The Areson Stories

Raven Part Four E. M. Areson I was quickly thrown into prison and my execution was scheduled for the next day. The beating I received that night was the worst I’d ever had. I must have been knocked unconscious at some time because when my Raven came to see me my arm was broken, something I didn’t remember happening. She had opened the cell door and set down beside me. I had noticed she was still in the dress I had given her, but she had taken off the mask. “I see the Raven has come to tell her Lord of gardens farewell,” I had coughed up some blood after saying that, but I continued. “I’m glad you came, I’ll miss you.” “Don’t say that,” she had taken my bloodied face in her soft hands. “We can find a way around this. We could run away.” “Where to? There’s nowhere to run,” I hadn’t meant for her to get covered in my blood, but it had soaked into her dress where it had laid against me. My blood had also run down her arms from where it had pooled in her hands. “I don’t...

Raven Part Three E. M. Areson Dorcas and Tyrannic were laughing so hard the table overturned as they banged against it in there laughing stupor. Dorcas was only mildly disturbed by Tyrannic’s pointed teeth and chackling laugh. He was a good man, she had decided. Better than most, if not all, of the Grand Knights. “This has been wonderful,” Dorcas said calming down. “I love our tea times. I think this is what I’ll miss most. You know, after I die…” “I- I don’t-” “No. I understand, we’re slaves to our Imps. I understand,” Dorcas swallowed and looked down at the table. “I’ll just really miss you.” “I’ll miss you too,” Tyrannic gently took her hand and she blushed at the touch. “I think I…” His words seemed to fail him, and she looked up. “I have something for you, I’d like you to open it before leave.”           Tyrannic got up and removed the lid from a box next to his oven she hadn’t noticed earlier. The gift, whatever i...

Raven  Part Two E. M. Areson I hadn’t expected the plain to work but it had. I had gotten home without a fuss and though I was out twenty coins with no fruit to show for it I still had enough food left for a few days. I had just started the water for tea when I heard the ancient door knocker, which had never been used, bandaged twice. I hadn’t known what to do, I knew it was probably trouble. Yet, even for all my show, I was nothing if not simple.           My house looked like a creepy tower of darkness on the outside and on the inside, it was little more than a tower with no more than a main floor. I walked around the table and grasped the door knocker. Dorcas was standing outside looking ridiculously out of place. Her curls and canary yellow dress were the brightest color this part of the island had for a long time. She was holding my basket filled with the same fruit it had earlier that day. “I brought your basket bac...

Raven E. M. Areson There are times in every person’s life when they make a choice that could kill them. Some don’t think about it but even a walk across the street can end in death. My choice was different, however. I knew it would kill me, if the Imp didn’t do it then they would; but, I still stand by my choice. After all, the villain can never win; not even when he’s more heroic than the hero.           My story, though it’s not really mine, started ages ago. Our homeland is an island separated from the outside world by a great world pool near the island’s southern tip. No ship is stupid enough to come close. Mages, advisers to the royal family, suggested a plan they called the Golden Age Strategy, apparently to keep hope from dying or something as equally silly. Every so often children would be embedded with Imp. The Imp would force them to become heroes, or in my case a villain. There are 30 Grand Knights, 29 Grand Ladies, ...