No, it's a plot point in Damsel. The plot is more complex.

Both spellings have been used, but poleaxe is also sometimes (incorrectly) used to refer to halberds and Dane axes, so I prefer pollaxe.

Yes. You're right. Thank you.

I thought about both versions when writing it, but it required a lot of cutting down to make it fit, so at some point this must have become the result of editing. And then I simply didn't see it when proof reading.

I'm inclined to leave this uncorrected though.

I might have the original Digger albums, and the omnibus, and a foam pickaxe emblazoned with "Remember tunnel 17", all in plain view from where I'm sitting right now...

I've had that song on loop in my head since I thought of the story. :-)

@remove.miq.moe

Please don't.

** (I enjoy public fireworks, but our cats are hiding in the basement as half the houses in the neighborhood are setting off their pieces.

My sympathy to all veterans, war refugees, and terrified pets tonight. **

** This story was first posted on other platforms on New Year's Eve 2022. A reader remembered and asked me to post it here as well.

If there is a story you would like to see here, let me know. If I can find it, and still like it, I'll post it here at some point, with the #CrossRepost hashtag. **

God jul!

** Collected in one post on my website:
microsff.com/the-last-mee...
**

sorrynotsorry

"I am dying, with only a few months left. And the pain grows every day." The emperor made a grimace. "You'll finally get paid."

"I won't kill you for money," the assassin said. "Not anymore."

"Would you kill me for the sake of friendship?"

Nobody saw the assassin leave, after.
3/3

The emperor smiled. "It's been over sixty years since the first time you came to kill me."

"Mm. And a dozen times more. Yet you are still alive. You always were persuasive."

"I hope I still am. I would ask you to do it now."

"What?"
2/3