Posting here under threat -- I was googling around earlier and discovered that someone from Tangent Online reviewed Issue 47 of Deep Magic:

http://www.tangentonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=753&Itemid=265

Mixed review, but:

The saving grace of issue 47 appears in the form of Erin Hoffman and her fantasy piece “The Bearer.” Hoffman writes fantasy prose in an almost poetic style, and has created a wonderful story that should appeal to all the under-appreciated caregivers of the world.

Bellona is a "bearer," one who uses magic to heal and accept wounds (and the pains associated with them) into her body. Then in a secret process known only to her and other "bearers," she transfers these maladies into mysterious river rocks. Over time, she begins to resent the ambivalence her village displays toward her, and does some deliciously malevolent things to rid herself of the burden of "bearer." I enjoyed how Hoffman doesn't show her hand, allowing the reader to decide for themselves whether Bellona is losing her mind (partially due to all the pain she accepts) or she's being coerced by other forces.

While this particular issue of Deep Magic didn’t provide the quality of fiction I was hoping to receive, I would like to say that Erin Hoffman and Scott Clements are two writers that I look forward to reading again.

edit: maggiedr points out that Deep Magic is having financial troubles and is running a subscription drive. Ralan's recent newsletter mentioned specifically that they are in dire need of subscriptions with a June 10 deadline or they'll have to close the magazine. So consider the place officially plugged.