About the story: Two unwitting pawns of world powers come into a fragile relationship whilst trying to prevent a religious war over which both their families are salivating. In their quest to keep their countries from tearing each other apart, they discover that powers long- (and best-)forgotten are held in reserve by all combatants. From Speakers to separatists, demagogues to divinities, none of the warring parties seem likely to let their tenuous bridging of borders stand.

About the author: By night, Jem writes long-winded paens to beloved book and game series. By day, she works in a library.