"The soldier raised his torch and leaned forward, leathers creaking. His eyes were narrow in their examination. The light of his flame sent shadows waltzing through the orchard, twisting and morphing through the brush like dark appendages slithering in retreat of the starlight. Above him, the wind—stiff and unseasonably chilly for early autumn—wrestled through the canopy of leaves and branches, ushering all seven of the corpses into a lazy sway from their nooses."

Young Dalya's life is shattered when a zealous bishop descends on her town, destroying the only family she has ever had. But is there truth to the holy man's quest to root out corruption, or is it merely a brutal abuse of authority? Read "Middlewick" by Erik Sabol in the Game Guide to find out!

For more heroic tales, be sure to explore the short stories for our iconic classes, available here:

• Wayfarer
• Hatred and Discipline
• Unyielding
• Doubtwalker
• Firefly
• The End of her Journey
• The Orphan and the Jeweler
• Brothers in Arms