Alternate Ending To Build A Fire
Ami built the evening fire to a roaring inferno, and as the bright orange flames filled the summit, licking with vigour at the darkening sky, the shadows danced like nymphs on the stone walls in a frenetic display. Soon, the fires would recede, leaving behind a bed of molten-red embers. Their invitingly warm glow would safeguard against the savage chill of the Arthe night.
Her father and Umonakalisi had not strayed from the summit since their earlier discussion, and it seemed they would not be returning to the shelter of the village tonight. She worried about their obsession with the changing future. She was sure it would lead them to neglect their health, and so, she took it upon her herself to watch over them.
As she left the ridge, Umonakalisi …show more content…
"You haven't answered my question."
"Our sacred scriptures predict the arrival of a new Master Of Time. It is foretold he will come to us on the wings of a Blackbird," he replied, his voice barely a whisper.
"Visits you and I. Or The Hub?" Umonakalisi asked again, looking to the slumbering giant high above them.
"As it is set forth. The Master of Time will visit The Guardian and The Keeper Of Life on the Sacred Plateau, and they will unite in a peaceful alliance that will extend through the ages."
"Then we should wait here and see if it holds true."
Pulling a long fur up to his chin and leaning back against the rough, stone wall, Tralore looked skywards, towards The Hub. As the twilight faded to blackness, its charcoal outline stood proudly against the star-freckled sky. He closed his weary eyes and relaxed. Then, feeling the glow of the fire, and watching the shadows of flickering orange flames leap across the insides of his eyelids, he thought of simpler times.
"You're not falling asleep on me, are you, old man?"
He smiled, and the firelight emphasised the deeply engraved lines on his ageing face.
"No. I was
Her father and Umonakalisi had not strayed from the summit since their earlier discussion, and it seemed they would not be returning to the shelter of the village tonight. She worried about their obsession with the changing future. She was sure it would lead them to neglect their health, and so, she took it upon her herself to watch over them.
As she left the ridge, Umonakalisi …show more content…
"You haven't answered my question."
"Our sacred scriptures predict the arrival of a new Master Of Time. It is foretold he will come to us on the wings of a Blackbird," he replied, his voice barely a whisper.
"Visits you and I. Or The Hub?" Umonakalisi asked again, looking to the slumbering giant high above them.
"As it is set forth. The Master of Time will visit The Guardian and The Keeper Of Life on the Sacred Plateau, and they will unite in a peaceful alliance that will extend through the ages."
"Then we should wait here and see if it holds true."
Pulling a long fur up to his chin and leaning back against the rough, stone wall, Tralore looked skywards, towards The Hub. As the twilight faded to blackness, its charcoal outline stood proudly against the star-freckled sky. He closed his weary eyes and relaxed. Then, feeling the glow of the fire, and watching the shadows of flickering orange flames leap across the insides of his eyelids, he thought of simpler times.
"You're not falling asleep on me, are you, old man?"
He smiled, and the firelight emphasised the deeply engraved lines on his ageing face.
"No. I was