Olaf Stenson has been called Olaf the Unlucky for most of his life. Since the accident that twisted his leg and relegated his status to a glorified servant, he had given up hope for a normal life. Then his long-lost uncle shows up and wins control of the family elevating his status once more. Along with his new-found family status, Olaf is given new responsibilities. The Empire of Jewel is marching against his uncle's fledgling Kingdom of Haven and Olaf is tasked with finding a way to aid his uncle. He is sent to the Eastern Confederation to procure aid against the empire. Suffering from his own internal demons of self-doubt and grief, he attacks his mission with as much gusto as he can manage, but has he learned from his previous mistakes? In order to succeed, he must form odd alliances and thread the needle of daunting Eastern politics. Has he learned enough to recognize friend from foe, and above all, keep his own dark impulses from destroying his efforts? The fate of the Kingdom of Haven is depending upon his success.

What's in a name? In the Order of the Wolf your name is everything. It describes you and defines you. It is your reality. Imagine a life of clashing swords – a life of death, and blood, and strife. In such a setting a name is like an anchor, holding you steady to your own reality. But what if your reality is death, and blood, and strife, and nothing more? That's when you are given a name like Death.Death used to have a different name. His Order mates once called him Brain, because he was always curious and asking questions, but that seems like a lifetime ago to Death. Those mates are all gone and now Death wants nothing more than to join them in the Halls of the Dead. Death once had a normal name too. Back in his youth, before he became a mercenary. That name he refuses to speak and buries deep in an effort to forget his past. A man with so many names is bound to get confused. Which one defines him, and in which reality does he live? Death must sort through his names, and his life, to determine who he really is. Along the way he will try to die in battle, fight old foes and new, meet the love of his life, and come face-to-face with the man he most fears. In the end he will finally accept his destiny and recognize his true name. Who says a mid-life crisis has to be about fast cars?

In this fantastic issue you will be introduced to the most badass grandmother that has ever existed in print, a retro space opera adventure about a two-fisted blaster wielding pilot, an epistolary tale of the corrupting influence of depraved love, and a new adventure for Benedict Arnold, Josh Gibson, and Genghis Khan in an afterlife of their own making. You'll also be taken on a journey through the sewers of Paris where tentacled creatures reside, meet a cross-dressing French spy plying his trade for Louis XV, follow a body-hopping demon across a Wild West that may or may not be our own, and catch up with a world-weary detective tricked into solving a case when he'd rather be watching the Yankees and getting drunk.

Olaf the Unlucky Olaf Stenson wasn't exactly sure when his luck went bad. Most said it started the day he fell and twisted his leg out of shape, but that was only the final straw on his unhappy slide from favor. With the death of his parents at a young age, his grandfather killed, and his uncle exiled, the cards had been stacked against him from the beginning. Olaf had accepted his fate until his long-lost uncle turned up with a kingdom. To change his luck, he must travel to his uncle's new domain at the farthest reach of the Seven Kingdoms, learn how to survive cut-throat politics - especially those of his own family, and help his uncle regain control of their vast financial empire. To make matters worse, he doesn't have much time to do it. The Empire of Jewel is stirring in the east, threatening everything he hopes to gain. Olaf is determined to earn a new nickname, but does he have the strength of will to overcome his own physical limitations and a lifetime habit of capitulation. Upon his success rides not just his own future, but that of his new-found uncle and the fate of the Seven Kingdoms.

War is coming to the Norwood, and a strange warrior arrives with a black sword to lead the Nor against the invaders.Arlyss Quarrel is oblivious to the danger. His only dream is to marry the girl next door and start a family of his own far away from his demanding father. This dream is shattered when he accidentally injures his best friend and is sent away to the local lord to become a warrior.When Arlyss arrives at the lord's hall, he soon finds himself caught up in a maelstrom of intrigue with the bearer of the black sword at its center. When the invaders arrive, will Arlyss be ready to defend his homeland or will he fall under the spell of Death-Bringer?

Odin wasn't the easiest god to work for. To join his team, you either had to be hacked to death on a battlefield or become a wizard. Arthur chose the latter, although the initiation was no less gruesome-just have your heart ripped out of your chest to be anointed with Odin's magical blood. Easy peasy, right?After the heart-ripping thing, the job was pretty sweet: the benefits of eternal middle age, the occasional fight with a rival wizard to keep your skills sharp and do your part in the war against Hel's witches. Plus, most importantly, it kept Arthur from thinking about his past "attachments".Arthur was content with the wizarding life until the witch Frieda showed up and offered him a chance to win great favor with Odin. All he had to do was lead a quest to the underworld where even the gods feared to tread. Quests are never what they seem, but Arthur has no choice but to accept. Even wizards dream of glory and Valhalla.

Collection of short stories in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genre.

It's been watching ... it's coming to town and sliding down your chimney. Kringle or Krampus? Of this world or not? Aliens, elves and reindeer, zombies and hard-boiled detectives. Which ghost of Christmas is coming for you? If you love Halloween but are so-so about Christmas - these stories are for you. scary, funny, sweet or sad - they're all TWISTED.