The Speculative Short Fiction of P. E. Cunningham by P. E. Cunningham

Author:P. E. Cunningham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: http://archive.org/details/Fantasy_Science_Fiction_v077n01_1989-07_DaisyChainsaw

P. E. Cunningham has quickly earned a reputation as a premier SE storyteller with her tales about the planet New Eden and its inhabitants, the immense and telepathic pterosaurian reptiles. Here is a third — completely independent — story in a series that includes ‘Healer” (July 1982) and “To Slay the Dragon,” (October 1983).

THE TIMESEER

P. E. Cunningham

Published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 1984

The man stood alone in wiry grass at the edge of a prehistoric forest, staring up at the darkening sky. He gasped for breath; the rank air was acrid in his nostrils. The rifle slipped in his sweaty hands; he tightened his grip on the outlawed weapon and waited. For hours they had hunted him, but he could foresee every move they would make, and so eluded them. Now, in this, the place of his visions, he paused and listened to the ever-growing crack of the pteros’ wings against the alien winds.

They appeared over the edge of the trees, six of them, anvil-headed, serpent-necked, long tails thrashing the air behind them. Each bore a rider, four armed with spears, two with bow and arrow. The man ducked beneath the cover of the trees. They passed over him, unaware, their minds deaf to the noise of his own. He wasted no more worry on them. They would not find him, not until after he’d accomplished the task he’d stolen the rifle to perform. By then, it would be too late — for them and for their world.

He stepped from beneath the drooping arms of the tree, with unblinking, blade-sharp eyes. You can’t stop, me, his voice said in the man’s mind. Your people will never have the Nest, and I will have my vengeance.

“No.” The word was a moan. “I can’t let that happen.” He lifted the rifle to his shoulder and took aim at Allarn’s head.

And could not shoot.

Allarn’s chuckled. He began to change. His body melted from stocky to slim, the pine-needle hide darkened to midnight black. Harsh golden eyes transfixed the man, chill with the mercilessness of the insane.

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