THE BELLS OF BEL-HAZIR, by Michelle Muenzler   Long and loud are the bells of Bel-hazir. Thunderous mad, their tolling. At first light’s crack, they ring. Seven times each across the city, every bellow louder than the last. The older towers sway at the might of those monstrous bells. Pale dust and bricks rain onto […]

THE VAULT OF SOWDEK, by Seth Skorkowsky   Keeping to the cover of trees, Ahren followed an earthen trail toward the shadow stretching across the moon-lit orchards. The heavy rope coiled beneath his cloak might have made him appear hunchbacked if there were anyone to see him at such an hour. Cricket song filled the […]

BLOSSOM, by Deborah Davitt Dozing in leaf-dappled shade, I heard him whispering love, and, dreaming, I promised myself to my unseen lover. Then leaves drifted to caress me as I slumbered. His hands were bark-rough, and my hands slid low, finding what was already hard as wood; arms knotted as oak boughs lifted me up […]

BETWEEN BATTLES, by Mary Soon Lee A gentle waking, the patter of rain on the tent, six of his guards asleep around him in the darkness, King Xau’s thoughts rising from a dream of Shazia, his first wife.   One quiet moment holding Shazia’s memory before Xau sat up, before Feng, standing guard, signed that […]

UNSEEN WARRIOR, by Marlane Quade Cook   Unseen She clutches her un-named weapon close Her gaze to the grim sky, frost-sleeted from dawn to twilight. Crouching, resting, unseen in the shadows unseen though she should stand and call upon herself the wrath of an army’s horde. Unseen, unknown Warrior woman, she calls herself. Warrior-maiden until […]