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

For the rest of the evening after the showman ran out of Mintas, the townsfolk celebrated. It wasn’t that they particularly enjoyed running strangers out of town, but it was something that broke up the monotony. Welter and his friends were the most boisterous of those reveling, which was understandable considering the amount of work...Read More

“He makes a good point,” the strongman called out with a sage nod. “Usually in any gambling situation, it’s the player with the most money on the line that gets to roll the dice.” “Well, I have two silvers here,” yelled out another of his friends, from his spot across the stage. “That’s twice your...Read More

As the evening went on, Kre watched the room’s occupants take their leave and depart for their own homes. For a brief moment, Kre wondered if he’d be allowed to go to his own home or if he’d have to return to being locked in the storage room of the town hall. “Kre dear,” prompted...Read More

Kre knew that shortly after he was arrested, Pete had been sent to the nearest Courier Station to dispatch a message to the outpost at the Jayde Line. He also knew that such a message would take weeks to make it there and it’d be another month before they could make it back to Mintas,...Read More

‘Perhaps Gantry wasn’t too far off…’ Kre thought to himself glumly. ‘Maybe I really should just make a run for the woods. I’m sure I could make a living in another town or even head up to the Jayde Line, talk to Mom and Dad, and get lost amongst all of the soldiers there.’ The...Read More

Kre closed his eyes and pursed his lips. He finally understood what she was getting at. She was afraid that he had given up on life. “Sy,” he said, opening his eyes and looking deeply into her own, “I can promise you, no, I swear to you that I haven’t given up. This, what’s happening...Read More