* Matt Hughes' "The Helper and His Hero" (novella, fantasy)

The great no-content story. Great language, beautiful imagery, epic scope - only weak point is the story. It has evil aliens that can survive imprisonment in a "gravitational cyst(?)" through geological ages to come bug humans again, medieval society, chants that summon magical powers, mystical places called "Commons", ... Summarizing this story is not easy. If you prefer package to content, you may like this story.

Fact sheet.

First published: F&SF, February/March 2007.
Rating: C
Download full text.
Was in finals of Nebula Awards 2007 in novella category.

Note: Why is this post so short?