Epic Fantasy Short

As the Order celebrates its union with the crown, a founding member of the secret society plots its demise. Wanting to use the potential of the Soul Stones - legendary relics of unspeakable power - Victor gathers his supporters to rise against the Prophet and all those who wish for the stones' existence to be kept unknown. Caught between his duty and his heart, Lucian must either stand with Victor and betray his fellow brethren, or take his true love, Sarie, and leave it all behind.

In the Age of the Dracon-esti, darkness and war ravage the continent of Draston. The dragons that once ruled the skies have died off and other horrors have since taken their place. To the south, dark rumors have surfaced of armies being massed, led by the Wicked Eye. The elves are slowly dying off, refusing to change with the winds of time. Eleven exciting short stories, four talented young authors, one epic start to the Dragonband Saga.

The dragons had been created by ancient sorcerers deep beneath Firestorm Mountain. The most powerful of these deadly creatures was Gilmreth. After the Worldfire, the dragons escaped from the mountain to prey upon the few living creatures left upon the Earth. Over the centuries, living sources of food became harder to find and the dragons took to preying upon each other. In a small secluded valley, a few humans still struggle to survive. Just when their lives are finally turning for the better, the surviving dragons find them.

The Bluesman - musician, magician, lethal killer. Thrown into our world from a parallel universe, the Bluesman seeks to save the Earth from being overrun by the horrid, mutated creatures that came with him. Armed with magic, skill, and his companion, Scotch, he faces these monsters hoping to create a peaceful world for all.

With a single blow, Cete won both honor and exile from his last commander. Since then he has wandered, looking for a place to call home. The distant holdings of the Reach Antach offer shelter, but that promise has a price. The Reach Antach is doomed. Barbarians, traitors, and scheming investors conspire to destroy the burgeoning settlement. A wise man would move on, but Cete has found reason to stay. A blind weaver woman and the beautiful sunset mantle lure the warrior to wager everything he has left.

A tracker named Hawkwing and a former bandit known as the White Demon try to evade a clandestine organization known as the Seroko. “The Hawk’s Shadow” tells their tale and leads into the Black Earth trilogy.

Sparking myths and legends from Asia to Europe, Africa to North America, dragons are the most universal and awe-inspiring of magical creatures. Whether they are fearsome, rampaging monsters or benevolent sages with much to teach humanity, dragons bring creation, destruction, and adventure in stories told all around the globe. In this landmark collection, award-winning editor Jonathan Strahan combines nearly thirty never-before-seen short stories and poems, written by modern masters of science fiction and fantasy, and illustrations by acclaimed artist Rovina Cai.

A new full-length collection of high fantasy by Dave Smeds. A lover spun from moonlight. A wife banished for carrying the child of a demon. A queen, beheaded ten years ago, whose sage counsel may still save the realm. Here are tales of swords, of magic, of romance. And of the struggle to be splendid of heart whether the opponent be within or without.

The specter of war arises. The evil Sage of Dagorath sends her army to destroy her foe. She has harbored a burning hatred for too long and it must be sated. But the King has allies. He must now call upon them and awaken a legend. Hellion, a burning mystery to the people of this world is called to battle. His mate Fire and the combined might of the Five Clans must become more than legend. They must become the immovable object that stands before the unstoppable force. They must prevail. Or their world will perish.

Hope - The most precious of all the gifts from the gods and the only one saved when Pandora lost the others. But, how will the world cope when a major disaster strikes and it seems that hope is finally gone?

The war of the wizards has ended. What will happen to the golden fairies now? They were enslaved for six years and forced to create golden wands for the Zandles. Will the Ardoors be any different? In any case, without their magic, their lights are fading fast. And without their freedom, death is imminent....

When Jarek steps into the alley to toss out the trash, he finds Erron and can't look away. Even when her father roughly jostles her out of sight, claiming she'd made a wrong turn. He should leave well enough alone, but those desperate eyes haunt him. And he's never been one to turn his back on someone in trouble, especially the most beautiful lass he's ever seen. He just never imagined it'd be his life in jeopardy, and his heart that needs saving.

This story bundle includes three novellas and a bonus!

Sex, greed, and of course money in the world of 2136, when seen through the eyes of a woman unjustly accused and fighting to remain an individual in her own right can take on somber overtones of high tragedy.

The first time Darrion struck her, Lana loaded her wagon and left Cynegil. Two-year-olds should not hit like that. She draped the windows of her cottage with dense cloth and worked by a single candle. If she timed her flight well, she could pass through the market during changing of the guard. In another era, under another king's reign, Lana would have rejoiced that Darrion had inherited his father's gift. Now, if Lana does not present her son to the king, she could lose her head.

Roam with Herakles in search of a safe home for a magical sword, go into exile with a descendant of Merlin, and learn the wisdom of a wolfhound pup to help you wander along newly forged paths into the imagination.

When Angli cattle thieves slaughter his wife and son, Dwras son of Gwyn vows revenge upon their murderers. But how can a mere farmer prevail against ruthless, trained warriors? For the answer Dwras must look not to his sword, but within his heart.

A time so very long ago decided the very fate of our race. Men and women once survived below the Earth's crust. Our faces, banished from the warmth of the sun, and left to the darkness and the cold stone. Our tale has been told so many times by so many different people. Yet, no one heeds the warnings, and the message of the tale is lost from generation to generation. The time is coming again, oh so very soon it will be upon us. Darkness will fall upon the Earth, and one of the five races will reign supreme.

Instead of the wedding day she had planned, Alys awakens to a brutal massacre. The city of Goldereth straddles the mountain peaks standing watch over the black valley of Braganeth, keeping the evil of the Bragamahr contained. But no more. Once the jewel of Tathanar craftsmanship and learning, Goldereth is under siege by creatures from a nightmare. Alys is forced to flee the fallen city with her espoused husband, Galad, as they seek refuge in the wild lands beyond the Braganeth alone and unaided. Alys must face the possibility of her own death in a last desperate attempt to rescue the one ...

At the edge of fatigue on the last vestiges of sight he sees it. Carrying the purest blade ever forged he pursues it. Filth. Vile and wretched creature. He spits. Born out of corruption and slavery. Grass blackening. Uncertainty. Who is he? Does he have what it takes?