ancient times - Stories

A Roman noble born for music, not war. A Cherusci warrior born for duty, not desire.

Sent to the Rhine frontier under an ambitious governor’s wing, Marcus Valerius Pulcher finds in Ingomar something Rome never taught him to want, and something Ingomar’s people would never forgive.

Their bond grows in stolen hours, firelit and unspoken, while empire and tribe both close in around them. Then the forests of Teutoburg swallow three legions whole, and everything either boy was raised to become burns with them. What’s left isn’t safety. It’s a choice, made in the open, at a price neither can take back.

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?

Every town has a history. Every town has stories that have been handed down through the ages . . . stories that tell of people or events that may, or may not, be real. Thompsonville is no different. In fact, this town probably has more than most. Here’s another one of them!

Cain and Abel - what really happened

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.

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.