by R. L. Wolf
"Training the team is my job. I'm First Merit, but Colt won't let me do my job. We need to spend our free time in the flight simulator, but all he ever wants to do is go to the firing range."
Ella listened intently. He had such a lovely voice, like water rolling over the river rocks.
"We won't have enough hours in the simulator to pass our mid-term,” continued Toran. “We need to manage our free-time schedule better." Toran paused for a moment and threw a rock into the river. "No, I need to manage our free-time schedule, but Colt ignores me. We don’t need the firing range, we can pass marksmanship with no problems."
Ella nodded thoughtfully. "If you don't pass your mid-term you will end up like Roger and Tanner. They've been here over three years now."
"Yeah, I think Roger might make it this time, but Tanner is on the road to getting expelled," said Toran. “I’m just glad we don’t have any classes with him. I heard he got caught cheating on a test.”
"I don't think you get expelled," replied Ella.
"What do you mean?"
"I overheard the teachers say Tanner might be finishing the Long Walk."
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Toran.
"I'm not sure, but I think all of us are still on the Long Walk."
Toran moved closer to Ella. He was quiet for a few minutes while he thought about what she said.
"Oh ancestors!" said Toran. "You think…"
"Yeah, have you ever heard of any Merit or Gunslinger student going home?"
Toran thought back to the entrance exam and selection phase when he was twelve. Grandfather Ryota had told him several times how serious joining the Gunslinger Order was. He had even tried to get Toran to forget it, go home, and find another career. Toran remembered the look on his grandfather's face when Toran was called in and told he was matched with a Gunslinger. Grandfather had seemed sad as if he might never see Toran again.
"Do you think the Marshal will tell us the truth?" asked Toran.
"I don't know, but if we are still on the Long Walk, and finishing the Long Walk means, well, you know, I don't care. I guess I'm on the Long Walk until I'm not."
"I guess I don't care either," said Toran. "This is where I want to be, but it would be easier if I had someone to walk with."
Toran casually dropped his hand down next to Ella's hand, his smallest finger next to hers. Ella didn't move her hand away, so Toran moved his hand on top of hers, and then she pulled her hand back.
"I'm sorry," said Toran. "I thought, well, I'm sorry."
"No, silly," said Ella. "It's just I wasn't expecting that."
Ella put her hand on Toran's arm and ran it down to his hand. She had that lopsided grin he loved so much.
"Oh, I see," said Toran. "You've never touched a Carinian’s skin before."
"It's rubbery,” said Ella, putting her hand back on Toran’s arm.
"Some people say this is wrong, you know, two different species being together."
"I don't think that," said Ella, tipping her head sideways and looking at him with one eye squinted. "Are we together?"
"I don't know," Toran stuttered. "Maybe."
"You're so romantic," said Ella, rolling her eyes.
Toran blushed and grinned.
"Hey, here comes Colt, and he's carrying flowers," said Ella.
Toran lost his grin. "If those are for me, I'm shooting him."
Colt walked along the path looking left and right. He had a fist full of wildflowers that looked more like a pile of dead weeds than anything. He saw Toran and Ella sitting on the rock and came over to them.
"Hey Ella, have you seen Cora?" asked Colt.
"She went back to the cabin to get ready for dinner," replied Ella.
"Thanks."
Colt turned around and headed toward Cora's cabin, hearing Toran and Ella’s laughter as he walked away. Toran was being such a pain lately, always arguing about everything. He would deal with Toran later. Dinner was in twenty minutes and he needed to hurry. Colt stopped at the fork in the path that led up to Cora's cabin and looked around for any teacher that might be patrolling the area. There were no teachers in sight, and he continued up to the cabin.
Cora's cabin was the same as his, with a wide porch and chairs against the wall. Colt took a deep breath, walked up the steps, and knocked on the door. Myra answered the door, took one glance at the weed flowers Colt was holding, and burst out laughing.
"Cora, your boyfriend is here," announced Myra.
"Tell Duke I'll be right there," Cora shouted back.
Colt's eyes narrowed, and he was about to turn around and leave when Cora shouted again.
"I'm joking, Colt," said Cora.
Mae and Nora came to the door, eyed the wilted wildflowers, and went back inside, laughing hard. Cora came to the door a moment later, saw the weed-like flowers Colt was holding, and her face twisted into a horrified expression. Colt tossed the flowers over the porch, pulled a bullet from his gun belt, and held it out to her.
"Oh, that's so sweet," said Cora, taking the bullet and putting it in her gun belt.
"I'll never shoot this one," said Cora. "Thank you."
"Would you like to walk to dinner with me?" asked Colt.
"I'd love to," replied Cora.
The two walked down the stairs and out on the path. Colt broke the silence first.
"Up on the mountain," stammered Colt. "You said some stuff."
"I was saying the most shocking thing I could think of so you would pay attention to me and not the ground," said Cora.
"Oh, yeah, of course," muttered Colt. "Thanks for helping me."
The two walked in silence a bit further before Colt blurted out what he had wanted to ask.
"Did you mean any of it?" asked Colt. His palms were sweating, and he wondered how it had gotten so hot suddenly.
"That depends."
"On what?"
Cora shoved Colt, and he fell into the bushes on the side of the path. "On how fast you can run," said Cora, and took off at a sprint for the dining cabin.
Colt got up grinning and chased after Cora. He ran past Garth and Wes on the path, noticing that Wes was carrying a pair of boots.
"Seriously Wes," said Garth. "Just stop, this is dumb."
"I've got this," said Wes. "I know what I'm doing."
"Those are your best boots, just stop."
"You worry too much, I have a system."
The boys walked to the dining cabin, with Garth harping the whole way on how dumb Wes was being. They walked past Colt and Cora sitting at a picnic table out front, their heads pressed together and whispering. Wes pushed the door open and went inside the dining cabin where a bone dice game was being played at Owen's table.
Wes tossed his good leather boots up on the table.
"I think this will cover the roll," said Wes.
"Come on, kid, walk away. I don't want any more of your stuff," said Owen, shaking his head.
"Scared," taunted Wes.
"I'm not watching this," said Garth. "You're on your own."
Garth headed over to the chow line. Tonight was breaded veal, a favorite dish of his. Garth was large for his age, but not overweight, just well-muscled, and he was always hungry. He could never get enough to eat.
"Hey, Garth."
"Hey, Erie."
"I heard your team skipped the simulator again."
"Yeah, it's making me mad. I like the turret gun in the simulator."
Garth held his tray out for the cook to fill. The cook was also the Senior Deputy, Deputy Hargrath, though he was rarely seen away from his dining cabin. Deputy Hargrath dropped a piece of veal and a scoop of mashed potatoes on Garth's tray. Garth kept the tray held out until the Senior Deputy dropped another piece of veal and scoop of potatoes. Garth shook his head at what was on his plate, still unsatisfied with what he considered a meager portion, and kept his tray held out. Deputy Hargrath smiled. He understood growing teenage boys and knew that some boys needed more food than others, especiall
y if that boy was a Cormon. He dropped a third piece of veal and another scoop of potatoes on Garth's tray. Garth was finally satisfied and moved on to juice glass table. He ignored the glasses of juice and set one of the pitchers of juice on his tray.
Erie got his food and followed Garth. "Hey, me and a couple other guys are going to the simulator after dinner to practice," said Erie. "We need a fourth for the turret gun, you want to join?"
"Yes, I would be grateful. I'll meet you at your table after dinner," said Garth, turning to Austin coming out of the food line. "You going to eat your dessert?" asked Garth.
"Naw, go ahead and take it," said Austin.
Austin held his tray out for Garth to grab the dessert and then made his way to his team’s table. Toran and Ella were huddled together making eyes at each other, and Colt and Cora were playing pinfinger with their hunting knives. Austin rolled his eyes and looked for somewhere else to sit. Dukes table was the next table over.
"Hey Cole, can I sit over here?" asked Austin.
"Yeah bud, help yourself," said Cole. "Can't blame you. Those four over there are making me lose my appetite."
"I know what you mean," said Austin.
"Did you finish the physics homework?" asked Cole.
Austin got up and retrieved his backpack from under his team's table where he had thrown it, and returned to Duke's table. He rifled through the backpack, pulled out his physics work, and tossed it in the center of the table. The guys on Duke's team looked at Austin like an angel had descended from the heavens.
"Thanks, buddy," said Cole.
"No problem," said Austin, pushing his tray aside. He wasn't hungry. All the arguing between Colt and Toran had taken his appetite away. Colt and Cora got up and left the dining cabin. It wasn't much of a surprise that those two were together—they were both nuts.
Austin noticed something unusual and stopped eating. Deputy Hargrath had taken his cook’s apron off and was putting on his gun belt. The Senior Deputy slipped out the side door. Austin got up and walked out to the front porch of the dining cabin and watched Deputy Hargrath meet with a group of the teachers. The teachers spoke together for a moment and then continued to the Marshal's office.
Austin pulled his notebook from a pocket and jotted down some notes. He had learned that if he took enough notes of seemingly unrelated events, often a pattern emerged. He liked to figure things out.
The sound of the transport ship’s engines warming up caught his attention. The landing pad was down on the other side of the range, about a half mile from the camp. He was about to go back inside and wait to find out what was going on when the floodlights at the ammunition bunker came on. The teachers had live rounds on their belts. They didn't need the ammunition in the bunker. It was for the students only. Something was happening. Austin went back inside the dining cabin. Toran was still talking with Ella, and he walked over to the table.
"Toran, something serious is happening," said Austin. "I think we should get our rifles and field kits."
"I'm sure they will tell us if something is up," said Toran.
"Listen to me," said Austin. "You're always saying Colt doesn't listen."
"Sorry, what is it?" asked Toran, prying his eyes away from Ella.
"Deputy Hargrath just armed himself and left with the teachers, and the bunker lights are on, and the transport ship is warming up its engines."
"I'm getting my team together," said Ella, and got up to leave.
Duke, sitting at his table, heard Austin and turned around. "It is well known you have the eyes and ears of the Dragon. We must act if you are certain there is a danger," said Duke.
"I think…yes, something big is happening, I’m sure," said Austin.
Duke stood and slapped his tail on the floor hard enough to make everyone turn and look. He raised his voice for everyone to hear.
"Quiet," said Duke, his voice the clear and authoritative voice of someone born to leadership.
"Stay calm. There is something happening. If your Gunslinger isn't here, send a team member to find him. The rest of you get your rifles and field kits, and warm clothes. We will meet back here in ten minutes. Spread the word, and for the love of the Dragon, give Wes back his britches."
Wes grabbed the clothing he had lost at bone dice and headed for the front door in his boxer shorts. Duke stopped him on the way out.
"Wes, stop gambling," said Duke. "The Dragon does not favor your dice."
Wes grinned and winked before heading out the door. He had no intention of leaving off the dice.
Duke shook his head at the unrepentant Wes and grabbed Toran’s arm. "Return to the Dragon’s side and stop whining about how Colt isn't listening to you. Do your job."
Toran nodded. Duke might not be his Gunslinger, but he knew better than to argue with any Gunslinger when they used that tone of voice.
Ten minutes later the students returned from their cabins in full field gear. The dining cabin filled and a tension hung in the air as the students talked among themselves. The conversations ended abruptly as the horn sounded to assemble at the Marshal's office.
The Gunslinger Teams poured out of the dining cabin and ran for their positions on the roll-call field. The Marshal opened the door of his cabin and stepped outside with several of the teachers. The entire school stood assembled in full field gear, ready for whatever the danger was.
The Marshal stood on the steps of the porch and faced the students.
Toran leaned forward and whispered to Colt. “I think he has Imperial Battle Armor on under his duster.”
“I see it,” replied Colt. “Makes sense though, he is the Marshal General. I bet he was in the Imperial Army once.”
“But it’s gold colored,” said Toran. “Only Imperial Palace Officers wear gold armor.”
The Marshal held his hands up to silence the students. "Three hours ago the Tri-Alliance declared open rebellion against the Kesune Imperial Throne." The Marshal paused as hushed whispers passed among the students. "The Tri-Alliance is Carina, Darai, and Daemia, and pre-dates the Empire’s conquest of Carina and Daemia. Corvus, home world of the Gunslinger Counsel Headquarters, though not officially part of the Tri-Alliance, does have close ties with the Alliance. However, Corvus is an Imperial Colony and has sensibly chosen to remain neutral. The Gunslinger Order exists through an Imperial Charter, but will also remain neutral and continue providing law enforcement to both the Empire and the Tri-Alliance."
A Deputy teacher came out of the Marshal's office and handed the Marshal a note. The Marshal nodded and read the note before continuing.
"Twenty minutes ago a rogue Caelum Destroyer entered orbit. We do not know their intent, but the Gunslinger Charter forbids Imperial troops to occupy Gunslinger territory. We will block any Imperial entry if they come for our Carinian or Daemi students."
The Marshal was interrupted when Tanner jumped out of formation.
"We have to surrender!" yelled Tanner. "They'll kill us all!"
Tanner ran into the woods, his Merits yelling for him to come back. The Marshal stared for a long moment into the woods where Tanner had fled before nodding to Deputy Hargrath. Roger never turned his head to look at his fleeing older brother. There was nothing left he could do. Tears flowed down his face. Deputy Hargrath stepped off the porch and went after Tanner.
"Draw a basic load from the ammunition bunker and take your assigned defense positions. I do not expect trouble, and classes should resume tomorrow."
CRACK!
The gunshot echoing across the camp made most of the students jump and turn their heads toward the darkness of the forest.
"Cowardice is not tolerated," said the Marshal. "Gunslinger Tanner Locke has finished The Long Walk."
CHAPTER TEN
Ella
Ella watched Tanner run into the woods. She heard Tanner's Merits screaming for him to come back. She saw Deputy Hargrath chase after him, Tanner didn't have any more chances left, he had used them all up. She knew what was about to happen, a
nd she had no delusions about the necessity of it, but she wanted to cry, she wanted to scream for Tanner to come back. Tanner’s Merits would feel the horrible pain of losing their Gunslinger. It was a pain she couldn't imagine having to bear. They would likely be imprisoned for losing their Gunslinger, or maybe worse—they could be taken into the woods to join Tanner.
The sound of the gunshot echoed from the woods. Ella flinched at the finality of the echoing sound and closed her eyes.
Nine months ago
"Ella... Ella."
"Yes, Papa," Ella answered from the sheep pen.
"Are you almost finished?"
Ella put her weight against the last stubborn ram and pushed hard, trying to get him to go inside the pen.
"Almost, Papa," said Ella, with a grunt. "Last one."
"You have visitors," said father.
Ella latched the gate closed and pulled the cord to release the feed into the trough.
"Is it that stupid boy again from the Henry Ranch?" shouted Ella. She checked the gate one more time and left the stock to enjoy their meal. She climbed over the outer gate rather than walk all the way around to the front, and ran to meet her Papa.
"Our sheep and his ranch, it would be a good match."
Ella playfully punched his arm. "Stop it, Papa," said Ella. "You know what I'm waiting for."
He knelt in front of her and looked up at his beautiful daughter. Her mother had been right, it was all his fault. He had taught her to be self-reliant, strong and resourceful, and now he would lose her because of it.
"Papa, what's wrong?" asked Ella. There were tears in his eyes.
"Ella, my angel, remember that no matter how far life takes you from here, I love you with all my heart."
Ella looked up at the house, and her heart skipped a beat.
"It's happened, hasn't it Papa? They're here."
"You don't have to go."
Ella never heard her father's words. She broke free of his arms and sprinted for the house as fast as she could. Ella's father stood, weeping, and went to the barn to wait. He couldn't bear to watch his only child leave.
