“NO!” Zola kicked and screamed as Headman Bearleader and his guard dragged her out of the camp. “I won’t go!” She leaned down and bit the guard on the forearm, breaking the skin, the blood coppery on her tongue. Headman Bearleader cuffed her ears, hard. Stars sparkled her vision, her head rang with the blows. … Continue reading Dreamstalker
Dariyus Lamanya sat in the rear wagon, watching the road behind. Dari had signed on as a guard with Master Charvis when Brother Balasar deemed him ready to face the world outside the village. Yarjerit Balasar, Vater’s clan brother, raised Dari in the male-dominated clan after Vater died in battle. Brother Balasar recognized Dari’s divine … Continue reading Dari
Ashja went down to the common room to break her fast. She sat at the same table she had shared with Morhirr and Fynnwyn the day before, only this time, her back was to the wall. She had a fairly good view of the common room. She thought about what she should do this day. … Continue reading Ashja: The Cloth Merchant’s Debt
Maus Tallpine grew up in the village of Neeth Serine. The elves of the Neeth had existed peacefully for millennia. The clan took care of the forests to prevent the spread of disease and maintain a balanced predator population. Until the land of their ancestors became a battleground between the high elves and the humans, … Continue reading Maus Tallpine
Airne found the butcher in Ardimon, but it wasn’t the same man she remembered. This man was older than Sedge’s son but nowhere near as old as Sedge. “I don’t see Sedge,” she said when she entered the shop. “Ach, nae,” he said. “Ol’ Sedge don’ passed it along t’ me when ‘is boy, Simon, … Continue reading Airne’s Return, Part 3
The farm was, indeed, abandoned, and had been for some time. Years, if the signs of general disrepair were to be believed. The barn door lying on the ground was among the signs the family no longer lived here. Airne thought back to just before she’d left. Mikiel had run the farm since Pa died, … Continue reading Airne’s Return, Part 2
Airne stood at the prow as the ship cut through the water. She was finally returning to her home island of Trivent, in the Dragon’s Claw Archipelago. “Nervous?” asked Evie. “No.” A moment later she said, “yes. Maybe.” “I would be,” said the young elf. “There’s nothing for me there, you know. I don’t know … Continue reading Airne’s Return
“Kyreah!” screeched Jarla, stalking toward where Lyryk had spread her bedroll. She rolled out of the way of the kick meant to wake her. “My name is ‘Lyryk,’” she said, ducking the hand that shot out to box her ear. The woman discovered early on how sensitive her ears were to a slap or pinch. … Continue reading Running To Freedom
Tomas huddled just behind the driver’s box, at the front of the wagon bed. The thin cloth of the rags draped across his thin frame did nothing to keep the chill at bay. He was on his way into yet another unnamed village with his “uncle” to sell their ill-gotten gains. Villagers never asked where … Continue reading Tomas
Qilynn watched the procession from behind her mother’s voluminous skirts. At sixteen summers, she was barely of an age to be let out of the nursery. She had begged Mama to let her finally see the Summer Queen in all her radiant glory. She’d been listening to the servants rave about the unparalleled beauty of … Continue reading Qilynn’s First Procession
A piece of my scattered mind.
Tavern Tales
Poetry BLOG By Edge of Humanity Magazine
New Writing Engaging with the Sacred
J.J. Shaun 