The Rython Kingdom

Before discarding his breeches and tunic, Guillem opened his saddlebag and felt inside. His fingers touched the small box and his unease dissipated slightly. Then he lay down on the nearest bunk and tried to curb his anxiousness as doubts began to cloud his mind. He had been within two days ride of the sovereignty when qualms about his usual repertoire of tales arose. Guillem worried if his tried and tested tales would be worthy of the king’s court. As he succumbed to sleep an image of his earlier campfire appeared. He remembered looking deep into the flames, his eyes transfixed by the flickering orange flames. While semiconscious, he recalled they had turned blue in hue taking him to a far away land. The blue flames rose up, twisting and forming into images of a witch and a horrendous beast. A strange and bewitching but marvelous tale had been revealed to him that night, one he felt sure would delight his majesty.

"Like a magical fairy tale of olde, this battle between ancient scaly evil and noble valour is a spell-binding page-turner. You feel as if you are seated at the king's table, feasting among ladies and knights, and listening to the troubadour tell tales within tales. This novella is nicely done!" ~ Lisa de Nikolits, author