Beneath Ceaseless Skies #312, September 10, 2020
“Deep in the Drift, Spinning” by Lisa L. Hannett
“The Patron” by Derrick Boden
Reviewed by Kevin P Hallett
The 312th issue of Beneath Ceaseless Skies has two original short stories.
“Deep in the Drift, Spinning” by Lisa L. Hannett
Winnifletch used a magic concoction to help create her daughter, Shale, in this short fantasy. Winni uses the life fluid from sea birds to create her potions, but their exact outcome is beyond her total control. Using such a potion, Winni enticed a sailor to love her. The result was Shale, but the sailor left Winni to raise her alone.
Now, sixteen years later, Shale wants her mother to make another potion. One that will help Shale accomplish her biggest dream. But Winni knows just how unpredictable her magic potions are.
The author steeped this story in mystery, but the prose was too slow to unlock the plot’s full potential.
“The Patron” by Derrick Boden
In Boden’s short character-driven fantasy, the Patron must hear the pleas from wretched people wanting something they can’t obtain by themselves. But the price each visitor must pay to the Patron’s guardian daemons is much higher than they can ever guess.
The end of her seven-year term approaches and with it, the hope of freedom. Traditionally, one of these last people will be the new Patron. But which one? As each supplicant comes, the Patron discovers new things about herself and her daemons. And a new plan forms in her mind.
This story had an engaging rhythm and mystery to the prose. It took the reader on a voyage of discovery, hiding the ending well.