Queer Fantasy and Weird Tales for the People
The storm lifted at last before nightfall. I took the horses out of our shelter and tethered them to a twisted tree nearby, under a sky painted in brilliant colors from the dust still in the air. The mountains were black beneath the fiery sunset, and the red plain to the east was stained a bloody hue. From the city to the peak, all was quiet.
I slept then and did not dream. Aysulu woke me before sunrise. We struck our camp and gathered our things in the dark, and as one final gesture of spite to the Ascended, I set fire to the chariot. It was against Aysulu’s advice, but I saw no reavers upon the plain, and I took measures to ensure the flames would not spread. We could not take the chariot with us, in any case.
Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XIX”In the Valley Below, “Hymnal”
Happy Monday! Where I am, the sun is finally shining. Perhaps I will venture out into the empty city today and feel like the protagonist of a postapocalyptic novel.
I’ll be back on Wednesday with a new chapter of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea, and on Friday with more Myst gameplay. I’m not sure if I’ll continue with Myst, as it isn’t very entertaining to watch or record (though it is a fun challenge to play), but I do have one more episode recorded and might as well post it.
Stay safe out there!
If you’d like to hear me read every book in the library on Myst Island, this is the video for you. Otherwise, wait until next week, when I will finally do a puzzle and see some new places!
All the Myst videos will live on YouTube here.
The winner’s chest was heavy, but it was small enough for me to carry in one arm. I took Khalim by the hand—let the Seven see with their unblinking, jewel-like eyes that he was mine and under my protection—and walked with brisk purpose down from the platform.
The nobles on their cushions sat still, but the crowds below them had begun to surge toward the exits. Elsewhere in the city, I knew, the forces of House Darela and House Kaburh were attacking the city’s stores of food and weapons. The majority of the guard was here, in the arena, and they rushed toward the gates to slow or stop the miners’ exodus. We would have to move quickly.
Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XVIII”Vienna Teng, “Blue Caravan”
Happy Monday! I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe.
I’ll be back on Wednesday with a new chapter of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea, and on Friday with some more Myst gameplay, so if you need something to pass the time while in isolation, I’ve got you covered.
Have an excellent week!
In the spirit of social distancing, please join me in exploring this deserted island full of mystery.
I’m hoping to post a new video every week, so stay tuned!
It’s my husband’s birthday today. He said I didn’t have to write anything for it, but I will anyway.
I’ve lived in the Midwest all my life, but I’ve never quite felt at home here. Between the interminable winters and the accompanying seasonal depression, the years spent shuttling back and forth from one dormitory to my parents’ house to another, and the mosquitoes that, for some reason, find my blood especially delicious, I spent a good portion of my life feeling unrooted and unwelcome in the land of my birth.
And then I met Kyle. He asked me which of the Canterbury Tales was my favorite, and told me never to trust Mordred Pendragon.
We’ve lived in seven apartments over the course of our relationship. As we went from one long Midwestern winter to another, and packed up our lives year after year, I learned that home isn’t a place.
I’ve learned so many other things as well: about Roman military tactics, the Mongol invasions, American imperialism; how to change a tire on a bicycle; and that it’s possible for someone’s skills and interests to so perfectly complement your own that you can spend hours creating worlds together and the stories to take place in them.
Happy birthday to my handsome, steadfast, brilliant husband; my traveling partner, my historical consultant, and my home through every endless winter. All my words are for you.
We raced down the length of the arena in a thunder of hooves and rattling wheels. Aysulu bent her head against the wind, squinting into the dust. I could not hear the crowds over the noise, but I could just make out the spectators closest to the ground, gripping the rails and leaning out as far as they dared.
Pace by pace, our chariot was gaining ground. Jahan and Alaric traded blows ahead of us, their staffs knocking together with a force that could break bones. We slipped between the Lion and Wolf’s chariot and the wall and caught up to Jin and Heishiro.
Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XVII”Kate Bush, “Jig of Life”
Happy Monday! I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.
Until further notice, the plan is to post a new chapter of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea every Wednesday until it’s finished. I’m not sure how many more chapters that will be; I think we’re past the halfway point, but not by much. It’s turned out to be much longer than I had originally thought, but I’m having fun with it, and I hope you are too.
I am no longer able to stream on Twitch because my internet connection, while free of charge, is not very fast. I end up being more than an hour ahead of the upload, so I can’t chat in real time with any viewers. To pass the time while I’m socially distancing, I’ve decided to upload some gaming videos to YouTube instead, and make them available here on the blog also. I think I’ll be playing Myst: Masterpiece Edition, for a bit of nostalgia, but I’ll have to check if it works on my computer first. You can expect the first video to make an appearance on Friday!
Have an excellent week, and don’t forget to wash your hands!
Space Whales Press 