The Mansion sits in silence, everything inside it coated in a heavy layer of dust. It's waiting. It's plotting. It had reluctantly released its captives for a while -- back to their native books lands -- but that was only to lull them into a false sense of security. Now it's back with a renewed sense of mischief ( Read more... )

She comes to the mansion in a rather unconventional manner. The golden chariot is drawn by two large cats but it is the woman inside who should hold your attention and steal your breath. She is perfection. Tall, blond, slender, and as beautiful and languorous as her cats. A cloak of hawks' feathers lies on her white shoulders and a necklace of ( Read more... )

One end of the lake is shrouded in mist this morning. Not so unusual. What is unusual, however, is the ship that sails out of the mist. The mist departs, pierced by the early spring light, and so does the magic that brought it here, the ship, Hringhorni, is brought to a halt and a rope ladder is thrown over one side, followed by what appears to be ( Read more... )

The best sort of sacrifice is a young man, under the age of twenty preferably, virile, lean, strong, beautiful and godless ( Read more... )