The Story Aerie

Author: Jess Mahler

  • Jahlene from The Bargain, bust. A fae woman with dark brown skin, straight black hair braided into a crown, and green eyes. She is playing with a lock of hair that came free of the braid.

    The Bargain (S5, E3)

    Jahlene finds time for a quiet dinner with friends. While they talk, she figures out how to ‘fix’ the problem of Mattin’s ongoing fear of her.

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  • Head-and-torso sketch of Iberto from A Smear of Blood. Scruffy man looking suspiciously off to the side.

    A Smear of Blood (S1 Finale)

    On the way home, Iberto took the time to think on what he was doing. Gathering Called, yes. But it wouldn’t matter how many Called he gathered. The goddes had all had Called, had been fully in their power when the monks took them down. Bringing in new Called would strengthen the goddes, yes. And…

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  • The Bargain (S5, E2)

    Season notes: violence, death, attempted murder The next morning, Mattin made sure to get up early. It was a surprise to wake in his new room, which smelled faintly of fabrics and lavender. He moved quietly as he dressed and exited the mistress’ suite, careful not to disturb her. And went looking for Cook. Unsurprisingly,…

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  • The Bargain (S5, E1)

    Reminder: Planting Life in a Dying City has been nominated for Overall Best Webserial in the Queer Indie Awards. Today is the last day to vote, so if you enjoyed it, please go put in your vote! (And while you’re there, check out some of the other nominees.) Season notes: violence, death, attempted murder The…

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  • A Smear of Blood (S1, E10)

    Iberto has faced down the goddes and won. He may continue to hunt down new Called — and it is time to go hunting.

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  • Image of Mattin Brenson from The Bargain. White skinned human with short blond hair and blue eyes. He's wearing a leather collar and a light blue shirt with yellow accents. He stares off to the left with wide, hooded eyes, one arm held across his chest, the other hand held out as if rejecting or pushing away something.

    The Bargain (S5 Cover)

    Finally home again after the court season, safety still eludes Mattin and Jahlene. In spite of the way they have both grown, continuing miscommunication leaves them both vulnerable. Just when they might find their feet, a series of problems around the manor and the county leave everyone scrambling for cover. With problems constantly worsening, Jahlene…

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  • A Smear of Blood (S1, E9)

    Iberto and his goddess have found a way to help the dying goddes. But not all the goddes approve of their plan.

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  • A Smear of Blood (S1, E8)

    Iberto goes out seeking a new called for the Sun god, but things don’t go the way he planned. Iberto is no longer the man he was.

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  • Photograph of a redheaded woman representing Moira from Meadowsweet. Text: "But I want to save that for when I can see the look on Zdenko's face."

    Meadowsweet (For-Now Finale)

    Zdenko has a doctor’s appointment and Moira kicks back with the crew.

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  • Announcement / Snippet Week #4 — Introducing My New Writing Partner!

    Hey all, as many of you know, there’s some big changes around here and one of them is I won’t be keeping the stories going alone anymore. I have a new partner, Raidon Phoenix, who’s introducing herself today with a snippet from her original world. Enjoy! Who here in the Story Aerie enjoys messing with…

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