The Dragons of Men (The Sons of Liberty Book 2)

by Jordan Ervin

  “And while we appreciate your hospitality, we’re not here to accept favors. We can all pull our own weight.” Eric turned to Alexandra. “You doing okay, Alexandra?”

  Alexandra’s eyes flickered up to him, a brief flash of pain flashing across them, before she nodded her head.

  “I’m fine,” she said, lowering her eyes again.

  “Good,” Eric replied hesitantly, his heart breaking for her. “It’s good to see you again.” Alexandra glanced up again, though she remained quiet.

  “Alexandra’s fine,” Nadia said, glancing over at her sister before giving her a side hug. “We’ve got our best people looking after her.”

  “Good to know,” Sarah said as she walked up to Eric’s side. “I’m just happy to see you again, Alexandra. We’re all happy to see you again.” Alexandra smiled briefly before the bleakness returned—like a ray of light that broke through a thunderhead for but an instant.

  “So I guess we’re all here, standing around twiddlin’ our thumbs,” Elizabeth said. “What now?”

  “Now,” Nadia began, glancing over at Tyler. “We show you your new home.”

  They quickly piled into three waiting vehicles, ready to travel the short westward journey into town. They had been quarantined at the White County Medical Center, a sprawling hospital next to the interstate. Sarah sat beside Eric in the back while the others occupied the two vehicles behind them. Nadia was last to climb in, shaking her head as she entered the passenger’s side.

  “What’s wrong?” Tyler asked.

  “Alex,” Nadia replied. “She said she forgot a few things and ran back inside.”

  “We can wait for her,” Eric said.

  “I said that too, but she said she would walk to campus,” Nadia replied. “She said she needed time to think and clear her mind.”

  “Is that safe?” Sarah asked, looking to Nadia. “The part about her walking alone.”

  “It’s quite safe,” Nadia replied. “The main campus—where we live and near where you all will be staying in the inner housing district—is a straight shot down Race Street, the central road through town. She won’t be bothered and it’s only a two mile walk. I think she just needs some time alone and I do not blame her.”

  “And you’re sure?” Sarah asked, looking at Eric. “I mean, I don’t want to question you, but you are positive it’s safe? I’d hate if—”

  “The people at Fort Harding don’t put up with much nonsense, Sarah,” Nadia replied kindly. “After a bout of food thievery over the winter, we erected a pair of town-center stocks. Faced with a comfortable prison sentence behind bars, most anyone will try to push the limits of what they can get away with. However, when they’re looking at a humiliating hour shivering in the cold, naked as the day they were born, they think twice about their actions before they try something irrational.”

  “And that worked?” Eric asked.

  “No one wants to see Fort Harding become like Memphis, Little Rock, or likely a dozen other towns and cities around here,” Nadia said. “Everyone is willing to fight to keep us respectable and safe.”

  “Sounds like you solved the problems with America’s judicial system,” Eric replied with a grin.

  “I wouldn’t doubt it,” Tyler began, “being that we’re probably the last group of fools flying the American flag.”

  They pulled out of the medical center and onto Race Street, turning right before driving into town. They passed through one checkpoint that consisted of eight vehicles blocking the road—four of which were armored Humvees—and eight armed men standing guard. After introductions between Eric and the guards, they pulled through the checkpoint.

  “How do you still have fuel?” Eric asked.

  “You hear the engine rumble?” Tyler asked.

  Eric paused, listening for a moment, though he heard nothing. “I don’t”

  “Because there is no engine rumble,” Tyler replied. “They’re the new SAVs that came out a year or two before the fall. Quite a few of Fort Harding’s residents lived here when it was still Searcy. Since all the Solar Assisted Vehicles need to be connected to the Internet to change the biometric access codes, they were worthless to anyone but the owners, especially since the Internet is practically nonexistent. The problem with most transportation—or rather, the problem we’ve gathered from the information coming into town—is that most of the SAVs were being stripped of their solar panels and batteries by traders who couldn’t start the car. Lucky for us, we had twelve families here in town who had bought the new cars before things got out of hand last year. They were willing to donate what they had so we could get around quickly without using our fuel supplies.”

  “But you do still have fuel?” Eric inquired.

  Tyler nodded his head. “We had ten gas stations and a combined supply of roughly one hundred and fifty thousand gallons of gas and diesel.”

  Eric whistled, surprised by how much they had. “You should be fine for a while with that much.”

  “A while can be a long freaking time,” Tyler replied. “Especially when we’ve got a handful of half-tracks and a few dozen Humvees to fuel.”

  “I heard about that,” Eric said. “How the hell did you get tanks here?”

  “Long story,” Nadia replied. “They came to us when Little Rock first collapsed last year. We gave them food and shelter after a nasty fight they survived. In return, they gave us a couple hundred trained Guardsmen and enough weapons to make a Spartan blush.”

  “We’ve stationed the Humvees at the checkpoints around town and have the three half-tracks guarding the main campus blockades,” Tyler said. “Needless to say, it might sound like a lot of fuel but you can burn through it quickly when you’re fueling our fleet. We keep the armored vehicles stationary and stick to the electrics as much as we can. Due to the SAV’s security codes, the original owners have to be the ones who start the car every time. In return for their help, we put them up near the main headquarters in the old American Heritage Building until we can find a work around the security firewalls.”

  “I’d bet Trey might be able to help if you ask,” Eric replied.

  “What do you think he’s doing as we speak?” Nadia replied with a smile. “As I said, Race Street is the main artery through town. We’ve set up checkpoints like that one back there at key locations to prevent outsiders from sneaking into town. A few weeks after the Guard arrived, we had quite the population from Little Rock try to infiltrate the town. We were selective at first—taking in doctors, police officers, and expert horticulturists—but we quickly were forced to bar the masses from entry. We had a few nasty engagements, but we bolstered our defenses to include multiple blockades into town and a network of a couple dozen checkpoints. We also implemented a strict no entry policy, regardless of who you were. That is, until my little sister’s friends came knocking on our door.”

  “Doesn’t sound like you have much of an immigration policy,” Eric said.

  “I’m an immigrant myself, Mr. Corsa,” Nadia replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. “At one point I was annoyed by how much Americans wanted to keep their lands for themselves. Now…well, I guess I’m the one turning away those looking for the better life.”

  “The new world didn’t kick off without a sense of irony,” Tyler said, glancing over at Nadia. “We hope it’s not like this forever. We really want to bring in the tired and starving from the countryside; we just can’t risk it with the siege down south.”

  “The siege?” Eric asked.

  “There is a military occupation of North Little Rock sixty miles south from here,” Tyler said. “No definitive word about the troops in Jacksonville, though rumor has it they abandoned Arkansas and left for Texas last December. Speaking of which, Texas holds the entirety of Little Rock south of the river and someone else dug in on the north side. We half expected to hear about a battle by now. Instead, they’ve both apparently been in a waiting game.”

  “What are they waiting for?”

  “No id
ea,” Tyler replied as they turned off of Race Street into an old residential area. “We don’t even know who is on the north side. We just know the city has been taken and we haven’t had much luck getting anyone in for a closer look. We have a couple permanent scouts ten miles north of Little Rock to radio any problems, but even they can’t get a closer look without venturing into the city itself. We’re hoping Trey can help us out with intel before the problems brewing in Little Rock become the problems at our doorstep.”

  “You expecting war?” Eric asked.

  “We pray nothing happens, though we try to prepare for anything,” Tyler replied, motioning to a group of soldiers training on a field. “You’ve seen blockades to the north of town. We also have two more blockades that stretch the length of the interstate and a two story wall guarding the south side of town. Still, there are two armies down there and we know Texas wants what we have up here pretty badly. We can’t afford to take chances.”

  Eric paused, looking out the window at the town. They were now passing through a larger gate into the old university campus. Soldiers stood guard, watching the three vehicles pass through as they nodded to Tyler. Inside the walls, children ran about playing as adults went about their work. Compared to the war-torn cities they had traveled through, Fort Harding was the difference between night and day.

  “I wouldn’t mind taking a closer look at your fortifications,” Eric finally said.

  “Is that so?” Nadia said with a grin, “I thought you weren’t staying.”

  Eric paused, smiling at Nadia before looking over at Sarah. “A month or two ago, we ran through a battle where the big players were turning people against their will—somehow forcing them to charge gunfire with nothing but their hands. Two weeks ago I took a few rounds to the back while minding my own business at a camp fire. I didn’t even have time to think I was a dead man. The following day, I sat atop a building sniping men who had enslaved the last few people I care about.” Eric shook his head and let loose a subtle laugh, turning back to Nadia and Tyler. “Now, we’re riding through the heart of a small stronghold in central Arkansas while we discuss the history of this fortified refuge with its Greek mayor and her American husband. Ma’am, I have no idea what tomorrow will look like.”

  Nadia and Tyler smiled, both chuckling lightly as they shook their heads.

  “I know what you mean,” Tyler said, glancing out over the campus as he pointed to a brick building. “This time last year I was sitting in that building, eyeing the young and foxy Miss Andreou from the back of my Governmental Policy and Repercussions course. I tried getting her attention—going so far as to purposely have trouble with an assignment. At the time, she was too wrapped up in her doctorate program to care much about an undergraduate. It took the world falling apart at the seams for me to summon the courage and say that she was the reason I took that course in the first place.” Tyler looked at Nadia and smiled as he reached over, taking her hand with his. “It’s funny how love manages to work itself out.”

  “Yes, it is,” Eric said, his eyes flickering over to Sarah. She smiled as she glanced at him, her eyes almost tearing up before she turned back to the window to her left. Eric hesitated a moment, trying to work up the courage to do what he had wanted to for so long. He looked out the window to his right as he slowly moved his hand across the seat—a nervous team of five explorers awaiting first contact. His fingertips brushed against her hand, though neither one looked at each other. They simply sat in silence, gazing out separate windows at a strange new world as their hands began to intertwine—the one thing that felt anything but strange.

  “Here we are,” Nadia said, turning around to look at them. Eric pulled his hand away quickly, conscious of Sarah doing the same.

  What are we, twelve? Eric thought, nearly laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” Nadia asked, looking confused.

  “Nothing,” Eric said. “I was just thinking about what Tyler said. I’d love to hear more about you two.”

  “Of course,” Nadia said. “I’ll take Sarah and the others in and show them around your new home. We’ve set you up in a four bedroom home near the main campus, so it should suffice until we can prepare something more permanent. In the meantime, Tyler is going to drive you around a bit more and show you our defenses.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” Eric replied as they opened the door and stepped out of the car. Eric looked over the smooth solar-paneled roof at Sarah as she stepped out of the car. She smiled before glancing over at him. He nodded his head before looking at the others and walking forward. As Eric was about to open his mouth, Sarah spoke.

  “Where is Judah?”

  Eric’s smile immediately vanished as the guardian inside of him tensed up and searched for Judah in the other cars. Elizabeth looked back at them confused before shaking her head.

  “He said he was staying back at the hospital just as you were pulling away in your car. He said he told you.”

  Eric shook his head and looked northeast in the direction of the hospital. Sarah turned to Eric, her eyes wide as she began to speak.

  “We should go back and—”

  “He’ll be fine,” Eric cut in.

  “But how can you—”

  “It’s alright, Sarah,” Eric said with a smile as thunder rumbled in the distance. He turned—half expecting a horizon of jets or a volley of artillery screaming toward them. Instead, he watched as rainclouds billowed in the distance. “Nadia’s right. We’re safe now. Besides, I think the worse that will happen is maybe a slap across his face when Alexandra realizes he’s still trying to guard her.”

  “You’re right,” Sarah said as she let out a sigh and shook her head, a grin working its way to her face. “That’s why he stayed back.”

  “Was there…is there something between them?” Nadia asked, eyeing them both.

  “Whatever’s between the two of them is as confusing to us as it is to them,” Sarah replied. “They just walked through madness together. Despite what they’ve lost, I think they know deep down inside that they need each other, even if it is nothing more than friends.” Sarah’s eyes flickered over to Eric and he knew her statement had not only been meant for Judah and Alexandra.

  “Well, if you want me to run us back out and get him,” Tyler began. “Eric and I could swing by on our way to inspect the defenses.”

  “It’s alright,” Sarah said as more thunder rolled across the horizon. “He’s right. We’re safe now. You two should go. It’ll be getting late in a bit and looks like it might rain.”

  “Honestly,” Eric said, smiling as he looked up at the approaching rainclouds, “this is the first time in months that I’m not nervous about the coming storm.”

  Judah quietly closed the door behind him, sighing as he glanced back down the long hallway on the fourth floor of the quarantine hospital. He had no idea where Alexandra had hidden herself when she reentered the building. Still, he had decided he wouldn’t stop looking for her until he had found her and said what he needed to say.

  He traveled down the corridor to the next room, pausing as he glanced out the large windows to his right and surveyed the town. From the fourth story, he could easily see the buildings off to the southwest where the old university campus was located. Trees budding with spring’s bloom drifted in the wind while steely clouds illuminated by a flash of lightning approached from the west. He knew he would likely find himself drenched if he waited much longer to go find his family, but that thought didn’t bother him at all. Saying goodbye to Alexandra would be a somber act worthy of a lonely walk through the rain.

  He turned and quietly opened the next door, peering into the obscure room silently. He scanned the darkness for her.

  Nothing.

  He sighed again and closed the door. He had begun his search by speaking with a couple of nurses on the first floor, though they claimed they hadn’t seen her. After an initial ten minutes of searching, he had decided to expand his search upward. He figured she would have been
on one of the top floors, as the first three floors had been reserved for caring for the sick and injured while the top level apparently served as unused storage. The wing they had been quarantined in for ten days was separate from the rest of the hospital and once someone had been cleared, the nurses and doctors were under strict orders to refuse reentry for anyone. If Judah didn’t find her soon, he’d give up on his hope of finding her on the unused floors.

  Maybe a good thing, Judah thought as he closed the door.

  He still wasn’t sure if he should be pushing himself into her life and mind one last time. She had made it clear through actions and words that she wanted nothing to do with any of them anymore, especially him. He had fortified himself behind thick walls of stone and ice after losing himself in Memphis, fighting to keep all emotion at bay. He knew saying goodbye wouldn’t mean he’d never see her again. Despite Alexandra’s pleas for privacy, Judah doubted Eric or his mother would want to leave such a safe haven anytime soon. Rather, he saw the coming conversation as a painful farewell to what could have been.

  Judah walked to the next door and paused. The door stood open four inches, letting a ray of light spill into the otherwise dark room. He slowly moved in closer, listening for signs of life in the dimness beyond. A faint crying emanated from the room—the cry of a girl he knew. Judah took a deep breath and exhaled as he pushed the door open, his nerves a fire as though he were about to face battle.

  You can do this, Judah thought as he entered the dark room. It’s only goodbye.

  His eyes scanned the darkness and he quickly found Alexandra. She cowered in the far corner of the large room, weeping and apparently unaware that he had entered. He approached quietly, his heavy boots inaudible on the thin carpet. He halted ten feet away from her, swallowing the lump in his throat as he gazed upon the girl he loved.

  The girl you failed, he thought.

  Seeing her broken nearly broke him, but Judah knew the time had come to set aside his selfish desires and give her the farewell she had asked of him.