Lisa Mantchev's "A Dance Across Embers": A freedom fighter is born

This is very readable political story - presented as a parable with talking animals & ghosts. And it can be read without any political overtones too - in case you just enjoy fantasy.

There is a mention of Bulgaria - so I suppose that is the place where the story is set - though the character names were generally unfamiliar for me.

Full text of the story is available as a free download.

Story summary.

In a forest community of bears with very human traits, "ghosts" in dark suits & with guns have been taking away grown people at night; some families are more haunted then others. Nothing is ever heard again from those thus taken away.

There is also a Party doing mysterious activities, & apparently with interests opposed to those of ghosts.

We learn of the development through the characters of two nine year old friends. Milena's parents keep going to Party at night. Ventsei has his grandfather picked up at night; his dad went after him & got picked up too.

The event matures Ventsei beyond his years, as he steps into his grandfather's shoes.

Title comes from fire-dance on burning coals in the parable - a feat that Ventsei's grandfather used to perform, & he will too prematurely as part of his growing up to redeem his people.

Fact sheet.

"A Dance Across Embers", short story, review
First published: Clarkesworld, October 2007.
Rating: A