by KM Fortune
Raven did not know what she was going to do if she caught up with the woman and the young man, but it had only taken her a minute to decide she would rather risk her chances dealing with them than stay back by the road and wait for the Patrols or who knew what else. Plus these are people, she thought. Not very friendly perhaps, but at least they aren’t like that ugly cat thing I nearly collided with earlier. And if there are two human people out here, it makes sense there are more, possibly even some who will help me. The idea was very appealing, but she tried not to get her hopes up too high.
KIT FOLLOWED THE WOMAN unseen in what had now become something of a short parade. She was aware the stranger was tracking the blood droplets which Blaze was so obviously leaving for her. It is a good thing he is being so blatant too because this woman sure isn’t moving very quickly. Willow was a little harsh with her though, Kit thought and could understand the stranger’s hesitancy. From her experience, it took time to get to know Willow and understand the pressure the woman was under by leading the clan. It could not be easy making sure everyone was safe and fed all the time, so she had to be excused for being a little too blunt.
Kicking dirt over a smudge of blood to hide their back trail in case the Patrols or something else wandered along, Kit wondered how Willow could not realize what Blaze was doing. Willow pretty much noticed everything. She won’t be too happy about it either, she thought. Blaze leading a stranger back to their shelter was not very wise, even if the stranger was unarmed and unskilled. Kit had to admit she did not mind though. She was curious to learn more about the stranger who appeared to have come from nowhere and who could drive so well and perhaps read.
WILLOW DID KNOW THE stranger was following them but decided to let it go. She was not in the mood to argue with Blaze over it right now. There were other things more important to worry about, and the stranger following them was minor by comparison. The woman had no real weapons and obviously was not a soldier or a mutant. As they climbed a rocky rise, Willow paused, set down the deer she carried, and turned to scan the lower ground back toward the road. She looked carefully in both directions. No sign of the Patrols or their noisy vehicles appeared to be responding to the sound of the gunfire. She let out a long sigh of relief. She also could not help but see the stranger following along behind them. The woman was about as conspicuous as a buffalo. How has she survived at all out here? she thought. Just then Willow saw the slightest flicker of movement not far behind the woman. Before she could become concerned, she realized it was her friend Kit. Willow nodded. Kit was certainly covering the trail Blaze was leaving, so his not so secret ploy was safe enough. She was a little surprised Kit was aware of the stranger already, but then realized she shouldn’t be. Kit came and went everywhere between the mountains, the desert, and the Forbidden City. Very few things escaped her notice for too long. The fact the woman had a gun and supplies still in her possession when Blaze found her led Willow to believe Kit must find something special about the wanderer. Otherwise, she would have had no qualms about taking the woman’s stuff one night while she slept.
She could understand Kit’s curiosity. The woman is different, that is for sure, Willow thought. Willow had only looked at her for a moment, but the stranger’s face did not appear to fit in with the world around them. Neither did the woman’s speech and demeanor. She seemed so bold and animated, almost bigger than life.
"See anything?" Blaze asked, interrupting her thoughts. He stood still holding the heavy deer but waited patiently. Willow gave him a frown.
"I see lots of things, Blaze," she answered. "But not the Patrols." Blaze looked away a little sheepishly, and Willow shook her head. The last thing she needed was for him to become distracted by the woman. There was trouble ahead. I’ll discuss it with him later, she thought and picked up the deer. Again she pondered the difference about the strange woman they discovered as she started walking back toward their hidden encampment. After a bit, it struck her what the unique quality was and why the stranger did not fit in with the dismal wasteland reality around them. Willow realized the woman was not afraid.
CHAPTER 13
RAVEN SLEPT ON HER piece of carpet on a level spot she had dusted free of snow. She was surrounded by smooth granite boulders, which kept the cold wind from blowing on her directly. It was not much, and she was cold, but she had followed the blood splatter trail all the way back to the edge of the stranger’s encampment and wanted to stay close. The shelter they appeared to call home had undoubtedly been a warehouse distribution point back in the days when the world still lived off of frozen pizza, mass-market beer, and microwavable snacks. When she had arrived at the crumbling building, Raven hid and watched. About a dozen people came out to greet the woman and the young man. There were a few women, some men, and even a child. The youngest, a little black-haired girl, had led the greeting party. Upon seeing all of them, Raven was suddenly uncertain as to how to approach. She was afraid to just walk boldly into the group and risk a hostile rejection. Now that she had finally found people, the task of getting acquainted with them would have to be handled delicately. For all she knew, aside from the colony of clones like Matthew and the Patrols, these might be the only humans alive on the planet.
She watched them go about the business of dressing the two deer and a dozen rabbits. It appeared today had been a work day for everyone in the clan as the gray-haired woman with the scar made rounds to inspect a row of stacked wood taller than she was and knocked on a number of barrels which Raven guessed were filled with water. These stored rations and supplies made sense as to why Raven had not seen a sign of any of these people until now. They were hiding for weeks at a time. She could not help but wonder if they always operated this way. It seemed like a sad existence, but at this point, she did not have any grounds to be judging.
Dusk had drawn on, and Raven had not determined a way to make contact. She thought the best strategy would be to approach someone individually, but no one had come close. She resigned herself to a cold night without food. Raven had lain out under the stars and listened to her stomach rumble in protest. Tomorrow I will introduce myself, she thought. If nothing else I might be able to barter for some of the food they have. She did not have much in her meager pack of belongings, but you never knew what a person might find useful.
Sleeping now, Raven found herself in a formal dining room. A lit crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and she was sitting at the end of a long, polished table. Opposite her was Matthew, yet he looked different. He was dressed in a soft gray suit and canary yellow tie and looked very handsome. The table was decorated with candles in polished gold candleholders set along a blood red linen runner down the center of the table. Even though it was just the two of them, place settings of fine white china edged in gold were set up on both sides. Each was finished off with bright gold plated utensils and crystal goblets filled with dark red wine. All that was missing was the lavish feast. So far no food had been served, and Raven eagerly anticipated its arrival. The scent of roasting meat wafted in from another room, twisting her stomach in knots of hunger.
Curious as to the delay, she looked to Matthew to ask, but then realized it was no longer Matthew sitting there. Instead, it was the cat mutant. He still wore the suit and tie, but instead of being handsome, he was horrifying. Fresh blood dripped from the beast’s muzzle as he grinned at her. A bloody hunk of meat, which looked far too much like a child’s arm, was clutched in the claws of one paw. Raven choked on a scream at the sight and bolted upright from where she slept. She opened her eyes to the dark night. The full moon poked through the cloud cover and threw soft light over the rocks and created strange shadows all around her. Raven clutched for her walking stick and darted her eyes around, looking for danger. It took a moment, but her eyes finally landed on a figure sitting crouched on a tall rock and looking down at her. Raven yelped in fear and sprang up. The figure did not move, and only the wind rippled the dark cloak the person was wearing.
“What do you want?”
Raven managed to stammer. Her mouth was dry from fear. The shadowed figure cocked its head at the question and after a moment’s pondering, slipped backward and disappeared from Raven’s view only to reappear again beside the rock and at Raven’s own level. Raven saw that the visitor held something in its hand which looked like a spear with something on the tip. Before she had time to decide if she wanted to flee or fight, the visitor, whose face was concealed by a large hood, extended the spear. Raven shied away from the motion at first until she caught the smell of cooked meat. Hesitantly she came forward and realized the spear was tipped with a haunch of some animal, probably rabbit. Not sure what else to do, Raven pointed at the food. “For me?” she asked.
The visitor nodded and shook the spear in Raven’s direction again. Not needing to be offered to twice, Raven reached out and pulled the meat off the end of the spear. Keeping her eyes on the weapon and the stranger, she squatted down and began pulling meat from the bones and stuffing them in her mouth. “Thank you,” she said around a mouthful of the freshly roasted food. “It’s delicious.” The visitor did not reply, only disappeared again to reappear perched on another smaller rock to watch Raven eat.
Raven did eat and made quick work of the serving so generously provided for her, but also took the time to study her visitor. The body was tiny, maybe no taller than four feet, and the cloak hid all other features. Nothing of the face was visible because of the hood and the shadows from the moonlight. The visitor had not even spoken a word to give Raven any clues as to age or sex. It seemed the stranger was content to simply sit there, still as stone, and watch her eat her dinner. It was a little unsettling. Deciding to break the ice, Raven reached for her nearly empty canteen and offered it toward the visitor.
“I don’t have anything other than a little water, but I’ll share if you’d like,” she said, opening the cap and holding it out. The visitor shook its head marginally. “Alright, I just wanted to be hospitable,” Raven said and took a sip herself. Recapping it, she pointed a hand over toward the other encampment.
“Are you with that group over there?” she asked.
The visitor nodded slightly. Raven sighed, happy to be making some contact. "Well, that's good. I was wondering how to get to know you guys. I’m not from around here exactly. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The visitor again only stared. Raven frowned a little at the silent responses.
“No offense, but you don’t talk much,” Raven said, keeping her voice pleasant but inquisitive.
“No, she doesn’t,” said someone from behind Raven. Jumping in surprise, she found herself face-to-face with the young man she had encountered over the deer. “But we don’t hold it against her,” he said.
“You!” Raven said. “You stole my kill!”
The young man shrugged and extended his hands, which held a metal plate. On it was a small grilled steak and something which looked like potatoes. “Well I came to make nice and share, but it looks like Kit already beat me to it.” Raven stared at the food and with a smile took the plate from his outstretched hands. She settled down on a low rock and took a bite. “Don’t worry,” she said around the food in her mouth. “I have room for this too.”
BOOK IV - JUDGEMENT
CHAPTER 1
RAVEN WINTER SAT INSIDE the entrance of what was once the loading bay of a distribution warehouse. The half rolled open door was rusted and warped on its rails. Even still, it helped cut the wind, and she was grateful to be at least partially protected from the elements. The human nomad clan, or at least the young man, Blaze, had been kind enough to let her finish the night in the loading area. Not without being under guard though, she thought and looked over at the strange girl who was crouched in the corner. She had at least pulled back her hood so Raven could see her face. Blaze had called her Kit but provided no other details. The girl herself had yet to say a word.
Thankfully, Raven felt no malice from her and the girl, using tinder and flint, made a small fire for them in a blackened spot on the floor near the edge of the bay, and the thin smoke wafted out the door. Over the flames, she had brewed them tea. Raven sipped on it and tried not to grimace. It was bitter to the taste and if she had to guess she would say it was made from juniper bark. At least it is hot, she thought and enjoyed the heat of the cup in her hands. She was tired of being cold all the time.
While she sipped, she studied the young woman. Their eyes met, and Raven smiled. "Thank you," she said motioning toward the fire with her cup. "The heat feels good." The girl just stared and said nothing. Raven went on undaunted. It had been weeks of loneliness, and she was not about to stay silent now. On a hunch, she asked the girl a question. "Were you the one who brought me the canteen of water back at the crossroads?" For once Raven saw a reaction. The young woman shifted her eyes away for a moment. Raven smiled again. "Well, then I owe you a big favor. I was quite literally dying of thirst out there. I'm sorry I don't have much to offer in gratitude," she said. The girl shrugged a little. Encouraged, Raven kept talking. "Your name is Kit? Is that what the red-haired man called you?" The young woman did not respond, but Raven kept going. "Well, my name is Raven and it is very nice to meet you." She leaned forward to hold out her hand in greeting.
KIT LOOKED AT THE WOMAN's hand and considered what to do. Nomads would often clasp hands upon meeting, and it was a warm greeting of friendship. Is that what this stranger is offering? she thought. Even though she is currently our captive? The woman never ceased to confuse her. Then there was her name. Raven. Like the bird. Kit almost smiled. On the high desert, ravens were clever with beautiful shiny black feathers. The name seemed fitting. Raven still held out her hand, patiently waiting for her to respond. Kit wanted to shake it but was shy. Plus she did not know what the rest of the clan was going to do about this woman. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Kit was conflicted. In her heart, she felt the woman was genuine. I feel like I can trust her, she thought. Kit knew her instincts were seldom wrong out on the plains while she hunted and fought for survival, but with people she was not so confident. Emotions were tricky, and motivations were not always transparent. Taking a deep breath, Kit decided to follow her feelings, and she shuffled forward a step to clasp the other woman's hand.
DEEP INSIDE THE WAREHOUSE, Willow stood quietly and listened as the men of her clan argued. Tempers were flaring, and she knew a level head was what they needed from their leader right now. The crux of the debate was if the clan should stay in the current shelter or pack up immediately and move to a safer place. The sighting of multiple Patrol trucks in the area was strong motivation to leave, yet this shelter was a good one, and there was no way to know if anything could be found which was safer, let alone better.
“There are soldiers everywhere now. We haven't seen them this active for years,” Blue said waving his hands to emphasize his point. “No place on the plains will be safer than staying here. For all we know the trucks you saw kept going for miles.”
"Are you sure you're not just making that argument because you don't want to go to the trouble of moving?" snapped another man. They called him Stump, and he looked the part. Short yet stout. Strong and stubborn. A decision will never be made if I allow those two to go around and around, she thought and glanced at Blaze. The young man leaned against a wall near the back of the large room. He was unusually disengaged and apparently lost in thought. It's because of the woman we found. Willow frowned. The stranger was an entirely different problem. She knew both Blaze and Kit were intrigued by her, but Willow simply saw her as another thing to worry about, and she did not have the extra time to spend thinking about it. Not with the Patrols ramping up and who knows how close, she thought.
A shout drew her attention back to the matter at hand. Blue and Stump were now facing off and throwing loud insults at each other. At any second one of them was liable to make it physical. Willow stepped forward. "Okay, enough. Blue, Stump, sit down." The two men reluctantly parted and went back to their places within the shelter. Blue was
by himself while Stump sat amongst his wife and son. Willow's people turned to her, wanting guidance and solace. As she looked around, she saw fear on everyone's faces.
BLAZE ONLY HALF HEARD the arguing. Normally he would have been in the thick of it, but right now he was distracted. Where could the woman have come from? he wondered. There had not been time to question her before he was needed back at the shelter. It would have been noticed if he was away from the others for too long. Sneaking out a plate of food for her had been hard enough. At least Kit was in on it and agreed to lead the woman to the loading docks where she would be out of the cold. Plus he knew Kit would keep an eye on the stranger just in case she meant his people harm. His instincts told him she was not a threat. She is not here to hurt anyone, he thought, feeling she was somehow here to do the opposite. Blaze shook his head confused. Or are you just blinded to it? Maybe she is a trap sent by the Patrols? He scratched at the coppery red scruff of a beard on his chin and wondered. He simply did not know what to make of all of it, except he knew one thing for certain. Right now keeping her a secret was critical.
“Mouse? Has anyone seen Mouse?” a woman's voice asked. Blaze was snapped back to the matters at hand when Sky, a young girl of thirteen winters, sounded so panicked. Where is Mouse? he thought looking around the room. The little dark haired girl was nowhere he could see. Others in the group started to look and murmur concern. A five-year-old should not be wandering about alone especially right now. Blaze felt his heart quicken and he looked at Willow across the room. "Find her," he saw her mouth to him. Blaze turned quickly to search.
