Smokey and the blond
**Smokey and the blond** By Strega He ran into her on his morning circuit of the campground. As was his habit he carried a shovel, which he'd already used to smother two improperly extinguished fires. "You're Smokey, aren't you? The real...
The interview
In the aftermath of the terrible Commonweath-Ylesh war, Commonwealth scouts found Earth. As is their habit, the local sapients (humans, of course) are selected, kidnapped and studied. Most are returned to their homes, some are not. Species are the...
Way out
**Way Out** By Strega The lion was only slightly, if at all larger than normal, yet it was swallowing the armored man whole. Radiz watched wide-eyed for a moment, then looked for a way out of the room. He glanced upward, but he'd heard the...
In the tent
**In the tent** By Strega "You shouldn't sleep with your feet sticking out of the tent," Ann told him, but Jim just shrugged. "I'm hot," he'd said, and that was the end of that. The sound of the wind in the pines and the burble of the stream...
About Nyoka
These are some notes about Uvuzi's older sister which I typed up on my cell phone a while back. **About Nyoka** Unlike her sister Uvuzi, whose slim and shapely humanoid upper body fools the eye into thinking she is not dangerous, Nyoka appears...
The day after
Rurik's adventures in the few days following "A day at the baths". Best read that story first, if you haven't. **The day after** **By Strega** "I'm not so sure about this," Rurik rumbled. "Oh, you big chicken!" Breeze chirped. They were...
Brief encounter III
**Brief Encounter III** **By Strega** **(**Based on a news story) Behind the glass the lioness gaped, sliding her fangs along the smooth surface. Closer to Alan, but only an inch from a horrible fate, the toddler giggled. The lion just wanted to...
A day at the baths
**A day at the baths** **By Strega** Rurik stank, and he knew it. Gul are smelly at the best of times. Even fresh out of a bath, fur dried and brushed into order, there is a certain weaselly musk. Rurik was a month from _his_ last bath, and for...
The ring and the raccoon
Updated version of a 2005 short story of mine that's never been posted here. \*\*\*\*\* **The Ring and the Raccoon: a story set in the Maker's castle** By Strega The fortress squats on a hill, dark and nearly windowless. A flat-topped...
List of predators, races and settings
**Predators** - these are predators who have appeared in multiple images or stories. Many other predators have appeared in single images and stories, like a badgertaur, the wolftaur, Stregonne, etc. **Eblis** - A not too bright anteater-like alien...
Fate of the narrator
**Fate of the narrator** By Strega As soon as he saw the fossa, Haja ran. He was away from the troupe and low in a tree when it happened, picking berries from a bush. He caught a glimpse of a sleek, brown-furred body and long tail, and without...
Brief encounter
An old story I've touched up while thinking about writing a new chapter. \*\*\*\*\* **Brief Encounter** Jenny looked at the tiger through the bars and daydreamed. Mike was off buying ice-cream for the two of them; he'd grumbled...