Encounters

By Karl Wadesauer

"Encounters" contains four stories in different genres. The first story in the collection, "Steel and Wood" shows a fantasy setting where an ex-Warder, Lark, is a former bodyguard to the King, but has been exiled, and is now protecting a witch from an angry mob, led by a close-minded priest, Nemdo, from the nearby town. Reluctant to use deadly force, Lark tries to keep everyone alive while still protecting his charge and her important ritual, but Nemdo is set on stopping the witch and making an example of her.

In "Stalled for Time", Jonas has been living in this small town for the last year, having had to move there to handle his deceased aunt's estate, and wound up running her old hardware store while everything was worked out. He was forced to leave his teenage kids with their mother, and misses them greatly, having been their only parent for much of their lives after the divorce. But today his daughter is on her way to college and her bus trip has stopped in this town for a few hours. Unfortunately for Jonas, a local festival is happening the same day, and the streets are packed and now his car won't start. With time quickly evaporating, he seeks the help of another store owner, Darla, to drive him across town in hopes of making it before his daughter's bus leaves and he won't be able to see her for several months.

With "Misplaced Romance" we find a woman, Sherrell, helping to put out a small fire in a motel room. The man with her, Steven, was trying to be romantic but his gesture didn't go as planned. As they clean up and discuss what happened and why, she realizes that he is under pressure to be something he is not and doesn't know how to avoid trouble. Can she help him, or should he give in to the pressure and hide his true thoughts from others?

Finally, in "Stability" a young woman, Kara, is lost in her thoughts as she makes her way through the corridors of a massive ship. Launched in an effort to survive the rising sea levels and full of thousands of individuals, it's a cramped existence plagued by stale experiences and constant technical problems. She just wants to get her clothes cleaned after a burst pipe flooded her compartment, but is approached by Josh, another resident of the ship. Worried that this could go badly, Kara worries that this night could go in a wrong direction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karl Wadesauer
• Release date: May 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223154044

Book preview

Steel and Wood

Mata found Lark, her husband and guardian, staring at clouds on the horizon, lit from below by the rising sun behind the trees. The large man carried himself with confidence, hiding the doubt she knew he carried.

Is the sealing ritual ready? He asked the slight woman behind him.

Yes. This demon needs containing. If I’m strong enough. Mata tied back her long hair. Will the village object to hedge magic so close to town?

They will, Lark turned and placed his hand against her cheek. But as a Warder, even an ex-Warder, I’m hard to get past when I choose to be stubborn. I hope they are smart and back down. I’ve no desire to kill any of them.

Smiling, she kissed his palm, then turned toward the door leading into their cave home. I’ll see you before sunset. I can’t be disturbed, or it will break free.

AS MIDDAY WAS PASSING, Lark looked up from the window shutter he was engraving with protection runes. Across the field a group of men were coming out of the woods. Carrying a collection of wooden cudgels, axe handles, and other makeshift clubs, they were led by a small man who radiated anger. Lark recalled that this man, Nemdo, was the local priest, and not tolerant of magic not from his gods.

When the mob arrived