"Feast", pg 21

by G.L. Francis
"Machetes and Machineguns", pg 18
by Jacob Lindaman
"Embers", pg. 3
by Johanan Rakkav
Published by Glyn Shull
Edited by G.L. Francis
Artwork by Cody York
Issue 14
January 1st, 2013
Think that artwork is awesome? Look again, no, really look. Hard. How do you think that artwork was
made? What if I told you that it was made via spraypaint and a lighter? Insane, right? I found this artist,
Cody York, while still in the Army and offered to showcase his work here. I was flabbergasted to say the
least when he told me, and now, I get to tell you. Amazing, huh?
Now on to the rest of the issue! We have three powerhouses of fiction packed into this short eZine! First
up, we have Embers by the infamous Johanan Rakkav. His work is always simply amazing. Set in his
massive world that we have all come to know in love, I know that you will be as enthralled by it as we
were.. Next up we have someone I used to call a newbie to the scene, but no longer! With multiple
publications to his name, Jacob Lindaman can now enter the ranks of Veteran authors with the inclusion of
Machetes and Machineguns into this issue. His work is always top notch and never what one would
expect. This last name you might have heard of. G.L. Francis. Yep... TC2s own, G.L. is one of my very
favorite authors and I adore each and every thing she slides across my desk, er, screen, as I know you do,
too.
And theres lots, lots more to come! I am proud to announce the up and coming publication of TC2s first
ever solo publication. God have mercy on us all! Recently we have been working on the concept of a
single author anthology that will showcase their work, get everyones name out there, and lend a little
credence beyond the self publishing genre.The lucky guineypierauthor is the esteemed G.L. Francis, who
finishes this issue out. This collection of stories, entitled, The Kamanthian Chronicles: Catalystica end
in the story The Doker of the Dragon Lair, published back in April 2012, and is jam packed with
mystery, intrigue, terror, and romance. It is about a group of adventurers all seeking a single thing: the Lair
of the Beasts! Within this lair is rumored to be the last remaining magical creatures of legend: The Sphinx,
The Gryphon, The Dragon, The Unicorn, and more! Each seeks the lair for their own reasons, but none
shall find exactly what they seek.
The next publication in the chute is due out on May 15th . Like us on facebook for more details!
All in all, a fantastic year ended and a better one begun. May God rain His blessings down on you all, and
remember: keep writing!
Glyn Shull
Founding Editor The Cross and the Cosmos
Published by Glyn Shull
Edited by G.L. Francis
Artwork by Cody York
Issue 14
The Cross and the Cosmos
Embers
EMBERS
By Johanan Rakkav
Part One
The Levani sharpshooter pressed a hand to the stitch in her side, a spasm with fangs and claws
tearing into her ribs and lungs, and willed her burning legs to move faster. Her ragged, stentorian
breath couldnt mask the thunder of the knights horses closing behind her, but their halfwolf
trackers were almost impossible to locate by ear.
Idiot! Iranna Mirinifer thought bitterly. Scouting so far into Freeland without escort and then trying
to cross the border in broad daylight! Now my report will never reach Emberland.
She leapt over a rotting tree trunk, stumbled, then regained her stride. She reached down into
what little was left of her egostrength to pull a defensive concealment charm around her. Hide in
plain sight. Veil in hues of trees and grass. Blind them to
A halfwolf crashed into her. She kept her footing, but before she could draw the long sword from
its scabbard on her back, another canine bodyslammed the backs of her knees and she fell
backwards. Desperately, she rolled, stood in a defensive crouch, and drew the curved dagger
from her belt. More halfwolves appeared, snarling and snapping from every side of her but
leaping clear of her dagger. On her knees, she snarled back at them and twisted, lashing her
dagger out at any that lunged too close.
A bluntpointed morning star mace struck her left cheek, tearing a line of searing pain across her
face. Dazed, she looked up and focused on the Adami knight. I could have taken you down,
knightany Levani man, woman, or child could in fair combat.
The halfwolves drew back as the other knights dismounted from their horses. Four strong men
disarmed Iranna of her dagger, sword, bow, and quiver and then pinned her spreadeagled to the
ground. She thought the knight who had hit her might strike her dead out of vengeance she had
emptied her quiver felling a dozen of his comrades. His helmet hid any expression except
narrowed eyes. His mace tumbled to the ground and his hands dropped to his belt. Horrified,
helpless, Iranna watched the knight unfasten the buckle.
Let there be Light!
And there was light! Incredible, inexplicable, ineffable light! Four pairs of hands released their
grips as their owners screamed in agony the fifth mans scream was cut short as the sounds of
hooves, howls, and terrified whinnies rose from behind him.
It takes a great deal to make a trained Levani warrior, even one so exhausted, faint dead away,
but Iranna did so.
**********
Iranna awoke well after sunset to find herself flat on her back a moderate distance away from a
campfire, and on some kind of durable padding. Surprised she was unbound, she rose to a
sitting position and looked around. Not far away lay her sword and her dagger as well as her
bow and quiver the last had been refilled with arrows by some yetunknown means.
No one was in the clearing, at least not visibly thick woods stood all around it. The scouts ego
strength had fully recovered, and she invoked a cloaking spell and tried to slip away into the
darkness.
January 1st, 2013
Johanan Rakkav 4
No, she told herself when she encountered and then ran her hands over an invisible barrier.
Some halfspherical ward beyond any magic my people have ever used surrounds this clearing.
It lets in air and it lets out smoke, but it stops me.
Despite her predicament, Iranna laughed quietly to herself. Plenty of little suckerbugs, females
who needed blood in order to make their eggs, buzzed in frustration against the ward on the
outside. Within the wardso far as her sensitive ears could tellnone seemed to have survived.
Well, said a male voice in perfect if strangely accented Common, I did want to make you
comfortable
Iranna whirled and saw a man standing by the campfire bearing a onehanded sword in a
scabbard on his back the scabbard was deep charcoal gray with ivory white trim, and his
hooded cloak, belt, pants and boots were also charcoal gray. Only his shirt was ivorywhite. A
ring on each finger glinted in the light of the campfire, as did the clasp of his hood. Something
about the cloak, the sword, and the ringsparticularly the swordspoke to Irannas Levani
intuition: those tools drew on high magic indeed, perhaps something far higher than magic.
Who are you? Iranna demanded in Common. The man was, after all, Adami and therefore
wouldnt know her usual Angelic
Tch! Such distrustand after all I did to rescue you, said the man wryly in Angelic as he pulled
down his hood.
No Adami should look so fair, the Levani thought in mild shock. Leaving aside the lack of pertly
pointed ears and the relatively small eyes, he couldve passed easily as one of her kind. Well, a
rather short man among her kind, but
If you are the one who saved me, Iranna went on undaunted in Angelic, then why are you
holding me captive?
Who says Im holding you captive?
You are Adami, and you have imprisoned me in a ward. For all I know, you seek to hold me for
ransom, to sell me into slavery, or even to take for yourself what the knights could not.
To Irannas amazement, the man suddenly doubled over with laughter and collapsed to his
knees. Ah, me, he said at last with a broad grin when he recovered, do you seriously think
wed be having this conversation at all if I didnt have good intentions toward you?
Now Iranna was truly perplexed. And then you leave yourself open to my counterattack
Which should tell you something. More than one thing, actually. The man rose to his feet, only
halfsmiling now. I know you respect strength when used wisely. I also know you have excellent
reasons to distrust the Freelanders. Im not a Freelander, but I am an Adami. And yet, if I could
overcome five armored knights and all their animals with them, then I could overcome you. So
why havent I?
Iranna frowned. A pointed question. Adami men covet our beauty and even more the beauty of
the Enoshi daughters who come from our union with them. Even though Enoshi women cannot
bear children to Adami men, the men still covet them.
Then the ward is to protect me from further attack? she went on after a long moment.
Yes. Its meant to make you feel safernot less safe. I can lower it if you prefer
The Cross and the Cosmos
Embers
Where are my attackers?
The horses and canines fled for their lives. The men are quite dead, starting with your wouldbe
violator. Their bodies and their armor will never be found. My Starblade took care of that. The
man patted the hilt of his sword, yet there seemed something oddly rueful about his facial
expression as he did. I never like using Shalhevetyah, but those men really had it coming.
Iranna frowned again.
Oh, dont worry, the man went on. Im quite happily married, youre well inside Emberlands
borders, any Freeland trackers out there couldnt find us if their lives depended on it, theyd
never get past Raphaels nshield if they did, and Ill get you home well in time tomorrow to warn
your people about the army theyre building to exterminate you.
Irannas eyes widened. Whowhat are you?!
I never introduced myself, did I? Now the mans whole demeanor changed, from the inside out,
and his voice became warm and gentle. Well, Im a Lightchild: potentially, the most powerful of
our kind. I go by many names in many Realms, but here and now as Alain Harper the Undying
Singer. And you, as I already know, are Iranna Mirinifer. Yours is certainly a Levani name if there
ever was one.
By then, Alain had walked over to Iranna and stood at a comfortable distance from her. She was
a head taller than his fivefootten frame, lithe, long of limb, athletically curvaceous, blueeyed
with reddishblonde hair extending to the small of her back, and as was typical of female
Levanim, smallbreasted. She wore over her huntersgreen cloak a leatherlike tan tunic, which
served well as light armor. Her braces and her greaves were of the same material.
Artificial polymer, Alain noted as his Sentrys Contact Lens Mode displayed information about
the tunics material on his corneas. Im impressed.
Polymer?
Thats right, you dont know chemistry, do you?
Our heads, hearts, and hands are not in such work. The Freelanders have chemistry, we have
alchemy. We can duplicate some of their results without causing the same harm to other living
things they often do.
I see. I shouldve expected that. The Levanim where I come from can do similar things and for
the same reasons.
What Levanim? Where do you come from?
I was born on the moon of a world orbiting a star so far away that its light would take over thirty
thousand of my peoples Standard Years to get here. Closer to thirtytwo thousand years, in the
case of your world your suns a tad smaller and cooler than mine, so your year is shorter.
Could I see your sun from here at night?
No. Its just a mote lost in the Ring of Stars and hidden by its clouds of dust and gas.
This is all very, very strange.
Lets sit down on that log by the fire. Let me heal the gash on your face and anything else which
January 1st, 2013
Johanan Rakkav 6
needs healing. I can get us some food very quickly. We can eat and talk.
**********
The Adami was as good as his word. His blue eyes turned brown as his SentryRaphael
Goldwing, he called himturned into a floating crystalline sphere of deep sky blue. A mirrorlike
portal appeared out of nowhere on command, and Alain walked into it. In a few minutes, he
brought back some kind of travelers rations.
Raphaels otherspace closet is behind that mirror, Alain explained as the mirror vanished. Its
where I store things. I apologize for not taking time to cook something from scratch. Its
something I enjoy doing and most people say I do it well.
But few were the armies, Levani or Adami, on Irannas world that ever enjoyed such flavorful
rations. The campfire heated the trays they were in as they rested on a clear plate Raphael
generated much as he generated the hemispherical nshield surrounding the camp.
While the trays were heating, Alain turned his left hand a glowing blue and healed the gash on
Irannas face almost instantly. He also healed the other wounds both body and garments had
suffered in her recent journeys. As he worked, he noted the Levanis regal bearing, the perfect
symmetry of her face such as no mortal Adami could match, andmost importantly for his
interesthow she took in information and then decided what to do with that information.
A Feni for certain: one of the types that either has to be firmly in charge or else to follow
someone who is. Shes chiefly concerned with the welfare of her tribe, and then with future
trends as they affect her tribe. She was a very good choice as a scout and a sharpshooter. But
she could also lead her tribe, and one day she probably will.
You are an extraordinary being, Iranna remarked while they were eating and drinking. Not
even our Hegemon can wield the power you do, or anything like it. It is like nothing I have ever
encountered or heard of, save in our tribal tales.
Who wields the kind of power I do in your tales?
The One we serve in fading memory that is why we call ourselves the Embers. We keep alive
what remains of the way taught by Lord Joshua Davidson to our ancestors. He taught our foes,
too, but they have forgotten Him entirely. And you say He is your Lord, too?
Yesand the One who empowers me with the White Hand. Thats the Power I used to free you
and, through my sword, to destroy your enemies.
And He has sent you to our world?
Yes. But you speak of forgetfulness. How could you possibly forget your Creator, if youve
striven to retain your memory of Him?
Iranna looked as troubled as Alain did, but she turned toward him where she sat before she
answered. We do not know. We have always relied on teaching from mouth to ear, but we are
Levanim. Our memories and our teachings should have remained as accurate, and as enduring,
as a fixed text in a printed edition. But they have not.
Why not? Now Alain looked more troubled than ever.
We know there are gaps in our knowledge of the past, too many, and yet we do not even
remember how they arose.
The Cross and the Cosmos
Embers
You said what Ive said and done is strange. What youre telling me now is even stranger. Alain
shook his head quietly. Maybe I can find out whats going on while Im here. I hope and pray so.
But you also speak of your Hegemon. She isnt an Archon?
An Archon?
A Folk Father. An archetype after which your tribe was created. Youre naturally ageless, yet you
lack the special brand of immortality a Folk Father can give you. And if you had one, surely he or
she would enable you to remember your past?
You are right. Iranna nodded slightly, reverently. Our Hegemon is a Levani, as you see me,
and she is a woman only because our men must fight. Our Folk Fathers went away long, long
ago to fight in a great war beyond the stars we can see from here. Our memories of both them
and our Lord began to fade after that this much we know. We scarcely remember anything
about any of them. What we remember, we sing to each other and we teach to our children. We
make no paintings or sculptures of them, for that is forbidden, but the songs and the words
remain, like snatches of autumn leaves in our valleys.
Do those songs help you remember the history of this world? Now Alains face conveyed
another emotion entirely. Iranna had seen such a look before. Many a bard of her people looked
so, when singing of some sweet, hidden aspiration in his soul.
You aspire to know history yourself, do you not?
I do indeed Im a Nefi. Yes, I know your people remember that shorthand at least. You call this
world Aetalnor, dont you, as the Adamim call it Erets Yemini?
Iranna frowned. Surely you have heard of the name Aetalnor before?
Not until you thought of it, no. Aetalnor: Goldblossom, you call this world. The Freelanders call it
Land of the South, for some reason lost in their own past.
You are an odd one. One moment, you seem to pick thoughts from my mind like ripe fruit from a
tree and the next, you seem to know nothing at all of my thoughts.
Thats one of the more whimsical aspects of the White Hand. Its Gift of Insight tells me only
what I need to know when I need to know it should I need to know something beyond the
obvious. Go on.
Iranna shook her head slightly in renewed wonder and went on. We remember neither we nor
the Adamim were made on this world we came from some place far away long ago. Once we
learned the arts and crafts we now use, we kept them unchanged, for they fit our needs
perfectly. So, too, did the Adamim live unchanged for generations uncounted. Their soldiers were
equipped at most as you saw them yesterday, with armor and horses and nearwolves for
escort.
But this has begun to change.
Yes, and that is why I must return to Firesidethat is our chief campand warn our people.
The Adamim have not always called themselves Freelanders in Common and the strange thing
is they have become much less free since they have. But that is not the worst of it. Somehow,
some of them are learning terrible arts and crafts, making things of metal and crystal and what
they call chemistry and fuel and explosives. And what did you say? Polymers? Yes. And
some of the things they make from them can fly they can drop fighting men wherever they
please, and they can spit fire and chunks of metal. And they can make other things they can
January 1st, 2013
Johanan Rakkav 8
carry, things that spit pellets of metal and throw fire. Their new battle armor is terrible to behold,
and all but proof against our arrows. They ride in metal wagons without horses and without
magic, wagons that run faster than horses for hours on end. I have spent many months of great
peril learning these things.
Alain put his left hand to his chin and looked at Iranna thoughtfully. You showed great skill
indeed in learning them, he said after a moment, and in returning almost all the way home to
Emberland afterward. Had you waited to cross the border by night, it wouldve been well for you.
You need not remind me of my own folly, Iranna replied, yet her reproof was gentle and even a
little shamefaced. I should have thanked you long ago for saving me from it.
Youre welcome. Undoubtedly, youve guessed I was following you. I was, invisibly, since you
left the town of Matoq, and so I was near when the knights caught up with you. But how is it you
possess this one glorious land of mountains and valleys and the Freelanders possess the rest of
the world?
It was not always so what should I call you?
Master Alain will do, if Alain is too informal. Im what my people call Starbard and Blademaster,
Level Five in both cases.
Master Alain, then. The Adamim have always bred much more quickly than we and this land
has always been the heart of our domain on Aetalnor. So we found ourselves in little conclaves
among neighbors who numbered ten, then a hundred, then a thousand times more than we. And
the more numerous they became, the more estranged they became from us.
Why is that? By now, Alains voice and demeanor had calmed Irannas ingrained fears about
his people, and he was fully turned toward her and engaged with her.
Even more quickly than we, Iranna went on, why we know not, the Adamim abandoned their
memories of our Lord. But only recently have they begun the open worship of some new god. He
too goes by many names, but one of their favorites is Blackthorn the Imprisoned. They now
make images of him and they take care to follow some set pattern. Those knights who serve him
wear the glyph of the SevenHeaded Dragon, a red dragon. And as their worship of Blackthorn
has grown, their hatred of us has grown with it, and they have sought to exterminate us in every
place where we live. Now only Emberland is left to us the inhabitants of our other lands have
fled here, those who were not killed or, if your words are true, taken captive.
They mean to take Aetalnor for their own. Alains face and voice were grim. Milady, you arent
the only one whos been walking among the Freelanders of late. But for me, the journeys been
less perilous my Cloak of Shadow hides me as deeply as need requires, and no mortal or tools
made by mortals can overcome the White Hand or the tools I wield. Have you seen flying things
descend from the sky, the very deep sky? They wouldve appeared like this. Raphael, project a
data pane and then display a slideshow of the major classes of starships from the Rim
Confederacy. Include the Adventuressclass Warbird as one of the classes.
Iranna marveled as a pane of force appeared suspending in midair and then as pictures as real
as life appeared on it. No, I have seen none of these. They are even more terrible to behold
than what I have seen. That Warbird, as you call it, is enormous.
Theyre vessels able to travel from star to star, quickly. Ive seen several of these vessels land
near the place where those things you saw are being made: mostly Raptorclass Raiders, but
also an Adventuressclass Warbird. Raphael repeated the appropriate slides as Alain spoke.
Some people from beyond your world, people loyal to Nicholas Blackthorn the Disciple of
Chaos, are teaching the Adamim here how to make advanced weaponsalthough nowhere
The Cross and the Cosmos
Embers
near as advanced as the best they wield themselves.
You just spoke the full proper name and epithet of their new god. Is he real? Do you know him?
Know him? I fought him. Hes no god, but to a lot of people, hes close enough. Hes an Archon,
the mightiest of all, and once the Folk Father placed in charge of my people but he abandoned
his charge. Instead, he became the Hegemon of many peoples who followed his rebellion
against the Lord Davidson. Hes presently imprisoned in a place called the Shadow Realm. Your
own Folk Fathers probably left to fight in the War of the Great Rebellion, hopefully against him
and not for him, and if they havent returned then they mustve perished in the war.
Surely you are not that ancient?
No, Im not. You, your Folk Fathers and the Adamim mustve come here during the time we call
the Dispersion and the Great Rebellion happened at the end of that period. Nicholas lost that
war, but he wasnt destroyed, he only went into hiding. I was born four thousand years later, not
long after he reappeared, and I became his chief foe among the Created. He began another war
in due time, greater than the first. The Lord through me and my kind overcame him, and he was
imprisoned in the Shadow Realmbut some of his followers still live, hoping for his return and
carrying on his cause in his stead.
All this is a tale you must tell all of us, and in full.
What we know of the present threat is the more important tale. If that threat isnt stopped therell
be no one here to remember your past.
Then should we not depart for Fireside at once? I have no difficulty traveling in the dark, and I
can lead you through any and all obstacles.
It was the wrong thing to say, but Alain Harper only laughed. Youre not dealing with a mortal
Adami, Irannaremember? I can travel in the darkest night, thanks to my Sentrys Contact Lens
Mode, and I can generate my own light at need. His right hand glowed a brilliant white to
underline the point. Besides, you can use a rest, and so can I. In the morning, I can take you
instantly to any place you wish to go, once I know where it is. Well arrive at Fireside sooner than
going on foot by night would get us there, I wager.
I would not get there before midday, even starting from where and when you found me, and
even traveling all night without a rest. Iranna nodded. Very well, Master Alain. If you will keep
the campfire between us, I will rest with you.
Alains right eyebrow tried to ascend to his hairline. You still trust me so little?
Iranna flushed and waved her hands. No, no, you have given me enough proof of your
intentions, yet propriety has its demands.
I wouldnt have it otherwise. Well, you could sleep inside a special chamber of Raphaels
otherspace closet while I sleep out here. I normally stay in that chamber at night, but I dont have
to. Would you feel trapped by me if I let you use it?
Iranna considered the offer. I should let you keep your Sentrys secrets and your own
bedchamber as well. I am used to sleeping under the stars.
Very well. I dont doubt youll sleep with your weapons at hand, but you wont need them no
mortal gets past a Sentrys shields or his Alpha Mode with Blades Drawn. Talk to Raphael if you
need anything.
January 1st, 2013
Johanan Rakkav 10
Once the trays had been removed and the fire renewed, Alain went back into Raphaels closet
for the night, leaving what looked like a winged and living alabaster statue with lapis lazuli eyes
suspended a few inches off the ground, watching the forest around the clearing with two slender,
curved blades in his hands. With Raphael on watch, and with his transparent Shield Mode One
forming a hemisphere around the camp as well, the Levani scout felt safer than shed felt in
many weary months.
Thus secured, she slept soundly through the night, and awoke only when the light of full morning
reached her.
**********
That is Fireside, said Iranna as she pointed downward.
The Levani stood by the Lightchild on top of a tall mountain peak that faced another mountain
peak across a wooded valley carved out and rounded by an ancient glacier. Rockshapers and
toolwielders carved out a network of caves and tunnels deep into the granite of that mountain.
The only entrance is through a tunnel at the base. There is a hidden exit tunnel on the other
side. Both tunnels can pass only one warrior and his equipment at a time, passing single file,
and there are bends in both tunnels which expedite defense in case of attack.
So you can shoot those who make it past the door and into the tunnel, said Alain. I can see
windows carved high in the rock faceseveral levels of them. Many of them are occupied by
armed watchers.
Iranna nodded. You have keen eyes for an Adami.
Thats true, but at the moment Raphael is giving me a magnified view. In Contact Lens Mode,
he can grant me visual acuity equal to that of a bird of prey. Using his projected panes, I can
magnify further. Raphael, go to Planetarium Mode and scan the sky for flying and orbital
objects.
Acknowledged. Immediately, Alains deepskyblue eyes returned to their natural nutbrown and
a floating crystalline halfsphere appeared around the Lightchild and his companion. After a
while, Raphael reported, to Alains obvious relief, I am tracking no machines overhead in low
orbit or moving on the horizon.
Well, thats surprising, Alain replied. Youd think theyd have something stealthy in orbit,
monitoring this region.
They may, said Raphael. It would be difficult for me to spot even an Adventuress in broad
daylight unless it passed in front of a bright object. What loworbiting assets they may have may
be below the horizon presently as well.
I was thinking the same thing. I think wed better get under cover while we can, even if we can
cloak ourselves. Iranna, what reception will I have when we arrive?
With any grace, and thanks to my presence, the watchers on the ground will not shoot you on
sight. If your powers and your Sentry can defend against surprise attacks, then be ready to use
them.
We will be. Raphael, go to Contact Lens Mode and Freedom Level Five, but use defensive
modes only. Do not attack anyone save on direct command.
Acknowledged.
The Cross and the Cosmos
Embers
**********
Even Iranna would be hard put to predict where the watchers would be at any given moment.
They could be behind trees, up in trees, within trees, behind rocks, or hidden by their own
magical wards in plain sight. But none of these tactics were the slightest use against the Undying
Singers Gift of Foresight and Raphaels sophisticated sensors.
Instead of using the Gift of Light offensively against the hidden watchers, Alainkindly if rather
mischievously, as Iranna perceived his moodmade the watchers all glow blue with his left
hand, using the Gift of Healing in positive polarity. Some of them actually needed healing of one
thing or another, and sometimes those injuries were serious and beyond even the Levani
Hegemons ability to heal fully. And so in a few minutes, all on watch were gathered around
Iranna and the strangely garbed Adami by her side. One of them, Iranna noticed, was touching
his nowrestored left eye in obvious wonder both at its reappearance and its perfect working
order. Another was no longer limping on a prosthetic left leg, although it was a bit comical to see
her bare foot without any shoe or stocking on it.
The Levanim bantered softly in Angelic, thinking themselves safe from being understood. This
Adami knows our tongue, brethren, Iranna said loudly.
Our usual tongue, you mean, one of them replied in one of the many secret tongues invented
by the Aetalnorians.
I know that one, too, said Alain in the same language, and all the others you use among
yourselves.
The watchers cried out in dismay. Surely you cannot speak Adandal, our most difficult and
figurative of tongues? one of them challenged in that language. To rephrase what he had said
literally in Common would take three times as many words, even leaving aside a case structure
which made Angelic seem simple by comparison.
Now that youve actually spoken it, of course I can, Alain replied with perfect grammar and
inflection.
He wears the sigil of the Holy Ark at his neck, one of them exclaimed in his usual Angelic. He
seemed torn between fear, awe, and joy, and he was not alone.
But he is Adami, another of the watchers argued in Common, out of courtesy to one whom he
still didnt quite trust. The Adamim on this world have forsaken our Lord.
I wasnt born on your world, Alain interjected loudly. I come from the footstool of the Lord of the
Realms Himself: Ge/Selene, the planetmoon pair at the very heart of the Kingdom of Ariel. I am
Alain Harper the Undying Singer, and I was sent here by your Lord and mine to help you. And
you need more help than you imagine.
He saved me from violation and slaughter by Blackthorns Knights, Iranna added forcefully, so
I could bring news of the threat to you. He says he has news of his own about it, and he used
truly powerful good magic, or else something greater still, to show me some of it. May we enter
and stand before the Hegemon?
Let him come, said the tall man with the healed eye. Surely someone who did such good
things to several of us means us no harm. Let my healed eye be removed once more if he harms
us.
And my renewed foot, said the relatively short woman with the healed foot. She was only as tall
January 1st, 2013
Johanan Rakkav 12
as Alain, but didnt weigh much less, and had throwing knives at her belt endowed with a charm
of returning.
And my very life taken, Iranna added.
The tall man who had just spoken against Alain stepped forward. I am Shaelon Callirran,
Captain of the Watch, and I am responsible for the safety of my people. Never has an Adami
entered Fireside with or without escort, not even as a prisoner.
You dont take prisoners, Captain Shaelon. Neither flinching nor challenging, Alain met the
captains gaze.
Shaelon glanced at Iranna.
I told him nothing of our rules of engagement, Shaelon, she said. He has a way of knowing the
thoughts of others when it is necessary to do so.
Come, time presses, Alain urged. When were before your Hegemon, well explain why.
Captain Shaelon hesitated, then nodded. Come with me, then. You will walk behind me and
before Iranna as we pass through the halls. Ornis, Trecleo, he added, speaking to the man
whose eye was healed and the woman whose foot was restored, you will bring up the rear and
testify to the Hegemon of what this Adami has done.
**********
There was a chamber immediately behind the door large enough for a party of warriors to
assemble, and after that, a hallway wide enough to let the party pass through single file. As the
Captains party approached each bend in the passage, he spoke to the archer on watch in one
of the secret tongues, and so passed him or her in safety.
Alain marveled at the smoothness of the unadorned walls of the antechamber and the hallway.
Save for the occasional natural fissure in the granite, which had been left untouched, everything
was as polished as any specialized mechanical tools could make them. Yet when he touched the
walls with his fingertips, he perceived no machine had polished them. This was the work of rock
shapers, strong ones.
Alain had much to think about as he walked. What many beings in many Metacosmic Realms
called magic drew upon one of three levels of existence for its power. There was the quantum
mechanical sea called the Shadow Realm, the deepest and strongest of the three levels, so
much more apt to be used for evil than good, which had fueled the magic unleashed in the
Great Rebellion and the Plague War. Above this was the zone of transition, weaker in power,
from which the Imagery of Dreams arose. This level of magic could be used equally for good or
evil. Because of all this, the Levanim used only magic working on the third and everyday level
of existence, using direct and inherent mental command over matter and energy. This magic
was much more apt toward good than toward evil, but it was the weakest of the three as its
application depended wholly on ones egostrength.
The White Hand transcended all this it was purely good, and unstoppable when unchained.
Compared to it the three magics were pale indeed. This didnt stop Alain from being impressed
when any one of them, especially the socalled Good Magic of the Levanim, was used
effectively.
And the light coming from the roof is emitted by some form of luciferin, Alain noted. Theyve
tamed some kind of native organism for the purpose. Very clever.
The Cross and the Cosmos
Embers
The Lightchild had entered the antechamber with his hood up, and his Cloak of Shadow kept
anyone from being alarmed at his presence all the way to the throne room of the Hegemon,
deep within the mountain. There the real skill of the Levani artisans and rockshapers had come
to bear, for the air was fresh, sunlight came down through long passages in the rock without
admitting rain, the roof was vaulted and high, there were decorative pillars and basreliefs all
along the walls, and there was a spacious amphitheater in which the Hegemons subjects of all
ages could sit comfortably. At the center, there was a raised stage and at the back of it was the
Hegemons raised stone throne, simply wrought yet shaped for relative comfort. Those who
spoke before her did so by mounting the stage and standing or kneeling before her.
As Captain Shaelon approached the stage, he ordered the rest of his party to stand while he
ascended the stairs and met with the Hegemon. After a relatively short discussion between them
in Adandal, the Hegemon looked sharply at the hooded figure standing in the midst of the party,
and then at the Levanim before and behind him. She rose and sounded a triangleshaped gong
hanging from a frame standing by her throne, and quickly everyone in the amphitheater found a
seat. Soon others came from elsewhere in the mountainapparently everyone who wasnt
formally on watch.
I am Marildra Aerinifer, Acting Hegemon, and the Steward of the Folk Fathers, she said formally
in Common. Iranna Mirinifer of the Levanim, Alain Harper of the Adamim, ascend the stairs of
this stage and stand before me.
At the mention of the word Adamim, the audience began to murmur, and the sound increased
for a moment when Alain pulled down his hood. Iranna looked every inch the born leader as she
ascended the stairs, but she was only a Feni by personality type, and before Marilda the Teni,
even she seemed somewhat diminished. But the Undying Singer was as he had ever been the
presence and attitude of others neither exalted nor diminished him. This, too, did not go
unnoticed by many, for such personal centering was rare for a Nefi such as he obviously was.
Never since the Folk Fathers left Aetalnor, Iranna, have we allowed an Adami to come within
Emberlands borders, let alone to the very heart of Fireside. Why have you brought this one
here?
Iranna genuflected respectfully on one knee before answering. Milady Steward, this Adami
wields a magic like that of the old tales. With it, he saved me from being violated and killed by a
column of Blackthorns Knights, brought me to safety, healed and guarded and taught me,
brought me next morning in an instant to the Facing Peak and then down to the forest, and
healed several of those guarding Fireside. Ornis Dielus regained his lost eye and Trecleo
Acaedra her lost foot, without his even needing to touch them. Behold the Holy Ark on his
clothing.
Marildra leaned forward to consider the sigil on the clasp of Alains cloak and, in so doing,
exposed a similarlooking design carved or shaped into the back of her stone throne. You may
speak for yourself, Adami. First, who are you and where are you from?
To the quiet wonder of many who watched and listened, the barleyblond man merely nodded
before replying. It was as if he never bowed to anyone oras some of the more perceptive
realizedbowed to one alone.
I am called Alain Harper the Undying Singer, Starbard and Blademaster Level Five and I am
the Special Ambassador of the Kingdom of Ariel, where the Lord Joshua Davidson reigns
supreme.
And where is this Kingdom?
January 1st, 2013
Johanan Rakkav 14
It is centered on the star system from whence your Folk Fathers came millennia ago, a star
system some thirtytwo thousand of your lightyears away.
How did you get here?
This ring on my right hand, Alain replied, pointing to the Locus Ring, gives me the power to go
anywhere in the Covenant Realm I desire, instantly. I need only imagine the destination and I am
there. The Ring brought me from where I found Iranna to our camp and then to Fireside, but not
to your world. The Portal of Starlight on Ge, the world capital of Ariel, can show me unknown
places and bring me to them, as it did to Aetalnor. Alternately, I can travel between the stars in a
ship designed for that purpose.
By now, the audiences murmurs had risen to mark its astonishment, and Marilda had to sound
the gong for silence. No matter how great the threat you come to tell us about, Iranna, unless it
is due to strike this very day, we must have this mans life story in context. Tell us everything you
can which is relevant to us, Master Alain, from the beginning of your Lords Kingdom to the
present.
And so with Raphaels peerless aid, Alain described and showed how the Lord Joshua Davidson
had stepped out of the New Heavens through the Portal of Light and sang the Metacosmos into
existence, using the very sound of His most ancient name, Yehawweh. On a blueandwhite
planet tucked away in the corner of one arm of a spiral galaxy, He created organic life much as
He had eons before on a very similar planet in a very similar galaxy. This time, He created not
only Adami Men, but also other beings who knew that they knew as Men did and as even the
most clever animals did not, beings created after archetypes other than His own and granted
different destinies in His plan from the one granted to Men.
Each selfaware, nonAdami species was ruled by one or more Archons, dualphase beings after
whom each species was patterned in form. These Hegemons and their charges were scattered
like dandelion seeds to other star systems and even other Realms through the Portals of
Starlight and Twilight. Among these Scatterings were Duriel and Sylvia Wakeforest the
Hegemons of all Levanim, and their children the Folk Fathers of several Levani subgroups.
Some of these latter Archons must have brought the Levanim and their Adami fellow travelers to
Aetalnor, long millennia ago. And there were yet other Archons, manlike in form for the most part,
but left free to pursue their own ends.
There came the Great Rebellion under Nicholas Blackthorn, the probable departure of Aetalnors
Folk Fathers to fight in that war, and their apparent loss as casualties. Nicholas was banished
but not defeated, and roughly four thousand years later, he began the Locust Plague War. Alain
Harper and the Lightchildren, with their Archon and mortal allies, defeated Nicholas forces, and
the Lord Himself imprisoned Nicholas and his chief allies in the Shadow Realm.
And there he is to this day, Alain finished, but some still work for his aims and hope for his
return, and some of them have come here. Theyve been teaching the Freelanders to hate you
and now they are arming some of them to exterminate you. Iranna should now describe to you
what shes learned at such risk to her life and then I can show you what Raphael and I have
seen and confirm her words.
When all the testimony was done, including Raphaels vivid demonstration of the capabilities of
the Freelanders new war machines and personal armor and the even more terrible capabilities
of the Rim Confederacys starships, the audience was silent, unstirring. An Adami audience
mightve panicked, fearing for its lives and those of its offspring. But these were Levanim, beings
who had greater natural mastery of the Shadow sides of their minds. Even Alain, Disciple of
Light and Dark Protector though he was, had to be impressed byand grateful forthe mob
psychology of the Elves.
The Cross and the Cosmos
Embers
The Acting Hegemon rose from her throne in all dignity. What then is your counsel, Master
Alain?
Alain breathed out hard. Ive certainly dealt with more skeptical audiences, milady Steward.
Youve kept Adamim away from here for countless years, and yet you trust my testimony so
readily?
We are Levanim, Master Alain. We are not invulnerable to deception, but we do know truth
when it speaks for itself.
Then your opening questions were but a formality?
A needful set, to be sureno doubt you perceive my fundamental temperament and its
demands, yet we also know an authentic being when we meet one. You are a credit to your kind
in that way and also, I perceive the Power which dwells within you. We sing of that Power, and
the music of our songs is a distant memory of it. Were you not named the Undying Singer, I
would yet call you song incarnate.
In my Lords Kingdom, your people are known for their perceptiveness and yet you flatter me.
You are not given to false modesty, Master Alain that, too, I perceive in you. Do not exercise it
in my ruling presence now it does not become you.
Alain flushed despite himself. Neither does true egotism, milady Steward.
Marildra suddenly laughed. Which, I gather, many have accused you of having?
It does seem to be an occupational hazard, milady.
Marildra laughed again. You need not apologize to me for your strength of spirit, Master Nefi. I
am a Teni, after all. In less pressing times, I would ask you to sing for usto sing songs of
yourself, your home, your travels, your people, and above all your Lord and King. And I would
have you hear our songs about our Lord, and tell us what you think of them.
Maybe well have time for all that, milady, to encourage your people in their straits. Meanwhile,
you should gather all of your people here, before the Freelanders are ready to attack you in
force. Ill find and bring the Levanim and any halfbreed Enoshi children who may be in Freeland,
all who are willing to come. Id prefer to bring their Adami mates with them, if possible.
There was some murmuring in the audience at this, but Marilda held up her hand and silenced it.
All who are willing to stand against the Freelander threat are welcome under my hegemony. We
were once brethren, we and the Adamim, and we should become brethren again with those who
are willing. I gather you will have no trouble bringing those you persuade?
None. The difficulty will lie in persuading some of them, I suspect not all captives remain
unwillingly so. How soon can you gather all your people here?
We can do so within seven days, sunset to sunset, beginning with this evening. This hall was
meant for just such a gathering at need. We will hear more from you when all of us have arrived.
I trust you need no escort out of this hall?
None, milady Steward, only your leave to depart and return, the Undying Singer replied, and
the Steward nodded. Your people will need to be prepared to succor those I bring and with any
grace, Ill be ready to speak with you after today and seven more days more have passed. Until
January 1st, 2013
Johanan Rakkav 16
then, may the Eternal bless you and keep you.
And suddenly, silently, Alain Harper vanished, his disappearance heralded only by the fiery
sparkle of the Catalysts Glyph of the Locus Ring on his right hand.
**********
What could possibly be robbing these Levanim of their historical memory? Alain wondered as he
stood under a midnight sky. It doesnt make any sense. They all want to remember the Lord and
their pastthat much is obviousbut its as if their Introverted Sensing has been subverted for
generations, little by little. And yet, they know theyve been robbed. Why is that?
Well, theres one way to reach their scattered brethren, and any Enoshi offspring they have:
through the Imagery of Dreams. And since everybody should be asleep in this part of the world,
it should be easy enough.
Alain drew Shalhevetyah his Starblade and lit it. This actso he reminded himself as a way of
focusing his attentionhelped him turn inward to his own mostlyunconscious mind, and so get
in touch with the individual and collective unconscious minds of others. It did so through Alains
Gift of Foresight, the Gift which enabled him to transcend the physical world using a meta
perspective
So you have come to my world at last, Undying Singer!
Alains eyes snapped open. Wherever he was now, its total darkness refused to be illuminated
even by the pure radiance of Shalhevetyah.
Your world? the Lightchild exclaimed indignantly, for now he perceived why the Adamim of
Aetalnor had forgotten their Lord and why the Levanim were forgetting Him. Just who do you
think you are?
Alain Harpers Bane. An excellent epithet, dont you think?
Not if I have anything to say about it!
Your Gifts and your tools are mighty, your mind is clever and youve covered your tracks well.
But now youve exposed yourself to me, all that has come to an endforever.
Alan scoffed. If you think you can kill me, you dont understand what youre up against.
If you think Im trying to kill you, you understand even less. Nicholas always said there was only
one way to beat you. It was only a question of how to apply his advice.
For no reason Alain could name, something about the darkness now made him feel trapped,
distracted, confused, defiled, and worst of all, cut off from his Lord beyond all hope of prayer.
The feeling left him shaking uncontrollably, and Shalhevetyahs inner light flickered like an oil
lamp sputtering in a gale.
Where is your arrogance now, O Fool of Many Names? The voice was hard and taunting.
Without the White Hand, youre nothing, and less than nothing!
What is this place? His words came out in a whisper, hoarsely.
An undying dirge.
The Cross and the Cosmos
Embers
Alain dropped his nowunlit Starblade, Raphael his Sentry coalesced into an inert crystal ball,
and he fell swooning with them into the darkness.
(To be continued)
**********
Johanan Rakkav is the Hebrew pen name (anglicized King James Versionstyle) of a very busy
Nefi (ENFP on the MyersBriggs grid). Besides being a consultant in Christian apologetics, he is
the editor and copublisher of the book THE MUSIC OF THE BIBLE REVEALED by the late
Suzanne HakVantoura (rakkav.com/biblemusic), a singersongwriter who plays the piano,
synthesizer, Celtic harp and tenstringed Hebrew lyre (kinnor), a lifelong lover of the natural
sciences (especially astronomy) and of speculative fiction, an enthusiast of personality type
models, and (as Jack Shepherd) the coauthor of the medieval fantasy/allegorical SF book
REALMWALKERS (tiaera.blogspot.com). His fictional Metacosmos is featured on several Web
sites (chiefly portaloflight.wordpress.com).
The Cross and the Cosmos
19 Machetes and Machineguns
Machetes And Machine Guns
By Jacob Lindaman
The Great Western Wind blew heartily from the barren steppe. Colorful banners flickered
along the length of the wall. A herd of war elephants huddled in the distance. Eve could spot
them easily enough, but what interested her was beyond the horizon.
Where are they? Tabitha asked. They should be back by now.
I know. They were wise to call upon the mighty arm of Amazonia, but I fear if they don't
return shortly, more will be lost than could've been gained.
What are you women talking about?
Sir! The women saluted the passing officer. We're keeping an eye on the Romans, sir.
Tabitha pointed towards the war elephants.
At ease, ladies. You may call me Joshua while on wall duty. This is the most intensive
responsibility you'll have. I want you at your best. Besides, your captain never commanded
Amazons before. I hope you live up to your legends. He looked to the distant soldiers. That
gathering storm out there will soon approach. Let's hope no one gets caught up in it.
And we were watching for their return, Eve said.
Joshua smiled leaving the women to their conversation. He continued his patrol along the
brim of the Great Wall until he reached the next outpost.
Abe, Joshua said to the captain in charge, how's business at Station 89?
Things are escalating. You can see the Romans gathering in the distance. They've
shown no sign of discovering our little recon mission, but that doesnt mean everything is well.
They should've been back an hour ago. I'm beginning to worry.
I'm a little worried myself. However, your 'zons seem faithful in their lookout.
They'd better! They have as much at stake as we do.
The captain handed Joshua a cold bottle of beer and offered a seat. You know, Joshua,
the worst thing about all this is that I might actually have to kill someone. I mean hand to hand
combat and everything.
You do sound worried.
Im not sure I can take another mans life. That would take an act of God. What if I dont
fight so well? What if the other guy gets me first?
I guess you'd die, right?
Arent you just a ball of encouragement. Dont you have another station to get to? He
grabbed Joshuas beer. Before either man could speak, they heard a shout from outside.
There! Captain! Captain, I see something.
The two men rushed to Eves side. She handed Joshua the peering glass. He saw an
explosion, a large plume of smoke, and two men burst through the flames. One was chopping
and hacking with a machete in each hand. The other was gunning down every man, mule, and
ox like a chainsaw blowing through a string of soft pine saplings.
Thats them, Joshua said.
Alright, ladies, keep your eye on them. Joshua
Im on it, he said as he took off back to command.
As he ran through Station 88, he instructed a messenger jay to report the situation to
command. He continued his run and by the time he arrived, command was ready to take action.
A group of soldiers trained in special operations accompanied him back to Station 89. Only six
men were in the platoon, but each was trained in a select range of skills.
Captain, I brought friends with me. Bring us up to speed with what's transpired since I
left.
Oh, of course. Here, he handed Joshua the peering glass. We tracked them through
the field until they ducked behind the rock there. The air was filled with a steady stream of
explosions and giant balls of fire. That's their sign, you know. Noah, lots of explosions and Jesus
January 1st, 2013
Jacob Lindaman 20
loves a good roasting fire. As we followed the detonations, we spotted them again on the other
side of the rock. We were able to keep on them until they went into the little forested area over
there.
They almost made it, Joshua said giving Eve back her glass.
Thats it? Youre just going to leave them?
No, no, you assume too little, captain. I'm guessing that the forested area contains some
sort of unexpected terrain. A cave or a sinkhole or something like that. They're probably pinned
down.
An explosion ripped through the distance. This time, they heard the dying cries of foolish
men. Joshua looked through the peering glass again. A wave of men surrounded the little forest,
but no one attempted to move in. He handed the glass back to Eve and turned to the platoon
leader. John, this is where you come in. Are you ready?
Yes sir.
Who are they? the captain asked.
Im not entirely sure. But I think they have something to do with Plan B.
John and his men leaped straight down from the wall. Quickly but quietly, they zigzagged
through the enemy camp. A few men spotted their position, but John took them out before they
could alert others.
Oh, no! Eve cried.
What is it? the captain asked.
Joshua took the peering glass from Eve.
Its horrible. Just horrible. Therestheres a thing out there.
Its a golem, Joshua said. Ive seen these before. They're nasty guys. This one's
especially large, too. Goliath class.
What does that mean? Tabitha asked.
They're probably doomed.
No! That cant be. That just cant be, Eve said.
Joshua picked up the glass again. He saw John and his men nearing Noah and Jesus,
but they would not make it in time. John severed a mans head clean off his neck. He held it in
his hand for a moment then hurled the head as far as he could. He would definitely not make it
now. He was taking too much time.
Where did they find these guys? Eve asked Joshua.
Im not even really sure who they are. Why do you ask?
Never mind.
Joshua looked back to Goliath. He was moving toward Noah and Jesus. Roman soldiers
were cheering. The path behind John, however, was now cleared of enemies. The soldiers had
either left camp to surround the intruders or John and his men had slain them. Watching the
scene unfold, Joshua realized there was no way John could make it. Especially, if he ripped
everyones head off.
We ought to say our prayers for them. That their deaths be quick and painless, the
captain suggested.
The group bowed their heads in a silent yet corporal prayer.
Joshua couldn't take it. He sneaked a peak through the glass to see Goliath storming
down into the wood with a massive gun in one hand and a sword in the other. The giant golem
leaped through the air and Joshua saw him no more.
Just as he lost sight of him, a piercingly loud shot rang from above. He looked up to the
roof of the turret on station 89.
It was him.
It was Moses.
Focusing down the sights of a government issued .50 Cal Barrett M107 sniper rifle and
toking on a cigar, his grizzled face remained expressionless.
The Cross and the Cosmos
21 Machetes and Machineguns
Just as He said, Moses muttered.
Goliath lay dead. The path was clear.
Noah and Jesus would be coming home.
Jacob Lindaman is an aspiring writer who desires to honor Christ through storytelling. He has
written two novels and several short stories. His story "Citra" appeared in Issue #10 of The Cross
And The Cosmos. On hot summer days, you can find him eating corn on the cob, drinking good
beer and listening to the music of Mat Kearney. He and his wife, Katey, live in Iowa with their
mutt, Anni. You can find him on goodreads.com and jacoblindaman.com.
The Cross and the Cosmos
23 Feast
Feast
by
G.L. Francis
Two sides of a penny.
Eileen wrung excess water from the washcloth. People used to say that when they were
children. They were fraternal twins, not identical ones, although family resemblance was strong.
The comment stopped when they grew into their differences, especially Eleanor's obesity.
She carried the cool washcloth to her sister's bedroom. Eleanor was asleep again but
muscle twitches and the rapid eye movement under her closed lids indicated it wasn't a restful
sleep. Eileen draped the cloth over Eleanor's hot forehead and smoothed aside a lock of blonde
hair strayed over her sister's sunken cheek.
Golden blonde was the signature hair color of the Rousette bloodline. Eileen moved for a
closer look at the forest of family pictures on Eleanor's dresser. From nearly a third of the frames,
blonde twins smiled or frowned, posing with more or less willingness for the camera. Their
mother and auntsmiling identical twins. Gramma and her sisteridentical, one smiling, one
frowning. GreatGrampa and his sisterfraternal twins.
Her gaze lingered on a handtinted tintype of greatgreat Gramma Lizzy and her sister
Laura, identical twins although Laura looked subtly older. Something had happened to Laura,
too, some strange wasting illness, wasn't it? Providing she recalled the snippets of vague family
lore correctly.
She considered all the diagnostic tests performed on Eleanor in the last several weeks.
Nothing showing on bloodwork, on xrays, on CAT scans, on MRI's. Everything "within normal
limits".
And Eleanor's weight plummeted.
There'd been a hospital stay, the doctors certain her sister was anorexic, but after a week
of 24/7 observation, even that possibility was dismissed.
And Eleanor's weight plummeted.
Had the doctors checked for anything genetic? She couldn't remember with certainty but
she didn't think so. She would suggest it at her sister's next appointment. Maybe by then she
could pry some family information from Aunt Bella or Cousin Maddy if Bella was too tightlipped.
"I'm thinner than you, 'Leen."
Eileen turned to see her sister gazing blearily at her. "You sure are." She suppressed a
shiver. Eleanor's face in the dim light looked skeletal, an appearance worsened by the dark
January 1st, 2013
G.L. Francis 24
circles under her eyes. But for the moment, her sister seemed lucid enough. "I think you went too
far in your diet."
"How much have I lost?"
Eileen returned to the bedside. "Twohundredsixteen pounds in less than three months.
Elly, you know that kind of loss isn't safe."
Eleanor's lopsided grin wasn't completely genuine. "Shortcut."
Eileen shook her head. "What are you talking about?"
"He promised it would work. I only needed one dose." She chuckled, a bitter and dry
sound with no humor.
"You took something? Some kind of drug?" Relief and dismay struggled for ascendancy
but more than either, Eileen wanted to shake her sister. "Was this guy a dealer? Did he poison
you?"
"No." Eleanor whispered the denial.
"What did he give you?"
"He said it was organic. All natural."
"So is hemlock," Eileen snapped. "Elly, what did he give you?"
"Feast."
Eileen frowned. She didn't think she was nave but she'd never heard of a drug called
Feast. "Tell me where you found this scuz. I'll call the cops. They'll catch him. They can test"
"They'll never find him." Weakness couldn't mask the longing in Eleanor's voice. "I tried to
get another dose. I would've given anything. Now I just want what I gave him back." A dry sob. "I
can't see him anymore. He's invisible to me."
"You're not making sense," Eileen said sharply. Fresh worry assailed her. Did this drug
cause brain damage, too?
"You're the only one who could see him now. Down in the river bottoms." Eleanor looked
up at her then dropped her feverish gaze. She plucked listlessly at the covers. "He's a prince.
Too Goth for your taste, 'Leen. But not creepy like the others." She chewed her lower lip then
said, "I didn't know how dangerous my own desires could be. That's what Feast is about."
"Elly, start over." Eileen forced reasonable calmness into her voice. "Who is this guy?
What did he give you? What did you have to give him for it?"
The Cross and the Cosmos
25 Feast
"I told you. It was Feast." Eleanor sounded annoyed in spite of her weakness, but her
expression became sly. "And it only cost me a few strands of hair and some tears. When I saw
him, I was crying because I was so fat."
Because you wouldn't count meals, never mind the calories. Eileen pressed her lips
together, denying the retort that flared in her mind.
"And he's a prince of the high goblins."
"High goblins," Eileen repeated flatly. Wasn't there a hot line for dealing with this kind of
problem? "High as in doped out of their minds?"
"High, as in they look like people. Or, kind of like people." Her sister hesitated then added,
"The low ones are small, creepy. Some of 'em look part animal, like birds or rodents with clothes
on." She glanced toward the photos. "They want descendants of Laura and Lizzie."
Eileen's gaze went to the tintype. Although the young women pictured were identical
twins, Laura looked older than Gramma Lizzie. Lines tracked Laura's gaunter face that were
absent from Gramma Lizzie's. Genetics? Drugs? Or was this really something different,
something strange? "What's his name, Elly? Where do I find him?"
"Danakur." Eleanor's voice was becoming groggy again. "Thorn and Ash intersection,
down near the west end of the river walk. But don't go looking, 'Leen." Her eyelids drooped,
hiding the fevered shine. "Don't let him catch you, too."
"Why us?" Eileen clenched her fists with frustration.
"Crossroads and edges and hours between," her sister muttered, her voice slurring as
sleep overtook her. "Elly is capturedwe'll share Feast with 'Leen."
Eileen shivered.
*****
Ash Boulevard ran parallel with the river walk. The east end of the park was clean, bright
with ornamental lighting, and pleasantly landscaped. Five miles west, the other end of the park
had only a parking lot, boat ramp, and the mulched head of a trail that joined with the improved
walk three miles upriver.
Eileen drove her old Buick slowly, watching for the Thorn Avenue sign. She cast
occasional glances at the increasingly rundown or abandoned building on either side of the
street. Newspapers had said the city budget fell short of completing the park project but a bond
had passed to raise funds for it. Eventually, the buildings would be demolished or renovated into
January 1st, 2013
G.L. Francis 26
quaint boutiques and upscale shops.
The overcast day slipped toward a colorless dusk, a leaden darkening of the sky. The
Thorn Avenue sign glinted dully in the Buick's headlights. Eileen turned the car and followed the
short block to its dead end at the parking lot. She steered toward the trail as she looked around
for any signs of other people. The lot was deserted.
She caught a brief glimpse of eyeshine in the trees just beyond the trailhead sign. In the
lowering light, she couldn't see the animalprobably a deer. She parked the car, killed the
engine, then studied the sparse woods of the trailhead for a few moments before shutting off the
headlights. After checking the rear and side view mirrors, she cracked the window and listened.
Nothing. The river drowned the sound of the light breeze.
She got out of the car but stood in the open door. She pressed down the door lock as she
scanned the area. If she had to jump back in the Buick, she wanted it secure against anyone
trying to get in with her. She turned, facing the rear of the car.
"Eileen."
She whirled then winced as her calf caught the lower corner of the door.
The man leaned casually against the front side of the Buick just beyond the driver's door.
Silver chains and studs gleamed against his black leathers. His open jacket revealed a black
shirt unlaced halfway down his chest. A shining pendant in the shape of a glass amphora hung
from a thin silver cord against his skin. Dark hair stirred in the breeze around his pale face and
exposed the pointed tip of an ear, pierced with a silver hoop. He tilted his head. His dark yellow
eyes glowed briefly with eyeshine as they caught the Buick's interior light.
Not a man, Eileen thought. Holy cow, it really is a goblin! Elly was right.
He looked around the deserted parking lot. "Do close the door, lady. The light might attract
the wrong attention on a derelict dusk like this." He gestured toward the trees. "Who knows what
soil feeds their hungry, thirsty roots?" A quick smile, a flash of slightly pointed teeth. "Or what
else might be around here?"
Eileen disengaged the lock then pushed the door closed enough to douse the light but not
enough to latch. She kept a grasp on the handle. "You know my name," she observed. "Did
someone tell you?"
He smiled with the indulgence of a pet owner when the puppy or kitten has done
something cute. "Eleanor mentioned it, but I've known it since you were born."
Eileen lifted an eyebrow. "Have you, now?" She thought he didn't look much older than
she was. "And why is that?"
"Your family is of interest."
The Cross and the Cosmos
27 Feast
Eileen felt her hand twitch. She wanted to slap the coolly amused expression off his face.
She tightened her grip on the door handle. "So, we're interesting. That's nice." Give him nothing.
The smile broadened. His amusement seemed more authentic. "Aye, lady. Ever since
Lizzie eluded the Low Goblin Court and rescued Laura as well. They were always able to
capture a member of every generation before that. Lizzie broke the tradition. The Low Court lost
their claiming entitlement."
"Sorry. I've never heard of such nonsense." She kept her voice light. "What's the purpose
of this entitlement?"
"The one who claims can completely enter your world."
A life for a life? Eileen wondered. "And has it ever worked?"
"Perhaps. I don't know." He thrust his hands into his jacket pockets. "Anyway, the right to
claim from your family passed to the High Court. To me."
"Well, Danakur, I would be happy for you." She was pleased to see his eyes widen at the
sound of his name. "But I'm afraid I have to tell you that you can't claim me. And I'm here to
reclaim my sister."
He barked a rough, scathing laugh with no mirth. "You think you're stronger than Lizzie?"
"No," she said softly. "Only stronger than you."
"Ah, but I know every human has desires." He pulled one hand from his pocket and
opened his fingers. On his palm, a tiny, blue sphere shimmered like a pearl. "Wouldn't you
experience the Feast of your greatest desire?"
Eileen stepped closer to him and looked at the sphere. She could feel a tidal pull of
longing and, yes, she could so easily accept the Feast. Another step. What lay on his palm was
the most wonderful treasure in the world. It assured fulfillment, contentment, beauty, wealth,
peace. She wanted, needed to reach out for it. Whatever she yearned for, the Feast would
provide.
Empty promises.
"That's a pretty thing," she said politely. She raised her eyes to meet his and smiled. "And
what would a goblin prince desire, Danakur?"
He seemed momentarily unsettled by her question. His eyes glittered like chips of dark
citrine. "You could satisfy this heart, my lady," he whispered.
"But there must be a reason. A bargain. Isn't that right? Isn't that how it works? Other than
a bauble," she flicked a hand dismissively at what he held, "what can you possibly offer someone
like me?"
January 1st, 2013
G.L. Francis 28
"What would a lady like you desire?" he countered.
She tilted her head, a deliberate pose to appear both thoughtful and coquettish. After a
moment, she said, "You know, I really can't think of anything. I like who I am. I enjoy discovering
my potentials. I even take pleasure in lessons from my failures and weaknesses." She gave him
another sunny smile. "You've got nothing I want."
A wince of muscles around his eyes told her the words struck as surely as a blow. "I could
give you time," he said. "Nearly ageless time in my timeless world to explore your possibilities."
"Ah," she breathed. "But part of the challenge is in knowing the clock is ticking, knowing
there's a deadline."
"My lady ..." He faltered, looked away. He replaced the Feast into his pocket. When he
returned his gaze to her, his former arrogance was gone. "I've watched you for a long time. Lady,
I would offer you love."
She lifted her chin and pinned him with an affronted stare. "What do you know of love?
You don't even know how to be a friend." This time, she saw a definite flinch but a violent violet
aura also shimmered over him then sank into him as though he'd absorbed it. Her skin prickled.
What little she remembered about goblins came from fairy tales. None of them mentioned
anything like this. She wanted to jump back in the Buick and slam the accelerator to the floor.
But Elly will die if I do, she thought coldly. Don't let him see fear. "You only want to
possess," she accused.
"That's not true." No arrogance now, but anger snarled his words.
"You only speak of desire." She held the tone of her voice level, refusing to allow the
slightest quaver.
"That's a lie! I spoke of love!"
Was there a hint of desperation in his tone? She went on relentlessly. "You deceive. You
imprison. You destroy."
His anger collapsed. Unfeigned hurt was naked in his expression. "What would it take for
you to think well of me, Eileen?"
Did she hear contrition in his low voice? Don't weaken, she told herself. Don't let pity
undermine duty. "I don't know." She pressed the advantage. "Any gift you give has a price. Any
kindness you do has strings attached. Any love you offer is conditional." She noticed his hand
stray toward the small amphora but she kept her gaze locked on his face as she went on. "You
give me no reason to believe or trust you. Or love you. Or simply like you."
An oddly hungry look crossed his face but he quelled it quickly. "My lady..." He fell silent
and dropped his gaze.
The Cross and the Cosmos
29 Feast
Eileen glanced at his clothing. As fine as they were, the black leathers seemed to fit a little
too loose on him. She returned her gaze to his face, noticing the pallor of his skin, the sunken
cheeks, the dark circles under his eyes. A little like her sister. Her eyes widened. In fact, a lot like
Elly.
"Danakur," she said with more gentleness, "what desire devours you?" She waited but he
didn't respond. Could he really die? Longevity, even the extraordinary longevity a goblin might
have, wasn't the same as immortality. And what would happen to Elly if the goblin died while
holding whatever power it had over her sister? "Did you take the Feast?"
He closed his eyes and nodded. "Against the edicts of the High Court. Yes, I partook of
the Feast."
"Don't you know better than to put things in your mouth?" Eileen recalled her ire at
Eleanor for taking a shortcut to gain what she desired: to lose weight. You never worked for what
you desired, Elly. Never exercised any selfdenial, never any selfcontrol to better yourself. You
always wanted everything handed to you. And now, here stood another who thought the easy
way was the only way. She folded her arms and didn't bother to hide her vexation. "Seriously.
Didn't you think this through?"
His eyes snapped open at her rebuke. He opened his mouth as if to reply, then shut it
again. His hand closed around the amphora. He jerked it free of the cord and held it toward her.
"This holds the tears and hair of your sister. Would it suffice as a pledge of my love?"
Eileen began to reach for the amphora then hesitated. No, she wouldn't snatch it from
him. If there was true contrition, a true pledge of love, let him give it willingly. She held out her
open hand and watched him place the shining bottle in the center of her palm. It felt oddly heavy
for something so small. It cast an irregular circle of light on her hand as though a minute moon
had been captured in the glass. For you, Elly. And please don't be so stupid again. She sighed in
relief and tucked the tiny bottle in her jeans pocket. She looked up at him. "Thank you. And now
for your problem."
"I'll no longer disturb you, Eileen." The corners of his eyes crinkled but there was no
accompanying smile. "I'll be executed as soon as I return to the High Court. If I don't die before
that." He shrugged. "The last claiming privileges expire with me."
Eileen stared sternly at him. "You didn't answer me, Danakur. What desire devours you?"
She was surprised to see tears sheen his amber eyes.
He raised his head, the hauteur of his posture reminding her that, whatever else he was,
he was a prince. "I desire to love and be loved. Friendship." A twitch at the corner of his mouth,
not quite a smile but almost. "I want to discover my potentials and race the ticking clock. I want
the struggles and challenges of making the best of each turn of the sun. I desire to be human."
"Is that possible?"
"Both Courts have legends that say it is. But only legends."
January 1st, 2013
G.L. Francis 30
Eileen studied his face. "Would you trust me?"
"Trust?" He seemed to consider her question. Long moments passed before he shook his
head. "I'm not sure what you mean. What are you asking of me?"
"In bargain, I pledge friendship," she said slowly. "What would you pledge?"
He hesitated then withdrew his other hand from his pocket. In the deepening gloom, she
saw the brief twinkle of glassanother amphora. That one was meant for me if I yielded to the
Feast. She watched him touch the bottle to the corner of one amber eye then the other. He
passed a finger over the top of it, sealing it. Inside, the tears shone as though a tiny candle
burned within. As he'd done before, he placed the bottle into her palm. Wrapping both of his
hands around hers, he closed her fingers over the amphora and released her hand.
The violent violet aura flared around him, over him, revealing his bones like lightning
illuminating an xray. The luminosity swirled and eddied as though liquid but rather than sink into
him, it flowed down his body, dripped from his chin, his fingers, his elbows. For a moment, it lay
pooled under his boots, faintly lighting the pavement.
Then, the aura evaporated.
Danakur backed away from her a step then frowned. "I ... I don't feel any different."
Abruptly aware she'd been holding her breath, Eileen inhaled deeply. Buddy, if you'd only
seen what I just saw ... "Do you still have the Feast."
He took the blue sphere from the pocket where he'd stowed it. The pearlescent shimmer
on its surface dulled steadily and the outer layer began flaking. Within seconds, the Feast
crumbled to powder in his hand. His eyebrows lifted.
She met his startled, amber eyes. "Wait here." She went to the car door and opened it so
the interior light came on. "Look this way." When he did, she saw no lingering reflection of animal
eyeshine. "The house Elly and I inherited has a spare room over the garage. As your friend, I
can offer you a place to stay for a while. Give you some time to settle into our world."
He regarded her uncertainly. "But I nearly killed your sister."
Eileen nodded without breaking her steady gaze on his face. "Yes, you did. But the first
thing you need to know about friendship, about love, is that it can forgive."
"What of Eleanor? Will she become my friend, too? Will she ... will she forgive?"
"I don't know." Eileen shrugged. She thought Elly might appreciate the weight loss once
she regained strength, but she didn't want to assure Danakur of an absolution she had no control
over. "That's her decision. She might forgive you she might hate you. She might learn to be your
friend or she might want nothing to do with you while you stay with us. Can you accept that?"
"I understand the nature of consequences." He dusted the remains of the Feast from his
The Cross and the Cosmos
31 Feast
hands. "Even in my timeless world," he paused as though just realizing the impact of his words,
"I learned to accept responsibility for myself, for what I do. I've practiced it for a long time,
because that's what humans have to do, too."
She tipped her head toward the opposite side of the car. "I'll give you a lift home,
Danakur."
He walked around the front of the car to the passenger side. He paused then looked over
the Buick's roof at her. "Could you call me something else?"
Eileen smiled. "Welcome to humanity, Danny."
G.L. Francis is a Midwestern writer and artist married 25 plus years to her best friend, G.J. She's worked
in machining, electronics, and animal health care. Regardless of jobs, she believes serving and exalting
God happens in the trenches of daily life. Alongtime SFF fan, she thinks the genre provides an excellent
vehicle for exploring God's truth and its application in worlds where the demarcation between good and
evil often has greater clarity than in our world. "I love adventure. In story or in daily life, adventures with
God are the best they're epic. No matter how great the obstacles, God is greater. His victory and glory
shine."