Lawrence Harding

To Need the Blood

Lawrence Harding “Come in, come in. All are welcome in the House of God.” Marcellus smiled thinly at the elderly verger who had spotted him standing awkwardly at the entrance to the antechapel. Father Bartholomew had told him someone would be there to invite him in, and though the invitation had been announcedContinue reading “To Need the Blood”

Lessons in Communication

Lawrence Harding “Carefully,” replied Zethael, after the class had pondered the question. “Hmm. I suppose that is technically correct,” mused Master Aristophanius as he floated at the front of the room. He drifted forward between the rows of desks, propelling his spherical body of one set of wings, tucking the other sets behindContinue reading “Lessons in Communication”

Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight Monstrous Nights

Lawrence Harding (CW: violence, abuse) Fwaxial had been a monster under the bed – this bed – for as long as they could remember. If they were being pedantic about it, that was for eight hundred and forty-eight nights, or thereabouts. Long enough to get to know Anna, who slept above them. Long enough toContinue reading “Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight Monstrous Nights”

What Lies Ahead

Lawrence Harding What lies ahead is darkness. It always is. Not because it’s bad, or wrong, or dangerous – although, let’s face it, it often is. Because we don’t know what lies ahead. We never do, not really. There might be pale, shadowy glimpses of what-ifs and maybes, but ultimately, it’s darkness. And that’sContinue reading “What Lies Ahead”

The Jekushan

Lawrence Harding “That has to be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” breathed Adrian. And he meant it. The animal in the carry-case was about the size of a football, and about as spherical. It seemed to be made entirely of fluff, the patterns mottling its pale fur with browns and greys andContinue reading “The Jekushan”

In the Eyes of Babes

Lawrence Harding Kristan Battlebane, Hero of the Seventeen Battles, Blight of Nations, Chosen of the Emperor was welcomed back from campaign, as always, in utter splendour. As he approached the Imperial Palace, down an avenue lined with bowing spectators who treated him as a god, he looked the part. His dark armour was polished untilContinue reading “In the Eyes of Babes”

For Old Times’ Sake

Lawrence Harding “What,” asked Gradan in mild horror, “is that?” He half-glowered, half-squinted at his plate – his eyesight wasn’t what it used to be, but the old barbarian wouldn’t admit it. He could still swing an axe, and that’s what counted. “It’s a devilled bejala egg on a bed of pureed beanContinue reading “For Old Times’ Sake”

Actions Speak Louder

Lawrence Harding The preacher wasn’t much to look at. He was small, and slightly stooped. His hair was thinning, and his coat was just teetering over the edge between well-loved and threadbare. Yet the congregation was rapt. There was a certain gleam in his eye, an assuredness in the way he gripped his makeshift pulpitContinue reading “Actions Speak Louder”

Uncle Rufus’ Treasure

Lawrence Harding “Now, what did I bury there?” It was the fifth time in the last half hour that Hugo’s uncle had asked that question, and frankly he was getting sick of it. “I don’t know, Uncle Rufus. But it would really help to know where you buried it, whatever it was. CanContinue reading “Uncle Rufus’ Treasure”

A Whiff of Heaven

Lawrence Harding When Brother Stycanthus had been assigned to the monastery of Krysada in Sansbad, he ahd been baffled. He had never heard of the place. As far as he knew, there was nothing in Sansbad but swamps. When his transport – one cart in a convoy carrying sacks of dried flowers – reachedContinue reading “A Whiff of Heaven”