Year's Best Science Fiction 01 # 1984
Page 74
Down on the beach a distance were sailors, companions, survivors of the wrecks offshore. But there among them—soldiers on horses. English soldiers, on horses and on foot—Manuel groaned to see it—wielding swords and clubs on the exhausted men strewn across the seaweed. “No!” Manuel cried, “No!” But it was true. “Ah, God,” he said, and sank till he was sitting. Down the strand soldiers clubbed his brothers, splitting their fragile eggshell skulls so that the yolk of their brains ran into the kelp. Manuel beat his insensible fists against the sand. Filled with horror at the sight, he watched horses rear in the murk, giant and shadowy. They were coming down the beach toward him. “I’ll make myself invisible,” he decided. “Saint Anne will make me invisible.” But remembering his plan to walk on the water, he determined to help the miracle, by staggering up the beach and burrowing under a particularly tall pile of seaweed. He was invisible without it, of course, but the cover of kelp would help keep him warm. Thinking such thoughts, he shivered and shivered and on the still land fell insensible as his hands.
When he woke up, the soldiers were gone. His fellows lay up and down the beach like white driftwood; ravens and wolves already converged on them. He couldn’t move very well. It took him half an hour to move his head to survey the beach, and another half hour to free himself from his pile of seaweed. And then he had to lie down again.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself behind a large log, an old piece of driftwood that had been polished silver by its years of rolling in sand. The air was clear again. He could feel it filling him and leaving him, but he could no longer see it. The sun was out; it was morning, and the storm was over. Each movement of Manuel’s body was a complete effort, a complete experience. He could see quite deeply into his skin, which appeared pickled. He had lost all of his clothes, except for a tattered shred of trousers around his middle. With all his will he made his arm move his hand, and with his stiff forefinger he touched the driftwood. He could feel it. He was still alive.
His hand fell away in the sand. The wood touched by his finger was changing, becoming a bright green spot in the surrounding silver. A thin green sprig bulged from the spot, and grew up toward the sun; leaves unfolded from this sprout as it thickened, and beneath Manuel’s fascinated gaze a bud appeared and burst open: a white rose, gleaming wetly in the white morning light.
He had managed to stand, and cover himself with kelp, and walk a full quarter of a mile inland, when he came upon people. Three of them to be exact, two men and a woman. Wilder looking people Manuel couldn’t imagine: the men had beards that had never been cut, and arms like Laeghr’s. The woman looked exactly like his miniature portrait of Saint Anne, until she got closer and he saw that she was dirty and her teeth were broken and her skin was brindled like a dog’s belly. He had never seen such freckling before, and he stared at it, and her, every bit as much as she and her companions stared at him. He was afraid of them.
“Hide me from the English, please,” he said. At the word English the men frowned and cocked their heads. They jabbered at him in a tongue he did not know. “Help me,” he said. “I don’t know what you’re saying. Help me.” He tried Spanish and Portugese and Sicilian and Arabic. The men were looking angry. He tried Latin, and they stepped back. “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and in all things visible and invisible.” He laughed, a bit hysterically. “Especially invisible.” He grabbed his medallion and showed them the cross. They studied him, clearly at a loss.
“Tor conaloc an dhia,” he said without thinking. All four of them jumped. Then the two men moved to his sides to hold him steady. They chattered at him, waving their free arms. The woman smiled, and Manuel saw that she was young. He said the syllables again, and they chattered at him some more. “Thank you, Laeghr,” he said. “Thank you, Anna. Anna,” he said to the girl, and reached for her. She squealed and stepped back. He said the phrase again. The men lifted him, for he could no longer walk, and carried him across the heather. He smiled and kissed both men on the cheek, which made them laugh, and he said the magic phrase again and started to fall asleep and smiled and said the phrase. Tor conaloc an dhia. The girl brushed his wet hair out of his eyes; Manuel recognized the touch, and he could feel the flowering begin inside him.
—give mercy for God’s sake—
Acknowledgement is made for permission to print the following material:
“Cicada Queen,” by Bruce Sterling. Copyright © 1983 by Terry Carr. First published in Universe 13 (Doubleday). Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Beyond the Dead Reef,” by James Tiptree, Jr. Copyright © 1983 by James Tiptree, Jr. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, January 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author and the author’s agent, Robert P. Mills, Ltd.
“Slow Birds,” by Ian Watson. Copyright © 1983 by Mercury Press, Inc. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, June 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Vulcan’s Forge,” by Poul Anderson. Copyright © 1982 by TSR Hobbies, Inc. First published in Amazing Science Fiction Stories, January 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Man-Mountain Gentian,” by Howard Waldrop. Copyright © 1983 by Omni Publications International, Ltd. First published in Omni, September 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Hardfought,” by Greg Bear. Copyright © 1983 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, February 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Manifest Destiny,” by Joe Haldeman. Copyright © 1983 by Joe Haldeman. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, October 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Full Chicken Richness,” by Avram Davidson. Copyright © 1983 by Avram Davidson. First published in The Last Wave Magazine, vol. 1. Reprinted by permission of the author and his agents, the John Silbersack Literary Agency.
“Multiples,” by Robert Silverberg. Copyright © 1983 by Agberg, Ltd. First published in Omni, October 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author and Agberg, Ltd.
“Cryptic,” by Jack McDevitt. Copyright © 1983 by Davis Publication, Inc. First published in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, April 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“The Sidon in the Mirror,” by Connie Willis. Copyright © 1983 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, April 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Golden Gate,” by R.A. Lafferty. Copyright © 1982 by R.A. Lafferty. First published in Golden Gate and Other Stories, (Corroboree Press). Reprinted by permission of the author and the author’s agent, Virginia Kidd.
“Blind Shemmy,” by Jack Dann. Copyright © 1983 by Omni Publications International, Ltd. First published in Omni, April 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author and the author’s agent, Curtis Brown, Ltd.
“In The Islands,” by Pat Murphy. Copyright © 1983 by TSR Hobbies, Inc. First published in Amazing Science Fiction Stories, March 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Nunc Dimittis,” by Tanith Lee. Copyright © 1983 by Tanith Lee. First published in The Dodd, Mead Gallery of Horror (Dodd, Mead). Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Blood Music,” by Greg Bear. Copyright © 1983 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Analog, June 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Her Furry Face,” by Leigh Kennedy. Copyright © 1983 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, Mid-December 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Knight of Shallows,” by Rand B. Lee. Copyright © 1983 by TSR Hobbies, Inc. First published in Amazing Science Fiction Stories, July 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“The Cat,” by Gene Wolfe. Copyright © 1983 by Gene Wolfe. First published in the 1983 World Fantasy Convention Program Book. Reprinted by permission of the author and the author’s agent, Virginia Kidd.
/> “The Monkey Treatment,” by George R.R. Martin. Copyright © 1983 by Mercury Press, Inc. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, July 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Nearly Departed,” by Pat Cadigan. Copyright © 1983 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, June 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Hearts Do Not In Eyes Shine,” by John Kessel. Copyright © 1983 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, October 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Carrion Comfort,” by Dan Simmons. Copyright © 1983 by Omni Publications International, Ltd. First published in Omni, September-October 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Gemstone,” by Vernor Vinge. Copyright © 1983 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Analog, October 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
“Black Air,” by Kim Stanley Robinson. Copyright © 1983 by Mercury Press, Inc. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 1983. Reprinted by permission of the author.
BOOKS BY GARDNER DOZOIS
Strangers (novel)
The Visible Man (collection)
Nightmare Blue (novel—with George Alec Effinger)
A Day in the Life (anthology)
Another World (anthology)
Beyond the Golden Age (anthology)
Best Science Fiction Stories of the Year,
Sixth Annual Collection (anthology)
Best Science Fiction Stories of the Year,
Seventh Annual Collection (anthology)
Best Science Fiction Stories of the Year,
Eighth Annual Collection (anthology)
Best Science Fiction Stories of the Year,
Ninth Annual Collection (anthology)
Best Science Fiction Stories of the Year,
Tenth Annual Collection (anthology)
Future Power (anthology—with Jack Dann)
Aliens! (anthology—with Jack Dann)
Unicorns! (anthology—with Jack Dann)
Magic Cats (anthology—with Jack Dann)
The Fiction of James Tiptree, Jr. (critical chapbook)
HONORABLE MENTIONS—
1983
Brian Aldiss, “The Blue Background,” IASFM, April
Lori Allen, “We Share,” Shadows 6
Poul Anderson, “Deathwomb,” Analog, November
——, “Ivory, and Apes, and Peacocks,” Time Patrolman
——, “The Sorrow of Odin the Goth,” Time Patrolman
——, and Gordon R. Dickson, “The Napoleon Crime,” Analog, March
Isaac Asimov, “Potential,” IASFM, February
Scott Baker, “The Lurking Duck,” Omni, December
Barrington Bayley, “The Ur-Plant,” Interzone, No. 4 Spring
Greg Benford, “The Touch,” Best of Omni #5
Michael Bishop, “And the Marlin Spoke,” F&SF, October
——, “The Gospel According to Gamaliel Crucis,” IASFM, November
——, “Her Habiline Husband,” Universe 13
——, “The Monkey’s Bride,” Heroic Visions
Paul Darcy Boyles, “She Sells Sea Shells,” Twilight Zone, November/December
Ben Bova, “Sam Gunn,” F&SF, October
David Brin, “Tank Farm Dynamo,” Analog, November
Damien Broderick, “I Lost My Love to the Space Shuttle Columbia,” Amazing, March
Warren Brown, “What We Did That Night in the Ruins,” F&SF, August
Edward Bryant, “Bean Bag Cats,” Omni, November
——, “The Overly Familiar,” Mile High Futures, November
F. M. Busby, “Before The Seas Came,” Heroic Visions
Octavia Butler, “Speech Sounds,” IASFM, Mid-December
Pat Cadigan, “Eenie, Meenie, Ipsateenie,” Shadows 6
——, “In the Shop,” Omni, November
——, “The Pond,” Fears
——, “Vengeance Is Yours,” Omni, May
Grant D. Callin, “Deborah’s Children,” Analog, September
Susan Casper, “Spring-Fingered Jack,” Fears
Michael Cassutt, “The Holy Father,” Best of Omni #6
Hugh B. Cave, “What Say the Frogs Now, Jenny?” Whispers IV
Rob Chilson, “The Hand of Friendship,” Analog, March
Michael G. Coney, “The Byrds,” Changes
Mike Conner, “Below the Camel Barns,” F&SF, September
Richard Cowper, “The Tithonian Factor,” Changes
John Coyne, “The Crazy Chinaman,” The Dodd, Mead Gallery of Horror
John Crowley, “Novelty,” Interzone, No. 5, Autumn
Jack Dann, “A Cold Day in the Mesozoic,” Fears
——, “Reunion,” Shadows 6
——and Gardner Dozois, “Slow Dancing with Jesus,” Penthouse, July
——and Gardner Dozois, “Time Bride,” IASFM, December
Avram Davidson, “Buchanan’s Head,” F&SF, February
——, “Eszterhazy and the Autogondola-Invention,” Amazing, November
——, and Grania Davis, “The Hills Outside Hollywood High,” F&SF, April
Joseph H. Delaney, “In the Face of my Enemy,” Analog, April
Thomas M. Disch, “Downtown,” F&SF, October
Gardner Dozois, “A Traveller in an Antique Land,” Chrysalis 10
——, “The Peacemaker,” IASFM, August
Jeff Duntemann and Nancy Kress, “Borovsky’s Hollow Woman,” Omni, October
Malcolm Edwards, “After-Images,” Interzone, No. 4 Spring
George Alec Effinger, “The World of Pez Pavilion,” F&SF, July
Phyllis Eisenstein, “Subworld,” F&SF, January
Harlan Ellison, “Chained to the Fast Lane in the Red Queen’ Race,” Best of Omni #6
Cynthia Felice, “Track of Legend,” Omni, December
Gil Fitzgerald, “The Vengeance of Nora O’Donnell,” F&SF, April
John M. Ford, “Boundary Echoes,” Omni, September
Janet Fox, “Witches,” Tales By Moonlight
Leanne Frahm, “A Way Back,” Universe 13
——, “High Tide,” Fears
George Florence-Guthridge, “Evolutions,” F&SF, August
Greg Frost, “A Day in the Life of Justin Argento Morrel,” F&SF, July
Stephen Gallagher, “Nightmare, with Angel,” F&SF, November
William Gibson, “Hippie-Hat Brain Parasite,” Modern Stories, No. 1
Mary R. Gentile, “The Harvest of Wolves,” IASFM, December
Felix C. Gotschalk, “Conspicuous Consumption,” F&SF, March
Charles L. Grant, “The Next Name You Hear,” F&SF, January
——, “Recollections of Annie,” Twilight Zone, January/February
Robert M. Green, Jr., “The Pallid Piper,” F&SF, August
Eileen Gunn, “Spring Conditions,” Tales By Moonlight
Jack C. Haldeman II, “My Crazy Father Who Scares All the Women Away,” IASFM, Mid-December
Melissa Mia Hall, “Marianna,” Shadows 6
Charles L. Harness, “Quarks at Appomattox,” Analog, October
M. John Harrison, “Strange Great Sins,” Interzone, No. 5 Autumn
Gary Jennings, “Rouge on an Empty Glass,” F&SF, August
Richard Kearns, “The Power of the Press,” IASFM, Mid-December
Gregg Keizer, “Edges,” Omni, June
James Patrick Kelley, “The Cruelest Month,” F&SF, June
Leigh Kennedy, “Belling Martha,” IASFM, May
——, “Greek,” IASFM, October
——, “The Silent Cradle,” Shadows 6
John Kessel, “Below Zero,” Twilight Zone, January/February
Stephen King, “Uncle Otto’s Truck,” Yankee, October
Stephen Kleinhen, “Tell Us about the Rats, Grandpa,” Whispers IV
Damon Knight, “La Ronde,” F&SF, October
Michael P. Kube-McDowell, “Memory,” IASFM, August
Michael Kurland, “A Brief Dance to the Music of the Spheres,” Best of Omni, #6
R. A. Lafferty, “Bird-Master,” Four Stories
——, “Marsilia V,” Golden Gate and Other Stories
——, “Pine Castle,” Amazing, September
——, “Tongues of the Matagorda,” Golden Gate and Other Stories
Rand B. Lee, “Tales from the Net: A Family Matter,” IASFM, May
Tanith Lee, “Black as Ink,” Red as Blood
——, “Chand Veda,” IASFM, October
——, “Elle Est Trois (La Mort),” Whispers IV
——, “The Golden Rope,” Red as Blood
——, “Il Bacio (Il Chiave),” Amazing, September
Ursula K. LeGuin, “The Ascent of the North Face,” IASFM, July
Fritz Leiber, “The Cat Hotel,” F&SF, October
——, “The Curse of the Smalls and the Stars,” Heroic Visions
Bob Leman, “Unlawful Possession,” F&SF, September
Barry Malzberg, “Reparations,” F&SF, August
——, “What We Do on Io,” F&SF, February
Scott Elliot Marbach, “The Eternity Wave,” IASFM, May
Lois Metzger, “The Best of Both Worlds,” Omni, February
Jack McDevitt, “Crossing Over,” Twilight Zone, January/February
——, “Melville on Iapetus,” IASFM, November
Ian McDowell, “Son of the Morning,” IASFM, December
Vonda McIntyre, “Transit,” IASFM, October
M. E. McMullen, “Gandy Plays the Palace,” Amazing, November
Thomas F. Monteleone, “The Mechanical Boy,” Chrysalis 10
Cynthia Morgan, “Rememberance,” IASFM, December
David Morrell, “But at My Back I Always Hear,” Shadows 6
Richard Mueller, “A Song for Justin,” F&SF, November
O. Niemand, “Afternoon Under Glass,” F&SF, November
——, “The Man Outside,” F&SF, April
Larry Niven, “A Teardrop Falls,” Omni, June