Author Archives: artrog278

Chavah nailed the notice to the job board in Temperance, Tennessee. She had completed a circuit: Mount’n End, Knash, Twickenham, and a dozen smaller cities and towns in between. Every roadside tavern that would take one, she posted. Now, after weeks away, she returned to Temperance to find it in a sorry state. The townContinueContinue reading “Tales of Temperance: Epilogue: Wanted”

Benjin Freeman traced the scars on his hands and arms. Twenty years ago, before the war, before the boats, before the mountains, Benjin had had no scars. Twenty years ago, he and his young wife Hildie had just settled into a new life in Philadelphia, a metropolis on a continent east of the Island StateContinueContinue reading “Tales of Temperance: Chapter Five: Quintessence”

Ayden knew he was losing his mind. He knew something was stealing it from him. He knew that it was of the Other, from the far side of the Veil, but he could not see it, was not strong enough to fight it, and no longer had the faith and trust necessary to cast theContinueContinue reading “Tales of Temperance: Chapter Four: Descent into Madness”

It was April 12, 1832.  The morning sun peeked through the drafty curtains of the opulent four-poster bed belonging to Jeremiah Vane. It was a gift from his mother, shipped to Cleave-land from the family estate overseas. The seat of family wealth was no longer important since he left that world behind to come toContinueContinue reading “Tales of Temperance: Chapter Three: The Stranger’s Vision”

The rhythm of hammers and picks pounded into Hasil’s head. In the deep darkness, ears were more reliable than eyes, and Hasil had learned months ago how to tell the nearness of his peers. He learned the sound a pickaxe makes when striking bedrock, shale, clay or, worse, the void. Striking the void was devestating.ContinueContinue reading “Tales of Temperance: Chapter Two: Like Tireless Ants”