The Old Phoenix Tavern

About this book

Somewhere beyond space and time stands an inn that no map can show: the Old Phoenix Tavern. Its door opens only for travellers from many worlds and many histories, and its hospitality asks no coin. Here a hot bath, a roast dinner and a warm fire wait for anyone who finds the way in. There is a price, though. Nobody may stay longer than a single night, and nobody may leave by any door but the one they came through. In this tale by Poul Anderson, a classic master of science fiction and fantasy, the weary Cavaliers Prince Rupert and Will Fairweather stumble in out of a storm and meet their genial, bald, twinkling host, who calls himself Taverner. In the taproom they find a giant of a man named Holger, a clever young woman from another time-line, and a glamorous stranger by the hearth who has plans of her own. Witty, warm and full of wonder, this story of crossed destinies and parallel histories is perfect for readers who love time-travel puzzles, Arthurian and Faerie-tinged fantasy, and the great storytelling of the golden age. About 17,000 words, ideal for one evening's reading. Start reading online instantly in your browser, with no download needed.

Author

Poul Anderson

Length

~61 pages

Reading time

1 h 13 min

Chapters

7

Released

November 11, 2026

Languages

🇬🇧 EN · 🇵🇱 PL · 🇩🇪 DE · 🇫🇷 FR · 🇪🇸 ES · 🇮🇹 IT · 🇧🇷 PT-BR · 🇲🇽 ES-MX · 🇵🇹 PT · 🇺🇦 UK · 🇨🇿 CS · 🇸🇰 SK · 🇬🇷 EL · 🇭🇺 HU · 🇹🇷 TR · 🇳🇱 NL · 🇷🇴 RO · 🇧🇬 BG · 🇭🇷 HR · 🇷🇸 SR · 🇸🇮 SL · 🇱🇹 LT · 🇱🇻 LV · 🇪🇪 ET · 🇸🇪 SV · 🇩🇰 DA · 🇳🇴 NB · 🇫🇮 FI · 🇯🇵 JA · 🇰🇷 KO · 🇨🇳 ZH · 🇹🇼 ZH-TW · 🇮🇩 ID · 🇻🇳 VI · 🇹🇭 TH · 🇮🇳 HI · 🇸🇦 AR · 🇮🇱 HE

Formats

eBook

Print format

Paperback, 13.5 × 21 cm, 64 pages

Age rating

Teen 13+