After the Song

They sing songs for heroes, but what happens after the song ends? 

After the Song is a speculative fiction novella that follows Varro in the aftermath of victory as he reckons with what remains between former allies and enemies alike. The story explores how change reshapes identity, belief, and loyalty once certainty has fallen away, and the weight of expectation, guilt, and loss long after the battle is won.

Told through a close first-person lens, the narrative follows Varro as he reconnects with those he once fought beside, revealing the fractures and enmities that emerge when shared purpose no longer exists. As old roles collapse, the story explores the responsibilities they have for one another, the difficulty of rapprochement, and the uncertainty of choosing what comes next.

After the Song was submitted to The Malahat Review for the 2026 Novella Prize. If chosen, After the Song will be shared in the 2026 Summer Issue.