Flashes of Wonder and Woe: The Saga of Sir Bryan, #3

By Eli Taff, Jr.

The Saga of Sir Bryan Book 3

 

We rejoin our intrepid hero as he returns from his travels to the sun-scorched kingdoms of the east, and undertakes the second of three quests for the sorceress Auria Snow.

 

A quest that seems simple enough at face value (deliver a letter to a magistrate and return with his response), turns out to be anything but, as new friends and enemies are made, old comrades and foes make themselves known, and the limits of Sir Bryan's goodness is tested again and again.

 

This anthology of Dark Fantasy flash fiction contains 10 exciting stories. Each is exactly 500 words in length.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eli Taff, Jr.
• Release date: Dec 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201022723

Eli Taff, Jr.

Eli Taff, Jr. is an author in the Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror genres. All his life, he’s lived through fiction, being a stage actor and director, as well as a lifelong video game player and miniatures wargamer.  He lives in California with his wife, Chelsey, and their two Pekingese pups and Parrotlet.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

[ZIM DULBADRIM, a large man in late middle age, walks onto his balcony overlooking the bustling city of Khor Ajminat. In his hands, he holds two golden goblets of ruby red wine. He offers one to you.]

"I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Unpleasant business at the vault, says me.

[Zim pauses to choose his words. He takes a slow sip of his wine.]

"A concept that has eternally shackled my friends on the western continent is the vague and elusive notion of honor.

"‘Honor above all.’ That’s what the western knights believe.

"Do enough good and honorable deeds throughout your lifetime, and the blessed Lady of Light will surface from whatever lake she’s submerged herself in and use her magic to make you immortal.

"Congratulations, says me, you will now live forever and wield great power. The ancient Dragons (if any still live, which I highly doubt) will come from far and wide to soul-bond with you, and you will be known and remembered forever as a Crystal Knight.

"Rubbish, says me. Honor cannot be measured or traded as a commodity. What tangible good, then, is honor?

[Zim stares into the distance. The unforgiving Ghuwalim Desert stretches out toward the horizon beyond the city gates.]

"Now, I know I’m supposed to talk about the Lady of Light and Crystal Knights and all that, so let me finish by saying this: honor doesn’t put meat in your belly or wine in your glass.

"When I was offered a mountain of gold to betray one of my oldest friends by changing a word or two in a spellbook that detailed a ritual for transforming copper into gold, did my