Sara’s mistress was dying.

She was still agile, graceful, painfully beautiful. Her once fire red hair, now streaked heavily with silver, curled softly over slightly ashen skin that had once glowed an ethereal gold. Bright amber eyes still danced with intelligence, even lined as they now were.

Only those closest to her could determine that she was, at last, fading. Who closer than the family who’d served her lineage for a millennia.

She’d been more absent of late, her presence somewhat diminished, distracted. Arising early each morning to meet the sun as it bloomed over the mountain, waiting, her body almost humming in anticipation. Sara would stand back on the balcony to oversee her needs, whatever they may be. Then, once the sun had ascended, her mistress would nod in greeting before gliding off with a wistful smile.

Sara sensed her disappointment growing stronger each day, fluttering gently somewhere inside her own ribcage. She was anxious, she supposed, for what was to come.

She hovered at her balcony now, white silk robe blowing gently, staring off to the distance as the deep purple sky began shimmering into pink, then orange, the first hint of sunlight peeking over the mountain.

The hairs on Sara’s arms rose, prickling her skin as her mistress quirked her head slightly. Sara’s pulse quickened as she began to radiate light.

Finally.

As the sun slowly soared higher, embers licked at her mistress’ skin, in turn becoming flame. Sara watched in awe, fighting her natural instinct to act, as the fire grew.

Flames engulfed her entirely now, and Sara coughed around the taste in her throat, the heat searing her skin even distanced as she was. Wings of fire unfurled, the image of a colossal bird manifesting itself where her mistress once stood. It burned for what felt like eternity, before reducing itself to a shimmering black ash.

Sara stepped forward tentatively, bracing herself against the still simmering heat, wiping her eyes free of dust.

A small cry… then another.

Sara bent down, smiling, beholding the black smudged infant peering up at her from the ashes.

    5 1 vote
    Post Rating
    28 Comments
    Oldest
    Newest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Voice-Team
    Voice-Team(@voice-team)
    Admin
    2 years ago

    Lyrical, other-worldly portrait of the death and birth of the legendary Phoenix. Compelling from the first word to the last. Beautiful story.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Another brilliant story Emily, beautifully written and so imaginative. Great stuff.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    2 years ago

    This is a masterful piece of writing, Emily. I wanted to write about the Phoenix for this contest, but couldn’t quite manage it. I’m glad I didn’t – you have set a high standard that would be hard to match! Your writing is powerful and keeps the reader moving forward until the wonderful ending. Congratulations on a superb story.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    Reply to  Emily O'Leary
    2 years ago

    I think maybe those who don’t know the legend of the Phoenix might not get the entire meaning, such as the newborn baby at the end. But even if one had never heard of the Phoenix, this would still be a magnificent story.

    Orlando Sanchez
    Orlando Sanchez(@orlando-sanchez)
    2 years ago

    Fantastic story! Especially enjoyed the slight twist of the infant peering up.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    A story overflowing with love Emily, mystifying and magical. I only hope when I reach the end of my days that my eyes dance with intelligence. Beautifully written.

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    2 years ago

    How inventive of you, Emily, to use the story of Phoenix in this way! It is a wonderful piece of writing and I enjoyed very much reading it. As a comment to your conversation with Fuji: I recognized the story of Phoenix immediately, partly because I used to work as a Swedish teacher at the university of Caen, Normandy, France which used this bird (Phenix in French) as a symbol for its… Read more »

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    Hi Emily, you set the tone and the pace of this story in the first sentence – ”Sara’s mistress was dying”. what a wonderful descriptive piece of writing that followed. I really can’t add to what has been written below, but do you mind if I ask – how did this story come to you? And did it just flow for you ?? 10 out of 10.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    Reply to  Emily O'Leary
    2 years ago

    And I knew exactly what I wanted to write, and didn’t start until a couple of days before the closing date ?. I think Callie took over last month and Carrie couldn’t get a word in edgewise!

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Well done Ems. A doubly whammy! I would so much like to see more of these characters too. So intriguing!

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    Double congratulations Emily, well deserved.

    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations, Emily. This was one of my favorite Wings stories. I’ve always loved the idea of the Phoenix; the drama leading up to the end was palpable. I love your use of colors as well.

    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    2 years ago

    Well done again, Emily!

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations, Emily, to both 2nd and 3rd place! You did great jobs!

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations, Emily! This story was captivating from the first line!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    Well done, Emily. Congratulations.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    1 year ago

    Hello Emily. I just read your “Daughter of Fire and Ash” again. Since I saw that fabulous picture and read the story the first time, it has been one of my favorites. I’m so glad they picked it to go into the eBook. It is a wonderful example of superb flash fiction. Congratulations for being included in the book!

    Recent Comments

    28
    0
    Selected Authors may submit comments (5 Credits)x
    ()
    x
    Scroll to Top

    Sharing a Post

    Why do my friends need to SignIn to read the post I shared?

    Actually, this is a voting security feature. During public voting, only club members can read posts submitted for that contest. Since anyone reading the story is able to vote (click the Like button), we reserve these capabilities to members who SignIn. Before we implemented this security feature, people were voting multiple times and making the public voting process unfair and out of balance. To fix this, our staff finally decided to allow only members who SignIn to read the stories. Membership is free and easy, and ensures our club is safe, secure, and family-friendly!