Fungus Among Us

By Grace Bridges

Sunset Over Gunther

By Frank Luke

Suicidal Instinct
By KM Wilsher

Published by: Glyn Shull

and John Turney
Greetings one and all!

You might be asking yourself, “How does Glyn do it? He keeps putting out issue after issue of
incredible materiel!” I'll tell you, I don't do jack! No really, I don't. Of the three stories in this issue, I
edited one. All the work falls into the laps of the artist and author's that make up this issue and the God
who inspires us all.

You see, this e-zine represents one of the many fronts of a massive Spiritual War. The Internet itself
acts as the larger battle front, and by reading this e-zine, and telling each and every one of your friends
about it, you help the Lord and His host to win the hearts and minds of the people. You see where I am
going with this, right?

I need you to go forth and tell everyone you know about TC2. I need you to spread the word of the
Gospel spread through the amazing stories found within. Who are your friends going to believe, me
promoting my own e-zine, or you, having read and truly enjoyed it.

All that said, go forth, do the Will of the Lord, and be blessed in all that you do,

Glyn
Publisher and Co-Founder of TC2
March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos

By Grace Bridges

Communiqués zipped around the habitat, silent to human ears, but filled with nuance and urgency
for those who received it.

"She's on her way."

"Get ready."

"Hope she's in a better mood today."

"We're all set up here."

"Brace yourselves."

"Don't scare the young ones!"

"Here she is. Hush now."

The dialogue ceased as the door opened. A white-haired woman with glinting cyber-enhanced eyes
entered and advanced to peer over the community. Her face swam nearer and blocked out the light.

Some members shrank back and quaked in fear. Their neighbours calmed them as best they could
with a gentle touch.

The woman spoke softly into a recording device. "Slight tremors observed again. Ceased at my
approach." Laying down the recorder, she reached for a probe and touched it to one of the organisms.
Again, it picked up signals instantly. If only she could decode it! Electronic impulses just like a human
brain—not bad for a fungus whose appearance had much in common with the coloured fruit ice slushies
she'd slurped in childhood summers.

"The subject appears less unhappy this morning." intoned an older fungus.

"Yes! She was crying yesterday. Water from eyes," said a younger one, proud to have recognised it.

"Shush! We mustn't provoke her." said the team leader, a blue entity with multiple mission
experience.

Fungus Among Us Grace Bridges

March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos
It was considerate of the bipeds to provide one of their number for the study. They certainly didn't
have to, and they appeared to have plenty to do otherwise. Yet every time a group of fungi made
themselves known, they were welcomed inside and given a biped of their own for the duration,
interrupted by evenly spaced breaks.

Soon, if the data pool grew large enough, there would be enough information to start decoding the
strange beings' communication, so different to their own.

Maggie continued recording the electrical impulses all day. Eventually she drew a hand across her
damp brow and looked at the clock. Knock-off time already, and still no progress. She rested her face in
her hands, leaning on the desk.

"Oh, God..."

The fungi communicated. Every one gave full attention. The subject was about to speak.

"God, I know you sent me here for a reason. You made these creatures just like you made us, for
your glory and praise, and I can see they're intelligent. But I'm just not making any progress in
understanding them. Please, God, don't let this all be for nothing."

"Just a little more..." the blue fungus pinged to his comrades.

Maggie peered over her fingers. Was that another buzz?

"Come on!" muttered the youngest member.

"Language banks require one more record for fifty percent comprehension," said the head linguist.

Maggie slapped the tabletop and got up to stand at the window. A silent sob heaved her shoulders.
"God—I thought you wanted me to do this. But they're going to reassign me if I don't have a result this
week." Her eyes flitted across the red landscape. "Was it really you that sent me here, or was it just my
own desire? I'm about ready to go home, you know. But it's been worth it to see this planet. You're one
creative guy, you know that?" A smile raised one corner of her mouth and she turned back to face the
fungi. "What is it with you lot, anyway? All we want is to communicate, and you're obviously capable.
How about letting us in on the secret? Then all this research won't be for nothing."

She shook her head. "Talking with the fungi. What'll it be next?"

A few seconds later, the door shut softly.

"Water from eyes again," remarked the rookie. "If only we knew how to aid her sadness."
Electrical murmurs started up again as the linguist fungi set up interlinks to work on the new data.

"Phoneme identification running. Translations coming in three...two...one."

Fungus Among Us Grace Bridges

March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos
Static fell into silence as the linguists faced their first concrete information.

"Well? What has she been saying?"

"Most of the communications were in fact aimed at a superior being at whose command she is
working...it is unclear how transmission occurred. Wait! More new decoding." Now the head linguist
fairly buzzed. "She has been studying us."

The team leader sent a nudge through the conglomerate to the youngster. "Weren't you saying
something about making her happy?"

A quiver ran through the group, and the addressed individual emitted a faint electronic whisper.
"And now we can."

Grace Bridges is a sci-fi author (Faith Awakened, 2007, and Legendary Space Pilgrims,
2010) and owner of Splashdown Books, an independent publisher of inspirational sci-fi and
fantasy. She's a Kiwi of Irish descent living in beautiful New Zealand, and a chocaholic cat-lovin'
Trekkie, Jesus freak, web designer, and all-round DIY gal who also takes care of the Lost Genre
Guild blog. Tweets: @gracebridges - or visit www.gracebridges.com for more.

Fungus Among Us Grace Bridges

March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos

Some days you remember forever—they are burnt into your mind evermore. The first time you
see the woman of your dreams. Being consecrated to your patron deity. Your first victory at the Nelch
board. The first time you see the dead. Finding out your country is going to die. Happy memories. Sad
memories. Days you laugh. Days you cry. Days your life turns upside down.
The last three months have been full of such life-changing days for me, Shylocke Averyson.
Nothing is as it was. And right now, I think about the events of yesterday and see three faces I will
remember forever. My ex-fiancee, my best friend, and a kid who can't be more than 14-15 tops. Afraid
for his life as he looked back up my arrow at me yesterday in the rain. He was from Aviterr. They killed
my country. I wanted revenge.
I'll never see any of those faces again. Two are out of my life, and one is dead. As the sun sets, I
pass the rough, wooden sign telling me I am now in the kingdom of Akalbriel and only six leagues from
the city of Ascert. The muddy road pulls at my boots, and I remember the events that led me here.
***
About three months ago I proposed to Elaina Dersmontdatter; one of the good days. I took her out
on the lake behind my family's castle, Emerald Point. I rowed across to her favorite spot, the willow tree
on the far shore. She looked stunning as always. A deep green, velvet dress fit her figure just right. A
dark, oak-wood bracelet matched her hair. Oh yes, the dress matched her eyes. Long, dark hair (the
opposite of my short, fair hair), worn loose as unmarried women do. She could have posed for a statue
when the elves ran the continent before they got too cocky. Then we “barbarian” humans put them in
their place. Ah, Elaina was more beautiful than any elf I ever saw. Every line of every feature was
exquisite. At that moment, her cheeks turned red.
“Shylocke Averyson, if you don't stop staring at me, I'll die of embarrassment.”
I grinned. I never felt at all upset when she was around. I rowed harder, anxious to reach the
shore. My oars sloshed gently through the water, sending ripples out. The Sisters had given us both
golden threads in the life tapestry. What we did with the threads was up to us. I planned on making the
most of mine.
“Now, what are you bringing me out here for, kind sir?” She hid part of her face behind a linen
cloth in her hand. The sunlight glinted off the ruby ring I gave her last Yule.
“Can't a man just want to spend time with a beautiful woman and gaze at her?”
“He can... but you usually have more than gazing on your mind.” She grinned. She was right, as
usual, and knew it, also as usual.
An embarrassing moment came as the boat hit the shore. I had been distracted by her eyes.
She laughed, a melodious sound like falling water. “I hope you aren't planning to dump me in the
water.”
I smiled. "Not a chance." Carefully leaning over the side, I tied the boat to a tree and helped
Elaina to the sandy shore. Her light touch gave me goosebumps.
She sat on a wool blanket I spread for her. It was our favorite place. Underneath the willow beside
the lake, looking west toward my family estate, and watching the sunset. She leaned against me, and I
slipped an arm around her waist.

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March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos
“Oh, Shylocke, I'd give anything to keep this moment forever. Just as it is.” She looked up and
kissed me.
After breaking the kiss, I said, “Just like this? You're sure? Nothing changed?” I pulled a
necklace from my vest. She gasped as the sun's last ray reflected off the emerald dangling from its center.
“Not even a proposal could make it better?”
She blinked. “Proposal? Shylocke, I don't know what to say.”
I had the answer to that. I took her hand. “Say, yes. Say you'll be my wife. I'm the son of a minor
house, but my love is not minor. By all the gods of Gunther, especially Blyde and Havena, I'll love you
forever.” I put the necklace in her hand.
“Oh, Shylocke.” With trembling hands, she clasped the necklace around her neck. “Of course, I'll
marry you. We'll weave our threads together.” I kissed her this time. As we lay down, I knew I would
remember this day forever, even if I missed the sunset.
***
Only a few days later, my world began to turn upside down. I didn't realize it then, but looking
back, I see it. Elaina and I had set a wedding date for the winter solstice. We'd have the festival, prayers,
and sacrifice for a short winter. Then with everyone at the castle anyway, we'd have the ceremony. We
hadn't announced it to the public yet, but we had told our parents. Oddly, I had a bad feeling when I woke
up and climbed out of bed, pushing past the curtains. Back then, I was a hopeful man. While I dressed in
front of a polished bronze mirror, a servant told me that my father commanded my immediate presence in
the dining hall. The feeling in my stomach became heavier as I walked down the stone hallway. My
footfalls echoed off the walls.
When I arrived, my father, Avery Truenson, was with some manor lords from the east of our lands.
Lords Kalphon Croitson, Dervis Sastson, and Mendal Doronson sat around the table with my father. The
remains of my father's breakfast were being taken away by servants bustling about. Pleased, I noted that
Kalphon had brought his son, Nurile Kalphonson, with him.
Nurile was several inches taller than his father, as I was taller than mine. Both of them had jet
black hair, and brown eyes. They shared the same jaw, as well. No one doubted Nurile was Kalphon's
son. Nurile had calloused hands from his years of weapons practice and a muscled build to go with it.
With his good sense of humor, we laughed often at jokes one of us made. But Nurile often had a worried
look about him. Like in the back of his mind he expected something to go wrong. Today he was right.
Their presence at breakfast led me to guess trouble was brewing. I didn't have to ask what kind.
Their discussion told me everything I needed to know. That and the fact that the three visiting families
held the estates closest to Aviterr, our ancient enemy.
“Aves, Avery. I am sure of it," Kalphon said to my father. "This attack was led by Aviterr. The
blazons were distinctive."
Invaded. Our old enemy had returned. After decades of uneasy peace, Aviterr and its Knights
Luminar had returned. They and their one god who somehow existed as three separate beings. I like
numbers, so that never set well with me.
My father responded to Kalphon with a nod. “Their king has been seeking to expand since he got
married. He'll get no help from the elves outside the Luminar, I'll wager. Nor from the dwarves, as they
hate the Aves. No, this will be us two to the end.” The elven nations barely tolerated our realms.
Dwarves would be for the dwarves and stay out, too. “How soon will your riders reach the king?” He
sipped from his mug, pulling his mustaches to the side.
“Tomorrow if they can change horses. The next day otherwise,” Dervis replied.
“By the world tree, we'll send them running!” my father shouted, pounding his fist on the oak
table. The plates shook. The men looked up in shock that my level-headed father had sworn such an
oath. He looked back at the men. “Have your priests made sacrifices?”
Kalphon shook his head, his long, dark hair shaking. “We wanted your priests, too. Strength in
numbers.”
Father nodded in agreement. “We'll kick those Aves out of our land and show them who's boss, by
Fakir's staff” he said. The serving girls blushed as they hurried out of the room. My father's temper was
getting away from him.
Before making war plans, all of us at the table prayed for victory. Our voices rang out to the
Sunset Over Gunther Frank Luke
March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos
heavens, calling on Blyde, Fakir, and Havena to protect us and drive out the invaders. I could hear
Nurile's deep voice crying out for deliverance. As I prayed, I traced the scar on my left palm from my
dedication day. It reminded me that Blyde had only one hand and I was not to use my left hand for sword
work.
I tried to concentrate, but, to my shame, my mind wandered. I was supposed to meet Elaina
tonight but might be prevented. I hoped not. I needed to see her smile. A sunset on the lake sounded
good.
After the prayers, we got to work on the war plans. Maps were set up on the cleared tables, with
metal and stone markers to show troops. As Nurile and I were of an age to inherit should anything happen
to our fathers, gods forbid, we helped.
If the Aves had known how long it would take Dervis and Mendal to agree on anything, they could
have attacked right then. The two bickered and argued like old, washer women. Each wanted the glory of
leading the defense. Personally, I just wanted a successful push. I had a marriage to get ready for, after
all.
The shadows moved around the floor while they argued and told me it was afternoon by the time
we had an offensive planned. We would push back quickly and break the Aves supply lines. That was
Dervis' contribution; he always thought with his stomach. Admittedly, it was the largest part of him.
After we all agreed the invasion was as good as over, Nurile asked me to play a good game of
Nelch. The game would take our minds off Aviterr. Maybe. We set up the pieces on the dining table.
They rattled against one another as I took them out of the box.
Nurile was my better at the game, but I managed to win often enough to keep him guessing. I
preferred the dice game, but I beat him so often, he refused to play me now. I took the white pieces and
moved a quartz footman. He moved an obsidian cavalier. A few moves later, he had me hurting.
"Where did you learn that gambit?" I was shocked at how quickly he had arranged his defenses.
The pieces formed a wall that would cost me several important pieces to break through.
"We have a grandmaster staying at the castle. Langstrom Lanson."
"Blyde's beard, he's the best!" We went back to playing. Nurile's defenses were solid, but he
couldn't launch offenses quickly.
He moved his vanguard three squares forward. "About this invasion, Shy. Do you think Blyde
plays Nelch better than Aviterr's Father?" His thin mouth twitched nervously.
It was part of an ongoing discussion. Nurile thought life was a series of games between the gods.
If the god using you as a piece won, you were rewarded. I disagreed. If we were pieces in a game then
choice was an illusion. "Not a chance," I said and meant it. "Plus, even if the Father can beat Blyde, he'll
then have to beat Fakir, Nazra, Havena, and the others. That's what you get when you rule alone." I took
the vanguard. Nurile rarely missed something like that.
"Overconfidence will kill you every time," he said. I looked at the board and groaned as he put my
marshal in mate with his other vanguard.
***
One month later I realized the Aves were going to be harder to defeat. They had beaten us in three
out of four clashes. As a gambling man, I'd leave the table while I still had coins. But this was no game,
and they weren't stopping with some border clashes. It was all or nothing.
Yesterday, Kalphon led a battle near his manor. Even with Dervis' men to help, the Aves ran
roughshod over our men. Few survived. Kalphon was heavily wounded. Nurile was unhurt and in the
procession with me. I wasn't there, thank Blyde. But maybe, looking back, it would have been better for
me to be there.
Blyde’s temple loomed ahead of me. In Gunther, we used wood and straw for our temples. There
wasn’t a lot of stone to quarry, so we used wood. The dark wood rose to a point about twenty feet over
our heads.
I led a procession of about 20 devoted men wearing white and red robes. Every one of us carried a
hand-and-a-half sword. It was called that because you could use it with either one hand or two, but, in
deference to Blyde One-Hand, we only used it one handed. Yes, Blyde's weapon of choice was the
hammer, but we used swords (ask the priests if you want to know why). One of us would show the
ultimate devotion to Blyde. We would each draw a stone from a basket, and the man who drew the white
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March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos
stone would be sacrificed.
Outside the temple, my father's brother Balric pulled me aside. He and I didn't get along well. He
was a necromancer, devoted to Nazra and dealing with the dead. Blyde forbade necromancy. Balric wore
his black necromancers robes proudly, too powerful and too connected to be stopped by any authorities.
Behind him stood his ever-present bodyguard. It was stitched together from different bodies, even
different species. I suppressed a shudder. Uncle wasn't going to see me nervous.
"Nephew, I would speak with you." It wasn't a request. I stopped and motioned for the other
white-and-red-robed men to go on. They did, making signs to ward off evil. They were brave men. Not
a one hid what he was doing. Even with his hood pulled up, I knew Balric smiled at their fear. My father
had taught me many things. One of them was that bravery isn't the absence of fear but the ability to
control your fear.
I looked around. For years I had been able to sense ghosts. I still don't know why. Some people
tried to tell me it was both a blessing and a curse. Idiots. By Blyde's beard, this was a curse! Though
there were often ghosts near Balric, there weren't any undead near today except his hodgepodge
bodyguard. He called it a Franken. I didn't care why.
Balric waited until the other men had walked through the oak doors of the temple before speaking.
He removed his hood and stroked his neatly trimmed beard. "Nephew, I can be of service to you. More
to the point, I can give you the army you need to defeat the Aves." He locked his eyes on mine.
"You don't have that many men living on your estate." I stared back, unflinching even as his vile
breath washed over my face.
"No, I do not." He smiled. It was a ghastly smile. "But the army I offer is not living. Zombies.
Skeletons. Revenants. Ghosts. The Aves will flee in terror!"
He continued without waiting for my response. "Also, they don't eat. They don't sleep. It takes
many blows to bring them down, more than it takes to bring down a living man. Hack off an arm, and a
skeleton keeps going. And when they go down, I can reanimate them! Any Aves killed in the battle can
be raised to fight for us! Imagine an army that gets larger with every battle instead of smaller. They
would be unstoppable."
He knew I wasn't impressed.
"And their leader would be remembered forever! Such a man could easily become king." He
whispered the last. I gave him credit for knowing when to press hard and when to ease up.
Me, king. Wouldn't Elaina love being queen? We'd never have to worry about money. We would
be in charge. Well, I would be in charge, but she'd still be queen.
But Blyde and Havena forbade necromancy. By dealing with Balric, I would be approving what
Blyde hates. He would not look well on me. And entering Blyde's hall or even Havena's field after death
would be nearly impossible. I didn't want to spend the next life in Nazra's bleak realm.
"No, Uncle. Blyde forbids it," I turned to leave and took a step towards the wooden door.
Angrily, he gripped my arm. His grasp was cold and not because of the weather.
"You will change your mind later. When the armies of Aves stand outside your castle, then you
will wish that you had listened to me, boy."
As calmly as I could, I removed his hand from my arm. "Are you also a seer, Uncle? I doubt they
get that far. Their religion forbids blood sacrifice. The Father must be hungry. Today, one of us will feed
Blyde. The war will turn around soon after that." I didn't mention how the sacrifice of sheep and cows
last month hadn't helped.
"Ah, yes, your sacrifice. Don't forget to say good-bye to Dervis's son. You won't have a chance
after the drawing."
I snorted. This was too much. "Twenty of us go in, Uncle. You have a five-in-a-hundred chance
of getting that right. You are guessing. Only the Sisters know who will give himself today."
His smile was cold. "Not guessing. Can't you see death also?"
I could see death on people sometimes. Not always. I hadn't seen death on any of the men.
"Remember when you look over my brother's wall and see the coming Aves."
He was bluffing. "If you know so much, what day will they get to the castle?"
Uncle Balric frowned. "I cannot give you the exact date for I did not see the stars. But it will be
when the sun rises between the twin peaks."
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March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos
"Early summer, then. We'll turn them back long before then."
"I offer you the chance to turn things around today! What has Blyde given you? In his honor, you
cripple yourself in battle. Does he even appreciate it? What does Blyde give back? Nazra gives me more
power than most will ever see!" His hood had fallen away and his robes blew in the midday wind.
Angry, red spots stood out on his cheeks.
Ignoring him, I shook my head and went into the temple. Two skinny priests slammed the door
behind me. I found the creaking sound ominous.
***
I took my place in the line next to Nurile. The others had not gone into the seating area yet. I
thanked them for waiting on me just inside the door. Nurile asked what Balric wanted. I told him.
"An army of undead? I think the Aves would run for their mamas."
"You aren't seriously considering it?"
"Why not? I'm not in charge. It will be our dads who decide not to use them. Speaking of who's
in charge, why did Balric approach you instead of your dad?"
I shrugged in my robe, acting as if I didn't know. But I knew. Uncle had decided I was to follow
in his footsteps years ago. He had been trying to convince me how great it was to be a necromancer (as if
I who could see the dead wanted to be around them all the time). This was just one more page from the
same book. Before I could say anything, a bell rang. It was time to go in. I shivered in anticipation.
Someone in this line would give their all for Blyde. Did I really want to be the one?
We filed in and stood before the wooden altar. Black stains spotted the floor and altar. A sharp
knife lay on the altar. This ritual had been done many times in the past.
The priest of Blyde spoke. "We know why we are here. The Aves are invading and will push
through unless stopped. Blyde must be fed!" We cheered as a young priestess of Havena came in. She
carried a small covered basket with 20 stones—19 black and 1 white. Each of us would pull out one
stone. The Sisters' choice would draw the white stone.
As she passed by, I reached in and closed my fist around a stone. Like the others, I kept my hand
closed after I removed it. We would show our stones at the same time. My heart thudded in my chest. I
took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
When the priestess finished, the priest instructed us to show our stones. My heart sank when I saw
the black stone. On the bright side, I would still be able to marry Elaina. A cheer went up from the other
end of the line. Havena had smiled on someone there.
The priest announced the chosen one with gusto. "The Sisters have chosen Gorle Dervisson!"
I was sure I had heard wrongly. Balric's prediction! He had to have been guessing. But to get the
one in twenty... Did the Sisters tell Nazra who they wanted and she tell Balric? Or did Nazra move
Gorle's hand in the basket? Did that make Nazra more powerful than the Sisters? I had too many
questions right now. I tried to stop the thought that Balric might have been right about the Aves with his
other prediction.
Suddenly, I remembered something Balric said almost offhand. He had said I would not have the
chance to say good-bye. I could easily prove that wrong by saying farewell to Gorle. The men around
him were already doing so. Nurile stopped me as I tried to push through the throng.
"You look like you've seen a ghost. Did you?" Nurile was one of the few who knew.
I shook my head. That eliminated another possibility, that of Balric sending a ghost to make sure
Gorle was picked. But I had to say good-bye to Gorle! I didn't like him particularly well, but I had to
prove Uncle wrong somehow.
But I didn't get through the others before the priest called Gorle to the altar. Gorle went forward
smiling. He took off the robe. Like the rest of us, it was all he wore except for a loincloth. The young
priestess kissed him hard. He bent over the altar and grabbed rings set for such an occasion as this. The
priest raised a hammer and brought it down on Gorle's back. With a wet crack, he shattered Gorle's spine.
Gorle's scream filled the air. A hammer blow to the back of his head silenced him forever.
I felt a strong presence in the air. Blyde had come to feed. I smiled thinking about how we would
defeat the Aves.
***
Gorle's sacrifice didn't help. Two months later, the Aves were on our doorstep. Yes, the sun had
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March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos
risen between the twin peaks this morning, and there they were. Just like Uncle predicted. Some
of the Aves were Knights Luminar or Knights of the Light. They'll never convince me that this invasion is
any kind of light. Their Father is little different than Blyde.
For once I wished that I had told my father about my ability to sense ghosts and undead. If I had,
surely he would listen today. Then again, if I had mentioned it earlier, he would have taken me to a priest
to get exorcised. That didn't sound like fun. Why did I want to tell him? I saw death on our men. Did it
matter, though? Nurile was right. Aviterr's Father had outplayed Blyde at Nelch.
Nothing we do matters. The gods determine all our choices. So why did my stomach churn at the
thought of my next action? Why did I hate myself?
Elaina and her family had moved into the castle along with many other families. As the Aves
advanced, the families had needed protection. As Elaina's family was nobility, they lived in the castle, but
most people set up tents in the courtyard. Elaina had even moved into my room. It wasn't like we hadn't
slept together before anyway.
I was waiting on her this morning. She had been sleeping in the last few days and had asked her
mother to bring a special tea. I had no idea how anyone could drink that stuff! I had sipped it yesterday
and almost lost my breakfast. Maybe it's better warm.
Her mother was in our room with her. I had been putting off what I had to do, but I couldn't wait
any longer. My father wanted to send the families away. If they went north while we distracted the Aves,
they might survive. If they could make it to Viade Rulos, the elves would help them. The elves might not
like us, but they always took in refugees. It had something to do with their religion, the Elven Way. They
worshiped the same Father as Aviterr, but I liked the way they did it better. I wanted Elaina and her
mother to go. All of Emerald Point might be destroyed.
Waiting wasn't going to make it any easier. I cracked open the door to my room. Elaina and her
mother were still talking. They hadn't heard me open the door.
"It'll only be for a few months, Elaina. You can make it that long." That was Elaina's mother.
Elaina's father must have told them they needed to go and wait for us.
"I don't think so, Mother. I've never felt this way." I knew how she felt. I didn't look forward to
being away from her either.
"Drink the tea. You'll feel better." I seriously doubted that. Swallowing hard, I opened the door
the rest of the way, stepped in, and announced myself.
"Elaina. Havila." I greeted them. "There is no easy way to say this, but you already know it. We
can't beat the Aves. The men will try to hold them off while the women and children make for Viade
Rulos. The elves will help. We'll meet you there."
Elaina looked shocked. Even knowing it already, hearing me say it must have been too much.
Saying it was too much for me. "We attack in 4 hours. You will leave through caves under the castle.
They exit far enough away that the Aves won't find you. But you can't wait. You have an hour to
prepare. I won't say good-bye because I'll see you later." I turned to leave, hiding my tears.
"Shylocke, wait. I have to tell you something!" Elaina called.
I didn't wait. Nothing she could say would make this easier. I trudged through the castle only to
find Uncle Balric, Dervis, Kalphon, Nurile, and my father arguing. As soon as I saw Uncle, I knew what
they were arguing about.
"Fakir's staff, no, Balric! Blyde forbids necromancy. How many times must I tell you?" My
father rarely raised his voice like this.
"At least once more, Brother. My army could grind the Aves like a millstone over wheat. But you
refuse! What has Blyde given you?"
Dervis added his view. "I lost my eldest son to Blyde, thinking it would feed the gods. Have we
won even one major battle since then? I'll use the undead if you won't!" His echoes rang off the walls.
Without waiting for a reply, Balric and Dervis strode out, Dervis's heavy boots echoed loudly in
the hallway. Balric's dark robes swirled behind him.
My father sighed. He knew as well as I did that the undead wouldn't help us. The Aves were too
strong. Their god, the Father, was stronger than Blyde. Part of me hoped that the undead would help, but
deep down, I knew better.
***
Sunset Over Gunther Frank Luke
March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos
Choices. Life is full of them. I was once certain the Sisters had given me a long, golden thread.
Now, it was cut short. Which would I prefer? A short, prosperous life or a long, dull one? Doesn't
matter. We're all just pieces in the gods' game of Nelch.
That last day I had known that we would lose. I had seen death on the men. Even though I argued
against using the undead, I had great hopes that they would turn the tide in our favor. Uncle Balric had
assured me that the Aves would run in fear of his zombies and skeletons. Not a single Ave had turned tail.
Their Father was obviously more powerful than Blyde and Nazra combined. At least we sent the women
and children away before the battle. I had meant it when I promised to meet Elaina in Viade Rulos to the
northeast. I couldn't face her now. Not with both our fathers dead.
Nurile and I “decided” to go to Akalbriel instead of Viade Rulos. From Akalbriel, we would go to
Dorval and become mercenaries. Dorval was straight west, almost the opposite direction of Viade Rulos.
Nurile wanted to go straight to Dorval, but I just wanted to get out of Gunther. We could be in Akalbriel
by the next night, but Dorval was over a week away on bad roads. When I talked him into Akalbriel, I
saw the death's head come upon him. I know now the Sisters were just toying with us. The skull face had
nothing to do with our direction—Nurile's death was slated for this day.
I gathered wood for the camp that night while Nurile went hunting. I piled the wood for a fire.
The clouds were gathering to storm, but I figured we had enough time to cook a brace of conies.
Suddenly, I heard a scream, but it wasn't Nurile. It was a boy's scream. I grabbed my bow and quiver,
jumped to my feet, and took off. Someone needed help. I didn't know if it was elves, goblins, devil dogs,
or if the boy had just fallen down a hill. I didn't care. I was going to help him. I couldn't help my
country, but maybe I could help a countryman.
Imagine my surprise when I saw the boy's danger was Nurile! One Ave squire lay off to the side, a
knife in his chest. Another squire rolled on the ground, grappling with Nurile for a knife on the ground. I
nocked an arrow and took aim.
I couldn't get a clear line—they moved too fast. Neither was still for even a heartbeat. I didn't
dare loose a shaft. For a moment, I thought I wouldn't have to. Nurile rolled on top, punched the boy, and
went for the knife. Getting it, he moved back to the boy. Not wasting time, the Ave kicked him in the
nadgers. Nurile fell, dropping the knife. The Ave caught it and stabbed Nurile underneath the ribs. The
boy either had combat training or was smiled on by Fakir. It looked like a death wound. I hoped I was
wrong, but I've seen too many. Wordlessly, the boy let go of the knife as Nurile fell, clawing at the knife.
The boy's face turned white as he leaned over and lost his supper.
“First kill, I take it,” I asked in his tongue. He probably wouldn't know mine, but most everyone
spoke his. The boy looked at me for the first time, fear on his beardless face and in his hazel eyes. He
nodded to answer my question. “And last,” I said, taking aim with my bow, determined to avenge Nurile,
my last friend. Thunder rolled in the distance; the sound of Blyde's hammer. Raindrops fell; Havena's
tears.
The boy stared back at me, looking straight on my arrow. He knew his death was near. I knew it,
too. I didn't need to see a skull floating in front of his face. He glanced at his friend's corpse then
Nurile's. “He jumped us,” the Ave said. His first words to me.
I looked closely at my enemy. I didn't recognize the marks on his surcoat. All I knew was that the
golden cross meant his family had served in the holy wars. He was as obviously proud to be an
Ave—from Aviterr—as I was to be a man of Gunther. Just because our gods were at war was no reason to
hate one another. But he didn't hate me. I saw no hatred in his eyes, only grief that his life was ending so
early. I eased my bow down. I refused to be a game piece. Nazra take the illusion of choice! It was
choice to me!
“Go,” I breathed out through clenched teeth. “Take his body and get away.” The skull in front of
his face faded away. The Sisters had toyed with me as if my choice mattered in his life. Wordlessly, the
boy picked up his friend. The boy had blood on his hands from killing Nurile and blood on his tunic from
picking up his friend.
By the time I got to Nurile, he had breathed his last. I had been right when I so wanted to be
wrong. I buried him where he fell, face down, with only a few small rocks to mark his grave. Nurile
would not be taken to Blyde's hall or Havena's field. The dark emptiness of Nazra's realm would do for
him. I walked mournfully around his grave a couple of times. More in remembrance of who he had been
Sunset Over Gunther Frank Luke
March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos
than in honor of his final actions. He jumped two young boys in the middle of the forest. If he had
won, the story would change with the telling. He would have fought two Knights Luminar (eventually,
they would become ten Knights of the Eagle) who were terrorizing a peaceful village. I wondered how
many other stories were exaggerated. This ambush had no honor.
Nor was there honor in leaving Elaina as I had. I couldn't go back—I had nothing to go back to.
My words had hurt her too deeply. By this time tomorrow, I would be inside Akalbriel and almost to the
city of Ascert. I sat down on a log beside the road and watched the sunset over Gunther for the last time.

Sunset Over Gunther Frank Luke

March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos

SUICIDAL INSTINCT
By KM Wilsher

“Are you crazy! If you jump, you’ll hang in space for eternity.”
Sardonyx Nash tugged Vin Driscoll’s arm as she hurried behind him. Her
boots clinked against the metal catwalk above the spacecraft’s cargo
bay.
“That’s the plan, Nyx.” Vin stopped short in front of the airlock,
then spun to face her. Sardonyx jerked back, but he grabbed her,
wrapped her wrists in handcuffs, and looped them around a pipe
labeled, Liquid Fuel.
“Handcuffs?” Metal rattled as she pulled.
“Handcuffs.” His biceps tightened his black sleeve as he ran his
hand through his short, champagne-colored hair. “A mage on Venus
created them. Silver with a Jade center that no creature can break
through. Not vampires. Not werewolves. Not even the wraiths from
Jupiter.”
He placed the key on a ledge high above her head.
“Is there anything that would change your mind?” Sardonyx bit her
lip. Come on Nyx, persuasion is your thing. Persuade him.
Vin tucked his chin to his chest and stuck his fingers into his
front pants’ pocket. Sardonyx’s stomach flipped as she watched his
slender fingers produce a small piece of paper. He had the code to
open the doors to the cargo hold.
She slumped against the wall and blew the hair from her forehead
with a resigned puff. “Don’t do this, Vin.”
“I warned you not to follow when I stowed away on this starship,
Nyx.” Vin looked at her, his lips thin and tight.
“Jumping is not an answer.”
“And this is? This life, this...existence?” Vin tapped the code
into the console on the wall. The inner doors jolted into slow
separation.
“Vin, how can you forget The River? And Kalvin? It’s been two
years.”
Vin stopped short then cast her a sidelong gaze, incisors exposed.
He leaned forward and put his hand on the wall. His emerald eyes
appeared moist, glossy. “Nyx, I forsook the vow. I – I was with Rhett
and there were these teens. Despite the last two years at The River,
despite Kalvin and his teachings, I drank.”
That explains it. He’s been moody and elusive for weeks.
Sardonyx swallowed a knot in her throat and moved closer to him,
her legs shaking. “Oh, Vin, you’re doing a freefall because of Rhett?
He always thought Kalvin was crazy. Come back to The River with me. We
all make mistakes. Who knows I won’t slip? Fall prey to my urges?”
Vin reached out and ran a shaking thumb across her jaw, then

Suicidal Instinct KM Wilsher

March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos
wrapped his hand over her shoulder and squeezed.
She laid her head on his hand. “Once this is done, you cannot take
it back.”
He took a sudden jump back. “No.” Shaking his head, he stepped
through inner doors into the cargo hold. “You don’t understand. I’ve
tried to change and I can’t. At least out here in the outer realm, I
can never hurt anyone.”
“Come on. Humans are not the only creatures to have found
Salvation. We are a far cry from the days of Transylvania.”
“Yeah?” With a loud crack, Vin slammed his palm against the slow
closing panel door. “Well, it was just like Transylvania, what I did
to those kids. . .“
“We all make mistakes.” Sardonyx’s undead heart pounded like a
hammer, panicking against her rib cage.
“To err is human not vampire. I took an oath and I forsook it.” Vin
rolled his shoulders and tipped his head side to side in preparation
for the cosmos to rip him from the ship.
“Justice does not come in the package of suicide.” Her jaw
quivered, and her tear ducts burned.
In the last few inches of open door between them, Vin shouted,
“Suicide and justice are also human.”
The inner panels met with a rush of vacuumed air. Sardonyx gasped
as the outer door’s releasing locks clanked, vibrating her insides. An
alarm shrieked in intervals. She shaded her eyes as red lights seared
her retina.
Vin would not die but float in space forever. Alone.
Sardonyx tensed her trembling shoulders as she stared at the inner
doors, wishing they would reopen.
Footfalls echoed in the hallway behind her. Voices
chattered. A metallic noise rumbled and she couldn’t make out the
words.
A ruddy young man appeared. “Hey girl, why are you cuffed there?”
His chest heaved under his greased stained jumpsuit. He stopped short
as he looked out the bubble window at the cargo hold. “Oi, man
overboard!”
Sardonyx’s stomach churned.
She remembered something Kalvin said, “How often He has longed to
gather you, but you were not willing.”
The room spun around her. She pushed against the wall to
steady herself and whispered into the screaming sirens, “Vin, why
can’t you give yourself the grace He gives you?”

Suicidal Instinct KM Wilsher

March 31st, 2010 The Cross and the Cosmos

KM Wilsher. Daughter of the King of all Kings, Lord of all

Lords. A writer, reader and passionate fan of Science Fiction and
Fantasy. I am an active member American Christian Fiction Writers
ACFW and its local chapter Christian Writers of the West CWOW.
Other involvements include Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy
Blog Tour and The Lost Genre Guild. My quest is not only for
publication, but to broaden my horizons, inspire others, and
enjoy every bloody moment of the journey.

Suicidal Instinct KM Wilsher