Usohati's broom

The broom looks as mundane as they come, its wooden shaft worn smooth by years of use, and the bristles showing signs of having been replaced many times. It lives within the chambers of Yuchak, the Spiritseer of the Tokari living in Omberstad.
  She keeps it resting against the wall next to her stove, and she often looks to it for comfort or guidance.
  She also uses it to clean. It is a broom after all, and a very good one at that.

History

Anyone not familiar with its history wouldn't spare the broom even a first glance. It was the favoured tool of the goblin Usohati that he had with him at all times as he performed his duites at the The Uferbrech Tutelage. He took a deep pride in it, possibly because of his station as slave to Lord Ackron's forces, it was something that was his, and his alone. He made it himself as a young gobline, and he never threw it away, even after long decades of use. He would tend to it, constantly reparing the bristles, and oiling the haft to keep the wood from drying and becoming brittle.
  None of his oppressors would even think of taking it from him, even if they deigned to notice him at all. He was just a servant in their periphery, quietly sweeping up the mess they left behind. Keeping his home clean, despite the oppression of the occupation.
  Upon the death of Usohati during the tragic atempt that he and Annika Lux made to steal the Mirrorshield of Wala back from Ackron Der Kustos, his broom remained behind at the Tutelage. Tere it remained forover 150 moons until it was found by the Spiritseer Yuchak.
  She remembered it well as a young child, watching Usohati sweep the corridors of the Tutelage or lean on it when resting in the Icepens. He would tell her tales of the time before the Fall of Tokaru, when the Tokari farmed the terraces and the sky above their village, known then as Shakumir, fluttered with a hundred kites.
  She could sense his presence within the broom, a remnant of his spirit still bound to the world, and Yuchak knew this was his Moji, and she kept it hidden from their oppressors, and has cared for it ever since.
  While Yuchak is a Spiritseer, she has learned her skills while growing up in captivity, and her learning is incomplete. Other Moji she has been able to awaken, and can commune with the Tokari ancestors that they belonged to.
 
But there is something about Usohati's broom that keeps her from openly communing with him. She thinks it might be her lack of teaching, but the spirit of Usohati is distant, and will not speak.
  Yuchak does sense him from time to time, like a memory at the corner of her eye, or the echo of a soft chuckle just behind her. Sometimes, when the twin moons rise, she can see him, shuffling like mist through the corridors of the Fort, sweeping.
by Ononomad with Midjourney

  And she can almost hear him humming a gentle tune.
Article for Tyrdal's Flashfire challenge.
 
Fires of the Heart
Generic article | Feb 2, 2026

 


Cover image: by Ononomad with Midjourney

Comments

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Apr 1, 2026 21:05

Congratulations on winning the "Fires of the Heart" Flashfire challenge!
Here is a little memento to remember your journey:
 

Join me at the sandy beaches of Aran'sha for new adventures.
Apr 2, 2026 07:24 by Tim Day (Ononomad)

Love this - thank you Tyrdal... the badge is sick too :)


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