Category: Fantasy

The Film Maker and the Sceptre, by Robby Charters

Sir Gossabel mounted his steed, then beheld his opponent from across the field. What was going through the mind of that wretch, he could only guess. And what did Princess Gertrude see in him? He didn't want to think. This duel would settle the matter. At the signal, the opponents goaded their horses, and they … Continue reading The Film Maker and the Sceptre, by Robby Charters →

‘The Hero’s Wife’ by Michael Meyerhofer

You don’t know me, but you know my husband. Likely, you heard about him fighting Shogun’s Bane, that undead dragon with a penchant for carrying off gorgeous but rather disagreeable virgins way back during the Year of Black Snow. Or else you read that epic poem detailing my husband’s battle against the four-armed Troll King. … Continue reading ‘The Hero’s Wife’ by Michael Meyerhofer →

‘The Man in the Cowboy Hat’ by Jude Coulter-Pultz

It's the same every night. The same nightmare every night for weeks. It never changes, and that makes it all the worse. In the nightmare, I'm only six years old. Even though I know I'm really sixteen, it doesn't matter. You can only run so fast when you've got the legs of a kindergartner. In … Continue reading ‘The Man in the Cowboy Hat’ by Jude Coulter-Pultz →

“The Scroll of the 7 Roses” by David Kerschner

Painted illustration: a hooded cat-woman sorceress in flowing yellow robes blows dust from an old leather book in a sunlit tower library, while a young apprentice in red robes stands with bowed head on the scorched stone stairs behind her.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Dover Cat” © 2007 by Robert Sorensen, has been lost.] It exploded off of the ceiling and went crashing down with a resounding bang that echoed around the chambers and shook the woodlands outside, jarring the blue jays from their midday rest. The tower shook … Continue reading “The Scroll of the 7 Roses” by David Kerschner →

“Thomas the Rhymer” by Resha Caner

Painted illustration: a faerie queen on a white horse hung with silver bells rides down a heather-covered Scottish hillside toward a startled young bard holding bagpipes, with hounds and a glowing cave entrance behind her.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Fairyworld” © 2006 by D'Wayne Murphy, has been lost.] Bobby Burns is gone, and with him the fair tongue he spoke. I pray, therefore, the ancient Celts to forgive me as I interpret the Gaelic tongue in order to bring appreciation of it to a … Continue reading “Thomas the Rhymer” by Resha Caner →

“Den the Deedworthy” by Adam Hanisch

Painted illustration: a bearded blacksmith with a hammer stands in the doorway of his glowing forge, looking out at snowy hills where smoke rises from a hilltop fortress and an army with dark banners marches toward the town.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Den” © 2006 by D'Wayne Murphy, has been lost.] Den had made himself a good life after leaving the service of King Alexander. He started a small farrier’s shop in the northern border town of Gladia, the kind of town that was full of a … Continue reading “Den the Deedworthy” by Adam Hanisch →

“Stone Me” by Roderick Gladwish

Thousands of years ago on a flat bit of land that eventually would be called Salisbury Plain, in what eventually would be known as Southern Britain, stood a ring of wooden uprights that would be compost. For generations the ring had taken many forms and signified many things, including the free availability of wood and … Continue reading “Stone Me” by Roderick Gladwish →

“Fortune Maker” by Teresa S Rich

Painted illustration: two teenage girls, one in a grey hoodie, sit in a dark carnival tent as an elderly fortuneteller in a headscarf unveils a glowing pink crystal ball, while a yellow-eyed black cat creeps along a shelf above and a striped tent glows outside.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Fortune Maker” © 2006 by D'Wayne Murphy, has been lost.] “Eww, there’s that creepy Johnny,” Amanda said, squishing her face up. Megan wondered why her face didn’t look that cute when she practiced that expression in the mirror. Then she was fighting to keep her … Continue reading “Fortune Maker” by Teresa S Rich →