Cela had always hoped she'd find Jorgen again someday...but was this really Jorgen? A tenderly bitter tale of love and changes first published in Quantum Muse, and part of the collection PENTANGLE: FIVE POINTED FABLES.Carolyn Kephart is the author of the acclaimed epic fantasy duology WYSARD and LORD BROTHER, available in a single volume as THE RYEL SAGA: A TALE OF LOVE AND MAGIC.Cela had always hoped she'd find Jorgen again someday...but was this really Jorgen? A tenderly bitter tale of love and changes first published in Quantum Muse, and part of the collection PENTANGLE: FIVE POINTED FABLES.Carolyn Kephart is the author of the acclaimed epic fantasy duology WYSARD and LORD BROTHER, available in a single volume as THE RYEL SAGA: A TALE OF LOVE AND MAGIC. Her magic realism novel QUEEN OF TIME explores Hadrian's Wall, Mayan ruins, and the repercussions of reincarnation. Visit her website at carolynkephart.com to read first chapters.About the author: Early life as a military brat gave Carolyn Kephart an appreciation of nomadic lifestyles, a fascination with world cultures, and close-up insights into the warrior mentality and its manifestations, all of which influence her work. She loves things that nourish the spirit and widen the mind.

A government scryer's life is a prison until she discovers the ultimate secret language. This poignant near-future tale examines the boundaries between love and freedom.THE HEART'S DESIRE is part of the collection PENTANGLE: FIVE POINTED FABLES.A government scryer's life is a prison until she discovers the ultimate secret language. This poignant near-future tale examines the boundaries between love and freedom.THE HEART'S DESIRE is part of the collection PENTANGLE: FIVE POINTED FABLES.About the author: Early life as a military brat gave Carolyn Kephart an appreciation of nomadic lifestyles, a fascination with world cultures, and close-up insights into the warrior mentality and its manifestations, all of which influence her work to a discernible degree. She loves things that nourish the spirit and widen the mind.Kephart's epic fantasy THE RYEL SAGA: A TALE OF LOVE AND MAGIC combines and expands her critically acclaimed duology WYSARD and LORD BROTHER. Her latest novel is QUEEN OF TIME, contemporary magic realism that puts a Roman/Mayan spin on the Faustian bargain.

Happily Ever After isn’t always perfect, but dark knights can be illuminating. A wryly humorous fall-themed fairy tale, first published in Luna Station Quarterly.Carolyn Kephart is the author of the acclaimed epic fantasy THE RYEL SAGA: A TALE OF LOVE AND MAGIC and the contemporary magic realism novel QUEEN OF TIME. This short story is part of the collection PENTANGLE: FIVE POINTED FABLES.Logan Tanner shook the red dust of West Texas off his boots at the age of eighteen and hasn't looked back. When his father has a stroke, Logan is temporarily forced to return home and take over the family ranch. He still feels responsible for his mother's death when he was twelve, and has never gotten over the guilt. Now he's faced with having to protect his twelve year old daughter Katie and his sister and her friend Megan Flynn. It's nearly more than one man can handle. He can't wait to get back to Dallas.Megan Flynn immediately falls in love with Morris Springs, Texas, population 976, when she delivers Logan's runaway daughter to his doorstep. Raised as a city girl, Megan has a dream of a few acres, a few champion Blue Heelers, and a small-town veterinary practice. The only thing standing between her and her dream is one stubborn, reluctant cowboy with an overprotective streak as wide as the West Texas prairie. But her stubborn streak is a match for his any day. And she's determined to prove it.Blame it on Texas is a story of the power of love to overcome any adversity, the strength of family and friendship, and the joy that comes with being part of something bigger than yourself.

A wicked court jester gets his comeuppance in this cautionary tale, first published in Silver Blade Fantasy Quarterly.Carolyn Kephart is the author of the acclaimed epic fantasy THE RYEL SAGA: A TALE OF LOVE AND MAGIC and the contemporary magic realism novel QUEEN OF TIME. 'Last Laughter' is part of the collection PENTANGLE: FIVE POINTED FABLES.The revised edition of Hacker School, now a trilogy with the addition of two new stories. In a dystopian world, who will decide the future of mankind?After the Great Chaos, Jake's tribe decides it's time to expand from their hidden valley and once more deal with other societies.David's tribe is trying to gather technology and reconstruct some of the technical marvels that once existed. They are violently opposed by anti-scavengers that wait for promised help from now vanished bureaucracies.Charlene is mostly healed from her many battles. She's surprised by what may be a way to survive. Does this hacker really offer a small chance of escape? Maybe human rights hacktivism is in her future. Probably not. Is it foolish to trust someone just because he remembers how to laugh?Hacker School is a three act prelude to the cyberhug.me series. "Your life is a burning match. Ignite a bonfire." - Allan R. Wallace

Did the old gods really die? A warrior seeks answers at the burial-mound of his greatest enemy in this Norse-themed elegy, first published in Bewildering Stories.Carolyn Kephart is the author of the acclaimed epic fantasy THE RYEL SAGA: A TALE OF LOVE AND MAGIC and the contemporary magic realism novel QUEEN OF TIME.'The Kind Gods' is part of the collection PENTANGLE: FIVE POINTED FABLES.Did the old gods really die? A warrior seeks answers at the burial-mound of his greatest enemy in this autumnal Norse-themed elegy, first published in Bewildering Stories.Carolyn Kephart is the author of the acclaimed epic fantasy duology WYSARD and LORD BROTHER, available in a single volume as THE RYEL SAGA: A TALE OF LOVE AND MAGIC. Her magic realism novel QUEEN OF TIME explores Hadrian's Wall, Mayan ruins, and the repercussions of reincarnation. Visit her website at carolynkephart.com to read first chapters.About the author: Early life as a military brat gave Carolyn Kephart an appreciation of nomadic lifestyles, a fascination with world cultures, and close-up insights into the warrior mentality and its manifestations, all of which influence her work. She loves things that nourish the spirit and widen the mind.

The wysard Ryel Mirai leaves the great Art-citadel Markul to rediscover the long-lost spell that will release his mentor from the wraithworld of the Void, but a malignant sorcerer likewise imprisoned has enlisted the aid of Ryel's strongest rival to find the spell first. This edition combines the critically acclaimed duology WYSARD and LORD BROTHER, with much previously excised material restored.