A Handsome Thief with a Certain Charm

By Martin L. Shoemaker Note: This story was dictated by The Instant Bard (a.k.a. me) at the Niles Renaissance Faire on May 17, 2025. This is a cleaned-up version of that transcript, with only one small but crucial… Read More

The Toucan and the King

By Martin L. Shoemaker Once the toucan was the favored bird of the king. He sang sweetly every daybreak, and mournfully in the evening. He perched on the king’s shoulder during the day, whispering advice.  Sometimes the king… Read More

The Road Twice Taken

(With apologies to Robert Frost) By Martin L. Shoemaker Two roads diverged in a gray, dying wood. And knowing I dare not travel each, For one led to my doom, and that I would Shun if that truth… Read More

Nighttime Visits

By Martin L. Shoemaker John Horner sat at his table and poured himself a double of Jameson’s. He could already feel it was going to be one of those nights. He was ready to get thoroughly drunk and… Read More

Countdown

By Martin L. Shoemaker Looking out into the black void of space, she felt her muscles tense as she readied for the long leap. She was ready for this, had trained for this, and still she clung to… Read More

crunch (a dragon’s lament)

By Martin L. Shoemaker crunch gnawing on old bones that crunch dark but I won’t sleep because I always creep in the dark slime drips from my scales as the autumn moon pales and the poor quarry flails… Read More

The Royal Wedding Cake Gambit – Rough Cut

By Martin L. Shoemaker Exactly as recorded at the Niles Renaissance Faire, May 18, 2025. Look for a cleaned-up version soon. This is the Instant Bard. Yep, happy to have you join me. I’m getting started in about… Read More

A Handsome Thief with a Certain Charm – Rough Cut

By Martin L. Shoemaker Exactly as recorded at the Niles Renaissance Faire, May 17, 2025. Look for a cleaned-up version soon. Men and women fighting for the honor of the Queen and the Niles Renaissance Fair. You’re not… Read More

Winnifred the Wise Woman

No one alive remembers Winnifred’s youth–not even her! It is said that she’s no older than the mountains. She must be younger than that, they admit, but how much so? No one has an answer. Winnifred has lived… Read More

King Ferdinand of Ferdiland

Ferdinand the First, King of the Principality of Ferdiland, was a good king–as kings go. He was a kind man, to the degree that his responsibilities allowed. He was a fair and just king, or at least that… Read More