The City by the Sea (Prologue) by Malcolm Knight

Word Count: 2100 words | Critique type preference: In Person

Content warnings:

Animal cruelty or death, Combat, Death/Dying, Sexism / Misogyny

Author Notes:

This is actually the prologue of the story, i.e., the next chapter immediately cuts away to the east and king’s court – it’s named ‘one’ for fashion reasons.

• What do you think is actually happening vs what is described?
• What is your impression of the attitude to and existence of magic in the world?
• What genre of fantasy would you call it?

Notes to organisers:

Additional trigger warning: Homophobia

Submitted: 9 April 2026

Last updated: 11 June 2026 at 13:27

Author Email: ma************@*****ok.com