Fire Wind

May 16th, 1869

My name is Taran Collins. I take pen to paper to let anyone who follows after me a warning. If you come after me you can expect trouble. I don’t know of what kind per se, but……..well let’s just leave it at that. You’ve been warned.

Regards, Taran Collins

P.S. I’m not coming back. That much I am sure of. My story isn’t an easy one, but my hope is that my fortune will change, Godwilling.

The town of Orlaca wasn’t a thriving place. Situated at the base of a mountain in the northern region of Arizona it didn’t have much going for it other than scenic views and the wistful dreams of the few who called it home. Built as a boom town before the Civil War by those in search of gold, it later lost its luster when gold became hard to find. Unknown to the latest people to come to this remote stretch of land was that of the oral history of the Native Americans, who’d called it home for far longer. To them it was a sacred land. A place where wind and fire met and became one.

Fire Wind is the beginning of a series of western sci-fi novels that feature adventure, action, and faith. Christian Speculative Fiction – learn to love it!

EXCERPT:

“What is crypto zoology?” I asked dumbly.

Edgar waved his hand through the air and said, “It’s just a fancy name for looking for dead or extinct animals that one may think still have some members surviving to the present day.”

“Oh I see.” I said, although I didn’t.

A speculative gleam came into the man’s eyes, “What’s even more fascinating is that you are the first survivor of such a snake attack that I am aware of. Most people die within seconds.”

I shrugged at the open question for answers that I saw in his eyes.

“Yes, as I was saying from my analysis of this snake’s venom I have determined that its impact on the body un-like that of the venom of a rattlesnake is that of a paralysis of the nervous system rather than a poisoning of the blood.”

“What you’re talking about is Greek to me.” I said shaking my head.

My response seemed to garner even more interest on the doctor’s part, “Greek you say? You must be a well-traveled man and an educated one at that to know of the land of Greece.”

“It’s just an expression.” I said looking away from him.

“That may be. Tell me stranger, your people, extended family I mean by that, would they happen to hail from the Appalachian Mountains in the East?”

Looking the man over closely I said, “They would. Why do you ask?”

Edgar retreated from his interested verbal probing by saying, “Just a hunch given your last name.”

“What about my last name?”

Edgar had gotten up and opened the door to the jail-house. Holding it open he gestured to the outside, “What say you to getting a bit of fresh air and something to eat?”

I didn’t like him not answering my question, but the mention of food overwhelmed everything else. I got to my feet and headed for the door.

Passing through it we began to make our way down the upraised boardwalk. A sudden sensation of nakedness had me feeling at my side for my gun.

“It’s back at the jail. Do you need it?”

“No, I’ll be fine.” I said, but the truth was I felt naked without it.