Beneath Ceaseless Skies #430, April 17, 2025

“Cry, the Carob King” by Thomas Ha

“Dark Creature, Dream Her” by Charlie Valenti

Reviewed by Mina

Two stories about dangerous quests are featured in this issue.

In “Cry, the Carob King” by Thomas Ha, the protagonist must climb a mountain to collect tears from the Carob King. All we know is that his grandmother, a sorcerer, has set him this task and told him not to stray from the path, arming him with magic boots. However, the protagonist does turn back to save a creature known as a “glob.” They help each other up the treacherous mountain and the protagonist feels kinship for a creature that seems to be as alone as he feels. A tale about unlikely friendships.

Zeni in “Dark Creature, Dream Her” by Charlie Valenti shows courage and determination, as she sets out to save Solvei from being trapped inside a creature’s mind (a mörkirra). She must hunt for Solvei through several worlds and lead her back into the real world. The story also speaks of feeling different and alone in a foreign land, and of attraction between two women when one is new to feeling such an attraction.