Author Archives: Lawrence Harding

Barnes fixed Captain Marston Prestwick with exactly the kind of glower that had made him miss her as a First Mate. “I thought I’d told you that I would never set foot on one of those damned steam-ships?” she growled. “You did say that, yes,” admitted Prestwick. “No engines, I said. I hate them.” BarnesContinue reading “Engine Trouble”

When Phineas Fortwhyte had thrown his hat into the fashionable ring of thaumornithology, naturally Simeonhad had to follow suit. That was the nature of their rivalry. It could only follow that Simeon would have to build the most up-to-date, expensive aviary possible and fill it withe the rarest and most magical birds money could buy.Continue reading “Trouble with Phoenixes”

They had gathered the Twelve Artefacts of Gwendarga. They had brought them to the Caves of Hope’s Passage, deep beneath the royal palace. They had rediscovered the ancient songs that would awaken the power that resided there. All was in place – and now that the final strains of their chanting faded away, those finalContinue reading “A Rest Denied”

Cromulus Pernanday was not participating in the festivities. This was partly due to his morose nature, which left him more inclined to solitude. That was what many in the palace above had attributed the absence of the fusty old Archivist to. Why else would anyone not celebrate advent of the Duke of Kontray’s long-awaited (andContinue reading “An Archivist’s Insurance”

It had been a terrible idea to practise magic in the bath. Jai had managed to quell the worst of it, so far. The rubber ducks had folded their wings and stopped flapping around the room, though they still kept up a quacked commentary on Jai’s activities. The taps had stopped spewing sparks. The toiletContinue reading “Jai’s Secret”

Simon was a very angry wombat. He’d told Frank that the laundry could wait a couple of days, but no, Frank had to choose today of all days to prove that he could be efficient. Unfortunately, his version of efficiency was scooping up any fabric not in a wardrobe and taking it to the laundrette.Continue reading “A Wombat’s Quest”

Even if the bindings we wove in our blood did not let me sense the words you cannot – or will not – say, it is no matter. I can see it all in your eyes. You know what could have been. Power. An overthrow of bloated, arrogant kingdoms coasting on past glories. A newContinue reading “Bonds Betrayed”

“Well, old friend. It’s been a long time.” A long time? Years – years since Lodegar had set out on his pilgrimage. The shadow of the crescent moon had led his path. In all those long seasons he had never strayed from beneath that sliver of silver. Now, at last, it had led him backContinue reading “In Service of Luna”