“So everyone here does something huh?”

Hailey looked around at her new hut. At least, they called it a hut. It was really more like a cabin with solid walls and a strong roof. It was small, granted, but they advised her that with the new ready source of wood, she could expect a full upgrade very soon.

Kevin wasn’t a tall boy, by any means. Nobody really picked on him because he was fast, agile, and the rumor had it he was a ninja. Of course ignoring the fact that his mother was Chinese and not Japanese aside, like the true Ninja of old he did nothing to dissuade those rumors. He had no idea that that was about to get him into more trouble though.

Stories from the Shepherd Moon – Interviews #02:  An Obsession with Royalty

“This is Bryan Seacrest, broadcasting from BBC Solar’s outside broadcasting van, or what we in the news business like to call the ‘OB Van,’ here on the front lawn of the Royal Castle of the Northern Territory here on Elyra Prime. We are covering the investiture of the Princess Amelia Liaran-Kerr-Steele as the new ruler of the Kingdom of the Northern Territory. As you know, this comes on the heels of…”

Milsy is anxious to begin working on the promised clock but her day is side-tracked into more domestic matters. As she travels around the palace her appearance causes more confusion, especially following a visit to the Salon. Eventually Tarvan appears with good news of a sort, and with an unexpected gift!

What Milsy Did

by Penny Lane

11 - Domestic Concerns

Corvid calls Tasalin and Solani back to the keep they've taken over as a base. Sweet Dreams is organized now and it's time Corvid beings everyone together to give them direction as a whole.

Milsy's life takes another turn when she is offered guild membership by Parrel. With an enhanced escort Milsy, Tarvan and Parrel travel to the Hall of the Guilds to meet some senior Guildmasters who agree, but then must come a difficult confrontation at the Clockmakers Guildhall.

What Milsy Did

by Penny Lane

10 - Journeywoman

In the laboratory Milsy varnishes some wire until an unexpected interruption leads to a visit to the chamber of the Great Clock that keeps time for the whole palace. It does not take long for her to discern how it functions and, naturally, she begins to have ideas to improve the mechanism. The guildsmen of the Clockmakers' Guild are not impressed...

What Milsy Did

by Penny Lane

9 - The Great Clock

Milsy begins her reading lessons, accompanied by Bursila. The next day their lessons continue but now include writing. After several days the Queen relents and Milsy takes her first look at the labyrinth of palace corridors.

What Milsy Did

A Tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

6 - Reading Lessons

A tense standoff is resolved by the Queen and then Milsy has to consider what these two men can do for her. She struggles to understand the routine of the palace and realizes she has some important gaps in her education.

What Milsy Did

A Tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

4 - Settling In

Enough with the distractions and setbacks, it's time for Aria to get back to work and get some good experience.

Milsy learns more about the person she is supposed to be, discovering that a whole new world awaits her beyond the castle. There are near misses, changes of plan and much waiting around until the time comes to begin the deception. She is introduced to the guardsmen who will be escorting her and then she secretly leaves the castle to prepare for the substitution.

What Milsy Did

A Tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

2 - Under Cover

Aria is summoned to Earth and has to contend with a large number of professional soldiers in order to save her friend!

Sparrow sat at a table in the cafeteria reading the girl’s diary. She was quite the information gatherer. If the diary was anything to be believed, Kiranim grew up in another world. Homeless but still finding a purpose in life. This thing call Free Running. Which, up till now, kept her safe and out of trouble. This Jeril seemed to have a positive effect on her. The more she read, the more engrossed in the girl she became. Until the point she didn’t notice Hawk behind her.
“You’re really into that diary.” Hawk announced his presence, causing sparrow to jump. “Sorry.”

An interstellar survey craft arrives in a previously unexplored star system to begin to evaluate the resources which may be available. At first, everything proceeds smoothly but then the unexpected happens, and even the most outlandish theories struggle to explain the bizarre circumstances facing the explorers.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

Epilogue 1 - The Impossible World

Author's Note: This chapter is set 206 years after the events in Chapter 138.

THE MIXED TAPE MYTHOS STORIES

In the Australian outback a solitary traveller stops at a strange roadside store and leaves with a mysterious cassette. A homeless busker tells of the night that they became a conduit for a wild and otherworldly force. A young writer meets a man with no shadow. We will encounter her again, a student at an academy for witches and warlocks. The results of a pitched and secret battle in a secluded valley shapes humankind’s destiny amongst the stars. The wondrous and terrifying magic of the Mixed Tapes links disparate tales of sex, superheroes, fantastical kingdoms, and human and inhuman monsters. If you have ever wondered what the little indulgences that frame my anthologies add up to, here they are, all in one place, for your reading pleasure.

Concludes with an announcement regarding the first Mixed Tape of 2016

In Dekarran, Garia struggles with her feelings concerning her forthcoming journey. Despite this, she still finds time to discuss the castle's drains, attend Merizel's wedding, visit the King's Tower again and find Eriana a new job. The deliberations of the rulers reaches a successful conclusion and finally, Garia has an entirely unexpected encounter.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

137 - The Empty Road

This world reeks. I’ve been here for three months and in that time I noticed that everyone here is pretty much a zombie. Not the average everyday eat your face zombie, more like they just shuffle about and don’t really pay attention to their surroundings or each other. They’re brainless, not undead like people think zombies should be. Turns out they’re being controlled on top of that, I just don’t know how yet.