Beneath Ceaseless Skies #359, June 30, 2022
“Into The Thunder” by Michelle Muenzler
“Witchbreaker” by Leah Ning
Reviewed by Kevin P Hallett
The 359th issue of Beneath Ceaseless Skies has two short stories.
“Into The Thunder” by Michelle Muenzler
Outrider Syenok is protecting a wagon train in this SF short set on a distant world. She and her partner Olva ride striders, two-legged raptors that are more than a handful. When Syenok smells blood on the wind, they ride ahead to check it out. They find another wagon train overrun by thunderclaws, killing the people, the striders, and the prongbeasts.
Syenok prepares to return, but then she sees a possible survivor’s blood trail. A code of help among outriders has rescued her in the past. So they try to find the survivor without becoming part of the thunderclaw feast. This proves to be difficult with their striders unwilling to be guided with thunderclaws so near.
The plot was easy to follow, with plenty of action to keep the reader fully engaged.
“Witchbreaker” by Leah Ning
In this short fantasy, Rennie is a witchbreaker. Every time she and her three fellow witchbreakers stop a witch, time passes faster, causing months, if not years, to pass. This leaves Rennie’s daughter and wife aging faster and wondering if she will ever return.
Called out to stop a skywitch, Rennie knows she could lose a year in the witch’s embrace. But it’s her duty to protect her village and loved ones. Only this time, the witch turns out to be the deadliest of all, a darkwitch. And the cost to Rennie is too much.
The author’s story was two plots pushed into one, told at an engaging pace, making for an excellent piece.
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