There is a fair bit of militaria for the military and gaming geeks in this chapter. Feel free to skim if it's not your thing. I awoke to find Themis lying in front of me, with an enormous smile on her face. - "Good morning." she whispered. - "Are we whispering?" I asked. - "Yes. I lifted the tent flap, to clear the air in here a little. But I think a...
"You are an uncouth dog Khan! Begone from our land. May Allah damn you & your lineage," barked the old man. Sher Mohammed Khan woke up from the dream. He had reached the village of Devipur, Meerut. He stepped down from the caravan & started walking towards the big fort across the river. It was a magnificent view. The fort belonged to one of the biggest Zami...
Fourteen Lessons from 2014 (and a lifetime) **14. The world may be shallow but you don't have to be.** It does not take five minutes of reality television to leave most people shaking their heads and muttering in disgust. So why does it exist? Because like the old saying goes, 'if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.' And these days...
Stuart could see that many of the guests were getting tired, but still interested in the story. Feeling it should be told to completion, he thought of something to really make it hit home with a flourish. "How about I finish here and let everyone get a good sleep. In the morning, we'll rise early at six or so and we'll go fer a sail on the yacht. I'll ha'e...
A big thank you to my editor for his kindness and his time, and especially for keeping me on my toes. CLEARING IN THE WOODS They begin their day together by walking hand in hand through a park next to a lake, crunching fallen leaves beneath their feet, and watching birds gather for their long flight south. A blustery wind blows off the water sending a chil...
The arrow tip followed its target slowly, staying on mark and waiting for the right moment to release. Kyle MacDonnell was a skilled hunter and waited patiently, keeping the tension on the bow taut. He stepped lightly through the underbrush, keeping his footfalls near silent, as he kept his distance from the stag, grazing on new shoots. He saw it turning his...
I had already missed two full weeks of practice when I showed up to the field that evening. I had been looking for a soccer team for quite a while, but hadn't been able to find one with practices and games that fit my schedule – until I found the Rainbow League. The team was co-ed and primarily comprised of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered folks, al...
Thanks to starrkers and drksideofthemoon for reading and helpful feedback. * "Why doesn't he touch me?" thought Jasmine. Lying on her side, propped on one elbow, she adored her sleeping husband. It was three in the morning. Six hours earlier, she'd come to bed naked. The lack of a nightgown was supposed to send a clear signal to her husband of eight years....
Dear Shoeblossom: I come home from work, pulling up in my BMW Z4 Roadster, and the gardener greets me respectfully "Mr. Wegg, how are you?" I grin at him. Yes, Palmer Wegg is a hot shot in this thriving Midwestern city... and when I go in the house I am pleased to see my pretty wife Zenobia relaxing on the divan. "Hello, Pom." She greets me, smiling. Z...
************* CHAPTER TWENTY TWO The ocean trip to the city of Tellismere was somewhat delayed by contrary winds, which at this winter season came near head on, from the northwest. The fleet was running close-hauled, tacking back and forth beating their way upwind. In better weather, the trip could have been made in less than a week, but instead they felt l...