“Choices” by Dianne Rees

It's not easy being a superhero. Snap judgments are what it's all about. I mean, all I saw was her, running out of her bedroom. Him, panting at her heels, his face red -- leering -- his shirttails hanging out of his pants. He grabbed her when she reached the top of the stairs, pinning … Continue reading “Choices” by Dianne Rees →

“Taxoran” by Matthew Ide

Painted illustration: a long-haired knight in a red cloak raises a lantern on horseback beneath the full moon near a rock-top watchtower, while a hulking wolf creature with glowing eyes and a pale ghostly woman watch from the autumn forest.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Wolfman” © 2006 by B. Lloyd, has been lost.] Dwelis Spurnfit exited the tower of the Order of the Watch and looked up at the night sky. His long, brown hair swayed with a passing breeze. It was cold and coming from the north. Soon … Continue reading “Taxoran” by Matthew Ide →

“The Magic Crystal” by Joe Vadalma

Painted illustration: a young man in a T-shirt sits in a gloomy Victorian parlor among old books and black candles, staring at a crystal sphere in which a fiery, impish spirit dances, as lightning flashes at the rain-streaked window.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Dancing Flame” © 2005 by Steve Cartwright, has been lost.] Five black candles were set on the points of a pentagram, in the center of which stood a lonely, desperate young man obsessed by the occult and the black arts. In his mind, necromancy seemed … Continue reading “The Magic Crystal” by Joe Vadalma →

“Just Twelve, and No More” by Danielle Ste. Just

There were twelve of us. Just twelve, and no more. We lived in the box, only let out once every 365 days. The fresh air revived us, barely enough to sustain our life throughout the long year. One year, we were put away on a damp spot on the cellar floor. Toward May, Number 5 … Continue reading “Just Twelve, and No More” by Danielle Ste. Just →

“Love Hungry” by KC Stapleton

All the lights were on inside the little, bright-red Mustang. Even the dome light was cutting through the darkness on either side of the road. She really didn't care that she might be pulled over. For her, at this point, nothing mattered. She told the bear buckled firmly into the seat next to her this … Continue reading “Love Hungry” by KC Stapleton →

“The Fall of Leuyoldedd” by Travis Lyon

Painted illustration: a grinning young knight in silver armor and a blue cloak watches with a cheering harbor crowd as an old merchant scrapes crusted deposits from an ancient sword on a wooden table, revealing gleaming steel, with tall ships behind.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Excalibur” © 2004 by Alan Rabinowitz, has been lost.] Author's note: This translation of “The Fall of Leuyoldedd”, also known as “The Second Coming of Skell'aenthid”, represents only parts five, six, and seven of the full tale. The other parts have never been found. "How … Continue reading “The Fall of Leuyoldedd” by Travis Lyon →

“The Quiet Bard” by Gregory Adams

Painted illustration: a grinning mustached bard with a pipe and a red headscarf carries a sack of glittering gems through a flooded sewer tunnel with two scruffy thieves, as hooded priests with a lantern and torch follow behind.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork by Mike Finucane (© 2004) has been lost.] Micker and I spread the map out on the table. "You can see it all here," I told Pagomari. "The sewers are wide enough to fit a man through, and the Temple of Kashell has its own … Continue reading “The Quiet Bard” by Gregory Adams →

“A Threadbare Tailor” by Sean Hower

Painted illustration: a cloaked rat storyteller with a walking stick stands on a tavern table among coins and mugs, entertaining a laughing crowd, as a jolly innkeeper looks on and a worried tailor holds up a torn costume.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Rat” © 2004 by Miranda Aschenbrenner, has been lost.] “And that’s when Asyan understood that he not only lost his wealth. He lost his family, his reputation, and his dignity. Left with nothing, he spent the rest of his years seeking, obsessed with the treasure … Continue reading “A Threadbare Tailor” by Sean Hower →

10 Years Ago in Planet… “Konen in Recovery” by Andrew G. McCann

The plump, balding psychoanalyst shifted in his chocolate-brown Naugahyde Execu-Chair. He looked down briefly, then up, his expression a mask. The air-conditioner hummed softly as he spoke to the large, battle-scarred warrior sitting on the client side of the white Formica desk. "Konen, I'm not, uhhh, that is, it might be perhaps more efficacious were … Continue reading 10 Years Ago in Planet… “Konen in Recovery” by Andrew G. McCann →

Jorvik, by Joe Vadalma

Illustration of a glowing blonde woman in a white gown and winged helmet beside a roaring red-bearded Viking with a sword, ships behind

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Jorvik” by Romeo Esparrago The year was 1977. The archeology dig at the site of an old candy factory in the city of Coppergate in the north of England had been going on for two years. Each week more thousand-year-old relics from the Viking city … Continue reading Jorvik, by Joe Vadalma →