Category: Short Stories
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Colonist
Port Graelwuld, 2nd Frosthearth 1786 My Dear Ashford, I write to you with upmost excitement and humility – to think that I, the fourth son of a minor Viscount, should be appointed Superintendent of the new convict labor project at the northern port of Graelwuld. I know I have you to thank for it, brother, and understand that my…
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Jacked
The man at the bar looks exhausted, but his hands twitch with that bitter kind of energy you see in psychos or speed freaks. As I look him over he catches my eyes- his are bloodshot, red-rimmed and bruised. “What’dya think your starin’ at, huh?” he snaps, his shoulders hunching up beneath the tattered overcoat. “You lookin’ for a shoulder to cry on, sport?…
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Kiln Mage
Briggs looked through the ventilation shaft into the glowing interior of the lime kiln and watched as dozens of tiny fire sprites darted through the flames. “Oh Gods,” he sighed, pulling on a pair of heavy leather gloves. “Not again.” Unaware of the young man’s curses, the fire sprites crawled around the bricks that lined the kiln’s exterior, largely…
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York Road Poison
“James, they’re ready for you.” The old man nodded and looked up from the table he had arranged in the woodshed. Before him lay three piles of a plant with pretty orange flowers, which sat in stark contrast to the smooth black mortar and pestle beside them. Why are all the most dangerous things in…
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Covenant
All power has a price Why are you here? There’s no treasure left in this fortress, the other adventurers have picked the place clean. Or perhaps you’re here to challenge me? All by yourself? Have a care, little adventurer. I am the Warlock of the Forbidden Cliffs, and I have crushed armies in my time.…
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R@tplague
“Hey, Detective Hallahan. This is the perp?” “Detective Ferguson. Yeah, I’ve been chasing this one for years now. We cornered him at the psychologist’s office. He was just sitting there, staring at the wall.” The detective turned his gaze from the small window into the interview room and looked worriedly at his partner. The older…
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Debris
Paul sat despondently on the rocky ledge and looked out at the water below him. The sea around Mangles Bay was usually a bright blue-green, but the day had already turned overcast and the water seemed grey and sullen, slapping up against the rocks and spraying salt water over the child. Well damn you too,…