Dany looked at the shattered pieces of pot on the floor and smiled. The Sand Pot that had dictated her movements her whole life lay in pieces on the floor. “You little-” her mother started, lashing out with a slap. Davy patted it away lazily. The benefits of being taught how to fight meant that … More Shattered Sands (From the Archives)
“Would you look at that,” Zeeta said from the cockpit. The spaceshuttle arced gracefully downwards towards Planet 34-5, known in previous generations as Planet Earth. Small white clouds were punctuated against the bright blue of the planet. Apparently that was called a sea. So much water, Zeeta thought. It seemed almost impossible. “I wonder what … More Planet (From the Archives)
“We’ve got 10 minutes until the alarm goes off.” Fezula didn’t look concerned. She was never concerned about this. “Fine,” she replied, “let’s get to work.” She held out her hand at Tulep. Tulep passed her the bag of warded coins. “You know,” Fezula, “I thought you were going to be too stressed for this, … More The Joining Payment
The feeling was not of anger or of hatred. It was the bone sinking, gut wrenching quiet whisper of doubt. It was the thoughts Felicity didn’t even know where there until Gerrard had pointed them out. Her snappiness. Her temper. She was scared, scared for them all, but she’d never admit it. She’d never admit … More Fear (From the Archives)
“So, big day,” Merisa said. Gaele scowled further. She could feel the knots in her stomach already. Testing day was the worst. Testing for your robes doubly so. But this, this was worse than any testing that had come before. The testing for your patron, the supernatural being who would grant you access to magics … More Patron’s Choice (From the Archives)
“You’d have thought that this would be worse,” Tino said, prodding the edge of the lake with a stick. The seaweed was thick, too thick to support life. The whole lakes ecosystem had been killed for nothing more than shiny rocks. “It could have been worse,” Marei said, pulling out the robots from the back … More Lakeside (From the Archives)
Josie rocked her daughter to sleep, marvelling at how tiny she was. The digital clock illuminated the nursery, glowing a friendly 02:00 at her. Outside, she could hear the hoot of owls winging their way through the night sky. Most people had told her that the late nights were hard. And they were hard. In … More 02:00 (Stories on a Theme – “Family”)
It’s not just yelling “I love you” across the room. (Although, it does help). It’s a love that flows like the air flows through the sky. It twists around your home, filling every crevasse with its gentle touch. You can feel it when you pause and breathe in deeply. It tastes of cakes and ice … More Love (Stories on a Theme – “Family”)
You see what I want you to see. You see the façade that I create every morning with my hair and my makeup and my clothes. You see the person that you want to see, not the one who I am. Because it’s safe, behind the illusion. It is the illusion that is judged, not … More Illusion (Stories on a Theme – “Magic”)
“Come on,” Vayner hissed at the tablet at his feet, “take Gods damn you.” The tablet, a piece of slate fifteen inches by fifteen inches, stayed stubbornly still at his feet. At the centre of the tablet was a small circular hole two inches across. Vayner groaned, looking over at his notes. According to the … More Enchantment (Stories on a Theme – “Magic”)
Alex.J.Cobalt 