Up round where old ghosts meet

Two men stood by the headstone of George Halthorpe as Autumn had begun to drop its leaves upon the hill. The day grew pale, casting a long shadow across the ground: blanketing old memories, allowing them rest.Beyond, the setting sun had lost the valley in shadow, small plumes of smoke wicked into the sky as … Continue reading Up round where old ghosts meet →

Why waste words?

During his last speech Basil had hoped to remind the public that despite the dangers of these uncertain times it was important to continue to think of others and most of all remain calm, but, despite his best intentions, all Basil managed was to cause a localised outbreak of hysteria. Mentioning the word calm roughly 34 times … Continue reading Why waste words? →

Up Round the Chamber of Damned Souls

‘There are snakes in his blood my dear!’ Miska the alchemist danced through the room with a flurry of unexpected jerks and shudders. ‘I see them under the skin, twisting in the veins of this poor lad; Kara om shi-la-la, they simply must be removed’ Her wild eyes widened with unfocused intensity, looking to almost … Continue reading Up Round the Chamber of Damned Souls →

Look o’yer the hill ye’ fool!

The beautiful rolling grass fields of Myrtleford were dappled with an extra lushness after the morning rain. Clouds, still grey overhead, ambled through the sky above the quiet village nestled within the grasslands of Western Stallinger. Waking to the dew of a typical Autumn morning, Captain Roland Longsmithe let out a satisfied yawn and resolved … Continue reading Look o’yer the hill ye’ fool! →

Aya and Carrick Part 3: Why Wizards Hate Camping

Carrick was cold. In the windblown bluster of the small glade a certain wizard was beginning to grow stroppy. His time-battered robe was proving to be exceptionally draughty and, after four weeks spent travelling in panic, the patch lined material was beginning to resemble a brown quilt long in needing of a cleansing flame or … Continue reading Aya and Carrick Part 3: Why Wizards Hate Camping →

The historic wooden footbridge of Balendup main

The Historic Wooden Footbridge of Balendup main, reads the small plaque tacked to the side of the town’s quaint little river crossing. Installed in such a location so as it is often obscured by small bundles of leaf litter; the plaque itself is a neat rectangle of brass and patina that was engraved with the consideration … Continue reading The historic wooden footbridge of Balendup main →

Morning’s dust

‘You ever notice how Martin uses a lot of chimney sweep slang?’ The pasteled hue of a morning sky streaked across the horizon.Baulking in fright against sunrise, the wind decided to remain still with pale hope that no one noticed, it was a stillness that almost echoed.In a shack of curled wood and stolen nails, … Continue reading Morning’s dust →

The Flowers of Greenland

The Daisies were up to something. Recently a larger deployment of their guard had been posted around Parliament Garden. ‘Autumn is never kind to us’ one of the Petunias standing watch coughed wearily. His petals were beginning to wilt from a more than a month spent on the nightwatch. ‘No season is.’ replied a fellow Petunia … Continue reading The Flowers of Greenland →

The Nebulous They and Thoughts on the Ibis

To those who are concerned. They’d cut the water off. I’ve never met whoever a them really is, the collective that assembled to maintain civilisation, fueled by paperwork and a perpetual need to do something for eight hours a day. I’m sure that they all have names, they often do: Mack; Alice; Jebson; Tim, anything is possible. … Continue reading The Nebulous They and Thoughts on the Ibis →

Up round where barrels are made

Angus Craddic was in a barrel. He hadn’t always been in a barrel but now, in this moment, he was vividly aware that he was, without a shadow of a doubt, sitting in something that very much resembled a barrel. A cooper, or barrel maker by another name, Angus moved with the enthusiasm of a … Continue reading Up round where barrels are made →