Beneath Ceaseless Skies #432, May 15, 2025

“Unbeaten” by Grace Seybold

“Lies from a Roadside Vagabond” by Aaron Perry

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

Two stories featuring magical metal objects appear in this issue.

“Unbeaten” by Grace Seybold is narrated by a talking sword that has been altered into another useful object. It undergoes another transformation at the end, in a way that may be even more beneficial.

Readers may be able to anticipate the first change if they are familiar with a common proverb taken from the Bible. (The title is also a punning clue.) The second alteration is less predictable, although it is reminiscent of another old saying. In any case, this fairly short tale can be read as a fable about the relative power of war compared with other methods of changing the world. The author does a good job of narrating from an unusual point of view.

In “Lies from a Roadside Vagabond” by Aaron Perry, the protagonist encounters a strange fellow who offers him a ring in exchange for the chance to tell a lie, something he claims he has never done. The ring prevents other people from knowing the motives of the person who wears it, even in simple, obvious matters. The protagonist uses it in an attempt to win a large amount of money in a chess game against the king’s military strategist, but the situation changes in an unexpected way.

The fantasy premise is unusual and the story is cleverly plotted, proceeding in a way that is both logical and surprising. The narrative style is engaging and very readable, with a touch of wit, and the characters are intriguing.

Victoria Silverwolf is working an extra day today.