Kilgore's Five Stories #9: April 2021: Kilgore's Five Stories, #9

By Shaun Kilgore

Kilgore's Five Stories #9 offers more fantasy stories set in a variety of secondary worlds. From exotic jungles to the courts of foreign kingdoms. You'll find magic, political intrigue, and more. There's also a new contemporary fiction story inside. The April 2021 issues includes the following stories by Shaun Kilgore: Oathsworn, Born of Silver Fire, The Ruling, Tale of the Water Thief, and The Barfly.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Founders House Publishing LLC
• Release date: Apr 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393957997

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

Oathsworn

Born of Silver Fire

The Ruling

Tale of the Water Thief

The Barfly

About the Author

Copyright Information

Kilgore’s Five Stories #9

April 2021

Original Short Stories Every Month

Shaun Kilgore

Introduction

Welcome to Kilgore’s Five Stories #9. I’m including a few previous published fantasy short stories in this issue. A couple of them have been inspirations for longer works. One was an interesting attempt at a distinctive setting and telling a story from slightly different perspective. I also managed to include a brand new one in this volume. Other new stories are currently in the works and I hope to transition back to all new fiction for every issue of Kilgore’s Five Stories. I hope you like the stories.

Shaun Kilgore, April 2021

Oathsworn

He clawed a stone from the earth at his feet and hurled it towards the red cloaked man with all his might. His aim was true. With an outraged cry, the man clutched his bleeding forehead then bared his blade and made to strike. You little whelp; I will make you pay for that!

A woman’s scream halted the attack.

Please, have mercy, my lord. He’s but a boy. The woman was his mother. She took him by the shoulders and stared into his eyes. Her face was swollen and red from crying. Son, you must apologize.

Beyond his mother’s gaze and the glaring face of the swordsman, the boy gazed blankly. Amidst a crowd of red-armored soldiers lay the crumpled forms of two men. His father and brother. Blood was upon their faces, but he could see they still lived though they had been beaten unconscious. In the trees directly behind them, colorful streamers floated in the spring breeze. It had been a wonderful day for a wedding. But now everything had gone wrong, terribly wrong.

Landon, do you hear me? Landon!

* * *

Landon!

Startled by the foreman’s cry, Landon stumbled forward, losing the load of heavy stones from his cart, and chasing away the memory. Landon wondered how long he had been standing there. The heat of the summer sun was smoldering like an oven in the open quarry, drenching those beneath in sweat while draining what little moisture could be had in their weary bodies. All around, workmen were laboring sluggishly, working with pickaxes and heavy hammers and pry bars, in order to tear away more precious stone from the flesh of the earth.

Blast it Samus, you don’t have to yell.

The foreman snorted. Well, I wouldn’t have to yell if someone I know was paying attention.

Before Landon could answer that, another voice called out from above the quarry walls. There’s someone here for Landon. Says it’s important.

Samus squinted against the glare of the midday sun hitting the gleaming white of the rock wall then shaded his face with a hand. At the top, Martin, the clerk stared down expectantly.

Thank you lad, tell whoever it is that he’ll be along shortly. Samus regarded Landon for a moment then waved at him. Go on then, see what it is. But don’t dally if you can help it. I need your shoulders out here. The rest of the boys’ll need you to break more stone loose ‘fore the day’s out. You know how those nobles in Brookingham get red-faced if the work’s not done just as they say.

Do my best, Samus, Landon answered. His mouth was compressed in a thin line. Cold threads of fear were shivering across the back of his neck and spreading. Something was wrong. He knew it was.

Leaving the cart where it overturned, Landon walked past Samus, climbed the rough steps to the top, all the while brushing off as much of the rock dust as he could from the leather apron he wore. Martin came into view a moment later and his face split in a knowing grin. Landon smiled back, but let his eyes flicker about in search of the caller.

Martin realized and pointed beyond them both in the direction of the supply shacks. He’s waiting in the yard. Says it’s urgent that he speak to you.

Landon nodded gravely. Thank you Martin.

Leaving the clerk behind, Landon made his way down the dirt path that wound between the various supply shacks and other buildings that made up the small settlement that bordered the quarries. Like many of the other workers, Landon had found a bunk in one of the larger buildings which had been converted, making the confines as much of a home as he could during the long stints where he was needed. Continuing along, he passed his own door just before entering a small clearing that was used to send and receive shipments. It took a moment for Landon to locate the lone horseman amid the latest arrivals. Nearly a dozen steel reinforced wagons sat waiting for their cargo of freshly processed stone. After passing over him twice, Landon finally located his visitor. He stood away from the congestion, under the boughs of a scraggly tree, patting his horse’s neck while whispering into the excited animal’s ear.

Just like Bendri, Landon thought.

The other looked up as though he heard his name. His expression was wearied and his shoulders were slumped with a heaviness Landon had never seen before. Bendri waved in acknowledgment, beckoning with the gesture was well. Landon weaved through the aisles of wagons until he was before him. There was a brief, forced embrace between the two of them before Landon felt he must find out why his brother-in-law was there.

Is Marda alright? Landon asked.

Bendri nodded slowly. Oh, yes, she is fine. She’s expecting a child.

The weight on Landon’s chest lessened. That’s wonderful. I had no idea she was with child.

Bendri frowned. "I