Stories in the series "The Black Idol"
# 21: Out of the Rubble Part 3
Aviato returned home from work that afternoon, entered his cottage, and immediately knew something was different. Usually, when he arrived home, his wife Joliana would be sitting blank-eyed, rhythmically tapping her fingers on their wooden table, or dozing with her head down, snoring gently. When neither of these sounds greeted him, his worst fear struck him, and for a moment he felt encroaching panic. With conscious effort, he thrust the feeling aside and placed the warm pot of stew that ... [ Read More ]
# 22: The Margre Arisen
Chaos reigned in Dargon. It began with a barge crashing into and nearly destroying the causeway that connected the old city with the new. More people had gathered on the causeway that day than in decades, all to watch members of the town guard recover a one-armed body from the river. Speculation, and betting, had been high that the body was that of Duke Clifton Dargon. The duke had lost an arm several years earlier defending the city and had ... [ Read More ]
# 23: Journey’s End Part 3
Simona felt like she was being pushed onto the beach. Gentle waves rolled over her slim figure. She sat up slowly and spat salty water, then took a deep breath. Simona rose on shaky legs and found she could stand without pain. A warm, gentle breeze quickly dried her wet clothing. She looked down on her body and noticed her tunic was torn and her arms and legs showed bruises and scratches. She reached up and touched her head, realizing ... [ Read More ]
# 24: Have You Ever Been to Northern Hope? Part 3
Sferina traced her fingertip lightly down the taut stomach muscles of her lover. Her sable hair spilled down, cascading onto his shoulder. He turned his face toward her, blowing a few errant strands of her hair away from his face, and grinned a predatory grin. "Surely you can't be ready for more?" Sferina shook her head, allowing her hair to caress his chest. "No, I'm quite satisfied, for the moment at least. You never told me what happened when my letter arrived. ... [ Read More ]
# 25: Dancing
I looked down at the dagger that was pointed at me, sharp tip touching my chest, and I could see my reflection in the polished blade. A thin face, greying hair, and sad, sad eyes looked back at me. There was a question in that face, but no fear. The threat of the dagger seemed, perhaps, welcome. The latch on the door to my office rattled and my hands opened automatically, releasing the dagger, which thudded dully on my desk. One ... [ Read More ]
# 26: Journey’s End Part 4
Far away from any shore, a small sailboat drifted on the Valenfaer Ocean, its sail missing, its mast broken. In it lay a man in ripped clothing and with a ragged appearance. He was clutching a bag along with a belt that bore the insignia of a bard. Too weak to lift his head past the railing, his eyes stared blindly into the clear blue sky. He wished for rain, for that was what had kept him alive during his ... [ Read More ]
# 27: Journey’s End Part 5
"Damn you, Gow!" Anarr roared and his voice echoed in the empty hall of the place he called Sanctuary. Several men appeared quickly, as if they had been waiting for someone to shout. "Calm yourself, Anarr," the deep voice of a slender man resonated softly in the hall as he stepped next to the aggravated magus. To Anarr, it sounded more like the buzzing of a bee and he waved his hand, irritated that a measly insect would dare to interrupt ... [ Read More ]
# 28: Rite of Seeing – Part1
Rite of Seeing By Jim Owens gymfuzz@yahoo.com Seber 27, 1018 "Bless the Lady Eternal, Oh my life!" *Chop* "Bless the Great Goddess wrapped in endless light!" *Chop* “Bless the Lady Eternal, Oh my heart!” *Chop* "Bless the Laaaaaaa ... " Rapinoe's rhythm faltered as he struggled to separate the latest piece of kindling wood into two pieces. He dropped the axe beside the old tree stump and used both hands to finish what the stroke of the blade had left undone. He then tossed the two recently cleft bits of kindling ... [ Read More ]
# 29: Rite of Seeing – Part 2
“You seem healthy, Rapinoe," Sharonala said, "for having . She paused. “For a person of your stature.” Rapinoe felt stung. His lip curled up slightly of its own volition as a reply formed in his throat. He stopped himself. Sharonala turned back to Carlotta. “Sister Carlotta,” began Sharonala, “I expect you have been hearing news of our progress on the new bathhouse at the harbor.” “Indeed,” Carlotta replied. Still stinging from the dismissal, Rapinoe forced himself to focus on the conversation. He had ... [ Read More ]