Story Details
Published on 2022-04-10
Reprint from Farstrider Magazine. “It’s a sign,” the raven called back. “Like an augury, or a harbinie.” Parker considered that for a moment. “You mean a harbinger?” “Oh, yes!” The raven had circled back… “That’s the one, a harbinger, thanks!” “Okay.” Parker stuffed his hands in his pockets and watched the raven a moment longer. “Why are you riding a bicycle?”
Author Details
J.J. Litke lives in Austin, Texas, where she writes SFF and moonlights as a graphic design instructor. She is not a robot—she enjoys non-petroleum beverages, engages in sentient-life activities, and has taken a human mate. Her fiction has also appeared in Apex, Cast of Wonders, and Nature Futures. Find her at jjlitke.com and on Twitter as @jenztweets. Story Notes: This story was sparked when my husband spotted what appeared to be a raven riding a bicycle. Sadly (or perhaps luckily), it was not actually a raven, or even a bird at all. The incident set me to wondering about ravens, their alternate modes of transportation, and what their jobs must be like. I supposed it may be quite difficult to make friends when everyone you meet is in the process of expiring. Parker is just the sort of friend a raven needs, someone who's empathetic, sees the beauty in the cracked pavement of your soul, and will buy a round at the pub now and then.
Harbinie of Death, by J.J. Litke
Author Details
J.J. Litke lives in Austin, Texas, where she writes SFF and moonlights as a graphic design instructor. She is not a robot—she enjoys non-petroleum beverages, engages in sentient-life activities, and has taken a human mate. Her fiction has also appeared in Apex, Cast of Wonders, and Nature Futures. Find her at jjlitke.com and on Twitter as @jenztweets. Story Notes: This story was sparked when my husband spotted what appeared to be a raven riding a bicycle. Sadly (or perhaps luckily), it was not actually a raven, or even a bird at all. The incident set me to wondering about ravens, their alternate modes of transportation, and what their jobs must be like. I supposed it may be quite difficult to make friends when everyone you meet is in the process of expiring. Parker is just the sort of friend a raven needs, someone who's empathetic, sees the beauty in the cracked pavement of your soul, and will buy a round at the pub now and then.
