Previously, Abelon stopped by a pond near the Derry’s fields. The bank was muddy, but Abelon sank down to his knees anyway. The ground soaked his pants and brought goosebumps to his arms. Placing his hands on his upper thighs, Abelon leaned over to stare into the depths. He willed something to be there, but…
Read moreRise of the Guild
Abelon Wisecraft could hear his mother coughing in the next room, the barking and gurgling broken up by her gasps for air. He turned onto his side to face the wall, studying the stained wooden panels. He was nineteen and already the world had lost its shine. Once his mother was gone, there would be…
Read moreFound
I walked along the rough, uneven surface of the table, human craftsmanship at its finest. I kept my eyes fixed on the rows of canned food stacked neatly, ready to be tucked safely away in the cellar. I smiled, flexing my fingers, muscles warming with anger and urgency, so close. I reached out to press…
Read moreUnbound
The adventurers entered the entrance to our cave carrying torches, their sweaty, fleshy faces lit by the dancing flames. One was tall and lean, bald head gleaming like a radiant beacon. The second was shorter, almond hues against a mass of black curls. I was thrilled. It was hell to get here. I hadn’t planned…
Read moreEconomics
Jolly surveyed the boy’s skin. Lesions covered his upper body, leaking noxious pus. The boy caught Jolly’s eye, silently pleading for relief. It was a well crafted avena curse, a child killing curse. The boy had days before death would grant its own succor. “Shit, kid,” he muttered. “Please, your man swore you could save…
Read moreMaria
The autumn air slipped in between the torn armpits of Balon’s tunic, chilling the sweat trickling down his sides. He wrapped his arms around his body and looked around the wood. The pale white trees maintained their impartial pose, naked branches shuddering in the wind. Balon looked at the sun sliding down the horizon. If…
Read moreSacrifice
Ada watched the water slip between her fingers. She wondered if she stopped fighting it if her fingers would slip into the pool and mix with the runoff. She could yield to older, greater forces than she could contain. Would she be better off melted into a puddle? She could float along, doing her part…
Read more