Listen to this story as a podcast episode here. Mirror short story by Iris Carden Merlin, Ariana, Orsinius and The Cat sat around the table in Ariana’s kitchen. Or rather, the people sat around the table, and The Cat sat on it. Ariana explained to the others about her dream, and The Cat’s desire to…… Continue reading Mirror
Category: Fantasy Fiction
The Queen’s Return
The Queen’s Return short story by Iris Carden The scent of magic preceded them. Queen Rose of the fairies rode on a sleek black cat. Above her flew Primrose, the nursery maid. At one side walked the great wizard Merlin, and Orsinius Wishlet, a wisp, guardian of mythical treasures, carrying Excalibur. On the other side,…… Continue reading The Queen’s Return
Spy
Spy short story by Iris Carden Primrose carefully followed Merlin’s instructions, giving the queen half a drop of healing potion each morning and night. Her new friends made sure she, the queen and Princess Aster had everything they needed. Queen Rose gradually regained her strength. When all of the fairies’ new friends were gathered, the…… Continue reading Spy
Dolls’ House
Dolls’ House short story by Iris Carden I knew it was going to be a tough conversation, telling Mum I didn’t want to go to university. She’d always said learning law, the way humans did it, was a good background for someone who would one day have to take over managing justice for the whole…… Continue reading Dolls’ House
Nutshell
Nutshell short story by Iris Carden Primrose had never been brave before. But then, she’d never had to. She was a nursery maid, not a soldier, nor a guard. Her work had been in the quietest part of the castle. In a way she was responsible for the kingdom’s greatest treasure, but she’d never imagined…… Continue reading Nutshell
Aftermath
Aftermath short story by Iris Carden It is a strange group of beings who are gathered in the burrow on the border between reality and unreality. There is Orsinius Wishlet, a wisp, short and bald with over-large pointed ears. He is a reformed kleptomaniac, and a hoarder, and this burrow, his home, is cluttered with…… Continue reading Aftermath
Ransom
Ransom short story by Iris Carden Giving in to a criminal is not how I normally do things, but my daughter’s life is on the line, and Merlin has a plan. I try not to look at the products on the shelves. Augustus Wishlet’s shop is disturbing enough during the day. At night it’s even…… Continue reading Ransom
Trouble
Trouble short story by Iris Carden Orsinius Wishlet was at home in his burrow on the border between reality and unreality. It was cluttered with all of the many things he had stolen and hoarded in his long time as a thief. Now that he spent so much time among humans Orsinius knew that many…… Continue reading Trouble
A Strange Request
A Strange Request short story by Iris Carden The tall, gaunt woman in the long black dress swept through the quiet outer Brisbane street. She smiled slightly on overhearing a youthful voice say, “Boomer goth.” The teenager had no idea. Entering the nondescript bookshop, the woman ignored the bored cashier and walked purposefully to the…… Continue reading A Strange Request
Rock
Listen to this post as a podcast Rock short story by Iris Carden Settle in, dear reader, while I tell you the strange tale of Paula, who thought her opinion mattered more than anyone else’s. Paula was famous, mostly for expressing herself very loudly and offensively. Her long-suffering assistant Carol did her best to regulate…… Continue reading Rock
Iris Carden, Author 