When the bay turned crystal-clear and inviting, and the sun shone bright, and the colors of all the buildings along the shore-front seemed to dance with color and brilliance, that was the time when all the old fishermen would suck their teeth and refuse to go out to fish. It was also the time when the tourists exited their hotels in droves and ( Read more... )

The tick of the fish was alarming in the silence. she stared at her plate. A conversational lull, unheard of (hah!) in this dining hall, had happened randomly and almost miraculously. All around her a louder hubbub arose to discuss the minor incident. It was her luck, she thought, as she stared at the fish on the plate in front of her. She'd heard ( Read more... )

"Thank you, husband!" she exclaimed, taking the delicately wrapped gift from him. He smiled, then gestured to all the porters behind him to bring in the goods that he had traded for. "It was a good trip, wife," he said, "our fortunes grow and prosper." He didn't see the quick turn aside that she made at the mention of his trip. To him, it was ( Read more... )

Harlequin was missing his nose. How it could have gone missing, Lusistra didn't know, but she threw up her hands in despair. They'd set up the stage, and everyone else was ready. "Put a carrot on there," she said. She grabbed a pot of golden paint. "We'll just have to improvise." Harlequin looked offended at the sight of the carrot. She ( Read more... )