“I have a special curse for you. You will work to my ends. Do
you understand what I am saying to you?” The helpless victim’s head bobbed up and down in answer. It was impossible to control the motion.
“I will come to you from time to time and give you instructions. You will carry out my instructions, exactly as I give them. Do you understand what I am telling you?”
Once again the victim’s head bounced up and down in the affirmative.
“After you have done what I tell you, you will forget that I have spoken to you, and the act that I willed you to do.
“Go now, return to your feeble attempt at standing guard. When I need you again, I will seek you out. You may return to what you were doing now.” Once again the soft peel of laughter as the fog broke apart and swirled into the night.
With a snap, the spell was cancelled. Acantha’s unwilling accomplice fell to the ground as the restricted muscles were set free. Now unaware of the last few minutes of entrapment, the camp guard silently cursed the hidden root that must have caused the fall. Nearing the time of the guard change, Acantha’s accomplice returned to camp to awaken the next person to take their turn. That being done, it was to bed and a peaceful night’s sleep.
Inside her laboratory, Acantha’s mood had improved greatly. She fairly danced across the room to the same chair she had occupied earlier in the evening. This time she sat with a smug smile on her beautiful face. She leaned the chair back on two legs and propped her feet on a shattered table in front of her. The future promised to be very amusing.
CHAPTER 11
Sitting on a hill just south of Monterey, Sarah looked down at the village that used to be her home. It had been a hard, week-long journey from the mountains above Cruz Town to the hills of Monterey.
“It’s beautiful from up here, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” replied Michael. “This was the first view I had of Monterey when I got here. It was early morning then, everything was so fresh and clean looking. I fell in love with the beauty here the very first time I saw it.”
The scene they looked over was majestic. The hillside they sat on was covered with eucalyptus, pine, and cypress trees, and numerous flowering bushes. The woodlands continued down the hillside in an explosion of greenery. They obscured the remaining derelict buildings of a past age. The onslaught of the wild growth ceased only when met by the superior strength of the ocean.
To the north, the pair could trace the arc of the bay by looking at the miles-long strand of beach that curved like the sliver of the moon. On a very clear day, they would be able to see Cruztown as a hazy point, now nearly lost to the distance.
Michael brought their break to an end. “Well, I guess we should get back to the others. We have quite a few plans to make.”
“Before we go back, I have a question,” said Sarah. “It’s been bothering me that I have been gone so long without telling Charlie what happened. He’s probably worried to death.”
“You’re probably right. What do you want to do?”
“I want to send him a message telling him I’m okay.”
“I don’t know if that would be wise,” said Michael.
“Why? Do you really believe Acantha doesn’t know where we are, or that we’re heading south? Besides, I won’t tell him where we are, or that we are going to Acantha’s keep. I just want him to know that we are all right. Thomas is going into town for supplies. He could contact Charlie for me.”
“Okay, we’ll tell Everett what you want to do, and if he says it would be all right, then I don’t see why not.”
“Oh, thank you, Michael,” said Sarah, as she jumped into his arms.
When they finally returned to camp, they found Everett deep in trance, while Thomas was inspecting his bow, with Oliver overseeing the inspection.
“So, Thomas. Do you have everything in mind that we’ll need for our trip?” inquired Michael.
“Yeah, in fact it looks like I’ll have to add a new bow to my list. I just found a hairline crack in this one. It could give out on me any time. I don’t have time to make a new one myself.”
“Are you sure you want to go to Monterey by yourself?” asked Sarah. “I mean, considering all the supplies you have to carry when you return.”
“No problem, Sarah. I’m used to working hard. It keeps me strong, you know.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about suddenly going weak, Thomas,” said Oliver. “You’re the strongest man I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been around working men all my life.”
“Well, the truth is, I like a little solitude once in a while. That’s why I chose to live by myself in the mountains in the first place.”
“Okay,” replied Oliver. “At least let me help you on the hunt. The better we do with that, the more credits you will have to spend.”
If they were lucky, all of the supplies would be paid for with fresh meat. Thomas and Oliver would bring down a good-sized deer. The deer would be taken to one of the taverns in town where they would receive credit. The credits would then be bartered for the needed supplies.
In order to take full advantage of the remaining daylight, Thomas and Oliver decided to leave as soon as possible. Thomas took the lead and made for the animal trail he had spotted earlier in the day. He bent down to show Oliver the deer tracks hidden beneath disturbed leaves.
“There’s a stream down there at the end of this trail,” said Thomas softly. “We’ll find a good place near the stream and set up watch.”
The pair continued on for another couple of hundred yards until the stream was in view. At that point Thomas silently pointed at a tree just off the path.
Oliver merely nodded ascent. Having hunted with Thomas often in the last two weeks, he knew what was expected.
After an hour of sitting ten feet off the ground, on another limb close to Thomas in the tree, Oliver spotted a deer approaching the stream.
He nudged Thomas to draw his attention to the animal. Thomas had already seen the deer and dismissed it. He shook his head to negate Oliver’s suggestion.
“Female,” whispered Thomas.
“Very tender, for a big man,” replied Oliver, just as hushed.
“Nothing tender about it, she has young following her.”
It wasn’t much longer before their waiting paid off. A large stag was carefully picking its way along the trail.
Thomas had but one arrow left, so he waited patiently for the animal to reach the nearest point to them. He silently notched the arrow and slowly pulled the string taut. He sat motionless, with drawstring nearly touching his cheek, until the stag was right where he wanted it.
With the vibration of the string in his ears, he loosed the arrow. Over the hum of the string, he heard the crack of the bow as if broke after sending its last arrow. But the arrow was true, it struck the stag just above and behind the front leg, piercing the heart. The deer was dead on the ground before the pair could quit their places in the tree. Once down, they ran to the fallen animal where Thomas did the blood-letting. They returned to the camp, with their prize slung over Thomas’ shoulders, just as darkness was falling.
“Okay, we’ve got payment for our supplies,” stated Thomas, as he deposited the deer. “It cost me my bow, but this fellow should prove to be enough to get everything we need plus a new bow for me.”
“You both did well, Thomas,” said Everett. He seemed quite restful after his time in meditation. “Do you leave in the morning then?”
“At first light. Too late now. I’d break my leg in the dark if I tried to go tonight.”
“Tomorrow will be soon enough.”
“It’s time for rest now,” said Sarah, as she approached the men. “I’ve got dinner ready.”
“Ah....bless you, Sarah,” replied Thomas. “I haven’t eaten in hours!”
The next morning, shortly after dawn, the inhabitants of Monterey witnessed a huge man, with a matchingly large stag over his shoulders, walk into town.
He had stopped
only long enough to ask directions to the taverns of the town. He needed to trade his stag in for credits, and wanted to know where he could get the best deal. The mountain man had received directions to the two best taverns in town. Thomas already knew where he wished to go, but did not want the townsmen to suspect he was anything other than an itinerant hunter that did not know the village.
He eventually reached the front of Sarah’s tavern. Waiting for her return, Charlie had kept the place open and in good repair. He was in fact already at work, even this early in the day. The man Thomas had been sent to see was busily sweeping the entrance when he approached. “Good morning, sir,” offered Thomas. “I was told by your friends here in the village that this is the best tavern in town, with the best meals.”
Charlie turned to stare open-mouthed at the towering man confronting him. He continued to stare at Thomas as though mesmerized.
“Well, as you can see,” Thomas continued, “I’ve had good fortune in the hunt. It’s much more than I would ever be able to eat myself -- at least in one sitting,” he said with a chuckle. “I wonder if you would be needing fresh meat to serve to your patrons?”
“Uh...well, maybe so,” Charlie finally managed to say. “At least, that is, uh...I guess.”
Charlie looked around the street as if in hopes of finding someone to help him deal with this strange man.
“I mean, the young lady that owns the tavern here has up and disappeared, and well, I’m running the place for her ‘til she gets back.”
“You seem real sure she’s coming back. You’re not worried about her?”
“Well, not really. You see, her good friend Oliver has up and disappeared, too. And Michael…that’s her man. So, I figure Oliver has taken them on a trip across the bay, or something.”
Charlie paused to scratch his head. “The thing is though, she’s never been out of the village before. And I don’t see that Oliver would take them across the bay without telling me, don’t you see? Or at least telling someone.”
“Well,” replied Thomas, “I have some good news for you that will set your mind at ease. But perhaps first we could do something with this stag. It’s becoming a mite bit heavy.”
Charlie immediately dropped his broom, and reached for the deer to help Thomas unload his burden. Thomas shook his head at the offer of help, and requested to be shown to the back room.
“Oh, yeah, sure. Just follow me.”
Once in the kitchen area of the tavern, Thomas unloaded his burden.
“Now, before I begin working on this for you, I have some important news.” He reached inside his leather jerkin and pulled out a hand-written message addressed to Charlie. “This is from Sarah.”
Charlie grabbed the message from Thomas, and with shaking hands began to read. The note did not explain the trouble they were in, but did let him know that she was all right and with her friends.
“I don’t understand. Why didn’t she let me know that she was going? It says here she’ll be gone for a long time yet. Where’s she going?”
“She didn’t let you know before hand, Charlie, because she didn’t know herself. She’s going south, that’s all I can tell you about her plans; except of course that she is with friends. She hopes that will be enough for you.”
“Yeah, well...if that’s what she wants.”
Thomas saw the crestfallen look on the simple man’s face and felt sympathy. He explained that Sarah cared a great deal for him, or she would not have gone to such trouble to get word to him.
“She’s depending on you, Charlie.”
“She is?” replied Charlie, with an awed expression.
“Sure, she needs someone to keep the tavern open and running for her while she is gone.”
“That’s me!” said Charlie with chest puffing.
“And not a word to anyone until I’m out of town, Charlie, I don’t want a bunch of questions to answer. After I’m gone you can tell anyone you want that you have heard from Sarah.”
“You’ve got it, partner!” Charlie stuck his hand out to Thomas to shake on keeping his end of the bargain.
It was nearly three hours later when Thomas left Sarah’s tavern. The butchering had been done, and his pocket was full of credits that would be needed to purchase the group’s supplies. Charlie knew that Thomas would be back for dinner before returning to his campsite, and agreed to keep quiet until the next day when the group would be on its way. Thomas spent the rest of the afternoon bargaining for the supplies that would be needed. The final purchase that he made was for the replacement of his ruined bow.
He was fully laden when he returned to see Charlie.
“Hey, Thomas. How come you’re always carryin’ something when I see you?” Charlie felt as though he was speaking with an old cherished friend since he found Thomas to be a friend of Sarah’s.
“Just my lot in life, Charlie. What’s for dinner?”
“Venison stew, of course. Are you ready for some?”
“Bring it on.”
Thomas piled his supplies next to his chosen table, and sat down to await his meal. It was nearing the time when the fishermen would be coming in for their own dinner, so the tavern was slowly beginning to fill. He was finishing his stew when three seamen from a visiting supply vessel entered. These were rough men use to the hard life, both in work and play. One of the men led the other two to the last empty table. He was a large man with unruly red hair and a flushed face. His friends followed behind like puppies, wanting to please their master.
“Hey, squid-breath,” hollered the leader. “You had better have something for us to eat today besides that shit you’ve been calling fish stew.” His cronies howled with laughter as they watched Charlie flinch from his words.
“You tell him, Red. We’re going to make fish stew outta him if he doesn’t have something good to eat.”
Charlie left the main room, and when he returned he was carrying a tray with three bowls of the venison stew.
“No fish tonight. I’ve got fresh venison for you,” he stated, as he sat the bowls in front of the derisive men.
Charlie was turning to leave the table when the seaman called Red grabbed him by the back of the shirt. “Where do you think you’re going, you stinking chunk of fish-bait?”
The man stood as he pulled Charlie back to the table. He was much larger than Charlie and easily overpowered him.
Grabbing him by the back of the neck, he pushed Charlie’s face nearly into the table. “Do you see any beer on this table, mister?”
It was all Charlie could do to shake his head no.
“Then get over there and bring us some.” With his last statement he pushed Charlie across the room with sufficient force to make him stumble into the bar. All three of the men were laughing so hard they did not see the large man charging at them.
Thomas did not even slow as he hit the table. With a thunderous crash, he knocked over table, chairs, and men. He was hauling one of Red’s mates to his feet even before they realized they had been attacked. The first man to feel Thomas’ wrath was the lucky one. Thomas, with one hand clasped on the man’s shirt collar, and the other grabbing the seaman’s trousers by the seat, was rushing to the door dragging the man with him.
One of the local fishermen, quick to see the developing fight, jumped to open the door for Thomas. Thomas’ victim found himself flying through the door, then crashing to the dirty road outside. With the breath knocked from him, it was all the seaman could do to sit up and be thankful he was no longer in the bar with the enraged giant.
Red and his remaining cohort looked up at Thomas as he stalked back to the center of the room. Red was glaring at Thomas, ready for the brawl. His buddy was staring wistfully at the door, wishing it was he that had just gone through it. Escape for him would not come so quickly, however. The door was blocked by the locals. They were not brave enough to help Charlie, but now that a rescuer had been found, they were going to make certain that the abusive bullies did not leave until Thomas was done wit
h them.
Red sized up his opponent as a bigger and stronger man, but lacking the ruthlessness that was necessary in a tavern brawl. As he came to his feet, Red grabbed a nearby fallen glass mug from the floor. Never taking his eyes from Thomas, he broke the glass on the overturned table. He charged at the giant with the shards of glass extended before him.
Thomas pulled a vacated chair from beside him and flung it at the charging man’s feet. Red tripped on the low-flying chair and somersaulted through the air, the glass falling from his hand. When he hit the floor, Thomas quickly yanked him to his feet, his fist smashing into Red’s face in almost the same instant. Red stumbled and fell against the bar.
With blood erupting from his broken nose, Red began to reevaluate his opponent. He began to believe this man might well be ruthless enough to win the fight. He looked to his friend, still sitting on the floor. “What the hell you doing on the floor, you stupid bastard! Get your ass up here and help me!”
Red’s friend began to furtively seek any route of escape. Another door, a window, anything that would get him out of the tavern, rather than face this avenging force.
Thomas looked at the men blocking the door. “If this guy wants to leave, let him. It’s this red-headed fella I want to play with.”
At Thomas’ words, Red’s man jumped to his feet and flew to the door.
“Go to hell, you shit! I’ll take care of this stupid bear myself!” shouted Red at the man’s retreating back. His face twisted in pure hatred, he raised his fists to protect his battered face and stalked toward Thomas.
Thomas had been in more than a few brawls over the years and knew what to expect. Red’s first punch was a strong but wild looping right roundhouse, aimed at Thomas’ face. Thomas easily blocked the expected punch with his left arm, and drove a right straight into Red’s already broken nose. The man fell to the floor with an anguished howl, clutching his battered face.
He rolled over onto his knees, and struggled to his feet. Staggering over to one of the tables, he clawed at a sharpened knife that had been placed there for someone’s forgotten dinner. Grabbing the knife, he faced Thomas again. Crouched low, he began to move forward.
The Enchanted Emerald (The Enchanted Stones Book 1) Page 9
