When her clanship's sensors are damaged, Captain Klarin-yal hires an expensive human expert to effect repairs. Unfortunately, the human is afraid of reptiles. unfortunately, during the explosion, a pregnant reptilian pet escaped into the ship... Now it's up to Kinahran, a young Kintaran, to find the pet before the human flees in disgust, leaving the clanship crippled.When her clanship's sensors are damaged, Captain Klarin-yal hires an expensive human expert to effect repairs. Unfortunately, the human is afraid of reptiles. More unfortunately, during the explosion, a reptilian pet escaped into the ship. Even worse, the pet is about to have babies... Now it's up to Kinahran ("Moonfur" in Terran) and her little sister Embereyes (whose pet it was anyway) to find the animal before the human flees in disgust, leaving the clanship crippled -- an outcome that would surely have the Captain using their ears for belt-pouches, and their tails for a belt!Originally published in the fanzine Pawprints, "Leaping Lizards" is the introductory short story for the science fiction universe of the Kintarans.

The story has been adapted more than once: the mysterious, somewhat murderous, Phantom of the Opera, who tutors a poor chorus girl till she can sing solo upon the stage - and kidnaps her in a fit of jealousy.But what if the Opera-house Ghost really was... dead?The story has been adapted more than once: the mysterious, somewhat murderous, Phantom of the Opera – the "Angel of Music," a disembodied voice who tutors Christine, a poor chorus girl, until she can take the stage and sing solo. But when she does, and is recognized by an old friend who is now a suitor, the Phantom reveals himself as a hideously deformed man, kidnapping Christine in a fit of jealousy - and the suitor must seek and rescue the girl in the hidden tunnels beneath the opera house. There are stories, books, movies (silent and otherwise), and a musical for the stage.But what if the Opera-house Ghost really was . . . dead?

Mortal women have always fascinated gods - and wind-spirits have carried news of a beautiful princess to the sun-god, Allyon. But his servant, sent to investigate, falls in love and defies his master. Narrated by the Wind-priest Ches, this is the story of the Morning Star.(Set in the same universe as "The Bear Prince," this is a fantasy folktale for slightly older ears.)Mortal women have always fascinated gods - and wind-spirits have carried news of a beautiful princess to the sun-god, Allyon. But his servant, sent to investigate, falls in love and defies his master. Narrated by the Wind-priest Ches, who inserts a few personal comments, this is the story of the Morning Star.(Set in the same universe as "The Bear Prince," this (worksafe) story of lovers is a fantasy folktale for slightly older ears.)