Kilgore's Five Stories #7: February 2021: Kilgore's Five Stories, #7

By Shaun Kilgore

Five Stories #7: February 2021 contains a range of fantasy stories plus a near future sci-fi tales set in a post-US America. This volume includes "A Reckoning," "The Risen Queen," "Ghosts of America," "The Sapphire Sword," and "Midwinter Light."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Founders House Publishing LLC
• Release date: Feb 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393818243

Shaun Kilgore

Shaun Kilgore is the author of various works of fantasy, science fiction, and a number of nonfiction works. His books appear in both print and ebook editions. He has also published numerous short stories and collections. Shaun is the editor of MYTHIC: A Quarterly Science Fiction & Fantasy Magazine. He lives in eastern Illinois.

Book preview

CONTENTS

Introduction

A Reckoning

The Risen Queen

Ghosts of America

The Sapphire Sword

Midwinter Light

About the Author

Copyright Information

Kilgore’s Five Stories

#7 February 2021

Original Short Stories Every Month

Shaun Kilgore

Introduction

HERE WE GO! A new issue of Kilgore’s Five Stories has arrived. Welcome to the February 2021 issue. As it is true that I write a lot of fanstasy, you’ll see mostly those kinds of stories in this issue. I hope to write in other genres more in subsequent issues. So, by all means, jump into this month’s stories. Thanks again for giving my fiction a chance. I’ll see you next time.

Shaun Kilgore, February 2021

A Reckoning

KATHIUS RECLINED WITH the others on the veranda, sipping summer wine from the silver goblets. The trays placed among them by the white-robed servants were laden with fresh-cut pineapple, black grapes, bananas, and moist raisin cakes. Sandwiches layered with thinly-sliced waterfowl complete the repast. The winds off the Sea of Dorat smelled distinctly of salt and carried up traces of the city’s cook fires from down below. The house where they dined stood at the summit of a series of seven hills and was once the dwelling of a king. The city of Paradesh itself was one of the regal cities of the old empire of Great Oramitis—one of the few still in regular use. Kathius knew the history of Paradesh very well. Did he not partake of the same schools and private turors that every other highborn member in Teshalan society did? Was it his to claim the right to lead the discussions given his status as a pupil of the honorable Stadarius?

Much as their breaking of protocols, Kathius knew it had little bearing on the day’s business. He and the senior members of the Senate had been sequestered for three days. Three fruitless days with little legislative solutions to show for it. Kathius was wearying of the bickering and insults. The men betrayed their breeding as far as he was concerned. Didn’t they know the seriousness of the business they had been entrusted with?

Kathius sipped his wine. He caught part of Sedros’ conversation with Alenius.

And I’ll say it again if no one else has the stones to. The reports are clear enough. Our outer ports are being attacked, pillaged and plundered of all their valuable goods. The women are brutalized when they’re not simply taken in the midst of the turmoil. The garrisons seem totally ineffectual. I say we should send General Korvalus and the fleet. The esteemed general has argued as much during full sessions of the Senate. He believed that he can bring an end these marauders. I feel inclined to allocate the funds to do just that.

How can be so sure, said Alenius. How can the general? The reports are not as transparent as that, Sedros. We can’t even be sure who is behind the attacks. Others among the Senate offered opinions that placed the blame squarely on the Orinthians while others say pirates.

Sedros empted his goblet and scrubbed his face. Then let Korvalus investigate.

Kathius spoke up then. Come now, Sedros, do you see proud Korvalus agreeing to such a mission? He would sooner send one of the younger soldiers out on the sea to carry out such fruitless pursuits. It would be beneath him. No, it makes more sense to use our information networks to more strategic advantage. Let someone draft a message to be carried by falcon to Eraquos on the morrow. We could institute a formal surveillance operation.

The other senators took up the conversation and hammered out the finer points of what just made good sense, fiscally and logistically. Kathius listened but turned his mind to other things while sipping his wine for the remainder of the afternoon.

THE SMALL CLOSED session of senators came to an end and Kathius lingered out on the veranda after the others were wrapped back up in their entourages of assorted servants and guards. Two guards were his only companions. He had not the patience or the taste for being in large groups of sandal-lickers. Everyone bowed and scraped with their own agendas in mind. It was not as bad as the old noble courts that were once populated with all manner of fop and fool looking to curry favor with their betters, but even after a decade free from the trapings of the monarchy, some men felt more comfortable on their knees, groveling before other men.

Kathius drained what remained of the wine. Several of the white-robed servants were at work cleaning up the leavings of the meal. Discarded fruit and sandwiches mostly. None of them, neither men nor women glanced up at all. They were of the shenmar, the shamed ones. Kathius considered them in the architecture of the restored republic and wondered whether their laws should be changed to put off the traditions that bound these people to a temporary slavery.

Should not all men be free, eh Arestes?

A tall, dark-skinned guard, dressed gray robes and simple plate armor looked at Kathius. I should think not. Some men do not deserve freedom. There are those that abuse it and set about relieving others of theirs.

Arestes had been a bonded-slave in the years before the empire was on the brink of collapse. He bore the marks on his body that lent conviction to his words. Arestes was held by the master of House Tunteny, one of the noble lines