THE CARNIVAL JOB, by Mark Finn, artwork by Miguel Santos   The city-state of Alvara (also called Highgate) wasn’t known for its hospitality, nor its charity. For the past several hundred years, swords and soldiers were its primary export; the standing army, fifteen thousand strong, routinely strained the coffers and kept the legion of tax […]

FATHER-OF-RIVERS, A TALE OF AZATLÁN, by Gregory Mele, artwork by Justin Pfiel.   Rain fell. As it had yesterday, as it would tomorrow. “At least it’s a warm rain,” Kabil said with a wry grin, slipping his wide, straw hat from where it hung against his poncho-covered back, and settling it over his thinning hair. […]

THE ORB OF SEMERKHET, OR SATHANO THE WANDERER, by Jeremy Farkas, artwork by Gary McClusky     In the Hall of Semerkhet, darkness ruled as it had for many thousands of years. It was an inky blackness, deprived of any light, any warmth, any detail. The weight of time only served to deepen the dark, […]

SHAFT TOMB, by Ann K. Schwader     In far Saqqara, countless faithful wait Upon their earthly gods who fared ahead As Westerners beyond the judgment gate, Emerging justified. These patient dead Partake unknowing of a power old As moonlight on the desert.  And as cold.   Stacked in like coffined cordwood ages deep, Such […]

HOW THE ROSE PRINCES CAME TO LIFE, by Elizabeth R. McClellan, artwork by Andrea Alamona       Witching is about knowing. Though we keep cats, a mouse with a message has amnesty unquestioned by familiars,   for mice get in everywhere and gossip like ravens, with less crude sniggers. They do not trust us, […]