The New Girl at Uskweirs
Chapter 2: The Impossible

The dress was nothing special, but it was taunting her from across the room.

No-one doubted that Leif was ready for the testing, and would prove worthy to join the company of men.

No-one but Leif.

Another thing I liked a lot was her healthy lungs, her ability to breathe so deeply and easily and go for hours without feeling the need for a cigarette.

“I can’t believe I’m advising women not to take their clothes off,” Randall said, “but I think you should be careful.”

"What did you do?" Cedric yelled at her, "I'm getting reports that the King is dead. What in God's name happened?"

Despite being embarrassed at her appearance, she gathered herself enough to answer, "I killed him"

There was no use lying and if she was being honest with herself, it gave her a sense of pride to say the words.

As much as he'd taken from her, she'd taken from him the one thing he valued above all else, his life.

The real event of the evening for Elara occurred after the dancing began. The other ladies had come to find her and wouldn't take 'no' for an answer as they pulled her onto the ballroom floor.

It had begun quite simply enough. The Carole dance that began the session was a popular circle dance that was familiar even to a peasant like her. The nobles joined hands and moved in a circular pattern while they sang songs joyfully.

If Elara listened carefully enough, she could hear her own heartbeat.

Thump. Thump.

She felt a tightness in her chest that she'd never experienced before. She finally knew what it felt like to be in mortal danger, and she didn't like the feeling.

"My lords!" Podan continued his address "We must remind the people that the increased taxes are necessary to aid the war effort and their sacrifices will not be forgotten"

Elara stood beside the other ladies who in turn stood quietly behind the Princess as court was held. The nobles had gathered that morning and for quite some time already, they had been busy discussing legal and administrative matters.

As Elara and the Grand Marshal made their way back towards the castle in silence, she played with her bow's string in an effort to get her mind off everything. The king, Gawen's daring visit, her mission, and of course the man walking beside her.

"Do you know how to use that thing?" she heard Beorn ask.

"What thing?" she had asked quickly and without thinking, "Oh um, no" she added a moment later.

Sidelined by Bryony Marsh
Reposted from my blog, Sugar and Spiiice

Wulfric stood over Thurstan's seemingly lifeless body, the only indication to the contrary being his friend's slow but steady breathing. Despite the field medic's assurance that the bloody soldier would recover, Wulfric couldn't help but worry.

"It's not his blood," The medic said slightly annoyed. He had many more soldiers in critical condition and would rather not spend a moment more consoling the distraught boy.

{Z.O.F.I.A. AI Helper ~ All Systems Functioning Within Normal Parameters}

{Ruler Directive 77 Terran Day Start Wake Up Protocol Implement}

[Good Morning. It is time to wake up.]

[Good Morning, Zofia. Do you have something interesting for me from the historical records?]

Bethlehem

by Erisian

A Light Novelette

The travelers had gathered in Jerusalem’s lower city not far from the hippodrome, the great stone-worked amphitheater built by the king to curry favor with his land’s conquerors in the hopes to placate their need for sport made by the speed of horse and blood of man.

[This is a slow burn story. The transformation doesn’t happen till a little over halfway through the text of part one, but I really wanted to give the reader a chance to get to know the characters, and their motivations. Enjoy.]

Honey, I’m Home Part 1
By Lauren Bliss

The Social Security Act of 1935 established the first Aid to Dependent Children program. Eddie Martin would tell you that like many first iterations, it didn’t function as advertised. Man-in-the-house policies kept his young unwed mother from receiving any assistance.

The Angel of Europe

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part One

My name? How curious you are! You don't have long to live and instead of begging, fighting, or praying you ask me a question. I suppose I owe you that, at least. I so rarely get to tell my tale. You won't believe any of it, of course, but I swear on my baby daughter's memory that every word is true.