Advancement – Flash! Friday

Written for Flash! Friday. This is my first fiction for this challenge. A story where the old meets the new begins after the image.

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Art by: Drezdany

Advancement

“Be honest, Quan. You desire to replace me one day!” raged Minister Kiang.

“Not true, Minister!” squeaked Quan.

“I could squash you like a bug! I will DIE before you replace me.” He gestured dismissively. “Now, the highway must continue. Yet, not all the necessary land is procured.”

“Yes, Minister,” stammered Quan. “One piece remains. It is a beautiful garden”

“Have it razed.”

“The owner will not vacate, honored minister.”

“Have him jailed for insurrection,” growled Kiang.

“But he is very old, sir!”

“Do this or I will, and you’ll never hold this office!”

***

Quan returned with four soldiers to the Gardens of Delun. He passed waterfalls and Ornamental Cherry trees and flower beds bursting with color. Old man Mok sat slowly on a bench, his cane wobbling as he moved. “So you return,” he said.

“Respected elder,” said Quan. “I suffer to ask you again, but please leave this land.”

“I cannot. My family tends these gardens for the pleasure of the dragon, Chao-feng. They are his.”

He’s obviously lost his mind, thought Quan. “It pains me to do this.” He turned to the soldiers, “Arrest him.”

Before the soldiers took one step, a voice like a thousand lightning bolts erupted from the sky. “ENOUGH! Send him to me.”

Reverently, Mok gestured to an archway and Quan walked through it.

He returned on wobbling knees. Numbly, he sat on the bench beside Mok.

“Your hair has turned white, Magistrate,” said Mok.

“I know.” Quan gazed into the distance. “He is beautiful and terrifying all at once. His eyes are like stars.”

“It is not easy to speak with a god,” murmured Mok. “What did Chao-feng say?”

“He said the next one claiming his garden will die an infinitely painful death. If I arrest you, I die. If I don’t, Kiang will halt my advancement.”

Mok grinned maliciously. “Sometimes one problem solves the other.”

***

“He refuses to leave,” said Quan.

“You FAILED!” roared Kiang. “Very well. I’ll handle this personally. I will show you what it takes to advance in the world.”

“Yes, Minister. Show me,” smiled Quan.
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For this “Friday! Fiction” challenge, the story be be exactly 350 words long and be about dragons. Original prompt is here: http://flashfriday.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/flashversary-is-here/