One of two M.K. Hutchins short stories in Aconyte Books’ Tales From the Crucible anthology, The Librarian’s Duel explores the KeyForge setting through a story of a mother’s fear and a librarian’s duty. After the accident which left her husband dead and her daughter Marya somewhat out of phase with the rest of the world, Arash’s responsibility has been to keep her little library as well stocked as possible, because books are the only thing keeping Marya present. When she accidentally gets into a seemingly unwinnable fight with a giant Brobnar, Arash finds her world turned upside down again.
Arash’s life is difficult enough as it is, scrabbling around for funds to keep her library afloat and maintain some connection with her daughter, so a fight with a giant and the ensuing chaos it causes – library fines, violence, unwanted attention – is the last thing she needs. Tonally this is pretty dark to begin with, and it’s heartbreaking to learn about Arash and Marya’s struggles, but as the story progresses and Arash relaxes into the chaos around her, it warms up and steers in a different, satisfying direction. If you’re after a story about family wrapped up in a tale of strange creatures and stranger circumstances, this is well worth checking out.
Click here for reviews of other KeyForge stories from this anthology.
