Electric spec

ElectricSpec Home

Current Issue

Archived Issues

Submission Guidelines

About Us

Email Us

Links

Reading Software

Volume 1, Issue 2, May 31, 2006
Ghost
© 2006 Cile Bailey
The Ghosts of Malibar
by Robert Bee

        Matirsutrus shone full on the waters of Malibar, his face mournful and pockmarked as he crept along the canals. Arundel Visigotti, the Mouth of Malibar, watched from the palace's upper gallery as guests arrived aboard barges poled by their servants.
        Several green-finned heads of mermen and merwomen bobbed in the silvery water beyond the line of barges. When a retainer walked in their direction, the mers darted under the water.
        The courtiers sported every fashionable style: from jewel-encrusted gowns to silk shirts to the purple vests worn by the duke's immediate family. The Baroness of Coal Vein wore a headdress of wire and gold coins so heavy that one of her servants supported her while she walked. The Lord of Marmsby, a philosophic old gentleman, wore a plain tunic and hose, an outfit cheaper than the attending servants, showing the court he considered himself above their frivolity.
        "What fools these people are," said a woman's voice from the darkness behind him.
        He turned; no one was there.
        The woman spoke again. "The whole court is blind, but not you."
        At first, he could make only her bare outline, but she gradually grew more distinct like a painting after removing the grime from the glass. She was in her early 30s, with the Malibarian aristocracy's high cheekbones, long nose, coal black eyes, and lovely dark complexion. Her evening gown was designed in the previous century's style with tiny jewels glittering in the bone-colored moonlight.
        Arundel had seen her face in one of the ancient oil portraits downstairs, but could not place her. "Who are you?"
       

Read the entire story:
       The Ghosts of Malibar (pdf)
       The Ghosts of Malibar (prc) PDA-compatible format.
See our reading software link at left.


Table of Contents

ElectricSpec Home       Current Issue       Archived Issues       Submission Guidelines
About Us       Email Us       Links       Reading Software


© 2006 Electric Spec
Image © University Corporation for Atmospheric Research