Beneath Ceaseless Skies #389, August 24, 2023

“Interlude: Shelter From the Storm” by Rajiv Moté

“Steady and the Mountain” by Zachary Olson

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

Two stories featuring protagonists attempting to save imaginary worlds from disaster appear in this issue.

In “Interlude: Shelter From the Storm” by Rajiv Moté, a necromancer and her fellow adventurers find unexpected solace after enduring great dangers. The man who takes them in, providing food, healing, and accommodation, seems far too convenient to be merely a coincidence. The protagonist is suspicious, but also feels partly responsible for the damage done to the world by necromancy. She confronts their rescuer, leading to an extraordinary revelation.

The reader learns only a little about the necromancer’s companions, and they seem like typical characters from a fantasy roleplaying game; thief, warrior, etc. The identity of the mysterious host offers an awe-inspiring vision. As its title suggests, this relatively brief story seems more like a quiet section of a much longer tale than a fully developed work of fiction.

The main character in “Steady and the Mountain” by Zachary Olson is a mighty warrior who lost his lover, a queen, to death and their daughter to imprisonment during an apocalyptic crisis. He seeks a sage to ask what must be done to heal the dying world. The answer is not what he expects, and leads to a different kind of quest.

The author creates a complex background, which is moody and evocative, but not always clear. The fact that the daughter has Flame written on her heart, for example, is intriguing but frustratingly unexplained. The protagonist’s name is Steady As It Goes, apparently in an attempt to depict his character, but some readers may find this moniker inappropriate or even ludicrous.

Victoria Silverwolf is working extra this weekend.