15 Comments
User's avatar
Jennifer James's avatar

This is an excellent portrait of how war muddies right and wrong. The atmosphere was incredible. I believed in the protagonist's inner life and how his surroundings were shaping it. A human on the page.

I haven't been following you as long as others, but this is some of your best writing.

Expand full comment
Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Thanks Jennifer. Still playing catch-up after my absence but this means the world to me. I'm intending to finish this piece after I finish up my latest project.

Expand full comment
Jennifer James's avatar

I'm glad to hear it, and I look forward to reading it.

Expand full comment
Honeygloom's avatar

So brutal and heartbreaking 💔

Expand full comment
Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Thanks HG! This means a lot, especially considering how much I admire your writing. I had to leave it unfinished back in October, but I'll be pushing ahead with the next (and final) part some time next week. After that, there will be a couple more stories along these lines-- part of something new I was trying out!

Expand full comment
Honeygloom's avatar

Nice! I can’t wait! So glad to have you back in business ☺️

Expand full comment
Tracy's avatar

Really pulled me into the trenches - such raw, descriptive horror. Excellent writing!

Expand full comment
Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Thanks Tracy, for the comment and the restack. Your vote of confidence is always much appreciated! Working on sticking the landing as we speak.

Expand full comment
Liz Zimmers's avatar

A gorgeous, horrifying painting of war. Wow. It takes my breath away.

Expand full comment
Ken Flyingheart's avatar

You're too kind, Liz. I've got your latest pieces saved. Once I've gotten my performance review (this week), I hope I can get outta my own head and into someone else's for a change. No more capable mind than yours!

Expand full comment
Liz Zimmers's avatar

You take your time and do what you need to do, Ken. It isn’t easy working a job (especially a new one) and writing. If only the days were longer on the writing end! Those stories will be in the Palace library any time you want a read. 💚

Expand full comment
Michael B. Morgan's avatar

"And we followed them without question, believing them to be our betters.

When all they wanted was our sacrifice."

This is just great, Ken.

Expand full comment
Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Thanks Michael. It's a meandering protagonist this time but we're cooking now. Hope to see it through in two more installments!

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Fantastic stuff Ken. These No Man's Land episodes have been some your best work to date in my humble opinion. Just terrific reading. - Jim

Expand full comment
Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Thank you, Jim. Bit of a hectic week between work and technical problems but I loved this comment! Hope I can keep it going until the last line which, yes, I have clear in mind. If only my fingers moved as fast as my mind, I would've been done a week ago!

Expand full comment