First of all, I was very happy to see my picture appear here. I’m curious to see what others make of it. Secondly, I won’t be able to do that much this week, since I’m out of town on a business trip until Sunday. I’ll have Internet and will try to find time to read some.
Sword Music
The first note hovered in the air like an orb-weaver hanging from the horn of the moon.
More instruments joined, the energy rising like a waking predator. It ascended, a frenetic dervish, around the musicians, touching the forest of upraised swords. The edges kindled, maddened to fury by the throbbing cacophony of raw power.
The music ceased, except the first lingering, arachnid note. The hungry light of a thousand blades was quenched in their sheaths.
“We desire peace,” the king said, “but you see our weapons. Go tell your people.”
The ambassador wiped his brow. “There will be peace,” he said.