The Night Boatman

I wanted to say something, but even a simple “thanks” to Kolya was stuck in my throat. The mound of dirt grew much more slowly than my anger. I replayed the events again in my mind searching for who was responsible. We had liberated Zhu from her captors and returned her home only to have her di

I had to admit it, even if it wasn’t my home, Shiro Sogen felt like it could be home. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt close, especially in the evening. During the day may be a different story, with the sounds of lumber being processed by the sawmill. The torturous roar of that infernal saw was far

The cottage nestled in the old growth maples was surrounded by a vegetable garden. Mature varieties of leafy greens filled in oversized garden boxes. A single candle burned in the window facing the cobbled path. Mayaku moved down the path, brushing aside a low hanging branch. Her eyes combed the fac

Kaori - “You must be observant. Do you understand what I mean?” Said the ash-haired woman standing over the girl. “They can look like any of us, but they are not us. You must be quick to recognize irregularities, your life depends on it.” Yuki towered over the girl even though she weighed littl

As I approached the city there were no lines for getting in. The local farmers knew it was best to steer clear for a little longer. I had felt confident in my disguise earlier, but now as I approached an armed guard that confidence wavered. “State your business!” he barked. “I’m just reporting

The boiler was hissing loudly in the next room. A woman sat alone in a larger room carpeted in tatami mats and pillows. Clothed in a lightweight kimono, she plucked at the strings of a long necked instrument. A collection of musical notes graced the air as she practiced, what was for her, a challeng

The dumplings at the Rock Garden weren’t the best I’d ever had, but they came close. Asking for a second order may have been overkill, but with everything being offered without need for compensation it wasn’t a hard decision. As I chewed I couldn’t help but look around the table at my companions

By the gods I swear that useless blade has a curse upon it. Before we reached terms with the highwaymen, there was a moment in the battle when I swung so wildly and so wide that the force sent me to the ground. The bandit king and his henchman stood over me, urging me to surrender. I should have fea

“Stay close Hiro.” Said Aki. The teen boy was carrying a heavy pack loaded with dried food and supplies for an extended trek. He turned behind him to make sure his younger brother was close behind. Hiro was two years his junior with a thick head of sable hair pulled into a topknot. The boys had been

I reached for the handle but realized the door jamb was no longer intact on the inside. A slight nudge of my hand produced a cry from the door that echoed my nerves eeeaaaarrk. A pit hit me in the stomach. Everything I had been working for was lost. “Steady” I whispered to give myself courage as

“Dance tha dance”, the dwarf had said. I slid and skidded down the embankment below the cliff supporting the decaying fortress as I recalled his words. “Dance tha dance for when evry’un is playin’ the game none check close ‘nough ta know tha diff’rence between tha livin’ uns and tha o’ so dearl

Time seems to slow in the moment, but looking back the entire matter, from the spell thrown by Abu Haasan Mahaad Ibn Shazier to finality of the swing of Kolya’s greatsword, took only moments. For this, I was thankful for our hosts had not yet investigated the noise and commotion we were largely r

The afternoon sun sparkled off the mountain lake. Thin clouds failed in their attempts to darken the land below. The wind, however, managed to chase leaves from a grove of elm trees. The resulting scatter covering the water near the shore with multi-colored leaves. The bright colors, a sign of the t

“Nana the pig is out of the pen again.” Irritation was evident in the young woman’s voice. “I don’t have time for that now, get one of the boys and see to it — Get going girl.” The wizened woman replied. “Yes Nana.” The young woman said with a huff before turning on her heel and departing the r

Zhu - It had been a long night. Whiskers kept me company until I fell asleep. I hadn’t realized how much our battle with the Karakuri crab had taken out of me. The mechanical monstrosity was piloted by two of Ichigo’s thugs. Of the ambushing thugs, only one of the pilots was allowed to leave alive.

I scribbled out a map of Zhitomir to replace the map I stole from the inn in Hoseki. Well, technically it was a gift. I took it, then asked if I could buy it, then it was graciously offered as a gift. Thinking of home is strange. Partly because I haven't been back in decades--the memories are sta

From behind the tree I could see the Maiden in her full glory. Carried along by the swarms of thralls, she was terrifying and beautiful. Takashi was carrying a bundle he had pulled for the pond. He was fleeing from the mass of thralls and the tortured spirit of the Yurei. Kolya had been covering his

“Where is Arika?” Choji shouted. The middle-aged Kokorese man pulled the thread tight on the life-size doll laying across his lap. A mop of black hair hung loosely from the mannequin revealing a stuffed burlap sack where the head should be. “She said she was going down to the brook where it crosse

I hadn’t felt that empty pit inside me for years. At first, I didn’t recognize the feeling. Ever since I first joined the academy as a present my older brother Benedict had crafted me a family signet ring that made all hunger cease and I needed less sleep than most people. He had crafted himsel

Ahvi Benici - Before I could grab the railing I found myself weightless over the water. For seven days the most difficult thing we had fought was boredom. The winds had been favorable, but for a couple days, this time of year that was to be expected. Father had taken the difficult leg of the journey