The sun overhead is an unwelcome furnace when the Dragonriders find us with Aries at the fore. I’m too thirsty to care. His blue eyes remind me of water.

Despite my reservations, we decide to head north. Felicia wants to rent a Travelers’ colorfully striped wagon, but I insist unicorns are a safer bet.

Erd’s green journal ignites with a white-hot flash, nearly burning off Felicia’s eyebrows. “What the hell, Vera!” Rach says, having elbowed Felicia clear.

Untied by a passing elf – who nearly got his throat crushed by Rach when he laughed before helping – we hunted for Erd and his friend. The goblins were gone, along with our hard-earned treasure.

“I take it back. Rach’s friend is not nice.” Felicia scowls as the mohawked goblin ties her hands together.

I've decided to try something new for my newsletter and move over to Substack. I'm hoping it will be easier to have fun conversations there

“Thanks to Rach’s goblin friend, I’d count this as another success!” Felicia grins and returns the bookmark to the journal in her hand.

For something fun in February, I decided to make all three Unusual Diction ebooks FREE! Most of the flash fiction stories are 100 words or less, perfect for consuming in small sessions with your morning tea or coffee.