Dan was fighting bravely, but he was slowly wearing out. His larger adversary took advantage of this and drove Dan back to the edge of the cliff. Dan glanced around and saw Emily. She was standng against a wall. Her foe raised his sword and brought it down at her. Then his view was blocked and he heard her cry out. The sound rang through his mind. His shoulders slumped and his head bowed.

"Go ahead and kill me," he said, "I don't care anymore."

In the spring of 2009, my family and I, along with some other families and individuals from Design Science Association, went on a geological expedition on the Oregon coast. There are many fossils and rock formations along the Oregon coast that present good evidence for the Biblical account of Noah’s flood.

 The sun on tired brick is grace,

displacing last night's shadows with a mercy

newer than the morning that awakes

the birds in my back alley; they go baptizing

in the puddle on the garage roof,

rippling the water caught from a summer storm,

warmed by the sun, the smile

of a God who won't let the sparrows fall.

I remember a lot about him,

but somethings more than others

I remember how his hands were strong and hard,

yet could gently hold my mother

I know that hands say much about their owners

that they show what kind of life they lived

and his hands were that of a farmer

who all his life did give

he plowed and tilled the soil

working hard to build a home

hard and rough, did he toil

Rain or shine he worked hard

making sure all was well on the farm

trying to be a good father

trying to be a good man

Sitting there, a flashback comes. He's laughing at something a friend says, looking so young, strong, so vibrant. Another, he's starting to break a horse and I know that he's indestructible, because, what could ever hurt him? His muscles ripple as he pounds a nail into the wall, he's building a shop with his two hands. I know he's a real man. I see him cry, as he speaks with his heavenly Father. As he worships his Maker.

I posted two chapters to keep you all from going crazy :).

Forgive me, I have failed you

There wasn't much to see inside. Thalror led Rynere through a few narrow, gray halls into a small, gray room that held a chair and table. She tried asking the soldier what the matter was, but didn't get an answer.

Rynere sat down and looked out the one, narrow window in the room. Trees.

Then something broke through them -the commander on a borrowed horse and another soldier. The commander slipped out of the saddle and tossed the reins to his companion, striding towards the building without another look back.

The commander stared. His soldiers were starting to look nervous. The one beside Rynere gave an audible gulp. She rolled her eyes, but didn't offer any information.

But why not? Why shouldn't she tell these men what was going on? If they found Tass -well, a few more men and they would be able to keep an eye on him. Running from them would keep Tass busy. And she could get returned to her home.

The clearing was silent for a few more awkward moments. Then the commander sheathed his sword and turned around to face Rynere.