more lit the way to Kunto.

98 words

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Write a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Carla Bicomong for this week’s shimmering prompt. Click the blue frog icon to read more flash fiction.

 

*** For some reason the comments were turned off on this post. Which I have now turned back on. 🙂

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Responses

  1. abhiray59 avatar

    Very nice and exciting tale.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
  2. granonine avatar

    Lots of backstory here, right? And where there is light, there is hope.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier avatar

      A lot of backstory, yes! I tried writing it as a novel opener, hoping to draw the reader right into the story. Light is hope!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. pennygadd51 avatar

    A trail of 1000 lights to Kunto? Others have passed that way – perhaps there will be help! Great opening to a longer fantasy, Fatima.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier avatar

      That’s how I intended it, an opening to a fantasy novel. Glad it came across to you. I hope he gets the help he needs.

      Like

    1. Fatima Fakier avatar

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. And pleased to the bone that you loved it. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. lisarey1990 avatar

    So wonderfully done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier avatar

      Thank you, Lisa!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. jillyfunnell avatar

    She is guilty – did she assist the demon? Really engaging story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier avatar

      He feels guilty for what he feels is abandoning his mentor. But he was just doing as his mentor commanded him to do.

      Like

  6. rochellewisoff avatar

    Dear Fatima,

    A lot of story layered between the lines. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier avatar

      Thank you, Rochelle 🙂 I hoped the confusion of being thrown right into the middle of the action would pull a reader into the rest of whatever novel this might have been.

      Like

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