Hello there! My name is Ricky Hurlich and I am an author. Here, you will find short stories and poetry about, well, whatever I feel like. I hope you enjoy!

Below is my current work in progress, an epic fantasy adventure. Be gentle, these are still in need of a good edit!

Presenting – Veryyn’s Tale

Book One, The Harrowing

You can find my latest shorts below. For the full archives, you can find the button on the bottom.

• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 17July 3, 2024
  Veryyn closed the box, and the glowing subsided inside of their small cell. “But I don’t understand, is this small stone responsible for all of this?” Veryyn said, gesturing around. “Yes sir, sure is.” Perthran said delightedly. “With this little stone, you can power all sorts of things! You haven’tContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 17”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 16June 26, 2024
  As they crossed the threshold into the dwarven tunnels, Veryyn was taken back. In front of him laid a sprawling roadway that stretched both left and right as far as he could see. Most strange to Veryyn was the oddly bright white light that the place was illuminated with. HisContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 16”
• Surviving the DaemorJune 25, 2024
  Here is a poem, written in the fantasy world created within Veryyn’s tale. Enjoy! I waded through the fires of Daemor wrath You better believe I’m still standing tall I will bend the heavens If I choose to May my destiny blaze May my foes taste ashes The world’s onContinue reading “Surviving the Daemor”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 15June 25, 2024
  The white light that emanated from above the tall iron gate was both dazzling and terrifying. Barron growled his woody growl as they approached. “What is this strange light?” Veryyn said, bewildered. Perthran and Kotia exchanged an excited glance, and the three continued towards the imposing door. “That is whatContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 15”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 14June 25, 2024
  Barron’s unease grew with each step as they ventured deeper into the dwarven tunnels. Despite the fear they had initially faced entering the tunnels, their exploration so far had been for the most part uneventful. Veryyn, Perthran, and Kotia were huddled together near a small cooking fire while Barron pacedContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 14”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 13June 1, 2024
  The ground trembled under Bradford, causing him to stir. He had rested some, but there was no light in the sky. Alert now, he bolted wide awake. From his perch wide and above the gap he looked out. In the distance came a rumbling. A sweeping black mass was difficultContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 13”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 12May 31, 2024
  One hundred and forty three men, and ninety-nine horses were torn to shreds at the hands of the Daemor. Bradford rode with all speed through the foothills, making for Nearborne. Together with his mighty steed Anemodes, he flew down the wide dusty road. He rose and fell through the rollingContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 12”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 11May 30, 2024
  “Kotia, you must look. Something is wrong.” Perthran said quietly. He thrust the looking glass into her hands and glanced at Veryyn. They exchanged a nervous look. Stretched before them, on the far side of the foothills, was the remnants of a bloody battle. Hauntingly quiet before them, there wasContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 11”
• Book 1, The Harrowing of VeryynMay 27, 2024
  Below is an early edit the first ten chapters of Veryyn’s tale. Enjoy! Chapter 1 – The Thief and his Maiden “Grab ‘em!” The guardsmen shouted, their voices echoing fiercely as they raced after two shapes. They were navigating through a dirty, mostly forgotten dead-end alleyway. The sense of urgencyContinue reading “Book 1, The Harrowing of Veryyn”
• Veryyn’s Tale, part 9May 7, 2024
  The sun hung high in the sky as the four trudged through the rough forest. After some debate in the morning, Veryyn and Perthran had come to an agreement about the best route to try and access the sprawling dwarven complex that wove through the Dragonsback mountains. The next nearestContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, part 9”
• Veryyn’s Tale, part 8May 6, 2024
  Stirring from an uneasy sleep, Kardone roused slowly. He had not slept well after the mixed reports he had received from his scouts the day before. Six companies of men had been sent to secure the Nearlands. The cleansing of his castle and city had gone off relatively smoothly. InContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, part 8”
• Veryyn’s Tale, part 7May 5, 2024
  “I am not one to speak of my personal business before a proper introduction. I believe that an elf from the west would be more rare a sight than visitors from Garamas. What is your name?.” Perthran said pointedly. Veryyn was confused. In his many long years, he had neverContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, part 7”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 6May 2, 2024
  Veryyn cleaned his slender blade in the low grass and stooped low to give his four-legged friend some attention. Barron wallowed in the affection from his master. The elf felt no remorse for the quick deaths he had given. A great anger boiled inside of him, as we began hisContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 6”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 5May 1, 2024
  Garrett hastened his step as the dogs picked up fresh scent. “Yaevagrim, look there!” He exclaimed. From the beaten path, the small party had strayed maybe half a mile at the dogs’ signal. In front of them nestled between two trees was a low shelter. “Stragglers, round them up, men.”Continue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 5”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 4April 30, 2024
  A great rumbling filled the valley. An exhausted Evie allowed her eyes to open, and quickly she shook Veryyn awake. “Veryyn, Something’s happening!” Evie said nervously. Together they crawled out of their inconspicuous shelter. The sun was already rising high in the sky. “We slept too well Evie.” Veryyn said.Continue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 4”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 3April 27, 2024
  Veryyn awoke with a jolt. Anxious dreams kept him from proper rest, but surely he could lay idle no longer. Crawling out of the large bed, he dressed and made for the entryway. Barron stirred and circled about his feet. “I need to see the sky. You too bud?” VeryynContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 3”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 2April 26, 2024
  As the sunlight streamed in through the narrow stone windows, the captain sat in a tall, intricately carved chair pondering the events of the night prior. The blue crushed velvet cushion still felt foreign to him, despite his time as acting steward of the proud city. A loud knock cameContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 2”
• Veryyn’s Tale, Part 1April 25, 2024
  “Grab ‘em!” The guardsmen shouted as they pursued Veryyn and Barron swiftly down a dirty, mostly forgotten dead-end alleyway. Cornered now, Veryyn calmed his companion. “Easy boy…” Barron released a low snarl, his face contorted and viney. “Come now, you’ve nowhere to go, outlaw. Calm your beast and come withContinue reading “Veryyn’s Tale, Part 1”
• Heart of GoldNovember 21, 2023
  In the symphony of despair, where notes of surrender dance with shadows, I found strength cloaked in the tattered shreds of peace abandoned. The tongues of this world, like serpents, spew venomous songs that whisper deceit, claiming debts from a universe indifferent to pleas. It’s a cruel waltz, where loveContinue reading “Heart of Gold”
• “No Thank You” ChallengeNovember 16, 2023
  Attached is a piece of flash fiction, with exactly 100 words including the phrase “no thank you”. Let’s see yours! My digital timekeeper unrelentingly shrieked its call to awakening, wrenching me from a dreamless slumber. At 7 a.m., a cruel hour, I grappled with the semi-darkness, my hand blindly questingContinue reading ““No Thank You” Challenge”
• The Tiger and the SnakeNovember 15, 2023
  Where death’s cruel embrace lingers and the legacy is but ashes, a father decaying in the clutches of addiction unravels a tale of relentless obsession and shadows that whisper chilling lullabies, begging for the sleep that eludes them. In the dimly lit room, the emaciated figure of Samuel Holloway hunchedContinue reading “The Tiger and the Snake”
• Land of NodNovember 14, 2023
  Beneath the boughs of twisted trees, a saga unfurls,A tapestry of shadows, where the heart swirls.Families entwined in a web of deceit,In a realm where redemption and darkness meet. Silent whispers echo through the night,Secrets veiled in the pale moonlight.Brothers bound by a covenant strained,In the dance of shadows, truthContinue reading “Land of Nod”
• Quiet TaleNovember 13, 2023
  Peace in your absence Villainous in your story Worth the quiet tale
• A Burden, A LamentNovember 13, 2023
  In the scorched city, death’s cruel scorn,Ashen remnants, a legacy born.A decaying father, addiction’s kin,His life in flames, consumed within. Chased away by fixations dark,A walking corpse, a soul marked.Creation turned to hunger’s throes,No end in sight, the obsession grows. Legs move forward, a relentless stride,Addictions itch, at his throat,Continue reading “A Burden, A Lament”
• Cradled VersesNovember 12, 2023
  In quiet hush, a muse calls my name,Words dance in my mind, a literary game.Yet, nestled in warmth, a sickly embrace,A sleeping baby, a tender, sweet space. The keyboard whispers, a silent plea,As tiny breaths weave a lullaby for me.Desires to write, an unwritten tale,But cradled in stillness, we softlyContinue reading “Cradled Verses”
• The AssaultNovember 7, 2023
  In the dimly lit room, where beer bottles and band magazines were scattered like forgotten relics, a wet crack shattered the early morning peace. Taylor’s eyes snapped open as an unexpected wave of pain seared across his face, leaving him disoriented and in agony. He could feel the warm stickinessContinue reading “The Assault”
• The Pebble and the BarrelNovember 7, 2023
  Part 1: The Discovery I stood alone in my dimly lit underground laboratory, surrounded by a labyrinth of machinery and humming computers. A white lab coat draped over my shoulders, and my bulky prescription lenses shielded my eyes as I meticulously adjusted the dials and monitored the holographic displays. TheContinue reading “The Pebble and the Barrel”
• Humans Are a Curious RaceNovember 4, 2023
  Humans are a curious race. The choice that had been made was nothing short of a revelation that left my fellow Daelen in absolute disbelief. It was a decision that defied the norms and traditions of our species, one that none could have anticipated. Instead of remaining on our lushContinue reading “Humans Are a Curious Race”

More about the Author

This is the story of an author’s journey, a quest to transform dreams into reality, and to find the elusive harmony between the world’s unrelenting demands and the fervent desire to write. It’s intended to be a tale of resilience, a testament to the enduring power of passion, and a tribute to the belief that the timeless art of storytelling can find its place in the relentless march of time.

For those who wish to delve deeper into my work, I also invite you to check out my published writings on Amazon. There, you will find a more extensive collection of my stories, each a labor of love, meticulously crafted for your reading pleasure. I am profoundly grateful for the support of my readers, for it is your appreciation and encouragement that fuels my passion for storytelling. Together, we embark on a literary adventure, one page at a time, and I am thrilled to have you along for the ride.

Thanks for stopping by!