A Bailiff’s Life

Reiss trotted his horse towards yet another rotten village. How long have I been doing this for? His men plodded behind, not speaking. Talk has long dried up on this damn road.  As they neared Raylside, the king’s bailiff wondered how much more he could take. At least I’m not on the front line. Though …

Little Lords

Hyden Rosik was tired of learning. His closed his books and looked up at his tutor with what he hoped was his most pleading expression. Ressi put her hands on her hips and was about to scold the boy when the blare of trumpets signalled the arrival of Saul Yahne, the Lord of Tabacon. ‘Young …

The Blooding of Elias Reymes

‘Damnit Reymes! By all the gods, I should have you thrashed for this.’ The sergeant’s face was near purple as it pushed close to Elias’s. ‘You think yourself some exception? You think skill puts you beyond orders?’ Elias kept his mouth shut. Just keep it shut. Let the old man bawl. Yet he was finding …

Profile: War in the East

As with many such wars, the terrible struggle which threatens to destroy Venz and Klevlik resulted from a combination of factors. The atmosphere leading up to the conflict was full of  national pride and a scant understanding of the costs to come. Looking back on those early days, it is tempting to marvel at the …

The Tomb Of M’Hylak

Bartas and the others heaved the granite lid of the sarcophagus closed above the body of the king, darkness inching across his sightless eyes. They stepped aside for Emen Ferralo without speaking, their movements causing torches to flicker and cast their shadows to chaos. The thaumaturge ran his hand over the cold stone, his expression …

The Desertion Of Isao Lycett

Isao gripped the cold haft of his pike. One more charge. Once more, into the fray. He looked at the faces about him and desperation stared back. One day this will be over. One day, Gilda. A call of horns signalled their time was nigh. That call used to make me proud. The roar of …

Profile: The Huoni Order

‘Our lore is pure, untainted by ambition. Yet even lore is changed by the knowing of it.’ The Huoni Order is one of numerous sects founded in the Khanate of Ramelas. Based in the northern province of Breschii, it has remained small and for the most part unnoticed by the warlords of the steppes. The …

Undenied

Orlaith Ciardha stood firm, though the ground beneath her shifted and squirmed as if alive. The words of Cernunnos still rang in her ears and emboldened her when all else had fallen away. You cannot fail, whatever the outcome, for it is Wyrd’s path for you. The song of the spirits no longer accompanied her. …

The Bad Seed

Immin Grada turned away from the others to snatch a rest. His toil was alive in the cramp of his muscles, and he closed his eyes, stretching his back.  ‘Looks like he’s worn out, lads. She won’t want such a weakling, eh?’ Immin almost turned, but could think of no retort. That much Bello speaks …

Profile: The Wild Clans

The original inhabitants of the northern continent have long been pushed to the fringes of what has become known as the Civilised World. First came the Dainan and the Tabols, and the Iatri and Venzi soon followed. Only the Klevlish purport to have bloodlines shared with those living at the world’s edges, and even they …

Tempest’s Eye

Abel Balat grasped the bulwark as the deck of the Santa Del Rey heaved towards him. Steadying himself, his curses were lost to the winds.  ‘Land ahoy!’ came the shout again, muffled now as the tempest neared them. The warrior sheltered his eyes against the slant of the weather, yet still he could see naught. …

Fools and Hard Times

Gunthan Hilte shook his head. I do not want to hear this. Liina would not have let you take such liberties and yet you ask for more besides. ‘It won’t be for long.’ Alberic Vaer clapped Gunthan on the arm, the way he always did when he tried to persuade his friend against his better …

Drink For The Dead

Lukasz tapped his cup on the bar. ‘Again.’ Petra shuffled over with a bottle. He tried to ignore her disapproval and instead drummed his fingers. Tossing some coins on the bar, he reached for his drink. ‘You will get yourself in trouble, old friend.’ The barkeep sounded genuine, but Lukasz had trouble telling truth from …

Profile: The Vampyr

The westernmost estates of Tabacon have always been dogged by rumours of evil, of malign entities just out of sight. The tales retold by those who have never visited are often of wickedness and pestilence beyond comprehension, of monsters linked to the sordid practices of the wild clans at civilisation’s limits. Yes, monsters they are …

In The Dark Places

‘Abdai, in the dark places many things dwell that fear the light, yearning for the chaos of the night. They include the hatred that fills men, the doubts that order would set aside. They include the beasts and monsters we create within, and try to bury.’ ‘Yet the dark also houses many chances, many opportunities, that …

Profile: The Vermafta Sect

‘We are the Instruments of Gods. Divine light cast against the damnation in the dark.’ The Vermafta Sect is a religious order overseen by the Inner Council from its headquarters in Drusolm, southern Hamaln. Its head, Prelate Christalfus Seppel, is as sharp as the five-pointed star they have taken to symbolise each of the true …

Bound By Blood

‘And that is how it is, Hyden Rosik. Chains of blood bind us one to the other. As you taste of my life, so you are beholden to me. How else could it be?’ ‘But I belong to no one. I fear you not, woman.’ ‘You will understand soon enough. You name me woman yet …

Man Of Nature

‘You have been expected, Aodh Ciardha. Take your place at our table.’ ‘I know you. You are Cernunnos… yet you are also not. Do I dream?’ ‘What is dreaming? What is reality? You are in the Otherworld now, Ovate. Such terms are meaningless here.’ ‘Are you a god?’ ‘All are gods here, Ovate. Everything is …

Profile: The Nizarishin

‘I am a shadow in darkness, silence between shouts. The simplicity of action, not tainted by thought or feeling. I am my deeds, pure and as they are. No more and no less.’ The Nizarishin are one of the most secretive organisations in the world of Eald Cearo. They are generally thought to be based …

The Threshold

‘I lurk within the shadows about the light. Outside of man’s compass, yet within his fears. I stride the lightening path, straddling the gloaming between this world and next. ‘And yet you know me well, Hyden Rosik. ‘I am the despair in your eyes, your spite, your vainglories. I am the test you will always …