Tag: 2021
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The Watchtower Bell
by Alcuin Fromm in Issue 117, October 2021 The final drop of liquid fell into the reservoir of a water clock, setting in motion a series of mechanical movements which culminated with the bright chime of a small bell. Nodd’s eyes popped open. Consciousness seemed to crush in around him from all sides. Shivering, he…
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Bladesong
by Freya Pickard in Issue 117, October 2021 Nareya stood firm, holding the sword with both hands. Her lungs burned, and her muscles screamed with exhaustion. All she wanted to do was lie down and sleep. But she could not. Behind her, at the top of the rise, Star shrieked in agony. I will protect…
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King, Queen, Knave: The Eternal Love Triangle in Fantasy Fiction and Film
by John C. Adams in Issue 117, October 2021 Readers of Medieval tales were fascinated by the notion of a young queen married to a much older kingly husband who was often a total stranger, generally without her wishes on the subject being taken into account and with the marriage arranged to bolster international alliances…
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The Mage of Castle Thunder
by Mike Adamson in Issue 116, September 2021 Since before the birth of writing, the sorcerer Malatulis, ancient and dreadful, had dominated all the lands of Tassamoraine. His grim tower of Caer Thunder rose from bleak cliffs by the Eastern Ocean and above that storm-wracked wilderness of breakers and wicked reefs he incanted vehemently to…
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The Orchestra of Syrak
by Rab Foster in Issue 116, September 2021 The shaft Bump was crawling down became so steep that he lost his hold on its stonework and slid forward, unable to stop himself. Worse, the faster he slid, the narrower the shaft became. But just when he feared he’d get irreversibly stuck in it, he shot…
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Flames Over Esk
by D. J. Tyrer in Issue 116, September 2021 The sky glowed a dull red from the flames, the light bleeding into the sanguine half-disc of the sun that slowly rose to fill the horizon. Smoke bruised the sky like rain clouds besmirching the dawn. There was a smell that was, unfortunately, pleasant, given the…