Lyse stood on the edge of the cliff with Andes beside her. Her face twitched trying to restrain her horror. Before them the valley burned in boiling fire which burbled in oranges, yellows, and blues. Lyse saw it and couldn’t believe it.

The chime rang and Avital looked toward the front of the house unseen from the scant hallway visible. She closed her fingers around the slim stone she’d held to the light.

There had been many theories about how she had been murdered. Arwith’s least favorite was food poisoning.

Nothing but white. Lillie turned searching for anything in the humdrum continuance, vaguely disturbed by the thought that she might be dead.

The front gave a low groan with the deliberation of guilt. Wiping her hands on her apron, Aerith marched from her kitchen to the hallway.

The door swung shut, slamming against Amos as he hesitated on the threshold. He shuffled forward, crossed the room, and plopped his elbows on the bar. Leaning forward, he stared at the Tender, Lloyd, around the other patrons.

Kevanth grudgingly noted that even in defeat Nadrith presence commanded. She walked straight backed and chin high. Even her arms seemed casually angled together. Only the heavy manacles dragging on her wrists spoke the truth.

Lasym wished the only sound were the soft rustle of sand shifting over stone. He wished that, but the constant flick of nails against each other was dysrhythmic and nerve wracking. “Would you knock that off,” he snapped turning to face Ellel.

This week’s entry is a bit different, a bit long than normal, and covers two prompts. Because this week, the flash fiction stories for Wednesday Words are in Tribute to David Farland. David passed away on January 14th and we morn the loss of a mentor, supporter, and friend. I along with so many other…

THOU SHALT SEE THAT IT IS BARREN.

The green world blurred stretching into dusty yellows. Helia rubbed her tongue over her drying mouth. Closing her eyes, she shook her head vehemently. “Get out of my head, Sandiel.”