If you love Christian Fiction, you are in the right place. You will find book reviews, author interviews, and commentaries, on a variety of Christian Fiction. The information here will be presented in an easy to follow and easy to read format, that will allow you to get to what you're interested in quickly. Our goal is to get you plugged in to the stories your interested in, and to help you discover new stories in a way that is both entertaining, and engaging.

Enjoy your stay, and God bless you for sharing your time with us.

Interview with Kerry Nietz

Monday, November 29, 2010

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To enter the drawing for this book, leave a comment for Kerry, and let him know you would like to win a copy.


CFBR: I have heard so much about your novel A Star Curiously Singing, and all the reviews I've read seem to agree, it is a wonderful read. What is the hook?

Thank, John! A Star Curiously Singing is a speculative Christian novel with a decidedly cyberpunk feel. It takes place in a future hundreds of years from now, where much of the world is living under sharia law.

It is dualistic society, where average people live on the streets in near-squalor and the powerful ride above them in cable car-like conveyances. This latter group is shrouded in high tech, to the point of needing specialized human “debuggers” to handle their machines for them.

That’s where my protagonist comes in. Sandfly is a debugger who’s summoned to solve the mystery of why a bot malfunctioned. The extenuating circumstances? The bot has been on an interstellar voyage in an experimental ship. Something about the trip made it malfunction. So the story is a sci-fi mystery of sorts.


CFBR: Your stories are complex. How do you keep all the details straight? What is your writing method?

They probably aren’t as complex as they seem. Or maybe they just don’t seem that complex to me. Not sure.

Regardless, I write mostly from the seat of my pants. To start, I usually have only a few defining images in my head, a general idea of where I want the story to go, and maybe some snippets of conversations and facts I think are relevant--just a page or so of notes, really. And I set out from there.

As for keeping the details straight, that’s what editing passes are for. After the manuscript is complete, I let it sit for a couple weeks. Then I’ll go back and read it like a reader, making notes and corrections as I go. Asking questions of myself, looking for plot holes, or places where things might be inconsistent. I tend to second guess a lot. I want the book to be as polished as it can be before a reader gets it.

CFBR: The book deals heavily with Muslim beliefs; Tell us a little of how Islam and Christianity play a part in the story.

Christianity plays only a small role in A Star Curiously Singing, mainly because it has been extinguished as a belief system in my version of the future. The only tendrils that remain are those that support the dominate belief system.

Before writing the book I read lots of books that dealt with sharia (Islamic) law and its effect on societies. I’d also read a number of books written by those who had escaped from Muslim cultures. Another book that affected me was Mark Steyn’s America Alone, because it was all about population statistics, and how Muslim cultures are outgrowing westernized cultures at a terrific rate.

So then it came down to: What would a Muslim future look like? And ultimately: What future do I fear for my children?

CFBR: What an intriguing idea-- envisioning a future in which Islamic rule actually comes to be. I'm sure it's sobering. So, tell us, how do you develop characters for such a concept?

I don’t have any real method. My characters just show up on the scene ready to fill their roles. I usually know the important characters before I start, and what their defining characteristics are. Otherwise, characters are created as needed. My books don’t have a huge cast, though.

CFBR: Will there be a sequel?

Believe it or not, there already is a sequel! The sequel to A Star Curiously Singing came out just six months after the first book. It is entitled The Superlative Stream, and so far it has gained a fair share of positive reviews on its own, for which I’m eternally grateful. I think the only sub-four star review TSS has gotten on Amazon so far was from an atheist I offended. Imagine that.

I’m currently plugging away at the third book in the series. It has no title yet.

CFBR: Woops. I'll have to do better research. Okay. Let's move on to more of a "craft" question. As an author, what does your life look like when the writing is done and it is time to tell people about your books.

I do lots of interviews and try to connect with as many people as possible. I send out books to reviewers and enter contests. Since Marcher Lord Press is an independent publisher much of that is harder than it would be at larger publishing houses. For instance, by necessity the cost for review and giveaway copies usually comes straight out of the author’s pocket. And it isn’t like we have large advances to work from. (Our advance at Marcher Lord is $10, actually. )

That said, most of us are doing this because we love Christian speculative fiction and want to see it grow as a genre. We’re total believers in Jeff’s vision. Plus we have unique and interesting stories that wouldn’t find covers anywhere else. It has been a fun and rewarding ride so far.

If you want the full story on how Marcher Lord Press works, you can go here: http://www.marcherlordpress.com/publishing_model.html

CFBR: Well, that's all I have for questions. Thanks for taking the time to share your creativity with us. Kerry. We hope you stop by again.

You’re more than welcome. My website is www.kerrynietz.com and there are sample chapters of my books available at www.marcherlordpress.com, Please check them out! God Bless.

This Week's Winner

Sunday, November 28, 2010

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And the winner is in. Take a peek HERE to find out who it is! We are definitely going to win an award for best "Sound Effects" this week.


Happy Reading!

John Hileman
Managing Editor
Christian Fiction Book Reviews

DiAnn Mills: Political Thriller

Monday, November 22, 2010

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PURSUIT OF JUSTICE
by DiAnn Mills
TAGS: Political Thriller

Leave a comment to enter the drawing for this book
(Nov22-Nov27)

Author DiAnn Mills scores another home run with the third book in her Call of Duty suspense series— Pursuit of Justice. This third novel offers readers a unique view into the complexities of the FBI. Mills is masterful in her ability to build rich and complex plot layers. This novel, set in West Texas, focuses on a female FBI agent seeking advancement. Attempting to fast track her career means exposing herself to a serial killer—a serial killer who just happens to be obsessed with her.

The opening sentence in this Mills novel—“The moment Bella accepted the reassignment to the FBI’s filed office in Houston, she realized the past had stalked her to the present”—captures the essence of this novel’s plot. And it just gets more intriguing from there.

In addition to adding plot elements that include murder, a hunt for lost treasure, and a mysterious past, Mills throws two “good guys” into the mix, both of whom seem to be vying for Bella’s attention and her heart. One of the good guys is a primary suspect in the murders of three men, the very same murders Bella is tasked with solving by the FBI. Mills threads enough red herrings throughout this novel to support an entire school of fish, but at the same time balances these distracters perfectly.

Mills has a knack for creating protagonists readers fall in love with, and root for until the last page is turned—and readers find themselves turning those pages at lightning speed.

Readers who seek out solidly plotted suspense novels with romantic subplots will not be disappointed by Pursuit of Justice, unless you count the disappointment felt when you realize you’ve finished the book, wishing you had another 100 pages or so of well-written novel still left to read.

Mills has the ability to weave a strong faith-based message into the lives of her characters in a way that consistently moves the plot elements along and supports the actions her vibrant characters take.

Pursuit of Justice is Christian fiction at its best. In this reviewer’s opinion, DiAnn Mills has established herself as a suspense novelist of the highest caliber—can’t wait for the next novel in the series to be released.



Reviewer: Janice E. Daku


From DiAnne Mills (Christy Award winner) 
I had always dreamed of becoming a writer, but I didn't have the courage to take the first step. I wrote poetry and stories and even books, but as soon as they were completed, I tossed them in the trash. Looking back, I think some of them weren't so bad and maybe I should not have given up on them so soon. So if I can encourage you in whatever life holds for you, don't give up on your dreams.

Check it out on Amazon here: Pursuit of Justice (Call of Duty)






More DiAnn Mills books on Amazon

Sworn to Protect (Call of Duty Series, Book 2)Breach of Trust (Call of Duty Series, Book 1)A Woman Called Sage: A NovelWhen the Nile Runs RedFootsteps

This Week's Winner

Sunday, November 21, 2010

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And the winner is!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvYWrp7-fJs

Exclusive: book Online #6

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(Click VRIN, under Categories, to see all uploaded chapters)
This novel is available in print, and was a finalist in Operation First Novel 2007,
sponsored by Tyndale House Publishers.
Copyright © 2010 Amlin Publishing. All rights reserved.

Your comments are appreciated. Enjoy!




VRIN: ten mortal gods




CHAPTER 6
EXPELLING A DISTORTED MASK
001001011001110
Traveling by horseback would probably be on the bottom of my list of preferred transportation, if I had such a list. Horses simply lacked the speed and comfort of an automobile. By now I would have had the air conditioner on and the radio blaring. But instead, the sun was burning a hole through the back of my neck, and my inner thighs were becoming sufficiently tenderized.
Thana was doing an excellent job of ignoring me. I made several attempts to pull up beside her but each time she spurred her horse ahead. It was clear she wanted nothing to do with me, so I rode quietly behind her for several hours.
Finally I could stand it no longer and with difficulty managed to pull my horse up next to hers and keep pace. "Where’s the fire?" I joked.
Silence.
Somehow I had to get through to her. I wasn’t such a bad guy. If she could just take two seconds away from her grumpy schedule, she would see that. "Listen, what do you have against me anyway? You know, if we’re going to work together we are going to have to communicate. Our lives may depend on it."
I felt the chill from her shoulder.
"Look, Thana, I feel greatly for your loss but I’ve done nothing to you."
I must have touched a nerve because without warning the floodgates crashed open. "What! You think you’ve done nothing? All you people do is meddle! You have no respect for what we’ve worked for. You come here sticking your noses into everything without asking us what we think. We’ve been here for centuries. This planet is our home! We’ve put our sweat, tears, and memories into its construction, but that doesn’t seem to matter to your kind! You snap your fingers and a mountain is a valley. You wiggle your fanny and a lake is a dessert. Well it’s wrong! And thousands of my people have died senselessly in the faithful service of the gods. But their deaths have no meaning because the cause is worthless. Peace? Hope? You don’t seem to understand the meanings of the words that come from the very book that spoke of your intervention. You don’t know us! This isn’t your planet and..."
"Now wait a minute! You don’t know me!"
She glared at me. "I know your kind, gods indeed!" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "It’s amazing that the fabric of the universe should choose you as its supreme beings. You can scarcely see beyond your own noses. Life is not something you bend to suit your fancy. It’s hard and it’s rewarding, and it’s the journey that makes us who we are! But to the so-called gods nothing is sacred. There’s a quick fix for everything!"
"That’s enough!" I clenched my hand into a fist. "You have no right to judge me!"
"What are you going to do, destroy me? Silence me for the things I’ve said? That is how your kind deals with their problems isn’t it? If you don’t like it, change it. Well, go ahead! Snap your fingers and make me disappear. I don’t want to live if I have to live under the whim of juveniles!"
I stopped my horse and enunciated through clenched teeth. "Listen closely, Thana for I swear to you on all that is precious if it were in my heart to do so I would destroy you where you sit for your ignorance. But I am not the monster you think I am. If anyone is short sighted it is you. I am working toward peace yet you don’t see that. You superimpose on me the sins of others. I am not them, and if you took a moment to get to know me, you would see that. I will be the first to admit, I’m not perfect, but I’m doing the best I can! So save your little attitude for someone who deserves it!" I pulled on the reins and turned away from her. She wasn’t worth the aggravation. There had to be another way to find Humphrey!
I was about to spur my horse when her voice interrupted me. "I’m sorry," was all she said, and it sounded like the words tasted bad in her mouth. I still had my back turned when I heard her horse start back up along the path. I sat grumbling to myself for a few moments, then grudgingly followed.
She was so stubborn and angry. --But I guess I couldn’t blame her; she’d lost her entire family. That was a lot of pain for a young woman to carry. But she didn’t have to take it out on me! I had my own problems. At least she still had a home. The home I remembered was nothing more than a fragmented collection of jumbled images without a single personal memory to build from. I was lost in a strange world. Everyone I had ever known was gone. At least she had the memories to hold on to. But-- then again, maybe that wasn’t such a good thing.
We traveled on in silence. The river we were following was beautiful, but I could barely appreciate it with everything filtering through my mind. The shadows were growing longer. I pulled up next to Thana. "Would you mind if we stop in that clearing up ahead? We don’t have much daylight left and I’d like to stretch my legs, if you don’t mind."
She gave me an examining look.
She probably thought my suggestion was made out of selfishness so I added with annoyance, "I don’t require rest or sustenance but you’ve gone quite awhile without eating or drinking. Stopping will do us both some good. Then maybe we can start fresh, okay?"
She slowed her horse, and gave me a nod.
The clearing was surrounded by large maples and evergreens. Leaves rustled in the breeze and the sweet smell of pine filled my nostrils. I climbed down and looked about. The road behind us trailed off into the hills and the road ahead disappeared into a stand of pines. This was definitely a good place to stop. It was open and grassy and the river looked inviting.
I led my horse down to the water’s edge. She took a long drink then started grazing. I looked over my shoulder to see Thana rummaging through her pack, searching for something to eat no doubt. We had traveled a long way and she was probably famished. I still found it strange that I did not experience hunger. --Apparently I drew my energy from something other than hollow apples.
I pushed my face down into the crystal clear water. It was cool and refreshing after the long hot day. I removed my pack, sat back against one of the trees, and looked out over the water. There was a relaxing quality to this area, and for a moment I almost felt like I could put this nightmare out of my mind. But as I closed my eyes the eerie specters from the morning came back to haunt me. Scenes from the sinister ordeal paraded through my mind like a spooky picture show. I let out an involuntary shudder.
Thana’s voice interrupted my dark thoughts. "What is that?"
I looked around. Up the river, silently drifting toward us, a ship of some kind penetrated the dim evening air; an ominous haunting figure, its shape dark against the setting sky. This did not look good.
I climbed back up the bank to where Thana was quickly putting her things into her pack. "Here, let me help you," I said, kneeling down.
"No thanks."
"Okay then I’ll keep an eye on the ship," I said shortly. My patience with her was growing thin.
I got up and moved back to the edge of the bank where I could keep tabs on our dark guest. It wasn’t a large ship, but was heavily armored and rigged for combat. I was not looking forward to tangling with it. As I quietly watched its unearthly form creep toward us, fear welled up inside my chest. I hoped it would just pass by. But as my luck would have it, it stopped directly across from us. And just sat there. Defying nature. The current and the wind continued to apply their forces to the vessel, but it had ceased to pay any attention to their influence. They must have dropped anchor, but why here? Why now?
With a thunderous clank five large plates opened on the side of the ship. Startled, I jumped back. "Are they going to fire on us?" I asked with sudden urgency.
Thana had packed and untied her horse and was preparing to mount. I followed suit. As I lifted my leg over the horse’s back a shrieking noise cut through the air. My head snapped around to see balls of fire emerging from the side of the ship.
"Ride!" I yelled, spurring my horse. Thana’s feet snapped back and her steed bolted. Both horses dug in and we took off down the road. Nearing the turn that would bring us away from the river I looked back. The fireballs were following us. They swirled and weaved around each other in pursuit. "Stay toward the water!" I yelled.
Thana looked back, my terror reflecting in her eyes.
"If we’re going to survive without my power we’ll need the protection of the water!"
Her horse pulled to the right and followed the river’s edge. I checked behind. The fireballs were gaining ground. "We’ll have to jump in the water!" I yelled. But as soon as the words left my lips iron bars began shooting up out of the ground near the water’s edge, blocking us from its protection.
Gaza’s work, no doubt.
I spurred my horse faster, but the bars kept ahead of us. "Now what?" I looked behind again. The fireballs were getting dangerously near. "Can I use my power now?" I pleaded.
"No!" she screamed insistently, urging her horse even harder.
I would have to wait until the last second. If I acted sooner I would jeopardize my mission.
"There!" She pointed.
There was an opening in the rock wall to our left. We made a sharp turn and entered the rocky mouth. Behind us explosions could be heard. I turned hoping to see our pursuers burning at the entrance, but they had only scraped the edge coming in. We had made some headway but wouldn’t keep the distance for long. I could hear the crackling of fire echoing off the crevice walls behind us as we weaved in and out. Then without warning, our horses nearly sat down as they skidded to a halt. The crevice had ended, and so had our escape.
I leaped off the horse and faced the advancing demon fire. "Can I use the power now?" I called behind me.
"No! I am ready to die, if that is my destiny!" she screamed back.
Oh brother. Well I wasn’t ready to die. I raised my arms with the intent of applying the web, but the fireballs came to a sudden stop just before me. They were so close, I could feel the heat from their baleful flames. They hovered silently-- as if in contemplation of their next move. What were they doing? Why didn’t they just finish us? Abruptly, they began to change. Flames fell apart and sprinkled down toward the ground. In the spray, humanoid fire creatures began to take form. I looked on, more with curiosity than fear, and soon five fully formed lava creatures stood before us.
I stood my ground. "What are your intentions?" I stated with confidence. I had already devised a plan of attack in case they made any hostile moves. It involved lots of water, and I was feeling more sure of myself by the second.
One of the creatures spoke. "Do not continue." Its voice crackled and fizzed.
"Why? What are you afraid of?"
"If you continue, you will die." Its smoldering eyes bore into mine.
"Are you threatening me?"
"If you continue, you will die," it repeated.
"Yes, I caught that. Who sent you? Gaza?"
"You have been warned," it finished. In a blinding flash, the creatures dissolved before us.
"What was that all about?" I fumed. "Is Gaza trying to scare us? Well I’m not giving up!" I looked up at the sky. "You hear that, Gaza! I’m not giving up! You’ll have to kill me first!" As I fumed I felt a squeeze on my pinky. It was Scratch. I’d forgotten all about the little guy. It squeezed again. What was he trying to tell me? I looked around and saw a shadowy figure standing in the dusty haze. Was Scratch trying to warn me? I started moving forward.
The figure turned and began walking away. "Hey!" I called. It was hard to see through the dust. I broke into a jog. "Hey!" I called again moving faster. The figure disappeared behind a rocky corner. As I came around I braced myself for an attack. But there was none. I jogged farther until the dust was much thinner. He was gone. Whoever it was.
I rubbed the little gold ring. "Keep me posted, little fella," I said quietly.
Back at the horses, Thana didn’t look happy. But then again she never did, so I paid no attention to her.
We traveled farther up the road to a clearing deep in the pine forest. I gathered wood, she made the fire, and we settled in for the night.
The three moons hung in the night sky, one white, the others slightly different shades of blue. They filled the air with a misty aura. Spaced in perfect harmony they made a remarkable sight. I looked over at Thana on the other side of the fire. "You know, I think it was darker at dusk," I said thoughtfully. "How are you holding up?"
"Fine I guess," she replied softly.
"How far would you say now?"
"We'll reach the village tomorrow late afternoon. From there it’s not too far into the woods. But we’ll have to go on foot, the terrain is too hostile for horses."
"Very well then, get some sleep. We’ll leave first thing in the morning."
"Mr. Tardin?" she said through the fire.
"Jason, please call me Jason."
"I want to thank you, Jason, for respecting my wishes earlier, even though it put you in great personal danger."
"I’m doing my best to make you feel comfortable with me."
"I may have misjudged you. I know this now. I regret that I was harsh but you have to understand, my people have made so many sacrifices. We prayed for centuries to the gods, always expecting that when they came they would answer our prayers. Can you imagine our disappointment when we came to realize the gods didn’t know our hearts and that they’d never even heard our prayers? I am as much a mystery to you as you are to me. We wanted the answers to the universe. Who are we? Why are we here? Where do we go when we die?" Her eyes watered slightly. "Instead, you play games with us and use us as pawns in your wars, showering us with gifts and then pain, taking away our strength and replacing it with dependence."
I felt for her but what could I say? "--I wish I had answers, Thana but I am as confused as you are. I’ve been lost since I arrived. For all I know I could be dead and this is my afterlife. I don't believe I possessed these powers in my last life. And I can assure you I am no god. I am just a man caught in some very unusual circumstances."
Thana studied me for a moment. "Humphrey said the same thing. He doesn't believe he is a god either. He says he’s an impostor and that the real God would punish the Ten for their arrogance. He didn’t want any part of it. Gaza went to visit many times in the days of the awakening but Humphrey didn't want anything to do with his schemes. He used to say, ‘We have no right to influence these people's lives on any level.’ Gaza would argue that he created Vrin and that it was not God’s work. He claimed God was deaf and that he did not hear the prayers of man. They spent many nights in philosophical debate, which usually ended with Gaza leaving in anger.
"I believed in Humphrey. Even when my father died, I believed there was a higher purpose, a purpose even the Ten didn’t understand. But then when my mother and sister died in the war my faith was shaken. I began to wonder if the God of the gods had his own god. I wondered if it went on forever in a chain, like some sick joke. I wondered if there was anyone, God or man who knew the answers to the universe. These past few years the only thing that's kept me sane is my devotion to Vrin’s purity. I thought if I could stop the Ten perhaps I could break the chain and restore understanding." She put her head in her hands. "But I guess I won’t get that chance if Gaza’s going to destroy us. We'll be returned to the cosmos and the chain will continue."
"Not if I can help it."
She looked up. "I don’t think you can stop him. From the stories Humphrey told me as a child Gaza is extremely powerful. Humphrey called him the blind genius." She offered me a lackluster smile. "He could build a human but lacked the ability to understand his own creation. Old Humphrey said that he himself was no intellectual slouch but he couldn’t even begin to understand the mechanics of the human brain. He could create the shell of life from the web but there would be no substance."
Like the handgun, I thought. Any one of us could have created the shell of a handgun but without the knowledge of its inner workings, it would be useless.
"Humphrey said the body was almost as complex as the spirit. Humphrey is a master of the spirit. Gaza could never best him in that. But I’m afraid to say Gaza is the master of creation and who better to destroy this world than the one who created it?"
All this talk of Gaza made me anxious to continue my research with the web. "Yes, who better. --Well, it’s getting late. Why don’t you get some sleep. We have a long ride tomorrow."
"But I want to talk some more."
"I’m enjoying our conversation as well but you need to be rested. There’s no telling when Gaza will strike. We should have plenty of time to continue our conversation on the way to Humphrey’s."
She gave in grudgingly and crawled into her sleeping bag.
 Silently the three moons floated in the sky. Their soft blue light permeated the landscape. They were truly breathtaking to behold-- and yet, I felt a certain sadness.
Their light removed the stars.
I missed the stars.




Exclusive: book Online #5

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(Click VRIN, under Categories, to see all uploaded chapters)
This novel is available in print, and was a finalist in Operation First Novel 2007,
sponsored by Tyndale House Publishers.
Copyright © 2010 Amlin Publishing. All rights reserved.

Your comments are appreciated. Enjoy!




VRIN: ten mortal gods



CHAPTER 5
AN UNLIKELY ALLY
001001011001110
After much deliberation it was decided that I should be the one to go and look for Humphrey. I knew little about Rath or Tiko and I felt confident that I could get Humphrey to talk. No one else, however, shared my optimism.
Corel and Armadon made preparations to infiltrate Rath's camp to find out more about the woman and child. According to Armadon's sources this information could be found inside a small black box. If they found the box, they were to contact us through the web.
Kitaya and I shared a private moment on the battlement of Armadon’s castle. I wanted her to come with me to find Humphrey but everyone else thought it would be better if she went to find Tiko. He was known to be a womanizer, and Kitaya would undoubtedly have the best chance of persuading him to join us. Not only was she beautiful but Tiko had never seen her before-- and he was always looking for a new plaything.
The thought of Kitaya using her beauty to entice Tiko into cooperating with us bothered me to no end. Though we’d met only yesterday, somehow I felt I’d known her forever. And secretly I hoped that one day our relationship would grow into something more. Perhaps when this whole thing was over I would tell her this. But not now. So we parted ways. And my heart felt heavy.
Armadon advised me to seek the aid of Sajin Barrows. As it turned out he was the second most prominent figure on the planet.
The architecture of the capital city of Oonaj, like forms in a distant dream, towered in magnificent splendor. Their phantom shapes were familiar but their origins could not be attained. I knew them from another time and yet somehow the structures did not seem to go together; pyramids and battlements, marble temples and stone monoliths? In the midst of these a mighty skyscraper reached up into the clouds. It was breathtaking to behold, yet it left me with a sense of foreboding.
In the center of the city, rising up with majestic grace, stood the royal castle. Inside this massive stone structure stood a smaller building. I studied the capital building from a distance. I didn't want to just walk in through the front gate. That would catch Gaza’s attention. After all, it wasn’t every day that Sam’ Dejal, the god of reason, popped in for a visit.
I circled the building and decided to go in through a barred window of what looked like a large empty storage room. I melted the bars quickly, climbed in, and silently moved across the room to the door. The door gave a faint creak as I carefully opened it and peeked out. A man passed by and I made a quick mental note of what he was wearing. Energy leaked from my hands as the threads twisted and bent to form the image of the man’s clothing. Piece by piece the shapes formed in wire frames and then material was added. When I was finished I ran my fingers across the odd fabrics. Each item had its own distinctly different texture, weight, and smell. They couldn't have been any more real.
I was still a little slow at making things from the blue threads, but given time I was sure I could make anything no matter how complex. All I needed was a vague idea of shape and material and the web did the rest. I closely examined the cotton shirt. I had simply thought: cotton and it had appeared out of nothing. Every pore was present, every stitch in place. Fascinating.
Now all I needed was a way to hide my eyes. It took a moment but then an idea came to me. I created a handkerchief and a white cane. I would be a blind man. Using a trick I’d learned from Kitaya I made the cloth visible from only one side. To everyone else it was a thick covering, but to me it was as transparent as plastic wrap.
I stepped through the door and started walking down the hall casually tapping the cane for effect. A woman passed by giving plenty of room, but she took little notice of me. It was the same with the two soldiers standing guard at the next intersection. I continued following the hallway around in a large arc and passed by several more intersections. Each had two men standing guard, but no one paid any attention to me.
For several minutes I searched up and down the long corridors. I couldn’t put my finger on it-- but something was wrong. Like the architecture of the city the objects and people here didn’t seem to fit together. Paintings of all sizes littered the walls, some ornately framed in precious metals, others surrounded by brightly painted wood. In some areas images were carved directly into the finely sanded surfaces and in other spots crude cave drawings could be seen. Soldiers, statesmen, and an assortment of employees rushed about their daily tasks wearing suits and swords. Some carried briefcases, others held rolled up scrolls.
After awhile the corridors began to blend into one another, but then I saw a man who looked like he might be able to help me. He wore a security badge. I waited until he finished speaking with two guards then followed him down to the next corridor. I checked in front and behind. All was clear.
"You, sir, could you help me please?" I stated loudly.
He stopped and coolly replied, "What do you need? I am very busy."
I moved closer and revealed my face.
His eyes widened. "I am sorry, your holiness. I- I did not recognize..."
"I do not wish to be recognized. Will you help me?" I asked gruffly.
"Y- Yes. Yes of course."
"I am looking for Sajin Barrows."
"H- he is in the council chambers. I am not authorized to go in-- b- but I know someone who is."
"Can we trust this person?"
"Yes."
"I will emphasize I do not want it known I am here. I am trusting you will keep this in confidence."
"You can count on me, lord."
"Go then. I will wait." I tapped him on the shoulder, attaching a thread. He quickly departed and I brought up the web to keep an ear on him. He did what he said he would and soon returned with another man.
"This is Randal. He can help you."
The man wore a fine blue suit. White curly hair covered most of his burly face. He reminded me of Santa Claus. I uncovered my eyes.
"Follow me please," he said gruffly.
I followed him down an endless string of hallways until the man slowed to a stop. As he opened the heavy door to the council chamber I quickly scanned the interior. Around a large granite table in the center of the room were twelve men in business suits. The table formed a symmetrical dodecagon. A man sat before each flat edge. Papers littered the table.
Randal spoke in a lowered voice. "One moment, I will get him for you."
Sajin was on the far side of the table apparently in a heated debate with the man next to him. As Randal spoke in his ear he looked up quickly, then excused himself. I couldn't help noticing how tired he looked. This was no great surprise, he was a man with a lot on his mind.
"Greetings, Lord Tardin." He spoke quietly. "What an unexpected surprise. Why do you come in such secrecy?"
I looked at Randal. "Thank you. You may go." I reached out and shook his hand and deposited two rather large diamonds. His eyes widened. "I trust you will keep our meeting secret," I said, looking him in the eye. "And make sure the other man receives his share."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." He bowed and left.
I turned back to Sajin. "Is there a place we can talk privately?"
"Yes, this way."
He led me to a chamber and as he opened the door the scent of strawberries wafted out. Inside many candles were burning. A fire crackled in the fireplace. In the center of the room, a cloaked figure sat poring over a thick brown book.
I looked at Sajin, slightly annoyed. "I said I want to go somewhere private."
He gave me a puzzled look. "This is private, lord."
I squinted at him. "Then who is that?" I pointed to the slumped figure.
"Again, I find I must apologize. I did not wish to state what I thought you already knew. His name is Charm. He is our sky searcher. Last night he was found here, frozen in that position." He looked toward the figure. "I do not believe he can hear us. We may speak freely."
I did not respond to Sajin but moved toward the silent shadowy form. Completely motionless. Frozen above a thick leather book. The man’s dark features appeared distorted in the flickering firelight. His expression was one of total astonishment, as though he had uncovered something of great importance. My heart skipped a beat as a haunting realization took hold of me. "What book is this?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice even.
"That is the sacred tome, lord."
I looked up. "What is it called?" I asked shortly.
Sajin looked at me questioningly, then stated slowly, "Davata Notrals?"
The room began to swim. I reached for a table.
"Are you all right, lord?"
"I’m fine," I replied through clenched teeth. "I am-- merely experiencing-- entrance fluctuations." Entrance fluctuations? That was a pitiful excuse. Gradually my head cleared and I took a long hard look at the figure in the chair. Who was this man? Why had he frozen in place the night I arrived? And more importantly, what did that book have to do with it? I needed to know more but didn’t want to let my guard down in front of Sajin. "Sajin, what is your understanding of Davata Notrals?"
He furrowed his brows. "It is a gift."
"Is that all you have to say about it?"
He thought a moment. "I understand it is alien to our world and that its text is ever changing." His eyes took on a distant look. "It speaks of lands which do not exist and of great men who have no history in Vrin. It has puzzled our scholars for centuries. They have sought after an answer to the singular God depicted within it. This God is referred to as the God of All, perhaps inaccurately, by our sky searchers." He gave a slight pause, perhaps hoping I would step in with some universal truth. He appeared disappointed and continued. "We have used it as a guide to living a pure life and have utilized its principles in the development of our world’s government. Although we have seen the stories of the people in it change, the message of the law does not. It is this law which has kept Vrin at peace for centuries, that is, until the gods returned." He stopped abruptly. "I beg your pardon for my frankness."
"You speak the truth. I will not hold that against you." I looked him in the eye. "You’re right. War has returned to Vrin and for that I am sorry. But you have to understand, not all the gods wish it. I can’t change what Rath has done, it is tragic and criminal. But a new threat has surfaced which is far more menacing..." Again I wondered how much I should disclose.
 "Lord?"
I threw caution to the wind. "Gaza is on the verge of destroying Vrin. We are gathering forces against him."
He stood dumfounded. "I- I do not understand. He created this world. Why would he want to..."
"We do not know much at this point. We’re not sure what his intentions are, but we can’t allow him to follow through with the threat. We need your help."
"My help?" He looked surprised. "What could I possibly do to help the gods?"
"I’m looking for Humphrey. Do you know where he is?"
"I don’t. But I know someone who does."
"Can you bring him to me?"
Sajin looked doubtful. "I can bring her to you, but I cannot guarantee she will cooperate; she is a refugee of the war. Before the war, she stayed with Lord Humphrey for a time because her father died in his service."
"I thought Humphrey was a hermit?"
"He is. That is why her father’s services appealed to him."
I waited for him to continue. Then asked, "What do you know about Humphrey?"
"Sir?"
"Tell me everything you know about him."
Sajin again appeared puzzled by my lack of knowledge. He furrowed his brow and began. "Humphrey was always too stubborn to use his power for even the smallest pleasure or necessity. So every time he went into town the people gave him a hard time because he wouldn't bless their community with treasures. Humphrey swore he would not use the power and was not willing to make any exceptions. He had decided to move on but that’s when he met Janod, Thana’s father." Sajin hesitated. "Is this what you wanted to hear?"
"Yes. Go on," I said, eager to learn as much as I could.
"Janod was a local businessman and fairly well to do. He approached Humphrey with a proposition. His only request was that the old god bless his daughters with a touch. In return he would bring supplies directly to Humphrey's cabin. Humphrey informed the man that his touch would not do the children any good, but that did not matter to Janod; he believed in his heart that it would protect them.
"And so it was. For four years Janod brought fresh supplies, and often Humphrey invited him to sit and talk. The children would come out and play near the river and over time a bond developed between Humphrey and Janod’s family.
"But then one day Thana came in the place of her father. She told Humphrey her father was ill. Humphrey went with her to see him. He was indeed very ill and the local healer said there was a good chance he would not survive. Humphrey sat with him for several days providing what comfort he could but it was not enough, and on the sixth day, Janod died. Janod’s wife knew Humphrey’s convictions yet she could not bring herself to forgive him. So she packed up her belongings, and her children, and moved away. After a time Thana returned to let Humphrey know that she was not angry with him. Like her father she believed Humphrey was a good man and she understood his convictions. He invited her to stay as long as she wished; he missed the company of her family very much. She stayed for a short time but soon left to go back to her mother and sister."
Sajin stopped and furrowed his brow. "But when she reached home, she found both of them dead."
"Dead?"
"Yes. Because of the war between Rath and Armadon." Sajin shook his head. "And now she is the leader of the resistance group called SCAR. I believe you remember Dirm. He is one of them."
I let out a small laugh. "It’s hard to forget a guy who points a crossbow at your head."
Sajin gave an apologetic smile. "So I realize Thana is unstable, but I know of no one else who could lead you there. Given the circumstances she would be foolish not to help."
"Do you think she will refuse?"
"We won’t know until we ask."
"That is acceptable. Where do we find her?" I was anxious to get on with my mission.
"I will have to bring her to you. She will most likely want to meet in a public place, perhaps in the square."
"That will be fine. Lead the way."
The town square was bustling with merchants and peasants. Anything and everything was for sale and barter was alive and well. Sajin was unsure how long he would be but I told him not to worry, I would amuse myself.
The alleyway in which I found myself was filthy, but I paid no attention; I was engrossed in my conjuring. The fragile blue threads glowed around me, filling the air with a web of blue. I waved my hands through them and the strands became brighter. The power created by my thoughts spoke to the threads in a language which communicated need and imagery. From thought came energy, and from energy, substance.
I pictured a balloon in my mind and with a subtle shifting of perception the web responded to the thought. The threads filled the air with their ghost-like essence and at once began to bend and form to the shape of my desire. A solid frame appeared before me, balloon-like, but empty inside. I knew as soon as I added texture to the glowing frame the balloon would become real. I willed the balloon shape toward me. It responded.
My intention was to test the theory behind the threads. First was a test for substance. I made the balloon solid rock and it fell hard into my hands. It had the look of a bright red balloon but was heavy and solid with a rough stone surface. I studied it for a moment before stripping the texture, returning it to a hollow wire frame.
Next I turned it into an actual balloon. It was much lighter and the surface appeared smooth and shiny. I let it go and tried to keep it afloat with my mind. It did not respond. Apparently once the texture was applied it reacted to the laws of physics governing this world. I thought back to the magic carpet. How did it work? Perhaps in order for an object to have magical qualities it needed to be created with special material which would react to thought energy.
I started from scratch and applied a new texture to the balloon frame, a material that was an approximation of what I thought flying carpet threads would look like. It was ugly but would it function? When I let the balloon go it floated awkwardly. When I willed it to move, it did. Quite pleased with myself I moved on to the next test.
I wanted to know about an object’s inner space, whether it was solid or hollow, after the outer material was added. I stripped away the magical texture of the balloon and brought the wire frame back to my hands. How about a balloon apple? I mused. The texture became red and glossy and its weight seemed correct for an apple of its size. I lifted it to my mouth and took a bite. It was sweet and juicy.
I examined the reaction of the threads to my physical influence. New threads formed to make up the shape of the bite mark and a new texture appeared, simulating the apple’s interior. Carefully I turned the apple around and stripped away the skin opposite the bite mark. I peeked inside. Nothing but darkness. The apple was hollow. Without the threads glowing on the surface the large balloon apple looked real but I now knew, that it was not. It seemed this entire world was made up of material being simulated by an unknown source. It gave me chills to think about it. Hollow apples.
I continued fiddling with the threads and time went by. Then something very odd happened. A thread passed by very close to my face and suddenly I was aware of something. Something was inside the thread! I pulled it closer and examined it. Amazing! Inside its dark center, so tiny and easily missed, something was moving. I squeezed the thread between my fingers and it flattened. I looked closer but still could not make out what it was. I needed to stretch it to increase its surface area. But how? I visualized the thread becoming flatter and thicker and with much reluctance it reacted to my desire. I pulled at its sides until it was finally wide enough for me to make out the object of my interest. My jaw dropped. It wasn’t possible! It just wasn’t possible!
A hand touched my shoulder. Quickly I willed the threads to vanish and blinked up at the two figures standing above me. Slowly I got to my feet, gathering myself on the way up. "That was fast," I said, brushing the dirt from my pants.
"I did not mean to startle you." Sajin looked at my hands and down to where I had been crouching. "What were you looking at?"
"Nothing." I offered no further explanation. Apparently he could not see the web. "You must be Thana," I said, offering my hand to the young woman at Sajin's side.
It was refused.
She was obviously not interested in sharing pleasantries. "Right then! Where do we start?"
"Thana has agreed to be your guide as long as you agree not to use your powers." Sajin’s expression was one of apology.
"If that’s what it takes then I agree." I smiled at Thana.
The smile was not returned.
"You will be traveling on horseback. Humphrey’s is about a day’s journey from here."
An entire day on horseback did not sound like my idea of a good time. I would have to tell the others my mission was going to take longer than expected. "Would you excuse me for a moment? I must use my power one last time before we begin our trip."
It was impossible to miss the annoyance on Thana’s face as Sajin turned her toward the street.
I brought Kitaya’s image into my mind.
"Hello, Jason." Her thoughts where warm.
"How are you faring?" I asked.
"Tiko does not stay in one place for long. That makes it difficult."
"I’m experiencing some complications as well. I don’t have time to explain but it looks like I’ll have to finish my journey without using my powers, so it's going to take awhile."
"Oh that does not sound good."
"I know. If things get too hairy, I’ll use them but only as a last resort. --Well, I guess I have to go. --I look forward to seeing you again. I... It's nicer when you’re around."
I felt her giggle. "I miss you too." Her words were so light and innocent. "Take care."
"Thanks. I’ll do my best. You take it easy on Tiko. Okay?"
"Alright."
As much as I hated to, I pushed her from my mind. I stood for a moment, letting her words wash over me. She missed me. I felt like a little kid.
Now to check on Corel. "Corel?"
"Yes, Jason?"
"This is going to take more than a day to finish up. How are you and Armadon faring?"
"Not sure. Armadon is very meticulous. Could take hours before we depart from here. Do the best you can, Jason. I will try to inform you if things change."
"Good luck then." I broke the link.
While Thana was out of sight, I took the opportunity to consider my situation. It was difficult enough trying to combat Gaza’s minions using the power of the web. Without it, it would be much more difficult-- if not impossible.
I needed a weapon.
I remembered my discussion with Armadon. I had asked him why his troops used primitive weapons such as bows and arrows and swords. He had replied that he didn’t know how to make a firing mechanism. He knew what a gun looked like and how to use one, but he didn't know how they functioned.
Fortunately for me, I did. It was odd how my memory was fragmented. I could remember intimate details of pistol firing mechanisms, but I had no idea who had taught me, or where I was when I’d learned it. I brought up the web and created the items I would need for my trip including a pistol and a holster, which I neatly hid under my shirt. Last of all I made a backpack in which to carry everything.
 "Well, I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be," I said, emerging from the alleyway. "Thank you for your help, Sajin."
"My pleasure, sir. Good luck." He backed away as we moved past him and mounted the horses waiting patiently nearby.
I looked at my quiet partner. "Lead the way," I said, trying to sound cheerful.
Silence.
Oh yeah, this was going to be fun.