I’m pleased to share an extract today from The River Keeper, a collection of fantasy short stories due for release on February 18th 2025, courtesy of the author, Nancy Joie Wilkie, and Sarah Farmer from Amplify Publishing.
The King fell silent. Feeling sick to his stomach, he walked over to the window to
look out at the countryside. Out there lived his subjects, people he had sworn to
protect, protect with his life if necessary. Now his actions might cause the death
of his newfound love.
This ability to catch glimpses of the future is a curse, not a blessing, he realized
with regret.
He turned back to face the mage. “If what you say is true, then no matter what I
choose to do might be the very thing that causes Wynneth’s death. Is there no
way out of this situation?”
“Do you remember that I told you the spell would require payment?”
Hesitant, he answered, “I do.”
“And have you made any such payment yet?”
“No. Not that I recall.”
“Perhaps this is the time that the spell might require you to make such a
payment.”
The King looked perplexed. “What are you saying?”
“What if whatever action you take—or don’t take—in an effort to save this
woman’s life does indeed prevent her death? If I were to speculate, I would
guess the spell might then demand its payment.”
“I follow you. So, you are saying the results are not inevitable?”
“That’s right. Remember, the event you saw is not supposed to happen until the
day after tomorrow. That means you still have another morning in which to
receive a vision when you wake. Perhaps that vision might give you some
information to help you make your decision.”
“Yes,” said the King, pointing a finger at the mage. “Yes. I understand. If
tomorrow my vision shows Wynneth alive and well, then I know whatever my
decision is today will save her life.”
This collection of seven short stories takes the reader to the Kingdom of Imlay, a coastal realm still filled with magic and mythical creatures great and small. Characters such as the inquisitive Ya, the precocious Aurora, and an ambitious, future-seeking King face monumental decisions that will affect those they hold dear.
Along the way, they are challenged by the need to make personal sacrifices for the greater good, use the power of truth to break through hurtful intentions, call upon magic to help people, and choose between possible future lives. Original and thought-provoking, these tales will stimulate the intellect and engage the imagination.
NANCY JOIE WILKIE worked for more than thirty years in both the biotechnology industry and as part of the federal government’s biodefense effort. She served as a project manager, providing oversight for the development of many new products. Nownretired, she composes original music, plays a variety of instruments, and has recorded and released manynof her original compositions. She has also created a series of greeting cards, artwork and photographs which can be viewed on her website: http://www.mindsights.net.
The River Keeper and Other Tales is her third collection of stories. She released Seven Sides of Self in November 2019 and Faraway and Forever in July 2023; both collections were published by She Writes Press. Faraway and Forever was named the 2023 Best Science Fiction Novelettes Book by the National Association of Book Entrepreneurs and was shortlisted for the Chanticleer International Book Awards.
She is currently working on more science fiction novelettes. She resides in Brookeville, Maryland.
