I woke to unexpected heat. The weather had decided to take a turn back to mid-summer and I had to dig out something cooler to wear to visit one of my forest neighbours as planned. The unseasonal weather was not something she’d welcome. As a mushroom sprite, Amanita prefers the darker, cooler weather we’d been …
A rich laugh came from the doorway, both Liam and Anaria looked around, startled. “You put him on the floor easily enough but he got back up again far too quickly.” Liam smiled, “Anaria, I know you’ve met her before, but I would like you to properly meet my mother, and that may even be …
Leila woke slowly. She was in a bed, it wasn’t moving. Had the whole thing been a dream? She opened her eyes. No. This bed was much larger than her one in Carra, the whole room was larger, and had a wooden door rather than a curtain. This was Port Watch. There were voices outside …
Exercise using a single word prompt Simeon opened his eyes to darkness. He was lying on what seemed to be a bed, quite a comfortable one, and his surroundings held the soft hush of fabric and wealth. There were no drips or draughts or strange creaks to be heard. While this was welcome in one …
I woke one morning with no plans other than a consultation with a new client. Someone had seen fit to turn the town mayor into a badger and he’d asked for my assistance. For no other reason than to hear the story behind it, I agreed and further agreed to wait on him at his …
Millie stood in Edda’s study, shifting from one foot to the other as Edda dialled Millie’s mother’s phone number. It started to ring, the sound echoing tinnily through the speaker, Edda handed Millie the phone. Her mother answered. “Hello?” “Hi Mum. It’s me. Edda says it would be nice to call you once a week …
As Marya compared heights, arm length and other measures, Juanita asked. "What skills have you brought with you? We need to find you a job once you're ready." Marya rushed in. "It's no hurry though, if you're not well, you must rest as much as you need." Leila smiled at her. "It was only five …
The Crossing Guards: The crossing guards at a busy intersection of the city do more than just help the living humans walk across the street. It was the quiet moment. You know, that time when the day seems to pause, take a breath and think, before breathing out again and hurrying on exactly as before. …
Anaria woke to the sun shining into the room, and frowned. How much of what she remembered was real, and how much was fever dream? How could honest, caring, kind, humble Liam be the heir of Clearfall? That must have been her mind playing games. She sat up, then piled the pillows behind her to …
The room was spacious and shaped like an L, with windows on the two long sides. From what he could see, the furniture was simple, well-made and well-used. A bed, a small table next to it with a lamp and a book, a larger table that seemed to serve as a desk under one of …
The DNA of Stories 