One

"An unexpected visit."



Maria blinked, as Tez stood up from their afternoon garden luncheon, as murderous expression on his face was suddenly masked by polite courtesy, as an elf clad in gleaming white was led towards them by a manor servant.

"Rider Avanar," he greeted. "How did you find me?"

Avanar bowed deeply. "Eldest, you were not difficult to locate. The Death Worshipers have been in considerable disarray since your... owner's... recent miracle became known."

"And what do you want now?"

"I have been ordered by the Council to free you from your vile enslavement." He drew his sword. "By whatever means necessary."


Two

"A surprise package"

(spoilers for "Legacy of the Red Vixen")



"What is it?" Alinadar asked, turning the small box over in her hands.

"There are certain protocols to this sort thing that I'm ignoring," Salli said. She'd taken an emergency dose of her anti-anxiety meds. She was still shaking. "Can't ask your head of household for permission, since your family is gone. I'm not asking mine either, since technically I outrank Mother now."

"But what is it?"

"Open it and see."

Ali popped open the lid. Nestled in a bed velvet were two matching golden commitment bracelets, decorated with silver inlay.

"Alinadar Waterfarmer, would you be my wife?" Salli gasped.


Three

"Lost and found."



Allison sat on the porch of her new home, provided by the Groupmind when she'd been awakened. The fact that it was just like her old home failed to make it comforting. The view of the Earth over her head,  didn't help.

But they found the photos, she thought, hands shaking as she gripped the ancient pictures, carefully preserved in a plastic sheath. Her family, her children, lost to her well before the Rebellion. "Where did you find them?" she asked the housemorph.

"Behind the water heater," it answered politely. "We kept everything we found."

She started crying. "Thank you."


Four

"Tez and Maria shortly after the birth of their first child."



Maria lay asleep in her bed, brown skin gone pale gray, a white cotton gown covering her flattened belly, hiding the stitches. The blood, so much blood, had been washed away. Whether she would awaken again remained to be seen.

Meribeth lay in her cradle beside him, also sleeping while Tez rocked her. Pointed ears marked her as his, tiny horns and light mocha skin as Maria's. Tiny, precious life. New life, of a mix never seen in the world before.

"New" was always so dangerous.

"I will defend you from all who would destroy you," he whispered. "I promise."


Five

"More bits about Andrea and/or Arthur."



Being an ogre was supposed to be simple. Hit things. Eat things. It's what he'd done his whole life, before Master Tez had come along. "Comfort small half-breed children because there's a thunderstorm outside," was never supposed to be part of the picture.

So Arthur lit his table lamps, the ones with the reflectors so he'd have plenty of light, while Andrea sat on the edge of his reinforced chair, wrapped up in a quilt. He pulled a well worn book from the shelf, settled her on his large lap, and straightened his pince-nez.

"Once upon a time..." he began.


Six

"Triumvirate magic backfiring on its user."



Nafir stood up from his defensive crouch as he realized nothing was happening. Looking over at the mage, he realized that Nothing was likely to continue to happen for a very long time. "Not that I'm complaining, God be praised," he said to Shaffa, "but shouldn't we be dead?"

"Yes," said Shaffa. "Or rather we might have been, if the spell had been worded better."

"But he said he was going to turn us to stone!"

"No, he said 'Turn to stone!'" Shaffa tapped the statue now standing in front of them. "In magic, it's very important to be specific."


Seven

"A bit more of Watcher."



She hates you, you know, Watcher noted. He preened his green scales, eying the ancient red dragon carefully.

She serves me willingly, Philosopher said.

The younger dragon cocked his head. But not happily.

No.

So what are you going to do about it?

The larger red dragon lashed his tail, barely missing a pile of priceless vases. I don't know.

You cannot hope to lead your realm if Teal assumes every weakness she shows is something you will exploit.

I don't know what to do,, the Philosopher wailed. Help me!

Say that to her, not to me, Watcher noted dryly.


Eight

"Historical RPF AU in which dinosaurs survived."

(Royce goes, "You want what now?")

* * *

The two brother hunkered down behind the fallen log, on top of the small wooded hill, as Minie balls flew over their heads, slamming into the trees and spraying their troop with splinters.

"Laurence!" his brother and 2nd in command called out, "those damned rebs are forming up for another charge!"

"I see them." Chamberlain said, raising his head cautiously above the log, squinting down the hill. Somewhere below he could hear the Confederate commander shouting orders and the squeal of horses.

No, not horses, he thought.

"AFIX BAYONETS!" he shouted, as the raptors began to charge up the hill.


Nine

"An alternate Earth where penguins are intelligent."


November 16th, 1904, 6pm

Encountered natives again aprox 3pm. This group appears to be of the largest of the Southern races, the so-called "Emperors". They occupy large ice field, the perimeter guarded heavily, where many thousands of them nest for reasons unknown. Still no sign of any weapons among them, though native chief insists they are strong warriors.

Intend on penetrating the perimeter on morrow to investigate nesting phenomenon. Chief insists would be tabu. Informed him they're British subjects now, so would go along. Will have Mr. Shackleton oil rifles in case.

Capt. Robert Scott, Discovery Expedition. Last Entry.


Ten

"A Tez story from his youth - before he realized that he was immortal, how he came to realize he was immortal, how he came to be immortal. "


He lit the pyre to the former Eldest, who had lived six thousand years.

Why can't I die?

He dived in the river as the First Forest burned, the screams of the Tribe in his ears.

Why can't I die?

His child died in his arms, skin weeping black sores, joining the rest of his family in the mass grave.

Why can't I die?

They picked up his broken body and cried for the healer.

Why can't I die?

He vomited up the poison.

Why can't I die?

He pressed the button, and the missiles flew.

WHY. CAN'T. I. DIE?