Jazmir97

It was nearly time. The sigil was inscribed on the ground, the candles were set to be lit, and the offerings were arranged on the altar. Jade eyes turned toward the western horizon, squinting against the fading light of dusk. Soon it would set, and the moon would rise in its place. “We’ve waited a long time for this…” the onlooker observed, “Far too long.” She stood, moving to a platform that sat opposite the altar across the glyph and sitting cross-legged upon it. Her eyes closed as she held her hands cupped together. Words of an ancient tongue passed her lips, an incantation to summon her familiar into the circle. She hated putting him through this. The last time they tried to perform a ritual similar to this, it had ended in disaster. It was years ago, back when she was much more green and far more selfish and cruel. In order to become a full-fledged witch she’d needed to summon a familiar. Most ended up with simple animals, maybe a demon or a small dragon, but she? She had

A short story by Joshua D Tarwater Silence. The sound that snow makes as it blankets forest and mountains. As pure in silence as it is white in color. A color that encompasses all. From the porch of an abode of brick and timber, the snowfall is watched by an old man. He is joined by his wife, both bundled tightly in blankets. But they are not cold, nor are they close though huddled together. The husband is an oddity. Not for having retired many years past from adventuring, he and his wife had both long hung up their sword and staff, but for he was a man the gods did not bless with a heart. He could not be close with anyone, yet he warmed his wife’s old bones through her love for him. It was a warmth that far outshone the simple spell she cast to keep the cold at bay. Together the heartless man and his wife watched the snow. The world turned white before them in silence, even the forest beyond the clearing of their home disappearing. All