Biscuit arrived at the door first, sitting patiently on the stoop, tail tapping the ground. Lyryk caught up to him, catching her breath as she raised her hand to knock. Before she had the chance, the door swung open. An old woman with silver hair and kind eyes stood before them. “You look like you … Continue reading Lyryk’s Song, Part Two
Frigid wind howled through the twisted trees of the southern Dragonspine Mountains. Its icy claws ripped at anything daring to venture into its depths. An unbroken gray sky cast the world in muted light. Deep, powdery snow covered the path. Lyryk Starsong tramped through the drifts, leaving an unbroken path behind her. Wrapped in a … Continue reading Lyryk’s Song, Part One
Kithleigh Nightmane had always been small, even for a halfling, but she’d learned to use her small size to her advantage. Her quick hands and sharp wit had always been a source of pride—though she rarely showed it. In the village of Oxbow Landing, where every stone had a tale and every tale a shadow … Continue reading Running from the Past
Alyssia crouched in a bramble patch, her cloak blending with the shadows. The wind carried the scent of pine and damp earth, but a far more interesting scene compelled her attention. Silvery moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting an eerie glow across the clearing. She shouldn’t be here. The Council of Elders had warned … Continue reading The Ritual
Qilynn led Tumorgi and Kharys through the streets, following the captain’s directions. Guards at the gate of the Baron’s manor house welcomed them to the compound. They invited the group to help themselves to the refreshment table while they waited for the baron. Tumorgi took a plate, trying to follow Qilynn’s lead on sampling the … Continue reading Qilynn: Meeting Baron Wildhurst
The caravan arrived in Cheerwater around mid-afternoon. Dariyus Lamanya collected his pay from the quartermaster and stood looking around the yard, wondering which direction to take. Would a rather large lavender dragonborn intimidate the locals? He hoped not. He hadn’t seen many of his kind outside his peoples’ lands. His scales flushed a darker shade … Continue reading Dari: Cheerwater
Zola knew her freedom from the arena was close. All she needed was that last bit of armor. Well, that and live through the melee. Now that she’d made a name among the gladiators, she faced tougher opponents. Sometimes more than one. They told her the rules were simple. You fight. If you win, you … Continue reading Dreamstalker: Finding Freedom
The small chamber they entered held a table with platters of foods they’d seen at the celebration. Two doors led from the room. One opened into a well-appointed hall, the other into a small water closet. The opposite wall of the closet outlined another opening, a faint light shining through the cracks. Lyryk crept to … Continue reading Framed, Part Five
Lyryk woke to Biscuit’s cold, wet nose sniffling in her ear. Must you? She thought to the dog, grumpy at the rude awakening. Is time, came the reply. She reached over and shook Eliam’s shoulder, jerking back as he lashed out, anticipating his reaction. It wasn’t the first time she’d shaken him awake. He looked … Continue reading Framed, Part 4
The dissonance eased as Lyryk reached the ballroom. The varied shades of crimson, red, burgundy, and maroon affected her mood and her music took on the tones of a march. Eliam glanced at her from the corner of his eye and changed the tempo. She tried to follow his lead, but the weight of the … Continue reading Framed, Part 3
Tavern Tales
Poetry BLOG By Edge of Humanity Magazine
New Writing Engaging with the Sacred
J.J. Shaun 