Serials
Serialised fiction published in Piker Press, a weekly journal of arts and literature.
1,485 articles — page 42 of 50
<b>Fundamental Option.</b> The day of Stephen's ordination arrives. Despite all the distractions of family, community, and self-doubt, the experience of Sacrament is still profound, soul-altering and holy.
Vol. 8 - Truth and the Goddess Arl - Part 9 <br> As if Katlyn didn't have enough problems with her injured leg, Horus's non-responsive attitude, and six unconscious bodies. Now add an approaching gang of thugs and all she needs is another hole in the head to have a perfect day.
<b>Chapter One: The Start of a New Day</b>. Ever wonder what kind of man takes a religious vow? Steve is about to be ordained as a Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. His story is a little bit earthy, a little bit mystic, and a little bit about wondering that very same question himself.
His name is Ahman Abd'Zhejaran Najir, and he's everything a person of mixed heritage could hope for. A prosperous, educated, worldly, well-groomed, well-spoken self-made man, with a thriving business and a beautiful human wife. Osgun is thrilled at the chance to speak with him and mortified by his own lack of accomplishment.
Vol. 8 - Truth and the Goddess Arl - Part 8 <br> The ship is locked down, the locals are in chaos mode as their temple burns to the ground, and death lingers on the horizon. With the rescue mission in full bloom, Katlyn has her hands full trying to do everything while Horus plays rough with the locals.
Vol. 8 - Truth and the Goddess Arl - Part 7 Priestess Kai works over the mass of eager people waiting to see the execution of Alex and the other members of the Pure League. Soon it becomes painfully evident to Alex that execution isn't the worse thing that could happen.
The western lands at last! Finally, Osgun and Riordan get to see the sights, eat the food, and use the tiny little restrooms in the lands of the Demon King! But while Riordan is busy eating his weight in exotic foods, Osgun finds himself face to face with another half-orc.
Vol. 8 - Truth and the Goddess Arl - Part 6 <br> Broken and bloodied, beaten and battered--these are not a few of Alex's favorite things, yet the future seems to think that they are. Alex and company face their coming fate as they're lead through an angry mob to their final destination.
Vol. 8 - Truth and the Goddess Arl - Part 5 <br> Alex loves to tell a good story--if only he knew how to replace important facts with lies in order to protect himself and others. Meanwhile, Sela and Horus comes to blows over the Elder's own story facts.
A cache of hidden writings lead to a chance to bring an old god back from the dead and weaken the hold of the demon king.
Vol. 8 - Truth and the Goddess Arl - Part 4 <br> Alex is busted for knowing and saying the true name of the Goddess Arl. In the void of time, Katlyn hears the true origins of the Elders and their ultimate plans for the future.
It's a chicken the size of a rowboat, and it's got Minerva! Heedless of his own safety, Ozzie is willing to charge up a mountain, off the side of a cliff, and into the bowels of a mountain to save the fair lady. She's kind of a scrapper, though, and it looks like there will be more saving to do before the day is over.
Osgun the half-orc thought he was having a bad day, but spending a little time with the lovely Minerva makes it hard to feel down. Partly because she's so wonderful, and partly because nobody does bad days worse than Minerva. Ranting ghosts, battling gods, strange monsters carrying her off... yeah, she wins the bad day contest hands down.
Vol. 8 - Truth and the Goddess Arl - Part 3 <br> Despite Alex's best efforts to feel bad about murdering a man in a frenzy of uncontrolled rage, everyone around him keeps telling him he did the right thing. As he struggles to come to terms with these conflicting ideas, he finds a startling tidbit about the Goddess Arl.
A new land and a new life are almost in sight for Osgun the half-orc and his small-time associate, Riordan. But speculating on the future shows only that little people have big dreams, and big people don't dare to dream at all.
The caravan guards are rude to him. His partner-in-crime is rude to him. And every time he opens his mouth, nothing but ill luck comes of it. Life is never easy for a half-orc, but Osgun isn't too worried about it. Sooner or later there will be heads to crack open.
It's been a little over a year, but Osgun the half-orc is back. Next week will begin the second set of his adventures as he pursues the woman he loves deep into the lands of the demon king. But first, a little refresher as to the plot so far.
Oh, Patient Readers, it's The End, and someone named Adam shows up at Sully's front door ...
Vol. 8 - Truth and the Goddess Arl - Part 2 <br> After killing a man, Alex must cope with his terrible deed and face the consequences of his actions before his sanity is lost forever in a void of neverending darkness.
Oh, my goodness, there really is a counted cross stitch panel with "John + Sully" in a heart on a tree! Is it really time for Sully to consider that her life should mesh with that romantic policeman?
Vol. 8 - Truth and the Goddess Arl - Part 1 <br> While shopping on the pirate outpost, an unprovoked attack on Bethany brings Alex face-to-face with a choice between life and death.
John and Sully are ready to pay the price for being "right." It's a high price, but no where near as valuable as being able to say the word "love."
Vol. 7 - What a Mess - Part 6 <br> With half the crew missing and the ship in dire need of resupplying, Anthony takes charge. Alex frets over the lack of urgency in mounting some kind of rescue attempt.
Sully remembers at last who she is, and why she is, and what she has to do. No one is going to like the solution much, but the symbols of Sully's dream are inescapable.
Vol. 7 - What a Mess - Part 5 <br> Conflicting information is passed around as Alex tries to piece together the mystery of Katlyn's disappearance. Meanwhile, Katyln tries to comprehend the information she's being fed.
There has got to be no worse time in history to have a lover who's a New York City policeman that on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Sully and John are dropped into the crucible of the disaster, and must find a way to keep their relationship intact -- or admit that it would never have worked out, anyway.
Vol. 7 - What a Mess - Part 4 <br> While the search for the Elder reaches a final conclusion, Alex tries to convince his brother that suicide isn't the way out while he ignores his duties to keep an eye on the monitors.
The paragon of virtue, Aunt Sully, has feet of clay. She knows that, and can live with that weakness ... but can she explain away that weakness to the kids? And we know she can't hide from it in her dreams.
Vol. 7 - What a Mess - Part 3 <br> The search for the escaped Elder kicks into high gear as the ship nears the trade outpost on Nelson's Folly. An unexpected visitor distracts Alex from his part in this round of hide and seek--and his sanity.
"Blame it on him nearly getting killed. Blame it on a mid-life crisis. Blame it on me, I don't care," Sully says. "I'm not passing up the chance to spend a weekend alone with the Romantic Policeman."