Gabs kept her head lowered and stared at a patch of the stone floor for a couple of minutes. It was an old stone floor, Gabs reasoned, but it was clean. That particular brick looked well-kept and sturdy although there was some wear around the edges. They were smooth and the brick did not fit Read more

A day had passed. Then, another. And another. Saddy felt low rolling anxiety building under her skin. Aldren should have been back to her by now. She stared into the forest from her window, slumped, with her chin in her hand. Her hair obscured her face leaving only two piercing eyes watching. Waiting. Saddy always Read more

It’s irritating that everyone is celebrating the Republican governor victories. It’s important to take the wins when you can. Sure. Governers can make a huge difference in a state as demonstrated by Florida, Michigan, and New York. Yep. Great — but that doesn’t change the supply change issues, lower gas prices, or fix the economy. Read more

Grubs felt the fire. He felt the heat as if it was more than a physical thing. It swarmed his mind and entered his body. It scorched his thoughts. Everything was a haze and he only had one purpose. His entire life had peaked at finding Aldren. For his family. For his friends. Aldren was Read more

Grubs felt his mind sharpened. This was a battlefield. His commander was and in danger. His comrades were fighting for their lives and losing. This was a situation he understood and could act. His grip on the mace tightened. He wasn’t helpless. Aldren was the key. He had to be. His sanctity could drive back Read more

The men slept fitfully in their tents. The night crept and stars coldly reflected overhead occasionally providing inanimate life to a sword buckle left lying outside. The campfires were reduced to embers hidden in the wood. The stew was empty. The patrol, of six men, stood guard. Two by two, one group watched the road. Read more

The sun dropped.Blood red sky changed to scarlet. A little more time passed and the only light was the campfire, a happy patch on the black solitude. When the journey started, the evenings were filled with laughter. Some told jokes. Men discussed where they were going and how far they had come. Ale was passed Read more

They had been away from home for months. Traveling deep into the country, they found shadows. They found death. They found sorrow. It was deep work. During the day, they rode through once-thriving towns and villages.The silence was only punctured by the sound of thick green buzzing flies. Houses were crumbled. Their walls were crushed Read more

“Lady?” Saddy continued to stare into the coming night.She had heard the voice but not the word. “Lady” was not a word Saddy recognized, especially when spoken to her. “Lady” The voice persisted, growing a little pained with hints of desperation. Saddy turned after a long pause. “Lady, your bath is ready.” The speaker could Read more

Death defines. It’s constant. It’s whole. It’s pure. But, as Saddy gazed out from her balcony, death is not what she saw. Rather, decay laid before her.The once sturdy thatch roofs and strong wooden walls of the village bowed under shadows without substance.The squat and heavy houses were home to people who were equally failing. Read more