Fantasy Drabble #343 “Afterimage”

He stopped, knelt, placed his hand against the ground, stayed there for what seemed like an eternity. The others seemed inured to this behavior. Shayl asked someone, in a whisper, “What’s he doing?”

Before anyone could answer, he stood, looked around, looked at Shayl. “There was a city here. Many people, many buildings.”

“When?” She asked, looking around, seeing only bare rock and desolation.

He shrugged. “Ten thousand years? Twelve? Long time.”

“But how do you know these things?”

“The past is here, now, if you know how to see it.”

“…Magic.”

He laughed. “Yes, magic. I will teach you.”

19 comments:

  1. Very interesting - he has an almost Merlin-like quality about him.

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    1. I have him pictured as more of a Shaman, subtle magic, very connected to the Earth.

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  2. Lucky girl. I wish someone would teach me some. Well done.

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  3. Dear David,

    A very Kung Fu feel to this. I could see Keye Luke's Master Po. "I will teach you, Grasshopper." At any rate, I enjoyed your story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  4. Magic is only that which we don't yet understand. This feels like the opening to a very interesting story

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  5. A very interesting and well-done story. It would be a great hook to a longer story. It leaves me wondering if it's Earth of the past, future or another planet.

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  6. Yes, excellent! Would love to hear more of these characters.

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    1. I hope to write something today, either for Chuck Wendig's prompt or for Write On Edge's prompt.

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