SWORDS, by Colleen Anderson     Torn from the earth with hard edged tools biting into its mother’s belly hammered, chiseled, pulverized until it no longer recalls its long slumber A sword begins the chaotic journey of which it is forged Without love nor comfort nor the still acceptance of nature it enters a fiery […]

The Last Tale, by Jennifer Crow   The last tale you told ended in a forest: dark, foreboding, full of shadows and hungry beasts. The scent of pine, the crunch

CHILDREN OF THE STONE, by Ann K. Schwader, with artwork by Miguel Santos     We have not always been this planet’s masters, though humankind denies it. Other blood than ours heaped earthen barrows, raised up stones in veneration of some dark & nameless power, avatar of elder shadow slithered through the star-rifts. What survives […]

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 […]