Storyfeather

A young woman aims to save her fairy friend—who is hunted by a demon—by creating an inescapable trap.

Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy

Excerpt: Victoria did not know, when she untangled a wild mouse from the brambles in which it had been caught, that the mouse was not really a mouse.

And Victoria did not see that there was a cat lurking behind the trees nearby.

She was too busy running from trouble herself. So Victoria did not see the mouse transforming back into her native form.

Short brown fur became dark blue skin. The long tail vanished. Membranous wings flicked open.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This week's story is connected to the Year Two story entitled "The Shallow Book," in which a novice museum employee finds an intriguing book of spells and stories.

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "The Book of the Fairy Azurine" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Exploration Mystical Place (loop 1)" by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Potion Studio)* "Exploration Mystical Place (loop 2)" "Cue Nostalgic Story" "Exploration Mystical Place (loop 1)" "Atmosphere Cursed Voices" "Exploration Forest of Magic" "Cue Nature" "Atmosphere Persecution Danger Loop" "Holy Hymn" "Exploration Mystery (loop)"

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Epic Drums" "Unbreakable" "Heart of Warrior NEW (Lyric Part Version 1)"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Albert Fernandez and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Albert Fernandez and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing of a young woman facing forward seen from the waist up. At waist level is an open book with four streams of black smoke or fog flowing symmetrically out. The woman's right hand points down to the book. She holds her left hand up and out, her fingers sliced and bleeding in the middle. Her mouth is open as if she is speaking. The faint outline of dragonfly wings shimmer behind the woman. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along hoodie at center.

Something has disrupted the ethereal force that imbues all creatures in the world with magic.

Genre: Mythology, Fable

Excerpt: Once, in a long-forgotten age, every creature could live in every sphere.

This was so because of an energy, a force that spun around and through the world.

The elephants called it "ethereum."

The owls called it "magic."

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on. In this episode, I revisit a theme or idea rather than the specifics of an earlier story. Magic and flight. Flight with wings has always been an ability that has enchanted and fascinated me. I explored this in an earlier story, "The Gildenfaere's Gift." In that story, magic is contained within a special creature.

But what if magic was once as abundant in the world as air and water? And every creature needed it to live and could wield it as they chose? How then did the world come to be as it is now? (Seemingly) devoid of magic?

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "All the Magic Left the World" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Infinite Land" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio) "Call of the wild" "Wide place" "In the shadows" "Runes" "Into wild lands" "Infinite land" "Monsters" "Shoreline"

All tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Various winged animals in the sky positioned at a diagonal from bottom left to top right. At bottom left a snake emerges from glowing clouds. The snake has two arms and is holding them out. Outspread wings appear from just behind the snake's head. Above and to the left of the snake a giant turtle swims through the air toward the viewer with outspread wings emerging from behind the forelimbs and smaller wings emerging from behind the head. A spider crawls on the turtle's shell. The spider bears eight wings. Behind the turtle at some distance an elephant descends. Faded feathers fall from the elephant's wings. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along the turtle's underside.

There is only one currency that is able to abide at the nexus of all existence. In our world, we call it the black penny.

Genre: Fantasy

Excerpt: Touching the penny evoked a vision in my mind of a swirling whirlpool, not of water, but of stars. I felt a moment of calm sweep over me. The problems I faced were real and daunting and major. But there were things in the universe that dwarfed them. A little bit like how I dwarfed that little penny.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on. I once wrote a story based on the saying, "see a penny, pick it up, and all the day you'll have good luck." But luck can be fickle, can't it? That story is called "Copper Penny."

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

CREDITSStory: "The Black Penny Market" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Space Discoveries" by ANDREW SITKOV (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Abstract Vision #6" "Space Discoveries"

Music by TRG BANKS "Keith in 1987" "Interstellar Breakfast" "Insideoutworld" "New world" "Non-stop to Insideoutworld"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Music by TRG Banks is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Vocal effects created with Audacity Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more music by TRG Banks at freemusicarchive.org/music/TRG_Banks Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. Silhouette of a person who appears to be standing in mid-air, seen from a low angle. The person is wearing pants and a hoodie, and a raising up right arm. Just above the left shoulder is a small black circle, glowing slightly. A multi-colored hazy bar of light originates from the circle, passes behind the figure, and angles to the bottom left corner, into a multi-colored gas cloud that leads into a fog. At top left corner a disc-shaped galaxy, the Milky Way. A translucent peach-colored bar angles up from the bottom right to the top right. Another similar bar angles to the left from the right side. A squiggly neon line connects the two bars. Colors drip upward where the two bars meet. The original image is made square by adding a top and bottom border with colors and shattered square discs in the same color scheme. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along figure's left arm.

Salis and Dulcine are not just twins, but the best of friends, despite their opposite natures; so when one of them falls into a deadly trap, the other will do anything to rescue their sibling.

Genre: Fantasy, Mythology

Excerpt: Even when they were still babies, people noted their opposite dispositions, which only became more obvious as the two grew older. Salis was well-liked by all, for he was sweet from his twinkling honey-colored eyes to his warm voice. But some considered him too gentle and impressionable. So, despite being older by a few moments, he was many times defended by his salty sister, Dulcine, who also had eyes that twinkled, or rather glinted like a sharpened piece of flint, and sharp too was her tongue.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?

Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on. This story is connected to the Year Three story entitled "The Brothers Joye and Sorow," in which twin brothers with opposite natures are born: one able to laugh but never weep, the other able to weep to never laugh.

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

(Psst! The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletter, where you can get tales of my fictioneering mischief and writing tips from me for free.)

CREDITSStory: "Salis and Dulcine" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Rage" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Immortals" "Elders wisdom" "Back in the village" "Infinite land" "Seasons" "In the shadows" "The forest" "Rage" "Flames on ice" "Call of the wild" "Dance of death" "For the king" "Fallen leaves"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Andrew Sitkov and Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing of a young woman facing and leaning forward, seen from the waist up, eyes closed, right hand held out, left arm thrown back. Her face and right hand are tattooed. Silvery-black streams flow all around her. Behind her to her right are the spectral figures of a smiling young woman holding a young man in a headlock, surrounded by orange light. Behind all of them is the faint facade of a manor house. Watermark of "Storyfeather" at bottom right.

When two siblings play a board game where they must collect seven magic rings, they discover that the game pieces may possess real enchantment.

Genre: Fantasy, Mythology

Excerpt: "I…am a Mystery mage."

"Awesome. What does that mean?"

August frowned down at the game board. "I don't know. What do the rules say?"

Nova was minding the rule book—or the guidebook as the cover proclaimed. She flipped through to the detailed descriptions of the seven rings.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?

Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on. This story is connected to the Season 6 episode, "The Last Wish of Caducus the Wizard," in which a dying wizard forges enchanted rings to help him speak to his baby granddaughter. And also to a Season 1 episode called "Imberflos."

MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

(Hint: The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletter, where you can get tales of my fictioneering mischief and writing tips from me for free.)

CREDITSStory: "The Seven Rings of Necessity" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Mystical Town" by CHRIS LOGSDON (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by CHRIS LOGSDON* "Shady Town" "Mystical Town" "Mining Town"

Music by BENJAMIN CARR (Scythuz)* "Crystal Caves" "Dwarven Settlement" "Deceitful Castle" "Ancient Ruins" "Ice Cavern"

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Magic Within"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Chris Logsdon, Benjamin Carr, and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration. Find more music by Andrew Sitkov, Chris Logsdon, and Benjamin Carr at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing of a game board as seen from above. A right hand holding a half-filled glass of water hovers over the board. Two rings are visible on the hand, on the index and ring fingers. Printed on the gameboard are seven seven-sided polygons of various colors, randomly scattered across the board and connected by a path. Words are written in ornate lettering within the polygons, some visible, some not. The visible words read, "Blood, Light, Breath, Changes, Wonder, Mystery." Three dice lie on the gameboard. Two cards are partially visible at bottom right. The top one displays a figure with raised arm and the word "Mage" at the top. The word "Healing" is visible on the card beneath. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along left border of gameboard.

A young woman has trained and studied so that she could wield the mysterious powers she has inherited.

Genre: Fantasy, Mythology

Excerpt: "Did I almost die or something?" I asked.

My mom frowned. "Don't say things like that." But then she glanced from side to side and peered at me. "Do you…see anything?"

I shook my head.

But I wasn't worried. I had studied the "pragmata agnosta," the "things unknowable" since I was a kid. Since the day I accepted them into my body and became a living container for them, a living amphora.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This story revisits the Year Four story entitled "Amphora Incarnate," in which a young woman who has accepted the responsibility of being a physical vessel for unknowable powers and knowledge, begins to hear the voices of those powers on the eve of passing them on.

NEW MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK IS OUT!Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

(Hint: The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletter, where you can get tales of my fictioneering mischief and writing tips from me for free.)

CREDITSStory: "Pragmata Agnosta" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music:"Abstract Vision #6" by ANDREW SITKOV (Intro and Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by ANDREA BARONI (Cyberleaf)*"Cozy Afternoons""Evolving Cities""Fugue For One Synthetic Heart (No Percussion)""Forest Bathing""Night Time (No Percussion)"

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)*"Scary Theme #2 (Version 2)""Abstract Vision #6""Medieval Theme 5""Scary Theme #4 (Version 2)""Abstract Vision #9"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Andrea Baroni and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg)Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Andrew Sitkov and Andrea Baroni at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A young woman, seen from nose to waist, with glasses and a bob stands with her back to the viewer and her hands in the pockets of her jacket. Emblazoned on the jacket's back is a symbol: an owl with wings outspread, as if swooping down to a landing, antlers extending along the inside of the owl's wings, and two spears rising from behind the owl. On the woman's right shoulder is perched a bird that looks like a small owl. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along jack just beneath the collar.

To rescue her child, Florisse places all her hopes upon a dangerous and alluring enchantment that may be broken.

Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy

Excerpt:Florisse looked down at her daughter and spied the twinkle in the baby's eye. Perhaps she had caught hold of what she truly wanted after all.

Baby Fawnette was not yet a year old, and as expected, she had upended the merry lives of her mother and father. Also, as expected, she had quite captured their hearts.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This week's story is connected to the Season One episode entitled "The Everwalker," in which a young woman dons a pair of enchanted slippers that promise to lead her to her true love.

NEW MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK IS OUT!Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

(Hint: The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletter, where you can get tales of my fictioneering mischief and writing tips from me for free.)

CREDITSStory: "The Whereverwalker" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music:"Escape and live" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro and Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)*"Transfiguration""Winterheart""The last stand""Fallen leaves""Call of the wild""Runes""In the shadows""Flames on ice""For the king""Escape and live""Sancta terra"

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)*"Medieval Track #1"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg)Vocal effects created with AudacityChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Andrew Sitkov and Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.netFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing of a woman bent over in a running pose as she hovers over a misty chasm. Behind her is a mountain afflicted with glowing cracks. The woman is wearing a pair of short boots with wings sprouting from the sides. There's a sling over one shoulder. Her long coat flutters behind her. The rectangular image at center is made square with borders at top and bottom with a blurred extension of the mountain's shape. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along mountain at right.

Spark has been wandering all her life. But her wandering had no purpose, until she began searching for a home.

Genre: Mythology, Fable, Fantasy

Excerpt: Spark had been traveling all her life. She'd never once landed in one place. But now she had. Now, she could be still. And she'd found this one place, this one twirling world.

Exploring was exciting. But Spark was not quite exploring. She was searching for something. A place. One place. To settle.

A home of her own.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

The inspiration for this story is the Season 5 episode, "The Flight of Flea." The story is about a bird that grew so small that no one could see him. Everyone called him "Flea." But he knew that he had another name, a name he'd forgotten. If he could find out what his true name was, Flea believed he could grow big enough to be seen.

NEW MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK IS OUT!Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon. Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

(Hint: The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletter, where you can get tales of my fictioneering mischief and writing tips from me for free.)

CREDITSStory: "Castle, Cave, or Cloud" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Wide place" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Scroll of the wind walker" "Haven" "In the shadows" "Wide place" "Shadows and flames"

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Medieval Theme 5"

Music by JONATHAN SHAW* "A Tale of Peace"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Jonathan Shaw, Nicholas Jeudy, Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle, GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Andrew Sitkov, Jonathan Shaw, and Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.net Find more music by Jonathan Shaw at jshaw.co.uk Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing. A castle at center with three main spires flying pennants, battlements, and flanking symmetrical towers. The castle stands in front of a cave opening through which light pours. Moss grows along the cave walls. In front of the castle in the foreground is a bank of clouds. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along cave wall at right.

A little girl longs for the heroic queen of their realm to visit her dreams and help her face a nightmarish monster.

Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy

Excerpt: "She did so come riding down out of the sky on a flying horse!"

Carmen glanced around at the rest of her friends, daring anyone else to disagree. But no else did. She settled her gaze on the one who had interrupted her.

Kavita crossed her arms and peered ahead with her cool dark eyes.

Carmen continued to tell the gathered girls the wondrous tale of how she had met the royal dreamer, the sleeping sorceress, their queen.

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This story is connected to the Year One story entitled "The Dreaming Queen," in which a reclusive princess, held hostage by an invader and usurper, has only one way to escape and save her people, her dreams.

NEW MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK IS OUT!Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

(Hint: The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletter, where you can get tales of my fictioneering mischief and writing tips from me for free.)

CREDITSStory: "A Crown of Moonbeams" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Haven" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Medieval Theme 2" "Lyric Voices #2" "Adventure Track #1 (looped)" "Scary Theme #1 (Version 3)" "Scary Theme #1 (Version 2)" "Army of Death (looped)" "Medieval Track #2"

Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)* "Compass" "Haven"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects created with Audacity Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Andrew Sitkov and Nicholas Jeudy at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing of two little girls holding hands and facing forward. One of them looks thoughtful, holding her free hand to her chin, while the other looks angry, holding her free hand in a fist. Behind them in shadowy colors is the oversized figure of a woman seen from the waist up, in three-quarter view facing left, with flowing hair and regal dress, wearing a crown. Her features are absent. She wears a necklace with a glowing pendant. The base of her crown also glows. Behind the woman at the level of her shoulders is the crown again, enlarged and glowing, and casting up beams of light. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along left side of the dress worn by the girl at left.

A town targeted by a warlord is defended by an unexpected army of...well, I'm sure you can guess.

Genre: Fairy Tale

Excerpt: The hilltop town of Adarak had a tradition of baking gingerbread men and setting them along the windowsills on the longest night of winter, facing outward, to keep the town safe from enemies— whether mortal or mystical.

Many believed that this tradition arose in homage of the ginger-colored cloaks that the town guards wore, all the better to hide their movements through the forests and mountain surrounding the town. But every grandmother in town made sure to tell her grandchildren the true story of the tradition…

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This story is connected to the Year Five story entitled "I Dreamed A Cookie," in which a baking contest finalist takes inspiration from a locked-in-a-bakery-overnight dream.

ANGRY GINGERBREAD MERCHInterested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring this episode's Angry Gingerbread Giant design? Please visit my Store page here: STORYFEATHER STORE

MY FIRST BOOK IS OUT!Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It's now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

(Hint: The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletter, where you can get tales of my fictioneering mischief and writing tips from me for free.)

CREDITSStory: "The Gingerbread Guard" Copyright © 2020 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel

Music: "Battle_1_normal (loop)" by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Intro and Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)* "Secrets of Kingdom" "Steel Enemy" "Driving Force" "Ice and Fire (heavy part)" "Ice and Fire" "Magic Within" "Knight Rising" "Percussion Loop #16 (Version 3)" "Percussion Loop #17 (Version 2)" "Lyric Voices #2"

Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)* "Battle_1_normal (loop)" "Exploration_Forest Of Magic" "Exploration_Mystical Place (loop 1)" "Exploration_Mystical Place (loop 2)" "Locations_Medieval Tavern Song"

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

Music by Albert Fernandez and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Sound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Vocal effects created with Audacity Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Andrew Sitkov and Albert Fernandez at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

Episode Art Description: Digital drawing of a partial view through a window. Lined along the inside, looking out are four gingerbread men. Three are iced with decoration and look angry. The fourth is smiling. In the window's reflection is a giant gingerbread man wreaking havoc. His arms are raised and fingers curled down with menace. He is breathing fire down onto the ground. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along windowpane at bottom right. Format made square with borders at top and bottom that contain blurred elements from the main image.