C. L. Holland

Magical Swords, Elves and Horrifying Monsters – Welcome to the world of Fantasy Short Stories

Fantasy Short Stories Issue 2 features five great fantasy tales—all of them set in traditional fantasy settings.

“Sealed” by Noeleen Kavanagh is an evocative fantasy tale about Mara who lives alone and friendless in her coastal village. One day, an act of kindness on her part forces her to grasp her own powers and in doing so she realises that her life is her own to change.  

In Kristin Janz’s “Brother’s Keeper” Aleine can't stand her annoying younger brother Imry. The problem with Imry is that he never gets in trouble for anything. Plus he was born with the ability to do magic, an ability Aleine desperately wishes she had.  But now Imry is in danger, and Aleine is the only one who has any chance of rescuing him in time.

In “The Sword Divide” by C. L. Holland Korix and Leveri are far from home and searching for a way back. But something else is seeking a way between the worlds, and it only needs one of them to find it.

In Darla Bowen’s “Presented on a Silver Plate” Drashal has become the prized possession of the Emperor, kept against her will in a domed tower. She is thought to be one of the legendary vooree. Her participation during a feast celebrating exotic dishes may hold the key to her release.

The last story of this issue is David Leishman’s “Flight”, an adrenaline-pumping tale of escape. The main character, Olaf, is finally free after months of torture and degradation at the hands of the Kingdom. He has escaped from the deepest bowels of the Keep. The only way to evade capture is through the dreaded Woods, a place where many do not dare set foot—and with good reason.