RAFT OF CONQUISTADORS, by Raphael Ordonez   Zisz the god-diatom skimmed the pelagic zone of space. The crystal vessel, both shell and ship, that housed Zisz’s tender self described a zigzag path across the abyss until it fell at last by chance into a spinning star-whorl. Planet-fields flung from white-hot sparks as from potters’ wheels […]

THE VAULT OF SOWDEK, by Seth Skorkowsky   Keeping to the cover of trees, Ahren followed an earthen trail toward the shadow stretching across the moon-lit orchards. The heavy rope coiled beneath his cloak might have made him appear hunchbacked if there were anyone to see him at such an hour. Cricket song filled the […]

THE PALADIN OF GOLOTA, by Djeli Clark   Small clouds of dust kicked up to shouts and cheers as the latest struggle played out on the plain of Golota. Teffe could just make out bits and pieces, restrained as he was with an arm firm around his head. There was only a stifling darkness, the […]

THE FOREST OF BONES, by Christopher Chupik   The day was already waning when Lucan rode through the Forest of Bones. Trees loomed all around him, oak and ash, moss draped over their branches like beards. He saw no animals amidst the green shadows and the only birdsong Lucan heard was the cawing of crows. […]

THE BLITZ OF DIN BARHAM, by Cameron Johnston   When the dragon came, the love songs of nightingales ceased and the moon hid her face from the slumbering spires of Din Barham. From within black clouds an ominous whoomph whoomph whoomph of immense wings, then a heartbeat of dreadful silence, followed by the whistle of […]