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Patricia Reding
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Science Fiction & Fantasy
Author Insight
Prophecies and Foreshadowing
What is a prophecy and why do prophecies play so high a part in fantasy tales? Well, a prophecy is loosely defined as a prediction or forecast. In fantasy tales, prophecies are often discovered in books of old, as is the case here. I think this is because the reader of a story loves to find within it, the reader of another story! I also think prophecies play a prominent role in fantasies because through them, an author can provide a sort of foreshadowing. Foreshadowing is a literary device that provides a hint of something to come. As a reader myself, I don't like something dropped on me from out of the blue, as though the author of the work introduced the concept as a means of resolving a dilemma. One way I seek to avoid that in my own storytelling is through foreshadowing things to come--sometimes through a prophecy. Then my reader is not surprised when the means to resolve a dilemma, comes about. Also, when I read for myself, I enjoy when I think I might know what is to come. In the end, I either have the pleasure of finding out that I was right--or I have the pleasure of being surprised by an unexpected twist in the story. What do you think?
Book Excerpt
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“I want to know what you intend to do to find the girls!” Nina exclaimed.
“Listen, Nina, the information Fidel and Leala have uncovered has some bearing on my decisions. If you can remain quiet, I’ll allow you to stay. If not . . .” Lucy left her sentence unfinished.
Nina folded her arms and leaned back, her glare never waning.
Lucy turned to her side, where the great sword leaned against the wall. She placed it over her lap and then commenced cleaning it. Then, “Go on, Fidel,” she said.
Cautiously, he opened a scroll, his fingers trembling. Of great age, bits from its edges broke away. “This scroll,” he said, “is very old—likely the oldest we have here at the compound.”
“Yes, I remember,” Lucy said. “I brought it with me when I first came here.”
“Well,” he continued, “I believe it speaks to current events. Remember that night at our meeting shortly after Mara and Dixon left? When I mentioned something about the moons?”
“I remember.”
“Listen to this.” He unrolled the scroll further. “It’s a most unusual prophecy. I can’t make much of parts of it, but others seem clear.”
He glanced at the others, then read: “‘Should those intended survive, watch for when the ladies look prepared to align. Then shall Ehyeh call for a testing. Through thirst, hunger, and division, they shall journey to face three challenges. A single misstep may bring ruin; perseverance, glory. Even then, they would labor long days, seeking restoration and revival.’” He cleared his throat. “I’ve never heard this prophecy before.”
“I know of it,” Lucy said.
“You know?” Leala asked. “What do you know? Is it about the twins? This part about ‘those intended.’ Is it referring to them?”
Lucy pursed her lips, remaining silent.
“I believe it is,” Fidel said. “The moons are . . . strange. I’ve never seen this before. It’s as though their paths are changing, as though—”
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