Heart and Map, Ink and Blade

I wanted to do a fantasy story with a female protagonist, and Juliana presented herself almost immediately. Of course, I couldn’t help but add some maps and other fantasy tricks along the way.

This story was first published as part of Free Fiction Friday, UnWrecked Press, July 2011. It was reprinted in UnWrecked Tales, July 2018.  

Heart and Map, Ink and Blade

“Curse you, Oldfather,” Juliana whispered, crouched next to a fresh mound of dirt, three fingers dripping fresh blood. Oldfather’s tooth...