DAUGHTER OF KART-HADASHT, by Rebecca Buchanan, audio by Karen Menzel   Romans are liars. They say that my father, the greatest of generals, the most brilliant of minds, the fiercest of hearts, faltered at his end. They say that he drank until his feet were unsteady, falling from the highest window of Bithynia’s capital. They […]

THE UNDEFEATED, by Thomas J. Griffin, artwork by Miguel Santos   Calithor groaned as the bugles sounded throughout the camp. Why must war always be conducted at first light? Why not mid-morning, after a hearty meal and some light stretching? It took everything in him to roll off his cot and get dressed. He was […]

THE WITCH OF THE WORLD’S END by Darrell Schweitzer, art by Andrea Alemanno   The Witch of the World’s End dwelt alone in a tower of glass, at the Earth’s uttermost rim. For attendants, she had only spirits, figures of light that flickered like flame. Whirling columns of dust came and went as she bade […]

A KNOWLEDGE SHARPER THAN FLINT- Part 1, by Adrian Simmons, pending art by Miguel Santos  1.  A Shaman Amok in Dreamtime The chieftain of the scout-birds circled over Selu’s head, black wings glinting in the sun.  She turned and dove, passing over him so close he could touch her. “He’s here!  He’s here!”  Her beak, […]

RULES FOR A MAGIC SWORD, by Mary Soon Lee, art by Simon Walpole Maintain a proper appearance: no rust, no cracks, no notches. No unauthorized engravings, no costume jewelry, no dye jobs. When wielded by the rightful, slay enemies without question. (Drinking the blood and soul of the enemy is permitted.) All law-abiding members of […]