Stone Lantern

The story today is just the bio
Of a pretty, little girl.
It includes the spells she can cast, the battles she’s fought,
And all the things she can hurl.

The Mage Enters the Fray

I’ve always been pretty. When I was a little girl, I was a very pretty, little girl. When I grew a little older I was a very pretty, young woman. When I got a little older still…well, you get tired of being pretty. I wanted to be something more.

She's got an Anchor Shank!

I started learning the martial arts because my dad felt such a pretty girl would need to be able to defend herself. He was right. I loved that training. I loved the discipline and I really loved the combat. In a fight, pretty still mattered, but only as a distraction for whoever you were kicking the crap out of. I was a great fighter. Pretty or not, people were scared of me in the tournaments.

I knew how good I was, so it was no surprise when the sensei selected me and four other students for private lessons. That’s when my true education began.

The sensei was a master of both the martial and arcane arts. He showed us the secrets that unlocked the power surrounding us. He taught us to fight with our bodies, our minds and the magic in the world around us. We were great students and we eagerly learned all we could.

Our master was taken from us, too early, though. A monstrous group called the Dweomer Pact had sought to destroy all those who understood the arcane secrets. The master fought them off and protected us, but at the cost of his own life. That left four students who were too young to use the power we had.

Two of my group went off to fight the Dweomer Pact. Now those two are members of that evil group. Kudran and myself have been trying to hide ever since. Last week, the Pact found us. We fought, but it was clearly hopeless. Kudran and I were separated during the escape and I haven’t seen him since. Now, I’m afraid I might be the only one left.

Now I’m looking for Kudran and really, anyone else who might be willing to team up. I’ve got some good skills. I’m a kick-ass martial artist and anything I can lift can become my weapon. I’m also a true Battle Mage, perhaps the last one left.

And hey, I’m pretty.

Sometimes we drink coffee to stay awake.
Sometimes we drink coffee and end up at a wake.

Tasty Brew Coffee

Buzz Daniels waited nervously outside the bosses office. He pulled at his suit which normally felt so comfortable, but today was like a boa constrictor wrapping around him.

“Daniels!” called the boss from behind the thin wall. Buzz turned and walked into the office. He looked glumly at the boss as he approached the desk.

“What?” growled the boss.

“Mr. Pipsin, I believe we have a problem. It may be something that we can contain if we act quickly enough. I’m afraid, though that the long term ramifications won’t be known until -”

“Shut up, Daniels. Now, tell me what our ‘problem’ is.”

“Uhh, well sir, the new additive we put in our Tasty Brew line of coffee has some slight flaws in it.”

“What kind of flaws? Anything the public would be able to notice? Is it poisonous?”

“No, sir. Not exactly. The normal additive is fine, but a small group received an experimental batch that makes them susceptible to suggestion.”

Mr. Pipsin sat quietly, obviously expecting Buzz to say more. But, since Buzz wasn’t talking the boss had to prompt him.

“Susceptible in what way?”

“Well, susceptible in the way that any suggestion made will seem like a good one.”

“What? What are you on about, Daniels. I’ve been drinking Tasty Brew all morning and I’m fine.”

“Are you sure, sir? You’re sure that you’re fine.”

“Positive,” said the boss.

“But wouldn’t you feel better if you shot yourself in the face?”

Mr. Pipsin looked shocked for a moment, then considered the idea. “Perhaps you’re right, Daniels.” He pulled a small handgun from his desk drawer and placed the barrel against the bridge of his nose. He winked at Buzz and then pulled the trigger. Bits of Mr. Pipsin’s head covered the wall behind him.

“I think, sir, that it might also make the drinker a little bit violent as well.”

Buzz Daniels raised the cup of coffee he had carried in to the bosses office and had another sip.