“Ras,” the large man said in a warning tone, “our new friend doesn’t need to be concerned with the details.” Kre shrugged nonchalantly, though his mind was racing.  Did they know about Bel?  Did they know about his connection to her?  Was that why they were bringing him along?  He wondered how he might get...Read More

Beleg didn’t provide any information about their destination when he caught up to Kre.  Instead, he simply introduced Kre to the horse he was borrowing. “That chestnut roan mare there is named Maple, like the syrup.  Also, like the syrup, she’s sweet but slow going.  Still, she’ll get you where you need to go eventually,...Read More

Talimar smiled back and then looked down at Kre, his eyes seemingly scrutinizing every inch of the boy in front of him.  It was enough to make Kre feel more than a little self-conscious about his appearance, especially as he noted how well dressed the company seemed to be. “Where I come from,” Talimar continued,...Read More

“I suppose you’ll have to kill me now, is that it?”  Kre said so casually that he wasn’t even sure it was him talking.  He tried to wonder when it was that he became so flippant about potential life and death situations but couldn’t nail down a singular event.  Perhaps too, it was the general...Read More

The large man, Beleg, waved his hand back at his companions.  “We cannot turn our back on a child in need.  Look at him!  He seems lost and alone.  We cannot, in good conscience, leave him here.” “It seems,” one of the other riders said in a soft, raspy voice, “that Master Cuthalion has adopted...Read More

The small stone fit snugly in the palm of his hand.  It was also disturbingly warm, as if it had been laying out in the sun for hours.  The world turned to complete darkness the moment the priest had placed the stone in his hand, the illusionary city collapsing in an instant around them. No...Read More

Kre watched the old man walk away and the memory started to fade from his mind.  Looking back, there were so many things that stood out now as clues that Cooter… that is, Ser Cootsman, was different than everyone else.  His old friend’s words had always struck him as important though.  Perhaps it was the...Read More

Cooter spent the next couple of minutes with the man’s head cradled in his lap.  The prisoner’s eyes were unfocused and slightly clouded, and his face had grown ashy.  Even so, he looked up at Cooter and smiled, “Cap’n?” he called out hoarsely.  “Cap’n, I did as ordered.” Cooter replied to him in hushed whispered...Read More

It’s an odd thing to be slapped by an apparition in an illusionary world.  The sharp sting and burning sensation on the cheek is felt before the action takes place visually.  As such, there was no way for Kre to anticipate the strike, even if he believed he could somehow dodge or deflect it.  “This...Read More

“Whose name?” Kre asked, wondering how far he should prod and poke into the apparition’s obviously personal business.  The priest sighed heavily and looked up, locking his black eyes on Kre, “My son.  He was… young?”  His eyebrows furrowed and a look of confusion passed over his face.  “Must have been young,” he muttered to...Read More