Fire In My Heart by Rachel Ann Michael Harris
Happy Lunar New Year
If you know me at all, you know I’m pretty rubbish at remembering holidays in general. If it’s not New Year’s, Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, I’m probably pretty apt to not even know it is a holiday. I blame this in part on the fact that I do remember like everyone I’ve ever known’s birthdays… and that takes up the entire “date remembering drawer” in my head.
However, Rachel Ann Michael Harris kindly brought to my attention that today is not only the start of the Lunar New Year in China, but it’s also their Year of the Dragon, which might not actually have anything to do with the fantasy fiction genre, but does sound super fantasy-y, and happens to go along well with February is Fantasy Month here at Safe Return Doubtful.
I’m nothing if not cultured.
Ahem. (I am laughing at myself here, guys, it’s ok to laugh at me)
Anyway, today I am excited to share with you a truly beautiful short story that Rachel is kindly letting me publish here on the blog and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Fire in My Heart
by
Rachel Ann Michael Harris
“They’re ready for you.”
Minami glanced over her shoulder to where Isamu stood at the tent opening. She nodded and checked the sash around her white kimono once more time.
“You don’t have to do this,” he said. “The daimyo sent us to face this beast. Not you.”
An image of the young girl crying as men dragged her to the cliff’s edge to be a sacrifice to a gluttonous sea serpent, flashed through Minami’s mind. She and the daimyo’s samurai had arrived just in time to stop them. Minami had given those men a piece of her mind… but when it hadn’t changed their intentions, she’d volunteered instead.
Snatching her old kimono off the ground, she used her kaiken to cut out the Nozomi clan mon from the sleeve before tucking both into her obi.
“Yes, I do.” Seeing the tension in his jaw, Minami smiled and gestured to her figure. “No offense, but you are lacking what is needed for this job.”
Isamu scowled at her and turned away.
She had hoped her little tease would ease the tension. Maybe even hide the fear in her heart as well. Instead, it looked like Isamu would break more. And Minami felt the band around her heart tighten.
“This is not a normal dragon,” Isamu said, his voice strained. “It boils water and confounds trained warriors. Men tremble and flee at the sight of it. It shames the ways of true dragons and is a selfish, gluttonous beast and will have no mercy on you.”
“We weren’t sent her to find mercy but to give it.” Minami closed her eyes, drowning out the echo of screams in her mind. “Twenty-four girls in two years. Not counting two villages before that. All consumed by this creature. I will not stand by and let this one fall. Even if it costs me everything.”
As she walked past, Isamu grabbed her arm. “Please. Don’t.”
Minami closed her eyes, fighting back tears as she gently laid a hand on his. “The Tono knew what he was doing when he let the daimyo send us.”
Isamu didn’t try hiding the tear running down his cheek. “Are you really ready to give up everything?”
“I might not be a samurai, but I am loyal to my lord as much as you.”
When he still didn’t let her go, she pulled the mon from her sash, rubbing the threads depicting the four elements before placing it in his hand. He needs the strength more than I do. Leaning her head against his, she whispered, “He is the air in my lungs.”
“The ground beneath my feet,” he continued
“The water of my life,” Minami added
“And the fire in my heart,” they finished together.
Giving him one final smile, she pulled her arm from his hand and left the tent. Head held high, Minami marched past the villagers lining her way to the cliff’s edge where the its headman and her traveling party waited. To the side, she caught sight of the girl originally picked to be sacrificed, clinging to her family as tears still streamed down her face. A young man stood with them, rubbing her back as he tried to comfort her.
At least I saved their future. She sensed Isamu a step behind her and tried not to think of what future she might be losing as they approached the plateau.
The wind whipped her hair back as she reached the cliff’s edge. Below, water churned and frothed from the waiting beast. Each of her companions were stoic, one hand holding the opposite arm. From the tension she saw in their muscles, it was like they were holding themselves back from jumping in to defend her.
The headman lifted his arms. “For two years, we have appeased the beast with monthly sacrifices.”
Really, a speech? Minami bit her tongue as he droned about the generosity of the village families in giving up their daughters, how it bought them safety and security, and how today another month they would be spared.
When he’d finished, he turned to Minami and bowed. “We thank you for your sacrifice.”
In two steps, she came nose to nose with him. “You may have appeased the beast, hiding behind the blood of your people, but I’m here on my Tono’s behalf and will save them forever.”
She took a deep breath. The air in my lungs. Then jumped off the cliff.
Water and bubbles enveloped her. Twisting about, she searched the pool for her adversary as her heart hammered in her ears. None of the girls resurfaced once they jumped. It was going to attack before she ran out of air.
A shimmer to her right caught her eye. When she turned, the sound of clicking came from behind. Snatching the kaiken from her sash, she whirled around. A blue-black serpent snaked its way through the water, red eyes fixed on her as it charged.
It lashed out its tail from the left, knocking her deeper into the depths. Minami smashed into boulders on the pool’s bed, air escaping from her mouth. As it dove after her, she braced her feet on the rocks and launched herself back into the fray.
The ground beneath my feet.
As she shot upward, the serpent wrapped its tail around her middle and squeezed. Dragging her forward, the serpent opened its maw. Minami stabbed her kaiken into the roof of its mouth. The beast releases a high-pitched squeal as it loosened its hold.
Tossed along its thrashing currents, Minami rolled end over end. Kicking her arms and legs, Minami fought through to the base of serpent’s neck.
The water of my life.
Seizing its jaw, she slashed its neck. The creature twisted and rolled, smacking her again and sending her flying backward. She hit the cliff wall and more air spewed from her lungs. Lungs burning from lack of air, she clawed her way to the surface as the serpent thrashed below. Breaking the surface, she gasped, hacking up water as her lungs expanded with relief. The pool roiled and bubbled then stilled. As the water turned red, the serpents body floated to the surface. Steeling her nerves once more, she swam to the limp creature and sliced through the remainder of its throat before swimming back to shore.
She reached a boulder and stretched a shaking arm across it, struggling to climb up. Slipping on the slick stone, she slid backward into the red tinged water before a hand clamped down on her wrist. Isamu grasped her arms and dragged her from the pool. Unable speak, Isamu wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. Behind him, Minami spotted the village headman along with a small group who had taken a path down from the cliff to the shore. The man stood wide-eyed and staring at her.
Pushing to her feet, Minami pulled away from Isamu and snatched the serpent’s head she’d dragged to shore. She carried it over to the headman and presented it to him.
“Behold the sea dragon who threatened your village. Feasted on your girls and terrified your men. Defeated for you by the hands of a woman.”
Dropping it at his feet, Minami closed her eyes.
And the fire in my heart.
Story Behind the Story
Thank you everyone for reading “Fire in My Heart”. This story is a retelling of the Japanese folktale of Yofune Nushi and the Book of Judith from the Bible. I first wrote this story to submit to Havok Publishing and is part of my flash fiction series The Nozomi Clan Saga where a Japanese-inspired fantasy world retells Biblical stories and contains elemental powers. This retelling changes a few details from the original tale but should for the most part be recognizable. Jenelle is graciously publishing it as part of February is Fantasy month on Lunar New Year which also happens to be Year of the Dragon this year. Because it is the Year of the Dragon and not all dragons are considered evil but, instead, wise councilors and benefactors in Japanese culture yet, at the same time, has this folktale, I added the line that it wasn’t a normal dragon, that there was something wrong with it, to try to show that there are other dragons that might not be of the same temperament or ways as this one. I hoped you enjoyed it and enjoy the rest of February is Fantasy month. Happy Lunar New Year!