The Hatchlings

by Darius Jones

For centuries, the Synod of the Holy Mothers of Kaldar have forbidden Off-Worlders from witnessing the Zakir ritual. But for the first time, one man has been offered an invitation through his acquaintance, Mudarak. Inside the arena where the ritual is about to take place, a large crowd gathers and divine justice awaits. The multitude fidgets and grows silent. Attendants in white tunics sound the trumpets and play the Hymn of the Desert. Join them in the arena. The ritual is ready to begin… The Hatchlings was first published in Fiction Vortex in August 2013 and won 3rd place in the FV Readers’ Choice Award.

15 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2020

About the author

Darius Jones’s stories and poems have appeared in Strange Horizons, The No Sleep Podcast, Star*Line Magazine, and other places.

His first book of poetry, "The Book of Hours" appeared in 2025 with Alien Buddha Press.

He is a member of the HWA, SFWA, and SFPA. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Learn more at dariusjoneswriter.com or on Twitter and Instagram @DariusJonesWrit.