Request #1 (Anonymous)

Gorthan winced. “I know, Master. I’m terrible. You don’t want me as your apprentice anymore, I can tell, I just want—“

“By the leapers, Gorthan!” Marc slapped his hand to his brow, “If only you would listen for once!” He glared at him for a moment, then relaxed his expression. “You’re not terrible, lad. You’ve not trained long enough to determine that. No, by the contrary, you are showing great potential.” Gorthan’s eyes widened at the rare compliment. He had been prepared for his apprenticeship to end today.

“I can see that you can fight, but I can also see something holding you back.” Marc leaned in close, staring deep into Gorthan’s eyes. “Now, what might that be?”

Request #2 (Mercy)

First he swung in a few wide arcs, getting “warmed up” as his father called it, then he began jumping as high as he could, then bringing the sword down as hard as he could, imagining crushing a wolf’s skull.

“Yeah! Take that!” He shouted, absorbed in his play.

“Who are you talking to?” An unfamiliar voice broke in, distracting Massie mid-swing. There was another buck, looking to be around his age, standing on the near side of the clearing, staring at Massie inquisitively.

“Who are you?” Massie asked.

“I’m Gavin.” The buck pointed at himself.

Request #3 (Saphire Cheeta)

The only sound came from the bird and the three rabbits as they tried to regain their breath. The ledge did little to hide them, and it wasn’t long before the falcon’s eyes fell upon them.

It gave another hideous scream, springing towards the narrow ledge, talons outstretched. Atalie backed up as close to the wall as she could muster, her eyes bulging and her teeth rattling. The noises of the bird as it tried to fit in a too-small space was deafening. It came over and over, never stopping its attack.

She could finally take it no more. Atalie dug her fingers into her ears and screamed as loud as she could.

Request #4 (Sweet Tea)

Kilmar shook his head. “Don’t be a fool. You have been on the field, you’ve seen with your own eyes the masses of enemies that swarmed like a pile of ants. If they were to use even half their force, they could conquer this hidden city.” He turned his head to the side. “No hope lies in fighting.”

“And what do you suggest?” Maxim bristled. “That we run like cowards?”

“I care more about the lives of those I love more than what honor I may lose, Maxim.” Kilmar’s ears laid flat against his head. “I thought you would do the same.”