Book Description

Another Side of Destiny Emily has a secret she dare not tell her husband, one she won't even confide to the shades of her parents. For Emily desires a gift more precious than charms, and more valuable than silver. But to make it hers, Emily must challenge fate. A short-story of fate and destiny from the Lands of the Sweet Waters. "Sorry," I whisper. I lean over him, and find a stubble-free patch of cheek to kiss. "I'm getting up." "Mm," he says. "It's nothing. Don't worry." The bed creaks as it loses my weight. I scoop up sandals and balance my charm box in the crook of an arm. At the curtain, I bunch the beads together so they won't rustle. My husband lies still, and his snore is restarting. In our courtyard, the shadow of the eastern wall covers everything, except our water charm at the tip of its reed pole. The sky is a flat, soft, morning blue. I think the day promises to be warmer than yesterday. I tie my sandals, and notice there's a scuff on one heel. It has to be from last night, when I was holding my new-born niece, and not looking where I was walking. From our chest, I lift out linen strips: light blue today like the sky. I wrap my loins and pin a strip in place. Dissatisfied, I pin it tighter, then wrap my breasts so tightly they ache. Today, my charms need to be close. "Mother and Father," I say, and bow to their statues. "Welcome to the new day." Yesterday's offering of oil has gone. I pour new drops for them on their little clay feet. "We had dinner with Jon's brother and their children," I tell them. "The new baby does have Jon's eyes." I want to tell my parents of the warding charm, but I can't: it'll make it too real. "Well," I say and try to smile. "Well." I know I'm hesitating. ... (Keywords: glamour, charm, wish, enchantment, fate, tablet, clay, free, freebie, epic fantasy, ancient world, historical fantasy, alternate history, sword and sorcery, short story)