TYMASS BY RING-LIGHT, by Mike Adamson Verily it be that, unknownst to the prevailing wisdom, the Gods and Fates shall move in concert and all that is undone shall be remade. From black despair shall come the joy of day, and the bearer of this revolution shall in service be redeemed. ―The Testament of Farnor.   […]

THE MERIT ONE GOLD PIECE, by Dave D’Alessio   He was an old man of perhaps fifty years, and his four teeth stank of cardamom. “Beatricsh iss me daughter,” he said. “She’ss not a witch.” “She failed the test, old man.” The sheriff pushed her in the millpond and she rose to the top, all […]

THE GATEKEEPER, by Marlane Quade Cook Beat by beat, footsteps echoed on the stones that carved a path through the meandering hills of the wasteland. Swirls of mist dispersed at the traveller’s approach. The hazy vapour was heavy enough to dampen the clouds of dust that rose faintly from the path: disrupted by human footsteps […]

BARDIC DREAMS, by Deborah Guzzi   Bold warriors and women, shield mates, sat wrapped in the darkness, sheltered between knees warmed by their lovers and heat of kettle fire.   A bard regaled with tales and love song Bold warriors and women, shield mates, sat toasting their fallen friends with ale and tears.   Mist […]

A SEA-MONSTROUS HĂI GUÀI ATTACKS CHING SHIH’S PIRATE SHIP, by Kendall Evans, with artwork by Simon Walpole I. Hand-carved, a distinctive figurehead perched High upon the prow of Ching Shi’s Chinese junk: Proud wooden dragon, ready to breathe fire Eyes scanning for foes, teeth long as short swords Green scales like markings upon turtle’s shell […]