A group of friends streams their gaming on Wednesday nights. But not all the action is on the dining room table.

Rona’s comment about me needing a housekeeper was like a punch in the gut. She hadn't passed even the slightest derogatory comment on the frankly tatty state of my home, but instead, she had suggested a solution. That’s what she was all about… Solutions to problems and sometimes the people on the receiving end didn’t know that they had a problem.

“Muahahaha!” she laughed. Despite Sophia being more of a mad scientist, Meredith had a better supervillain laugh.

With assistance from Merior!

His wishes granted,
By contract, reviewed and read,
For a blessed bed.

Leavening his bread,
Set the plate to gift his stead,
Fiancé unwed.

Soon he’d be jiggled,
And one who never fiddled,
Uniquely riddled.

The body rested,
Soon, divinely regifted,
Reincarnated.

And acclimated.
Two bodies respirited,
Deal, consummated!

Cerridwen Plays Dotty
Part One: Cerridwen and Daisy

I wanted to punch somebody or something. I wanted to scream and throw a chair and break a window. I wanted to bite somebody. I don't know what was more embarrassing the costume or the fact that my boyfriend had been selected as the one to play my handler. I was just about to let my temper get the best of me when I felt a gentle hand stroke the top of my head.

Sitting in General Ajani's office, which had been expanded and improved since the last time he'd been there, Keir studied the different players. They'd made the polite greetings, everyone had a mug of mint tea to take the chill off, and now things were about to get interesting.

Twelve nights, they said. Only twelve nights for me to stand in for my sister. I only really had to worry about the nights they said. I’d laugh if it didn’t hurt so much in my shot wound and I don’t want to upset the police officer outside my hospital room. Only twelve nights, HA!

Cerridwen and the Phantom Nurse
Chapter Three: Nurse Amanda Fairchild.

Nurse Amanda motioned for me to take a seat at one of the tables that seemed to be bolted to the floor. As I climbed up and eased my bottom down upon the chair. My mind started to wander. And my eyes started to drift around the lobby. The lobby was a verbal ghost town.  Slowly my eyes started to focus on Nurse Amanda who seemed to be talking to the barista who between us three seemed to be the only  three living people around.

The Visund departs Zebrin and heads for Bibek in Faralmark. As they navigate the twists of the Sirrel, a stranded barge becomes visible in the distance. When they reach the barge it causes them to rethink what they have been told about river pirates.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

77 - Smoke on the Water

Cherry’s Birthday Surprise part 2

“Diary I… I don’t know what to think. We got into combat, and I got separated from my squad. Then while separated I ended up encountering a Royal calling herself The Faerie Queen. She talked with me, didn’t even try to purify me or hurt me. And she told me things. Impossible things, things I can’t believe. If what she said is true then, then, I don’t know. I’m sorry, I can’t write anymore today. I need to visit Raftilia, I need to figure out if what she said was true.”

Handsome Stranger
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

He had decided that the only way to finish what he had started was to get away from all distractions. His city studio was comfortable, but the city itself was right outside his front door. It was not the noise nor the light; it was more the temptation. And because he had visitors there from time to time, he kept it tidy. He needed a place where he could throw some paint around.

“Unf,” I grunt as I’m woken from a dreamless slumber by my phone, though it isn’t my alarm that wakes me, but rather an incoming call. I try to smile as I click the ‘answer’ button- normally I'd be happy to see the identity of the caller on my phone's screen, but it's much too early- and much too cold- for that right now.

“Good morning, Ian!” Grandma says with a cheerful tone. “Or rather, happy birth-eve!”

“Thanks, grandma,” I say quietly as I prop myself up in bed and huddle my sheets around my shivering form. “Is everything okay in Cardiff?”