Fable: The World Tree

The world is a tree with many trunks. This, we know. How do we know? I will tell you. Look around you. See the pillars. They grow tall and strong; straight, and beautiful. They are the trunks of which I speak. Back when the world was young, and our ancestors were just babies would could … Continue reading Fable: The World Tree →

Andron

For one sweet hour after the midday meal, Amèlia had no commitments. Queen Lora filled the rest of the Guardian’s days with a regimented schedule of exercise, education, and martial training, and practice with their newfound abilities, but this hour, she allowed them to have to themselves. Though Amèlia took great joy in everything she … Continue reading Andron →

Alliance

Lord Evondel, Greetings and salutations. I hope that this missive finds you in good health and under the blessings of Denyr. I wish I could say that I write to you today purely out of friendship and respect, but I am afraid that you will find the contents of my letter to be somewhat less … Continue reading Alliance →

The Void

Tanadal scratched at the tight braids his wife had woven into his beard. The lines ran down from his hair and then parallel to his jaw, until they joined together at his chin in one large braid. Tradition, and his wife, claimed that they would bring him good luck on his voyage. Right now they … Continue reading The Void →

Héan

“Héan?” Reid whispered into the darkness. “Héan, are you there?” “I am always here, Reid.” Hèan’s voice came from somewhere nearby. Reid’s ears could pinpoint the source. It seemed to be next to him, somehow coming from both his left and his right, but behind him, as well. “Oh. Good,” Reid said. He stared up … Continue reading Héan →

Din

Khari collapsed backward. She had just enough strength left to turn her fall into something that resembled lying down intentionally, if dramatically. She breathed, great, heaving, inhalations and exhalations that warped her entire torso with their strength. The cool night air flowed through her. She pictured it fighting against the fire within, and losing. … Continue reading Din →

The Shape of a Soul

Tara dropped back onto the bed, finally allowing herself to relax. Her eyes, with lids as surely weighted as though they had stones tied to them, closed. She knew she had been lucky that the birth had lasted only three hours. Her sister’s first child had taken nearly twelve to come into the world. Still, … Continue reading The Shape of a Soul →

To Bring Silence

Today's story can be enjoyed on its own, but several elements will be easier to understand if Everything Has a Cost is read first. “Hivara’s breath,” Evran swore. He thrust his sheets from his body and twisted around in bed so that he could reach the window. He reopened it just so he could slam … Continue reading To Bring Silence →

White Marble

Cyrène bounced her foot impatiently. The motion sent ripples across the hem of her dress. Cyrène felt a distinct hatred for the garment and its enforced, blatant femininity. She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest in direct defiance of the way a proper lady would be expected to sit … Continue reading White Marble →

Mother Earth and Father Ceiling

There was a time, they say, when Mother Earth and Father Ceiling held each other in a tight embrace. They loved each other so that they stayed pressed together, face to face, with only the smallest space between them. Times were hard, then, for our ancestors. They crawled on their bellies between Mother and Father. … Continue reading Mother Earth and Father Ceiling →