Otso Mustonen stood among onlookers crowding a pool table watching an intense game between an audacious university student and a cool-headed man wearing an over-sized cream-colored sweater. At 6'5" and as an avid weightlifter, Otso dwarfed all other patrons in the tavern. He stood in the back, leaning against the wood-paneled wall, and observed the … Continue reading Coping Capacity
"I hate you," grumbled the priest, seated in a dusty corner and handcuffed to a pipe. "I hate you more," growled the gangster. Despite wearing clothes easily worth more than $2000, the gangster also sat on the floor. He was handcuffed to the same pipe. The detective looked at them from where she leaned over … Continue reading Jail or Hell
The Bandit's captive surgeon Dr. Fourier knocked politely at the study door out of habit, earning yet another disapproving growl from the bull-like sailor guarding the door. The color drained from Fourier's face. "Apologies," he mumbled. He lowered his hazel-green eyes to the small cart of breakfast things intended for the prisoners being held in … Continue reading Skill, Luck, and Terrible Ideas (pt. 13)
The sleek luxury schooner The Constellation sliced through the open seas with full sails, as close to flight as the ocean-going vessel could ever be. From the moment the anchors were weighed until the sun plunged into the western horizon, Captain Gisela Koning maintained a grueling pace with the help of her first mate Mr. … Continue reading Skill, Luck, and Terrible Ideas (pt. 10)
Captain Helias dragged Cayn by the arm until he walked on his own, however once his arm was free, he began to hang back immediately. “I’m supposed to remain with the humans,” Cayn insisted, “until the King sends Celia for me. ” “We’re not going far." Helias stopped midway down the corridor in a spot … Continue reading The Dragon King’s Medic (pt. 7)
I can't sleep. Exhausted, Lally scowled at the dark ceiling with an hour remaining before sunrise. He didn't normally dream when he slept, however ever since Captain Green's crew hurt friends, his subconscious replayed the nightmare of that day every time he closed his eyes. In his dream, the broken bodies of his friends were … Continue reading Skill, Luck, and Terrible Ideas (pt. 7)
Every TV news station, radio station, and streaming service across the globe covered the last chance redemption challenge between the infamous sorcerer bent on world domination and the magical frying pan. Bars and restaurants---any place with a large screen---were packed with patrons who watched together in riveted silence. Teachers turned on the match in their … Continue reading The Frying Pan (pt. 7)
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)
With Miss Hunt hovering over him like a breaking tidal wave, Zvonko dropped his eyes to the bronze pint of ale on the table. The downward tilt of his face in the candlelight underscored his dark circles and bruised eye. Calm down, girl. Hunt took a step back. She hated snapping at Zvonko. He meant … Continue reading Skill, Luck, and Terrible Ideas (pt. 6)
The high-tech digital backdrop of the massive stage was transformed into a scoreboard. High behind the kid's podium, the word HOME was the emblazoned in white letters inside a blue rectangle. Below it, read the challenger's name "Pan". Behind the sorcerer's podium, the word GUEST was enclosed in a white square above the word "King". … Continue reading The Frying Pan (pt. 6)
Duri Rolvsson 