The dwarf realm of Barin-Ti had held strong for a thousand years but now it was dreadfully sick.
The native dwarves had resisted the attacks of the warriors of Am-Nor and An-Morn, defending themselves with axes and cannons, refusing to surrender.
Only now a more persistent and insidious threat had appeared. These new invaders method of conquest was importing huddled masses, coming to the dwarf kingdom in hopes of a better life.
Continue reading‘Trail my wife and get me evidence of hanky-panky. That way I can divorce the bitch cheaply.’ The guy, Ben Blaidd, had mean eyes that might have been filched from a rat. Then he hissed, ‘I want dirt, I want grubby.’
I’m Johnny Gumboot, private detective. Grubbiness, you could say, is engrained in my calling. Blaidd added that his missus was seeing an audiologist whom he referred to as Huw Jeers. Was that the man’s name or his affliction?
Continue readingPhil Moody crouched beside his daughter as she sat cross-legged on the wet sand, and tucked his coat around his knees. Jeez, he thought, the weather forecast wasn’t wrong about the change.
“What are you doing, love?”
Arabella had her palms pressed flat to the sand, head tilted, as though listening for something underneath.
“Saying goodbye.”
“Goodbye to what?”
“My friends.”
Continue readingHOMEWORK for deadline Thursday 10pm, 28.05.26.
TASK: ‘Climate’. Write 500 words or fewer about ‘Climate’. Your story title isn’t included in the 500 words.
Homework to be in by 10 pm at the latest, Thursday 28th May 2026. (This time deadline will be helpful to both Martyn and Pat).
Meeting at 1.30pm, Sunday 31.05.26, Waterstones Bookshop, top floor [via stairs or lift], Oxford Street. Finish about 3.00pm.
Send all homework to Pat