NIGHTFOREST, by Andrew Stockton   There are parts of forests, As there are parts of minds, In which it is foolish to tread.   The horseman, strangely attired, a traveller’s smell, not knowing this land, reigned his anxious horse to a standstill. Above, colour bled from the sky: like a tired eye, its sallowness darkened […]

THE NORTHMAN’S DAUGHTER, by Joshua Hampton   Ever since my hair could take a braid, my dah showed me of swords and shields and spears sharp as dragons’ tails,

UNDERCURRETNS, by Jennifer Crow   My siren song answers the beautiful longing in you, the ache, the unspoken grief you hide like treasure or secret shame. The same sorrow beats in me, a pulse as steady as any heart. I learned this song for you, a lifetime ago and longer. I knew one day you’d […]

SEVENTEENTH LESSON, by Mary Soon Lee   Sunlight scattered like fire from the dragon’s wings as she landed beside Prince Keng in a rush of air and smoke, snow melting beneath her belly, beneath her clawed feet.   Keng bowed to her, willed his face calm. Two and a half weeks of lessons– he should be […]

GARUDA’S GAMBLE, by Colleen Anderson   What was I to do? Guarding those slippery slithering nagas who laughed their whispery laughs Thinking I didn’t know their mother duped mine over a black horse’s tail that I protected them from gods such as I?   I couldn’t help but eat a few snapping them in my […]