Mostrando resultados por autor "Russell Mickler" en Todas las categorías

* Originally Shortlisted in a 2023 Writing Competition * From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about self-discovery and purpose. As the sun sets on All Hallows Eve, a cathedral's garden is besieged by malevolent hobs and sprites. Amid the chaos, a stone gargoyle named Garwig awakens, incapable of protecting the sanctuary—nobody ever taught him how. But he’s not alone. An unlikely mentor, Edgar, Enemy of Crowkind, teaches Garwig how to defend the sanctuary and embrace his fearsome nature. Set against a haunting and whimsical world, this cozy tale explores themes of...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about doing the wrong thing to do right. Maeree Emberbloom lives in a comfortable home on a quiet hill overlooking her hamlet of Pondaroak. But she has a problem: her magical shop is overrun with piskies. With her business suffering, Maeree is at a loss for what to do. Gammond Brandyford, a young halfling widely regarded as a town menace, offers to "help" Maeree and sets out to capture one. Gammond, though, knows nothing about fae or the danger they represent. Armed with only magicked trinkets and ancient lore, he heads into the ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about resilience and adaptation. In the town of Taemorden, Urlwyn Pitch is murdered by vengeful townsfolk. A witch, they demolished her home, but even in death, her legacy lives on—two of her magical creations remain to find their way in the world. Follow Sabine, a brave poppet, as she navigates a world of magic and danger to care for Clover, a fellow doll with a broken body and a hopeful heart. Will they overcome the odds and find a new home, or will they succumb to Urlwyn’s fate? In this mesmerizing cozy with vivid prose and...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about binding promises. Enter the world of Godwick Emberfoot, a Halfling Warlock enslaved to the Archfae Aurusel the Gardner, sent to wrest a treasure from a dragon’s hoard. But, in the dark, nothing is what it seems, and the dragon isn't willing to just hand it over. Trapped in the dragon’s lair, Godwick finds himself in a high-stakes game of wit and will against a dragon whose motives are as enigmatic as his methods, and there’s an old score to settle with the Archfae. Godwick must bargain for the treasure and his life and...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a story about betrayal and vengeance. In the Library of the Dead, the aged Tenrali Bubruco, Lower Magistrate of the City State of Caerleon, comes seeking revenge. Aided by Godwick Emberfoot, a Halfling Warlock, and his pseudodragon familiar, Greymalken, Tenrali shares his tale of betrayal and injustice to Godwick so that the spirit of a dead friend can be contacted and an old wrong can be settled. But Godwick has his own agenda. What begins as a quest for retribution unfolds into an epic journey through the depths of forbidden knowledge and the cost ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a story about returning what you stole. Enter a world where memories sway like a hangman’s noose and regrets linger like the rain. Rof Mok, a desperate thief in the Free City of Mumling, digs a grave to steal a ring. However, instead of digging up wealth and fortune, his actions haunt him. He is pursued by an angry spirit that demands the ring be returned. A troubled soul seeking redemption, the spirit haunts Rof Mok and threatens to consume him. Join Bartram Humblefoot, a venerable Halfling Paladin, as he navigates the winding streets of Mumling ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about holding on to the power of imagination. When a flamboyant magical showman arrives in the quaint halfling hamlet of Pondaroak to perform at the local inn, the whole town is excited to see his show. Perhaps none more so than Elina Hogsbreath, a hedge witch and the gracious proprietor of the Swindle & Swine, anxiously busy to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. Elina uses everyday kitchen magic during the show's height to quell wide-eyes and hungry appetites, but she’s too busy to notice the obvious. Something dark is...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a short story about love and letting go. Join Joliver Barleywood, a halfling bard of the Aevalorn Parishes, on a heartfelt journey through the enigmatic Athenaeum, a secret library only found when needed. Just before midnight, Jak Lot frantically busts into the library, seeking words to convince their love to stay and not sail away for a distant suiter, engaging in a marriage of convenience and status. Through the magical power of words, Jak seeks to pen the plea that will anchor her heart to his. Joliver offers to help Jak, but in the process, he ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about trifling with fate. In the heart of the Aevalorn Parishes, the halfling folk prepare to celebrate the end of the Dark Days with warmth and camaraderie. But for Elina Hogsbreath, owner of the Swindle & Swine, this time heralds a troubling tradition. Horwich Cobbleberry is a vain and pompous halfling who has made it his habit to drink from a magical cup once a year, again endangering the inn and everyone in it. Having enough of Horwich’s false promises to forego the ritual, Elina takes matters into her own hands. Fans of ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a story about the woe of omniscience. Dundermutton is a magical ram who can perceive everything in the universe. Tired of his otherworldly obligations, he sleeps in to enjoy a holiday. Still, the universe isn’t having it—fate screams for his attention. Terror approaches! Opening his mind’s eye, Dundermutton witnesses an unfolding tragedy. Far away, Gammond Brandyford, a troublesome halfling of the Aevalorn Parishes, has stumbled upon a magical chalice capable of transforming water into wine. What could possibly go wrong? Ignoring the universe's ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a story about remembering and commitment. When Benzie Fernbottom - an eager, helpful halfling innkeeper - learns that Elina Hogsbreath, the inn’s proprietor, will shut down her business for a day, Benzie becomes very concerned. Unable to accept her explanation, Benzie makes more than one very foolish decision and ends up witnessing more than he gambled for. With his and Elina’s lives on the line, can Benzie help save the inn and maybe learn something about unhealthy attachment along the way? Fans of Brandon Sanderson, Travis Baldree, and S. L. ...

* Originally Shortlisted in a 2023 Writing Competition * From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a fantasy story about loneliness and connection. Delve into a world where sunflowers bloom, plums ripen, and love is forged by two unlikely strangers. Far away, in the Hamlet of Hollowgarde, Harlan Springbrook is a peculiar, curmudgeonly halfling who prefers his own company. Eldewine Kettlebloom, a nurturing gardener, tries to draw him out by building a bridge of neighborly communication. Unfortunately, things go amiss, and she nearly kills him. Will Harlan—if not their relationship—survive?...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a story about the wrongheadedness of prejudice. As the Mulzunite Knight, Ser Rastacil Selabras, traverses the flooded riverbed of the Free City of Enceröss, he comes across a halfling Child of Yondalla, Maedrey Puck, camped nearby. An unlikely and unwelcome encounter, Ser Selebras is eager to be rid of the halfling's company. But when Maedrey offers him a magic potion gifted by the goddess Yondalla–promising to shorten his journey from a week to a single day–Ser Selebras makes a hasty promise in exchange. However, Maedrey remains skeptical of the...

Dame Armaelle Níallach, a battle-worn knight sworn to protect her sovereign, races through the moonlit forests, cradling an infant princess in her arms. Pursued by ruthless assassins, she seeks refuge in the ancient cemetery of Caer Mawnog, where stone statues of grieving widows and faceless wraiths stand as silent sentinels of forgotten tragedies. Wounded and desperate, Armaelle pleads with the old gods for help—only to find her prayers answered by something far older and more dangerous than she ever imagined. With its vivid world-building, rich in ancient lore and primal forces, the ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about resisting evil and fighting for what you believe in. Shambling from the depths of the Murkwode Fens comes a tale of courage, faith, and the unyielding nature of the human spirit. Bartram Humblefoot, Paladin of the Ancients, leads a contingent of Mumling regulars to retrieve a holy artifact from a ruined temple. Regrettably, the forces of darkness have other plans. War is coming, and the artifact would lend their evil disciples a great advantage. The dead are awakened, rising from death to secure the temple. Bartram must help...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a story about immortality, loss, suffering, and terror. An unrelenting evil ensnares the kind halfling folk of Amberglen. Skyer Dannon, a Halfling of the Parishes, endures a chilling transformation after a savage attack turns him into a vampire. As Skyer grapples with his conflicting emotions—loathing for his cursed existence yet an undying love for his friends and family—he embarks on a haunting journey to rediscover all he has lost. But with the harsh winter closing in, Skyer's malevolent influence threatens to consume the town and its innocent ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about the folly of arguing over something you'll never need. In the remote hamlet of Ehrendvale in the Aevalorn Wilds, a happy chance reveals a hidden treasure! However, its ownership is questioned, and tensions run high, threatening to split the once-peaceful community. Maedrey Puck, a Priest of Yondalla, is called to help settle the dispute. To put the matter to rest, she must administer three Trials by Ordeal to a landowner and a pig farmer, but can she quell their unbridled tempers and keep the hamlet from ripping itself apart...

Far, far away, a very long way from here, in the Halfling hamlet of Pondaroak, you’ll find an Inn named the Swindle & Swine. Elina Hogsbreath, the inn’s proprietor, comes from a long line of hedge witches — she learned the craft from her mother, who had learned it from her mother, tracing back generations. Stay for a spell. Come wolves, worgs, or worms, Elina will serve you right. This anthology contains five previously published stories: A Thyme of Trouble The Keening Cup The Magnificent Marion Maloney Midnight Tea The Song at Harvest’s End And one story totally unique to this ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a dark fantasy story about retaining your dignity. The village of Bracklenock lies under a cloak of ash and sorrow, ruined in the shadow of devastation. Jayleigh Warmhollow, a Druid of the Ancients, must confront Uriah, a gorgon, the monster who destroyed everything. Charged with restoring balance to the region, Jayleigh is faced with a gutwrenching choice: the medusa must die or be convinced to forgive herself. Set against the backdrop of despair, this story weaves together the threads of identity, acceptance, and the quest for a place. Through the ...

From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a story about freedom and autonomy. Godwick Emberfoot, a Halfling Warlock enslaved to an Archfae, takes the king’s cousin hostage to learn the whereabouts of the last Gifting Tree—a tree whose fruit grants infinite, perfect knowledge—in the mortal realm. Upon finding the tree, Godwick’s pseudodragon familiar, Greymalken, urges Godwick to destroy it, but instead, Godwick eats the fruit from the tree, risking everything by asking a single gnawing question. And when the universe answers, Godwick's consciousness is pulled into the Faewild, where ...