It was all God's fault, really. Jaff said it was my mate Gazza, from the pub, who was to blame, but it wasn't. It was all about when I opened my eyes, and that was down to God. Gazza's been my mate for ages, ever since little school. He's a year older than me and says I need looking after, and he's always up for a laugh. That's why we always got on so well, I think. I'm too serious and quiet, everyone says so. Gazza makes me do stuff I wouldn't usually do. Opens my eyes, he says. When you thi...

Holman Tollyd was puzzled. He stood in his office gazing blankly out of the large window trying to absorb the news being delivered by his secretary and trying to work out why it all sounded so false. “Mika,” he asked at last, “This murdered man, was he crew or a passenger?” “Ah, well, My Lord, that’s just it. He wasn’t one of the ship’s regular crew, but he wanted passage and the regular First Officer was sick. He was a first class officer, ex-Navy apparently. He wanted to do some trade on hi...

The wet afternoon was turning into a damp and chill early winter's evening and the darkening streets of Old Karel were thronged. The cobbles and pavements were wet and slippery as Adyan shouldered blindly past the man, barging him away. His mind was in turmoil, replaying the discussion that had just finished, and trying to come to terms with the news he had received. Preoccupied, he failed to register the sharp cry of protest, but was suddenly aware of a hand seizing his cape, pulling him bac...

Liyen crossed the darkened cloister, glancing up at the clear night sky, then passed through the archway and walked slowly up the stone flagged corridor beyond. She stopped before the door to the Abbess' office and wiped damp palms on her rough, linen habit. Taking a deep breath, she knocked once on the heavy oak door, and then seizing the iron ring she twisted it and walked through. The Abbess was seated behind a cluttered desk. To her left Master Nuntec stood rubbing his hands in the heat o...

Liyen crossed the darkened cloister, glancing up at the clear night sky, then passed through the archway and walked slowly up the stone flagged corridor beyond. She stopped before the door to the Abbess' office and wiped damp palms on her rough, linen habit. Taking a deep breath, she knocked once on the heavy, oak door and then seizing the iron ring she twisted it and walked through. The Abbess was seated behind a cluttered desk. To her left Master Nuntec stood rubbing his hands in the heat o...

Standing on the corner, watching while they ride Waiting for her Lancer to come back to his bride Counting every horse as they pass by Brave flags raised high, her eyes still dry Pressed close against her bosom, she held her newborn child Many empty saddles, many fallen men Many lost in battle, that’s how wars always end The will of the gods she must accept Her man now slept, soft tears she wept Pressed close against her bosom, she held her newborn child Gently took the willow, woven in her h...

The breeze from the desert flowed through the crowded early morning streets, and Malik was grateful for its cool breath flapping his loose robes as he walked. Today he would get a few coppers working for his wife's cousin, Astully, in the small coffee house. At least it would be cool inside the thick, stone walls, and the odd cup of strong, sweet coffee and a bit of almond pastry might be diverted to help silence the nag in his belly. Maybe the work would last a few more days, if the invader...

Adyan looked out of his window, and shivered as the first cold of the autumn struck through the glass. The night was dark and the moon, though full, was obscured by clouds. A thin, misty rain shrouded the stone walls of the great Temple and Abbey of Marus, which had been his home since birth. As his breath misted the glass he hoped the murk and gloom would fog the view of any watchers, and that his escape would be un-remarked till morning. He felt confident that no one would be about. Most wo...

The worst part of the journey had been the descent down into Twyn. For twenty days the three wagons had been drawn steadily south by teams of small rough-haired ponies, sure-footed and strong. They had made easy, gentle progress during daylight and halted each night to rest, usually making camp but on odd occasions being offered the hospitality of one of the many small farms strung along Marus Vale. Then had come the final dozen miles down the steep and rutted trackway, sometimes tight up aga...

A brand new moon showed as a fine crescent of bright silver above the dark bulk of the escarpment that loomed behind him. At least tonight was an improvement, thought Adyan. It was clear, with no trace of cloud, and the moon and stars gave just enough light for him to pick his way. He had stumbled through pitch blackness all the previous night which had been misty, damp and chill. He had worked his way down the steep hillsides, with loose shale and boulders making it treacherous underfoot, cl...