The haunting melody of an unanswered heartsong lured me into the tavern. Once inside, the hubbub of the patrons drowned it out, but I was certain I had heard it. It had come from somewhere within these walls. The patrons were a varied bunch of villagers, but the table in the back drew my attention. … More Cozy Flash: “The Truth of Their Tunes”

Herrera reached for the first of the golden irises growing before her when a Micomalo leapt from the trees. She scrambled to get away, but the monkey-like, white-furred Mágico grabbed her by the shoulders with its grey-skinned hands, knocking over her basket as it did, and threw her to the ground. Her back and neck … More Cozy Flash: “Tata Duende’s Soothing Song”

The old dwarf’s frown split his beard the way a mine shaft split ancient rock. “In my day, it was unheard of.” “Please, Papa. Things are different now.” His daughter bustled about the kitchen, tiny and cramped even on a dwarfish scale, preparing dinner. “How? Different? In my day, a man never left his wife … More Cozy Flash: “Passings On”

Prince Colwyn smiled as he stepped onto the pier in the harbour of Calfiris. It was good to be home.The arrival of his ship the Sea Squall, now a lot more battered than when she had left three long years ago, had not gone unnoticed, and so a squad of guardsmen hastened down the pier … More Cozy Flash: “Homecoming Gift”

Erica set out for a day of fishing. She typically had many responsibilities around her house, but her mother and father allowed her one day a week to herself. Today this meant the freedom of enjoying the sunshine and cool waters of Lake Amaranthine. No drudgery of helping her father at the smithy or her … More Cozy Flash: “Vacancy for Vengeance”

Autumn was on its way out; of this the troll was certain. ~ Though he was hairy all over, the cold had crept into his bones. He’d heard the change of season in the wind and in the silence of the animals that had moved south or hidden away. The northerly wind rustled through the … More Cozy Flash: “The Sleeping”

If he had found the little cup on his garden wall, next to the lane, he would have shrugged it off as something drunkenly forgotten by Lord Cowdry on the festival night previous. But the cup was left on his thinking bench, right under his own bedroom window and next to his lemon hollyhocks: a … More Cozy Flash: “Cup”

Elias lunged forward with a sword swing that would have left Marcrum short a few ribs if he hadn’t stopped it. Ironblood was more than up to the task, though. The weathered greatsword knocked its smaller cousin aside with sparks and a sharp clang of steel. Marcrum’s parry left his younger foe staggered. The boy—he … More Cozy Flash: “The Sword of Our Fathers”

Keralda trudged through the forest, her back arched under her heavy pack. The faint blue light of the twin moons shone down through the canopy of leafless trees. Her cloak swished behind her and frosted moss tickled her bare toes. All around her the forest was silent, like it was collectively holding its breath, waiting … More Cozy Flash: “The Last Night”

Elody was in love with the Large Animal Lady. Her name was Celie, and she cared for the horses and goats in the Traveling Entertainment Extravaganza. Elody’s stage overlooked the animal pens, and during setup, Elody watched Celie wrestle the goats into their pen, watched her brush and saddle the frisky pony and the ancient … More Cozy Flash: “Fragile”