James Grasham

“A Delayed Transaction” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #133

Note from the author: There are a couple of instances of bad language in this story. *** The hall of trade was the easy part, Gail had been there as instructed, waiting to meet Gerrod in a private chamber. Frustratingly, he’d passed on details of a further meeting, this time in some fancy cake shop in the district of commerce. Infuriated by this latest setback, Gerrod thundered down the street alongside the river, back to his crew. ‘How did it go chief?’ Asked Giant. Inside the city proper, he’d been attracting many a sideways stare. A...

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“The Man he Becomes” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #132

The sword was dull, almost black. Luthar passed it from hand to hand, trying to make sense of it. He’d not had the time after his promotion to inspect it properly, let alone practice with it. As soon as he’d retrieved his gear from his new quarters the party had set off at a blistering pace. The guild was a pack of angry wolves, bearing down on their prey. Now he sat in their hastily prepared bivouac in the freezing cold north feeling disappointed and confused. Yan was a good smith, one of the best in Teraditha, so why would he forge a dull ...

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“Running Again” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #131

Note from the author: This story contains a term referring to a mental disability that some may find offensive. The character who is thinking at the time has zero understanding of disabilities, physical or mental. * = 576A2 is a commonly used abbreviation of the date in the three kingdoms. Written longhand it would read “The five hundred and seventy sixth year of the second age.” Sir George had led them to a fine mansion in Dalanor’s merchant district. Surrounded by stone walls eight feet high and vast snow-covered gardens, it was the pe...

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“The Locked Door” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #130

Luthar stared at himself in the mirror in the corner of the squires’ quarters. The dim light from the torches gave him a warm orange glow, a stark contrast to his usually pale complexion. He could see the change that had happened in him since he last slept in this room, his shoulders were broad and muscular, gone were his ribs, replaced with thick muscle and fine sprouting hairs. Three years of travelling and carrying sword and shield had changed him completely from the skinny young boy that had left the nameless village north of Whitestar.&...

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“Marked for Death” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #130

* = Frost Thaw is capitalised as it is the name of the third month in the calendar of The Three Kingdoms, equivalent to March in the Gregorian calendar. *** Luthar followed Lady Akindra, Ezekiel, Chadwick and Flint into the great entrance hall of the guild. Garrett brought up the rear, as was the order of seniority. The most experienced members should receive bread and ale first, squires second. Only now did Luthar outrank Garrett from Chadwick’s promise of promotion upon their return. The entrance hall was a vast open space, broken on...

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“A Quick Escape” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #129

Alf picked at the spot on his bar with his fingernail, unsure if it was something long since spilled or a tiny knot in the wood. Sighing, he gave up and ran his cloth quickly over it, leaving it for another day. His inn, The Traveller’s Hearth, was always quiet at this time of year. Not many people made the journey along the mountain road during the winter moons. Still, he desperately hoped when the sun went down, he’d have more custom than just the old man nearly asleep in the corner and the hooded youth staring into the fire. His daught...

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“Toll Road” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #128

* = Winter’s Breaking is capitalised as it is the name of the second month in the calendar of The Three Kingdoms, equivalent to February in the Gregorian calendar. *** Gerrod wrapped his cloak tightly around him and pulled up his hood to shield his face. Turning his back to the wind he blew gently on the kindling, willing the fire to take the dry wood he’d spent the last few minutes carefully arranging. This really was a far cry from the comfort of the King Edward inn just a week past. At last, orange flames rose in his little pit, danci...

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“A Chance Meeting” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #127

‘Alarston is the second of the twin cities, built by Emperor Alar back in the first age. The tale goes it was a gift to his son. An entire City for your birthday, can you imagine that?’ Said Chadwick with a shake of his head. ‘Some call it grand, I’d say it was madness!’ ‘Aye.’ Replied Luthar, not really listening to the history lesson. Since the fracas at the mill, Chadwick had been a lot more talkative, and kept giving these little talks about this and that. But today, Luthar couldn’t concentrate on what he was saying. There was a dark c...

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“Again, Time Passes” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #126

Gerrod eased himself back in the comfortable armchair, picked up his glass of wine and drank deeply. A fine, sweet red all the way from Averleon. This was the way to celebrate Year’s Turn, no noise, no parties, just peace, quiet and an expensive barrel of wine. He’d seen 72 nights such as this, but of them all, this was by far the most satisfying. The wood panelled parlour was warm and comfortable, and the servants couldn’t seem to do enough for him. The furniture was solid oak, generously padded and polished to a bright shine. A thick red...

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“Saved, But Only Just” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #125

The road from Alarston had been a long one, with only endless miles of farmland to occupy the mind. Luthar was frustrated and uncomfortable sat on Stepper for so long. Each night he would make the camp and prepare Chadwick’s meal for him, rub down the horses and try to sleep in the cold darkness. The only thing keeping his mind on the job was the debt he felt he owed Chadwick for the armour he’d bought him. They’d been on the road nearly a fortnight now, headed for the Port of Elliath, the most southern city in the three kingdoms. Chadwick...

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“The Forbidden Search” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #124

Armin stood proud on the deck of Widow’s Hope, letting the cool spray fall on his face, wondering if her old Captain would believe where she was headed now. The drunken old fool enjoyed cards too much, that was a dangerous thing when Armin came to sit at his table. It hadn’t even taken him a full evening to unburden the man of his gold, his ship, and his dignity, leaving him a poor lonely wretch slumped in the corner of his favourite inn. Now Armin set her course for an unknown island located somewhere in the clear sea. Legend said it cont...

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“Victory!” by James Grasham

“Well, that was dramatic.” Said Luthar sarcastically under his breath. “Mind your words lad, these boys are doing their best. Someday you’ll be stood in the squares giving a show.” Scolded Chadwick. The Tourney at Highgate was called to celebrate the birth of Lord Hammerton’s first son, Thomas. It was never going to match the grandeur of Alarston Castle grounds, or the prestige of a King’s event, but where there was honour and gold to be won, hundreds of men soon came. Chadwick Dayton was one of those hundreds, accompanied by his young s...

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“One Final Act” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #123

Harry didn’t get nervous. Back home he was known as Harry the Hammer, solid and reliable no matter what needed to be done. So why was he shaking now? He couldn’t even hold the dagger the old man had given him for protection. Why did he even need to protect himself on this job? Who was the old man? So many questions flooded his mind making it hard to concentrate on his plan. It was pitch black in the tiny cupboard he’d hidden himself in at the back of the dressing room. Waiting for the cast to head onto the stage, he tried to slow his raci...

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