ancient times - Stories

Heartbroken Ashok seeks wisdom in his quest to heal
The prince that loved him has married another
And in the ancient kingdom of the Khmer, answers are
found in the river, and in the stone.

The ambition of courtier Gesi Ajai threatens the Empire of Lyra. Skilled general Raithion Maenaer meets Azula, a blacksmith, but their connection is cut short. Years later, Basileus Dio has thwarted Gesi's ambition, but Gesi now plans to take the throne by any means. Raithion and Azula must bring Gesi down and navigate treacherous court politics. Will they succeed?

When a divine being of glamour accidentally inspires a Roman emperor, history gets high heels. This hilariously fabulous short story reveals the true (and very sparkly) origin of drag — or rather, D’reg.

Wanted criminal Hong Shen finally meets his end after being stabbed in the back by a comrade. As he makes his final resting place under a dead plum tree, he submits to death.

Instead, he receives two choices: die, or be given a second chance.

To take the second chance means he must complete a trial in the past in order to return to the present. But what he doesn't know is that the trial isn't only difficult for him, but even more difficult for the person he must be to fulfill it.

A Myth in Eight Parts

I wrote this many years ago as an experiment in building a cast of characters and finding ways to weave their stories together. I didn't realize until recently I only ever posted the first section on this site. It's been a treat to revisit this old tale with new eyes.

The Empire is torn into two, with brothers competing for the throne. War divides families and upends lives. The people suffer and plead to the Four Gods for deliverance -- but the Gods move in mysterious and unexpected and not always entirely pleasant ways.

An Exploration In Limericks of Those Tricky Tabernacle Taboos

For the 2023 Poetry Anthology: Exploration