Barefoot and dressed in an earth-toned robe, Miaoshan climbed the steep hills at the break of dawn, balancing a yoke on her shoulder with two wooden pails swinging on each end. The monks had sent her to fetch water. From… Continue Reading
The massive metal door stood before him. Engraved on it were scenes from around the world, windswept plains and towering mountains, sprawling cities and rural villages. As his hand pushed it open, Arlan admired the engravings. He was an adventurer,… Continue Reading
Liji gulped as she approached the Eastern River’s sandy shores where the Dragon resided. Taking small steps, a numbing pain radiated from her bound feet, cramped inside her silk lotus shoes. Her mother adjusted the flower pinned to Liji’s hair… Continue Reading
The princess stands at the window, her palms pressed against the glass. She is watching a knight approach the tower door far below her and is admiring the way that he walks. Each step is silent and precise so as… Continue Reading
Flame is deep in thought this morning as she stands by a river that flows leisurely behind the film set. Often a voracious eater, a pile of uneaten fish lays by her feet. *** “Gentleheart, you are a dragon. The… Continue Reading
The ticketing agent looked at me, then down at Perceval, then back at me. Her eyebrows edged up toward her hairline and she opened her mouth. I handed her a small white business card. I am a Service Animal and… Continue Reading
My fellow employees kept telling me, “Oh, she’s a real dragon.” I thought that meant bad, like a temper, or nasty. I pictured some hag with pointy spectacles and avoided going up to Accounts Payable so as not to get… Continue Reading
“Gin and tonic, Rupert?” Sammy, the troll, said. “No, Sammy, whiskey. Make it a double,” the golemancer replied, sat back in his barstool, and shook his head, attempting to uncross his eyes while he began to gather his thoughts back… Continue Reading
Ten spiraling stone steps led down to the dungeon. I dashed down them, the flames of the wall sconces wavering with the wind of my passage. Although I still held my sword at the ready, I found no one left… Continue Reading
I looked at my extensive pile of gold in disgust. Impressive, in a sense. More wealth than many countries had at their disposal. But there was so much more to be made out there and nobody carried it around in… Continue Reading