New to the Jade Dragon series? Start here! Go to beginning>>
I could see the longing in my erstwhile lover’s eyes. I understood his craving for freedom, his desire to break bonds, but a different hunger had driven me to board the Jade Dragon.
I thought of stars and moons and the unfathomable distances between them. I thought of the glorious crowning of light over the edge of a new world.
And I thought of fountains.
Like all of the settlements on Loess, the great city of Verdure had been built above a subterranean lake. Gravity pumps drew water up to the surface, where it was filtered and piped out to the hydroponics domes and greenhouses. Each drop was husbanded as carefully as if it were a living thing.
Except in Verdure. The lake underneath the green city was the largest on Loess. The water flowed in open canals, and fountains splashed and sang as sweetly as birds, and there were birds in Verdure as well. It was an excessive display, but – some would argue – necessary for the human psyche, a concession to the liquidity of our souls.
They say that when Verdure burned, flames raced along the canals. The gravity pumps melted into slag. The greenhouses burst from the heat, raining fire down into the streets. I remember the fountains erupting with molten fire, and the stench of scorched feathers. The spaceport collapsed and we fled, leaving behind the poisoned, blazing ruin of what had once been the jewel of Loess. Since then, Verdure had been interdicted – cut off from the rest of the world. A self-appointed militia patrolled the walls, keeping us out for our own protection. Verdure was too dangerous to enter.
Somebody had made the water to burn – my father, if the stories were true. At last, I began to grasp what Jonath needed from me, what I could do for Loess. I had the skill to restore the pumps and the spaceport both, and Jonath was offering me access. The Jade Dragon was our key to the green city.
<< Previous Installment || Beginning || Next Installment >>
This post is part of the Jade Dragon series. Though I try to make these installments enjoyable as individual pieces, I highly recommend that you read the series from the beginning to really get what’s going on.
This post was written in response to the Trifecta Writing Challenge weekly prompt:
You should write a creative response using the third definition of the given word. You must use the word in your response, and you must use it correctly. Your response can be no fewer than 33 and no more than 333 words. This week’s word is:
1: to take or seize eagerly
2: to clasp or embrace especially with the fingers or arms
3: to lay hold of with the mind : comprehend
This week’s challenge is community judged.
- For the 14 hours following the close of the challenge, voting will be enabled on links.
- In order to vote, return to this post at the Trifecta Writing Challenge site. Stars will appear next to each link. To vote, simply click the star that corresponds with your favorite post.
- You can vote for your top three favorite posts.
- Voting is open to everyone.
Christine Hanolsy 
Now we’re really getting to the heart of it! That’s an exciting development, can’t wait to see where it goes.
LikeLike
This was my first introduction to your Jade Dragon series. What an introduction! I can’t believe how well you built this world and the character inside it in less than 334 words. Well done.
LikeLike
Thank you!! It worked okay as a standalone? I have a hard time stepping back and seeing these installments out of context.
I voted for your piece, BTW. Something about it just really captivated me. It was definitely one of my favorites for the week!
LikeLike
I think I must have been in a dream as I read this. So lovely, even in the blaze.
LikeLike
So excited to see this piece Christine! Love all the new information. Definitely want to know more about her father now! Oh, and this line is awesome: “I remember the fountains erupting with molten fire, and the stench of scorched feathers.”
LikeLike
I’m glad to see another Jade Dragon segment – it’s been a while! The relationship is interesting – the father reportedly destroyed the city, and the child is charged with rebuilding.
LikeLike
It literally came to me in the shower – that’s where I do all my plot planning, if you can call it that. Mostly it’s a matter of minor epiphanies. 🙂
I’m hoping to get back into more regular Jade Dragon posts. Stay tuned!
LikeLike
You’re easily one of my favorite Trifecta writers, Christine, and the Jade Dragon series is incredible. The ease of your descriptions and the total believability of the world you’ve made are real accomplishments. Please keep it up!
LikeLike
You realize I’m going to walk on air for the next little while, don’t you? You made my night!
LikeLike
Great imagery, words and descriptions. Beautiful entry.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed it. This one was a pleasure to write.
LikeLike
Your imagery immerses the reader so well. A green city of flowing water reduced to flames…Awesome work. Thank you for linking up. Please don’t forget to return for the voting!
LikeLike
Thank you! I have such a vivid picture in my head of the scene. The hard part is trying to do something more than just describe the same scene over and over and move the story forward…
LikeLike
I have missed your world building and lovely descriptions.
LikeLike
Oh, you are so sweet! I have missed writing the Jade Dragon pieces. You know, I though having kids would make me more creative – youthful whimsy and all that. Nobody told me that children suck out your brains!
LikeLike
OK, and so now I want to read the rest of it – but I should be going to bed… Very, very good writing. It flows so well.
LikeLike
Thank you, Freya! It’s getting harder and harder to write individual pieces that both stand on their own *and* fit together into the larger story. Some pieces work better than others….
LikeLike
Yes, I can imagine it is difficult to master both. You have my admiration!
LikeLike
This was really well written, and especially this: a concession to the liquidity of our souls. I’m glad that it is part of a larger whole.
LikeLike
I’m glad you liked it! That phrase was something I had to tease out very carefully, but I really like how it worked.
LikeLike