In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts — Alex Hughes

In the Viking world, the slave-boy they call Fool owns nothing but a rag helmet and a butcher's knife he stole from the trash. Even so, he will stand this day with the other boys who are fifteen, risking his life at the coming of age sidr for the chance to earn his freedom.

Those who set sail today may return as crippled versions of themselves, or never return at all. Fool must try. Now, heart in his throat, he paddles into the dense fog.

Then he hears them. The hungry ghosts, keening.


Note: This short story was previously published in my Three Words Project anthology.