Publication: Lachrymae Draconis

I have a new publication out in the latest issue of Realms. It's a kind of medieval mystery with a dragon called "Lachrymae Draconis" which you'll quickly figure out is Latin for "dragon tears" -- an entirely fake commodity that young Colburga has been dealing in with the help of the dragon she's got hidden away in a cave. No, the dragon doesn't cry. Colburga knows that's not possible -- but the dragon has other skills that help sell what they label "tears" and Colburga's knowledge of healthful herbs makes the concoctions effective. She's become quite a business woman because she doesn't do anything without making a profit. Her life may be lonely, but that's okay -- things are safer that way. Or so she thinks until the day a crying child appears at her gate with an intriguing problem...

I hope you enjoy the story. I had thought to include this among the stories added to Pelzmantel, but it got snapped up too quickly. I have seen the page proofs and the final cover and oh! does it look gorgeous. I'll see if I can make a reduced version so you can see. I'm still just gaga over Ruby's stunning artwork. Amazing!

I saw Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing at the Old Vic yesterday. Wonderful! Review coming soon: yes, it's a play about love, but also the love of words, including this hopeful line every writer dreams of making real:

I don’t think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little or make a poem which children will speak for you when you’re dead.