The Jewels

The jewels felt heavy on his body, the golden necklace pressing against his throat. The servants applied the rouge to the corners of his eyes before handing him a piece of mulberry paper.

He pressed his lips on the paper, letting it sit for a few seconds before handing it back to the servants.

Staring at the mirror, he felt as if the make-up had done nothing to change his weary face, instead emphasizing it.

The doors opened, and the servants scattered as his brother walked in.

“Father wishes to speak with you.” Those words made him sick.

“I see.”

From Guest Contributor July Segers

What Is Written

At age two, baby Suresh miraculously wrote the words yes and no on to foggy glass. His family gathered in awe around him wondering if he would write again, maybe?

With pencils, chalk, twigs in sand he wrote the words over and over.

What divinity was this, what genius? No one had taught him. Being pious people, his parents immediately told the household servants that all future decisions, big or small, would be made by baby Suresh.

“Please,” said Chef, “tonight shall I cook chicken or lamb?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” baby’s mother snapped. “He can only answer yes or no.”

From Guest Contributor Faiza Bokhari

Houghton

The dark forest overlooking Houghton was well known to be the home of sprites. Thomas Buchanan, of Oxford, had made the journey to confirm the rumors of their presence were true. He came with all the normal accoutrement, including a traveling dresser, a coterie of servants, and a pack of beagles.

The sprites are nearly impossible to find when they want to stay hidden but Buchanan was prepared. Through a mixture of alchemy and freshly-baked pudding, he attracted a number of the young fairies. The hunt had begun.

No one ever heard from Buchanan, or the villagers of Houghton, again.