“Mesa! Always on time!” a woman crowed down at me from the deck of a twin-masted luxury schooner emblazoned with the words ‘The Constellation’ visible clearly in the first warm rays of morning. On deck, a half dozen deck hands were prepping the shop for launch. “Good morning, Captain,” I said. Lally and the others pause … Continue reading Skill, Luck, and Terrible Ideas (pt. 9)
Panic flash-froze Lally’s heart. They were at a serious disadvantage. Miss Hunt stood less than a pace away from where the three men sat on the ground with their backs to the building. None of the men were armed. Lally and Zvonko were hobbled by injuries, and Mesa was sandwiched between them. On a good … Continue reading Skill, Luck, and Terrible Ideas (pt. 8)
Josh forgot his stage fright as he became immersed in the exchanges between the sorcerer and his frying pan. Absorbed in the rules and tension, he listened closely along with the four unyielding referees who governed the game. Four minutes elapsed without either side scoring. The current topic was "companions". King: "I like the word … Continue reading The Frying Pan (pt. 8)
I hope no one expects me to be able to find my way back, thought Mario as he stole a wary glance over his shoulder, because I won’t be able to. The palatial labyrinth of massive menacing double doors gradually gave way to passages of smaller and less elaborate doorways. Normal sized doors, by Mario’s … Continue reading The Dragon King’s Medic (pt. 6)
Captain Helias had been present at the crowded Lord's Meeting when Dragon King Vanentin excused himself from the stately room in the same breath as his ruling, resulting in a tumultuous stir among the attending lords and nobles. Vanentin's sudden exit alarmed Helias. Where are you going? Something's happened. He straightened from where he leaned … Continue reading The Dragon King’s Medic (pt. 5)
The golden lizard man farthest to the left withdrew a scroll from his robe's white bell sleeve and unfurled it to read. “The hearing for the settlement of debt for the Debtor named Kyle Thompson---” Mario blurted. “Kyle?!” Cayn hissed faintly to warn him to be silent. The muscle of jailer’s square jaw bulged. His … Continue reading The Dragon King’s Medic (pt. 4)
After mandatory introductions, the smiling female announcer named Journey held up a hand and brought the live audience's cheers to a stop. She wore a black pant suit and fashionable short-heeled ankle boots. Her short hair, dyed tropical turquoise, was spiked. “First!” She said into her microphone, “A little backstory. Yesterday the terms of today's even … Continue reading The Frying Pan (pt. 5)
Supreme Sorcerer Grant King admired his three piece suit before a full length mirror. “Supreme Sorcerer” wasn’t a legal title. Yet. Once he became ruler of the world, he would make it legal and give it to himself. He leaned into the mirror for a better look. Hair, perfect. Smile, perfect. Black dress shoes, as … Continue reading The Frying Pan (pt. 4)
Lally exited the charts office carrying several rolled maps under his arm. His straw hat was cocked back on his short dark hair away from scrapes on his forehead, beginning to scab over. Nasty scratches darkened his chin and the bridge of his nose. A split lower lip showed several day's worth of healing although, … Continue reading Skill, Luck, and Terrible Ideas (pt. 3)
After a dinner of green salad and a baked pasta casserole, the family convened on the living room couch in front of the TV. Dad sat at one end and his son sat on the other with the frying pan on the ottoman near his son's elbow. They left a space in the middle for … Continue reading The Frying Pan (pt. 3)
Duri Rolvsson 