The random words "variation" and "limbs" suggested a population of no two alike, each person with their own morphological uniqueness, like the chimerae in Laini Taylor's novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone. The phrase "timely communion" indicated a religious rite commemorating a special time for the community. And the Four of Swords showed a statue in repose, perhaps a tomb, maybe a mythological sleeping hero who would arise to their people's need.
The rising of the sleeper under the hill is generally considered a good thing, even if the circumstances prompting their awakening tend to be dire. But what if the once and future king is actually the villain?
Cover art incorporates "Wolpertinger" by Rainer Zenz, GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; and Syringe: Public domain (CC0) via Pixabay.com.
YOU ARE READING
In Your Lifetime
Short StoryMagda led young Domden to face the last statue, the most important, the one that all children graduating into adulthood must name for themselves without benefit of prior teaching. "And what do you make of this one?"
