Issue #2 (April 2008)

Short Stories

Contest Winner!

Swinging from a gibbet in Eastern Carador was not his idea of a good time, exactly. There were numerous places he would rather have been, more specifically, tucked nicely in the royal bed at Carandia with the king’s wife, Marantha. It was precisely his initial desire for and inability to be away from her that his head was caught in the hangman’s noose at present. He watched the small crowd beginning to grow, becoming more and more audible as one of his companion’s necks gave way to the pressure of the rope and sight was forever lost to his eyes. Tongue lolling and neck bent backwards, he stared up at the unforgiving blue heavens. No slip shams were used for concealing the heads of those sentenced to hang in Carador, for the authorities wanted those kindling any thoughts of malice or murder, to know just how they would appear to those same crowds which now looked intently upon him.

Contest Winner!

And a Little Child Shall Lead Them

Cynthia Ruff

Moments later two boys entered the church. It seemed they had nothing but destruction on their minds as they headed towards St. Francis.
“Look at all this old junk they left here.” the one boy commented.
“Yeah, that was kinda stupid.” said the other boy. “I’m gonna knock over that big statue just to see how many pieces it’ll break into.” He rushed towards St. Francis. Immediately, the grand piano slid swiftly across the floor and pinned the boy against the wall. The other boy screamed and ran out. The boy pinned by the piano fainted and fell to the floor. When he awoke, he crawled on his hands and knees across the floor and out the door. The piano laughed as the others applauded.
“Grand piano, what would we do without you?” cried Mary.

Josiah Lebowitz

I was only a baby when I first heard the story. The tale of my grandfather, the hero, the legend…
He was only a child himself when it all began. A young boy, barely old enough to lift a sword… Yet even then his courage was far greater than that of those around him.

John Stormm

"You know your stuff, little witch," her father smiled. "Why don't you just lay back and sleep on it tonight." Sundog had that look on his face again. Her father turned to walk up the trail and Bex noticed a prehensile lion's tail switching from the seat of his pants. The faery looked like he might die of mirth. Bex lay back in the green patch and just looked at the sky and the trees and rested well that night.

Contest Winner!

The Beast Sinister - Part #1

Gerald Ryan

Fescher then drew himself to full height and faced the Bishop, fixing him and the new settlers in his gaze. Fescher stood before the assembled Goodmen, closed his eyes, and entered into a trance. Words came from above us, below us, all around us as he began his incantation.
“Wytus! As day turns to night and light flees before approach of dark, you shall hear the howls and feel the wrath of the Beast Sinister when the two moons rise. He shall be tasked with my will that you and your people shall suffer his fury until you depart these lands!”

Contest Winner!

Tales of the Witch Clan - Part #1 (Blood Moon Rising and Ninja Nights)

John Stormm

Jon had been taught at an early age that fear had no place in him. When he began to feel the icicles forming in his gut, he employed the discipline his father taught him. He slowed his racing heart and his breathing and expelled the fear for his enemies to breathe in. Sword practice continued for the remainder of that morning until his muscles burned from the exertion. The old man still showed no sign of weariness.

Manly House - Part #2

Gerald Beckman

When the first group arrived, they told with great excitement how they almost had to turn back. A long stretch of trail up the side of the mountain had collapsed over the winter months. One member of their party had been able to lasso a boulder and after much effort rigged a rope handrail. The stretch could now be negotiated, but it took substantial upper body strength and more nerve than some of them had.

Contest Winner!

On My Way Home - Part #2

Ariana Merrill

"It's alright to be afraid. Fear is a part of life. But you can't let it control your decisions. You have to go through that house if you want to get home."
"No I don't. I'll just go around through the forest and come back to the road on the other side."
"Eleanor--,"

Editorial - Part #2 (The New Writer's Adventure)

Catherine Balachowski

We are dedicated to being a spring board for the new writer. It is a path we find ourselves on with you the writer. Of course without the fabulous stories of our story weavers we would find ourselves out of a job, but that is not our goal. We invite all writers, but we truly encourage the unpublished writers to find the courage to submit your stories. It is our belief that within you lies the adventure of a hero who would save the land he lives on or perhaps just himself.
The story always seems to start off with a need perhaps ...