On the outskirts of Rooksnest, in the rainy land of Hylomoria, a ruined church of Gordash stood alone. Beyond the tumbled gravestones, all paths were lost in forest hills. Only the dead kept council here, but the misspent magic of some long-dead cleric lingered in the bell tower, and two deep slow bongs tolled the … More Cozy Flash: “The Knowing”

Dawn came but brought little light to the land of Chalcodin. Rain clouds, dark and heavy, hid the rising sun. They had taken occupancy above Chalcodin some days ago and ever since had spilled forth their waters. Rivers burst their banks. Paths became streams. In the village of Knos, all who could avoid leaving their … More Cozy Flash: “A Stubborn Friend”

The scaled creature hovered on iridescent wings near Pila’s hand, then flew up, carrying a piece of seasoned meat from her picnic sandwich. Pila and her father Jou watched it struggle to stay aloft amid drifting beile-fruit blossoms. The beile tree was a favorite camouflage of the tiny dragons, with petals almost as iridescent as … More Cozy Flash: “Dragon’s Choice”

Editor’s Note: “Lily and Ink” takes places alongside Amanda Cook’s story “Weaving Serenity” in Wyngraf #1. Check out the magazine for more of Lily and the Calmers of Leafside. Golden afternoon sun slanted through Mummy’s workroom window as Lily finished chasing cobwebs from the corners. She paused at Mummy’s worktable and ran a linen cloth … More Cozy Flash: “Lily and Ink”

The swordsman entered the clearing first, with a groan that shook the evening birds from their bowers. Or perhaps it was his companion, fifty hands of flashing red scale and coiling smoke breath, that was the cause for their flight. “This seems like an excellent spot,” the man remarked as he stretched his arms over … More Cozy Flash: “Knight of the Wandering Spring”

The Battle of Agrador was over. The demonic troops of Baldrick the Black had cut through the army of King Alaric, sending the royal forces fleeing for their lives. The barbarian warrior Jalkar wandered across the battlefield, the lone living soul among the dead that lay there unburied and unmourned. A light dusting of snow … More Cozy Flash: “A Cry on the Battlefield”

Having finished her evening prayers and apologies to Chaahk, Yora was about to go to bed when something tapped at her window. She rose from bed, opened the window, and found Tata Duende stooping on the ledge outside. On reflex she bowed to him and invited him in as he tipped his scarlet hat to … More Cozy Flash: “The God’s Apology”

Emrys looked at the three blue chairs. One of them was his daughter. The Red Mage had done this. His guards had captured Emrys’s daughter and taken her to their master. Now, along with the chairs, they’d come to make Emrys an offer. If he could identify which chair was his daughter, the Red Mage … More Cozy Flash: “Three Blue Chairs”

Wyllus’ fingertips reddened at the touch of new snow. He brushed the powder from a leafy head of cabbage growing in the cottage garden, then reached for its stem and began to fight the frozen earth for it. The ground’s frost bit into his hand, further chilling his fingers—but Wyllus knew it would be worth … More Cozy Flash: “On a Snowy Evening”

The flapping of huge wings overlaying the piercing cries of massive reptiles woke Ralph from a reasonably sound sleep. Realizing that the Dragon Express had found the best flying at the moment was over his modest cottage, he surrendered to the inevitable and abandoned his bed. While fumbling for his winter robe, he whispered the word … More Cozy Flash: “The Magic Is Out!”