Jewels from the Dark

Learning to find beauty and benefit from the dark parts of life.

  • Mining the Deep
  • About
  • Shadowlands, Part 16

    It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered now. Darach felt every thought drip slowly down his mind, eventually dropping from his brain into the abyss. No. Something mattered. What was it? Think! He tried so hard to fight the fog of apathy and despair clouding his memory. There was something that mattered… The air felt heavier with…

    Gwen B

    March 1, 2026
    Uncategorized
    life, mental-health, acceptance, writing, grief, loss, healing, fiction, fantasy, short-story, books
  • Shadowlands, Part 15

    Meirleach cleared his throat. “That may be a hard thing to know – I have never seen anyone but the Nefas be able to bend shade and shadow. And even then, none the way you do.” “I’m sorry,” interrupted Lorcan. “Before we try to understand the mystery of the dark, can we talk about what…

    Gwen B

    February 15, 2026
    Uncategorized
    acceptance, books, fantasy, fiction, grief, healing, life, loss, mental-health, short-story, writing
  • Shadowlands, Part 14

    “What about Darach?” Lorcan whispered, looking back at Luan as they ran. “We will find him,” Luan started to say. His words were cut off as a soft light grew steadily in front of them. Out of nowhere, a cabin appeared. “Quickly – get inside!” the woman urged. All four of them clattered through the…

    Gwen B

    February 1, 2026
    Uncategorized
    acceptance, books, fantasy, fiction, grief, healing, life, living-loss, loss, meaning, mental-health, short-story, writing
  • Shadowlands, Part 13

    Darach felt…nothing. He knew he was falling, but it was not like a normal fall. There was no panic, just resignation. Soon, he felt soft ground underneath him. He was suddenly so tired. So very tired. A gentle Wind touched his face. It was almost like a caress. He leaned into it, feeling the weariness…

    Gwen B

    January 28, 2026
    Uncategorized
    acceptance, fantasy, fiction, grief, healing, life, loss, mental-health, short-story, writing
  • Shadowlands, Part 12

    Laoise’s heart fell with the man, dropping as he disappeared into the deepest darkness. Just as she was about to cry out, a hand gripped her face, covering her mouth. She didn’t think the shade could go deeper around her but it did, forming a barrier between her and the others. “Do not call out.…

    Gwen B

    January 28, 2026
    Uncategorized
    acceptance, fantasy, fiction, grief, healing, life, loss, mental-health, short-story, writing
  • Shadowlands, Part 11

    Laoise’s world turned a dull deep grey. It registered in her brain, but did not slow her down. She could figure out how that kept happening later. If there was a later… She breathed deep, taking in the umbra nihili, letting it permeate and protect. As she released her breath, she saw the leaders of…

    Gwen B

    January 27, 2026
    Uncategorized
    acceptance, books, fantasy, fiction, grief, healing, life, loss, mental-health, short-story, writing
  • Shadowlands, Part 10

    Meirleach’s heart seized in his chest as he and the other scouts moved after the three intruders. Líadan was near. Long ago, he had started to feel her presence far before he could see her, after witnessing her moment in the Waste. He knew he could not show any sign of slowing or recognition, as…

    Gwen B

    January 6, 2026
    Uncategorized
    acceptance, fantasy, fiction, grief, healing, life, loss, mental-health, short-story, writing
  • Shadowlands, Part 9

    Laoise placed another bundle near the base of a tree and said a silent prayer for the one who may find it. Something felt different as she stood and looked cautiously around. Coolness filled the air; shadows moved in the corner of her vision. She tried to melt into her own shadows, as she had…

    Gwen B

    January 6, 2026
    Uncategorized
    acceptance, books, fantasy, fiction, grief, healing, life, loss, mental-health, short-story, writing
  • Shadowlands, Part 8

    As the men moved forward into the growing darkness, they did not see or hear who followed them. The Nefas scouts were truly silent, having tracked the three men from the time they entered the Wood. The scouts were cloaked in darkness, able to pull shadows around themselves. One of the scouts signed, “They seek…

    Gwen B

    January 3, 2026
    Uncategorized
    books, fantasy, fiction, grief, healing, loss, short-story, writing
  • Shadowlands, Part 7

    Darach stepped lightly around a fallen tree, his foot falls barely making a sound. Anticipation churned in his gut. He had made the decision not return to Grian without Laoise. He knew that might mean he would never return home, but he believed it was worth it at this point. He had to find her.…

    Gwen B

    November 30, 2025
    Uncategorized
    fantasy, fiction, short-story, writing
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