The room was silent except for the slight sound of shifting sand through the timer. Shadows from the dim light danced across the heavy oak table in the center, where the dragonchess board lay, a three-tiered marvel of mismatched wood and hand carved pieces. I faced my successor, V, a prodigy whose strategic prowess had grown formidable. This game would test if he had surpassed me before he set off...

My mind races to and from the question set before me and my database of knowledge. As I peer for any recognizable answer I’m left with nothing. As I stare at the paper I can feel the threat creeping closer and closer still. The outcomes of getting these queries wrong are too much for me to think about as my mind is no longer racing, but stuck in shock. It’s as if the question has slithered off the...

The darkness hid my tears

It also held my deepest fears

For in the dark I can’t be found

It's also where love would drown

I’d sit and judge those I saw as weak

Continuing until their eyes would leak

Lashing out against the ones I see

Cause they would not believe in me

Even in this, I tell my lies

Leading me to my own demise

The one I see in the mirror

When nothing else is really clear

I say the...

The sound of a casual jolly bar tune feels the air as I exit down the stairs from my recent job. He didn’t last long, you tempt them in and it’s just a simple whisper of doubt and their out. I walk down the steps scanning the denizens for my crew. I should let them know drinks are on me, as I check the weight of the rich man's coin purse. A dart flies across the floor almost landing in a bystander...

The beautiful clear blue sea stretches out for what feels like infinity. The warm sea breeze hits my cheek as I stare out amongst the waves. I turn to see my beautiful son held by my loving wife. This warmth feels like a cozy night by the bonfire sharing snacks and stories amongst loved ones. Like a great fur blanket in a beautiful lodging while the snow pours outside. Even more like the warm embr...

The shack outside of Shadycreek Run held silent in the night light. Small bars cage me in. I peer across the room to see giant guards playing a game of cards on a tall table. I can just barely see the cards of the guard facing away from me. I’m so damn bored. I shouldn’t have gotten caught by these bandits in the first place. I sigh thinking back to my mischievous pranks on the traveling merchants...

It is said that these woods are where the great Golden Grin reside. It took me years to track this place down, I’m finally gonna be able to see my childhood heroes in person. I might even get to see Hush again. A smile widens across my face as I continue further into the daunting forest. I’ve come a long way from stealing just to keep my family and I fed. None of it would have been possible withou...

The sound of footsteps approaching the metal door echo through the young man's empty thoughts. They stop before the door as a small jingling of keys start and end abruptly. The mechanisms of the lock click into place as the door opens slowly. Two people enter the room. Leading is a woman with long black hair that shines under the magical flame flickering in her open palm. Behind her a burly man wi...

Smoke plumes just a few streets over as I can see small floating lights drift in the night wind. These cinders must be from a raging fire. I rush through the street towards the light that illuminates the nightlife of our town. As I turn a corner my snout is met with a strong scent of acrid smoke. The source of this cloud is a small heap of wood that looks on the verge of full collapse. No one is i...

The wind whistles as a silent ship docks at a snow covered outpost. The wood of the boat creaks and groans as a small light flickers from the ignition of a lantern. The footsteps echo within the cabin as the lantern steadily travels past iron bars of differing sizes. The figure holding the lantern is illuminated just enough to see a half burned face scanning the containers. Following close behind,...