Isle of the Fairy Ring

Most of the audience cleared out after the lights came back up. Tommie collected her notes and laptop, watching them go. One person, however, was making her way to the stage. She had both hands in the pockets of her khaki pants as she sauntered over.

“Doctor Leismore,” the woman said, with a nod of her head. “Would you mind if I asked you a few questions? About your talk?”

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All the Magic Left the World

Three spheres comprised the world. The waters, the earth, and the skies. Upon first glance, it would seem that every creature lived in its own sphere. The creatures of the waters lived in the waters. The creatures of the earth lived upon or beneath the earth. But the world was not so sharply divided. And one of the spheres was not truly inhabited by any creatures.

The creatures of the skies did not live in the skies. They soared and fluttered, sometimes for long stretches of time, but a time would come when they need descend and perch.

Some creatures lived where these spheres meet. Some creatures lived part of their lives in one sphere and part in another.

Once, in a long-forgotten age, every creature could live in every sphere.

This was so because of an energy, a force that spun around and through the world.

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The Crimson Hood

For the second time, she held the still-warm hand in her own hands. And it felt wrong. She slipped to her knees beside the bed. She felt tears spill from her eyes and as they tracked down her face and dripped from her chin to the ground, she saw that the liquid was a watery red. Her tears had mingled with blood.

How did blood get on my face?

She turned her head and looked at what remained of the body that once was her grandmother. She frowned in confused thought.

Where is she?

She had been there, in that body. Now she was not. Where was she?

She heard a noise in the doorway and if it was her attacker again, she would have perished right then, for she did not turn. She heard the clomping of boots and knew it was just the axman returning. He was breathing heavily through his nose.

“Whatever it was attacked your gran and you, it’s still out there, miss,” the axman said in a gentle but firm tone. “I must get you out of here and safe to my cottage. It’s nearby. My kin will look after you while I hunt this creature down.”

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