Valkyrie

by Kit Hamada

Mage Hellebore spoke of birds that lay their eggs in Heaven: the younglings hatch as they plummet earthwards.

I was practising scrying in the high tower when I saw the iridescent black egg drop from the sky.

Even if it began to hatch now, it would be too late. I cast a keep-safe spell and prayed that it took. I was an apprentice still.

The egg lay at the base of the tower, miraculously intact. As I held it, it rocked and crackled; the monster began to emerge.

Too late, I remembered how the story ends: in fire and destruction.



Author bio: Part-time writer; full-time dog walking robot.

Valkyrie is part of 101 Fiction issue 11.

Forged

by Kit Hamada

I am the Iron Soldier. When I roll up my sleeves, everyone knows who I am. They know me by my marks – twin serpents on my forearms, the scars red and raised. Six years ago, I cleaved the Serpent King in two. I saved our people.

Before the ritual they warned me: if I moved, it would be for naught. I lay still. I did.

Some nights, I still feel the brands searing my flesh, the memory of agony rushing through me, piercing me anew. My arms ache with the iron spirits, twisting beneath my skin.

Soon, they hiss. Sssssssoon.



Author bio: Kit Hamada spends most of her time writing love letters to computers, and occasionally to other people.

Forged is part of 101 Fiction issue 10.