Hope's Light

Chapter 14

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Fourteen - Balance

The crimson trail illuminated by the bracers held steady and straight, but the realm of hot barren desert curved away as we flew higher through a sky of perpetual sunset. There the path twisted to snap at right angles to the realm’s reality, and once more we found ourselves fading through clouds into somewhere else.

On Midsummer's Night Lars is injured but fortunately help is close at hand. His injuries will take time to heal and that causes problems for Eriana, who expected to spend the Rains planning the future structure of the Navy. Of course, Ursula has an idea.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

94 - Embers and Plans

Kitchen Area:
Shelly and Clair were busy making pumpkin muffins and banana nut muffins for the buffet line. They had already made over forty muffins and were glad they were selling like hotcakes. Shelly looks at the Clair standing next to her.

“You're really good at cooking, Clair. Do you have formal training as a cook?” Shelly was curious because it was like Clair knew how to do everything without a lot of explanation. It took her several tries under Pamela’s tutelage to learn the proper way to read a measuring cup and such.

I accepted magic to fight evil and it turned me into a girl, but I don’t think I really mind?

Jennifer Shannon

Chapter 9

Everyone was just staring at me, seeming unsure of what to say. Then Daniel crouched down and grabbed my shoulder. I felt a strange heat rise in me, but I had other things to worry about right now.

“Please don’t panic, but… yes, you do,” he said.

I tensed up, and I only didn’t get up and run because he was holding me firmly.

“Oh my god! He didn’t realize?” asked Lanelle.

The Queen's Gala

The day of the gala had finally arrived, and I could feel the excitement buzzing in the air. This was not just any event; it was the moment I would be formally introduced to the world's leaders. My heart raced at the thought of meeting such a diverse assembly of beings—humans, Elves, Drow, dwarves, orcs, and fairies—all gathered to witness my emergence as the Queen of the Seas. Despite my anticipation, a wave of nervousness washed over me, reminding me of the enormity of the evening ahead.

Chapter 12

Jen and I went for a walk before dinner. No surprise, we had a couple of soldiers following us, rifles in hand. They remained at a discrete distance but did a good job of showing themselves to us.

“You could probably get away if you tried,” Jen said, keeping her voice low.

“Let’s reserve that for if and when it becomes necessary,” I muttered back. “If I get away once, they’ll increase the number of guards, and probably arm them with tranquiliser guns.”

“Don’t you think that’s what those are?”

Chapter 3

I settled back into a routine. Every two weeks, I took the extra day to get together with Fraser. I had almost forgotten being abducted and forced into this life. To be honest, it didn’t matter to me how I became Jacquie, as I was enjoying my work. I was very good for the house, as all of my winnings were for the house, and I won a lot.

In late May, Dido and John Proudfoot were having one of their regular reviews of their quest to bring Thomas Fox to justice.

Chapter 2

When we stopped outside the front door, a uniformed man came out and opened the car door for me. I exited, as I had been instructed, without flashing my panties, and stood waiting for Silvester to escort me inside. The driver opened the boot, and he started pulling my bags out.

Silvester took my arm and led me inside. There was a reception hall, with stairs in front of me, and a door either side. On had a sign ‘Bunnies’ over it, while the other had ‘The Warren Restaurant’. I was led upstairs and along a corridor. He opened a door.

Is Late Better than Never? Chapter 6
by Lily Rasputin

I honestly wasn’t the least bit surprised to learn that the club Maddie’s parents belonged to happened to be the ritziest, most expensive, and most exclusive one in Greensboro.

Pulling the Beemer into an empty spot not too far from the oversized putting green, I stared at the massive structure that was a living testament to wealth and privilege. As Mike, I had only been here once, at a gala charity fundraiser that one of the senior partners of Kelly’s firm was hosting.

Hope's Light

Chapter 12

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Twelve - Ideals

Sucking air into lungs finding themselves able to expand fully, Nick again pushed a hand against the rack of green produce to stay upright.

“Gimme…gimme a minute.”

“Sure.”

Emotions, fresh and bleeding, spilled one after another across the lines of his face. Not just the tautness of anger and pain - but also the deepest troughs of despair, haunted by what he’d just touched.

Listen to What the Man Said

Once I felt normal again, I climbed out of the water and went to lunch, still feeling mentally drained from the overexertion of my mana. I settled into my usual seat beside Gwen, who greeted me with a warm smile.

Soon after, we were joined by two other noble girls—Winter and Fawn. I couldn't help but notice how their names perfectly matched the types of magic they wielded. Winter had an air of frostiness, and I could sense her affinity for ice magic. At the same time, Fawn exuded a natural warmth and vibrancy, suggesting a connection to nature or earth magic.

Chapter 11

Mum appeared in my room about ten o’clock with the perfect cup of tea, which almost made up for only seven hours sleep.

“Your father’s been telling me what an amazing daughter we have. I’ll be honest, dear, I didn’t understand half of what he said, and the other half scared me out of my wits, but I couldn’t be prouder.”

I wasn’t so sure. Those didn’t look like tears of pride. I put the tea down and put my arms around her.

“Oh my,” she said after a very long moment. “Thank you for that, dear. I rather needed that.

I accepted magic to fight evil and it turned me into a girl, but I don’t think I really mind?

Jennifer Shannon

Chapter 7

It took a couple of days for me to calm down, but Daniel kept checking on me to make sure I was OK. Today we had been chatting for hours about various things, and he must have finally judged me to be well enough to pick up the topic of my fight.

“You know, you have some admirers now among the girls from the gay bar you saved. Maybe some of them are bi and you could impress them as your superhero self,” he said, smiling.

Chapter 7

Is Late Better Than Never?
by Lily Rasputin
Chapter Five

Dinner had not gone over as well as I’d hoped.

When I returned with the pizza, Kelly was upstairs in Sheila’s room. Thankfully, I noticed Devon was outside on the trampoline, so he wasn’t able to hear the screaming match taking place between my wife and daughter.

CHAPTER 59
We made a sizeable group in Rod’s workshop, but Rhona had brought some spare folding chairs, so at least we didn’t have to stand. This was Chad’s baby, we had decided as a group, so he was the one on the mobile phone, passing directions to our visitors from the East Coast. Eventually, he walked out to the road.

“Yeah, I’m on the road, and I’m waving… Got you! Kettle will be going on, boys”

Hope's Light

Chapter 10

by Erisian

Book 6

Part Three

Chapter Ten - Keepers

Layers unfold as the Book advances chapters, and intervals beyond time nevertheless speed forward.

Past further iterations of Light’s expansion, past concept of boundary enforced by the one called to such purpose, past moment of blood and sacrifice, of pain and birth.