Kre nodded mutely, afraid to speak any words in case his voice showed the nervousness he had from imagining that very scene.  He looked over the gifted clothes again and wondered if they were too nice for traveling.  Mr. Koraski seemed to sense his hesitation and chuckled. “She only expects you to wear them for...Read More

After about twenty minutes of non-stop eating, Mrs. Koraski wound her way down the stairs and held a large, paper wrapped parcel out towards Kre.  “Here son,” she said with a soft smile, setting the parcel on the bench next to Kre.  “You’ll be wanting to change your clothes.  I’d like to say that I...Read More

The knock at the door was steady and firm. And loud. Very, very loud, at least to Kre’s aching head. Another three knocks followed, forcing Kre to slide out of the bed and stumble towards the door. “Coming,” he muttered hoarsely. As his hand reached out towards the door handle, he noted that his knuckles...Read More

It actually took less than ten seconds before the act of stupidity occurred. She sat there next to Kre, enjoying the fact that their hands were somewhat entwined with the cloth bandage. He, on the other hand, seemed to suddenly realize that same fact and immediately pulled his hand back and started playing with the...Read More

“I guess I didn’t look at it that way,” Kre grumbled. “It really would be a pretty miserable time for you, wouldn’t it?” Jem moved her fingers in a manner mimicking the playing of a lute as she hummed a soft tune to herself. After half a minute she paused, hands hanging motionless in the...Read More

“After all these years,” Pete laughed cheerfully. “The belt is finally back in the hands of a Koraski!” With the exception of Landar, who was still rolling around on the ground moaning in pain, everyone cheered for their victorious friend. Pete had always come so close so many times before, so this was truly a...Read More

They circled each other slowly, each one weaving their torches around in a sort of pyro-infused dance. Sy, Cal, Landar, and Geoffrey were all watching the scene unfold in rapt wonder. Kre spared a brief instant to look for Jem, but he couldn’t spot her in the immediate area. Even though she disliked the activity,...Read More

The next twenty minutes were filled with flamboyant flips, sensational strikes, and thrilling throws. The six friends felt that they were putting on one of the best fighting shows they had ever performed. Reflecting on it later, they would believe that it was because they were doing it entirely for themselves and not to entertain...Read More

There were only half as many of them as would have been usual, but the six of them more than made up for their lower numbers with an increased fervor and excitement. Because they were fewer in number and there was a strong desire to make this last as long as possible, Pete decreed that...Read More

Tonight though, as Pete held the belt high above his head in the room that had been reserved for Kre, was no holiday and thus wasn’t the usual appointed date for the contest. No one cared though, not really. There had always been unofficial side-bouts and exhibition matches since the belt had first been offered...Read More