Separation

by James Axler

  “Oh my sweet Lord—look at it, it’s beautiful,” Sineta breathed with a tone of awe in her words.

  Mildred snapped out of her reverie and took a few steps forward to where Sineta and Markos were viewing the land on the reverse of the plain. Stretched ahead of them were undulating forests and woodlands, with stretches of bare scrub between. In the far distance could be seen at least two villes, both dozens of miles apart. The view stretched for maybe eighty to ninety miles by her reckoning, and showed a fertile stretch of land with a population, probably sheltered by the arid plain they had just traveled across. There was opportunity for the Pilatans here, and proof that it could sustain a population…even, in fact, giving them populations to trade with.

  But would they have an easy access to this promised land? Looking down, which, she noticed, both Markos and Sineta had so far failed to do, she could see that there was a sharp incline toward the bottom of the valley, as the land had been pushed sharply up by earth movements. However, it wasn’t so steep an incline that it would be impossible to traverse. Rather, it would require a deal of care. There were pathways that could be used, made by ridges in the rock. And along the way there was much vegetation that could be used for handholds. The livestock would be a little more difficult to manage, but even so…

  “Figure we can do this?” J.B. said in her ear, making her jump.

  “John, don’t do that, for God’s sake!”

  “Sorry.” The Armorer grinned. “I didn’t realize how deep in thought you were. But what do you reckon?”

  She shrugged. “It’s not so bad.”

  “For us and the fitter Pilatans, mebbe not,” he cut in. “But what about the older ones and the animals?”

  “Yeah, I know. But what can we do? It’s got to be done.”

  AS THE PILATANS GATHERED on the edge of the plateau, they were all stunned by the scope and richness of the land that lay beneath. Too distracted, in many cases, to recognize the perils of the descent into the valley. Mildred had torn Markos and Sineta away from their admiring glances at the world below to discuss the descent. When she pointed out the only route, both had decided that the manner of their descent should be left in the more experienced hands of the companions. They were also of the opinion that the descent should begin quickly: partly because a delay would give the members of the caravan a chance to fret about their route, and partly because there were only a few hours until the light faded.

  While Markos, Sineta and Mildred organized the caravan into some kind of order in which to make the descent, Jak went ahead to scout out the best possible route. The albino covered the territory swiftly, moving with ease down the narrow paths and among the undergrowth. It was simplicity itself for him to cover the distance, but he was mindful of the mixed abilities of those who would follow in his wake. Picking the widest paths, and those with the best vegetation for handholds, he marked the twists and turns of the route with branches torn from the trees. By the time he had returned to the top of the ridge, the Pilatans were organized in order of descent and Mildred had gathered the companions to her.

  “Ryan, Jak, J.B.—you guys go down ahead of us and make relay points, so that there’s help fairly close at hand for any that may need it,” Mildred said. “Krysty and Dean—one of you go to the middle, the other to the bottom. Take these,” she added, handing them medical supplies she had prepared during Jak’s marking of the route. “That way we’ve got first aid to hand if it’s needed along the way. I’ll stay up here with Markos. Sineta’s going to be one of the first down, and I want Doc to go with her. The last thing we want is for an accident to happen to the baron, so I’d appreciate you really keeping a close eye on her, Doc.”

  “It shall be done. You have no need to ask,” Doc said with a small bow.

  “One more thing,” Ryan interjected. “I figure we’re far enough away from any of those villes not to have trouble from them, but we’ve got no way of knowing what kind of wildlife is out there.”

  “Keeping distance, but can smell it. Could be problem,” Jak affirmed.

  “Okay,” Mildred stated. “I’ll make sure they know to keep their blasters ready and be triple-red.”

  Ryan nodded, then looked at the darkening sky. “Good. Let’s do it, then. I don’t like the look of the clouds. The last thing we need is rain on top of the worsening light.”

  Moving swiftly to get the process under way, the companions separated and moved into position while Mildred prepared the caravan. Doc and Sineta were the first to make the descent.

  “I find that the best thing to do is not to look too closely at the drop that beckons, but rather to concentrate assiduously on the path in front of you,” Doc advised the baron as they began the descent.

  Taking a quick glance across the open lands to one side of her and the angle of descent, Sineta nodded. “I will take those as wise words, and well worth adherence,” she said nervously.

  But the route Jak had selected was a good one, and on those few occasions when she felt herself beginning to slip, or her confidence did likewise, making her believe that she would tumble, the vegetation by her sides and the sure hand of Doc Tanner sustained her. They passed Jak, Ryan, Krysty and J.B. along the way without requiring help. When they had reached the bottom, the baron looked up at the crest of the hillside, where those following in her wake could be seen streaming down the paths.

  “I think, if we all have a guide as good as yourself, then we may make it unscathed,” she murmured.

  “Why, thank you, madam,” Doc demurred.

  The Pilatan progress down the side of the incline was erratic. There were times when the slower members of the tribe held up those that followed in their wake, but there were no casualties and little need for the companions who were stationed along the way. However, when the livestock were led down, things were slightly different. The herders who had led them across the plain, and who had been in charge of the animals on the flat island of Pilatu, found it difficult to keep the beasts in line. The sheep and pigs were terrified, but were so closely roped as to be unable to break. Horses, coming down singly, were nervous but able to keep their footing. The cattle, however, were another matter. Roped together, but of varying strengths, and with each one pulling against the others in fear, it was inevitable that at one point a rogue would try to make a break, risking pulling the entire herd off the path and tumbling them down the steep incline.

  It happened despite the best efforts of the herder at the front of the line, who darted around the fretting beasts, barely keeping a foothold himself, to try to calm the rogue steer. He grabbed at the yolk of the beast and heaved with all his strength to try to keep it on the track. The beast reared as far as its bounds would allow, the hoof catching the herder in the groin and causing him to double up in pain, losing his grip and falling off the path.

  Jak was the nearest, and it was as well, for the albino hunter was the best equipped to deal with the immediate problem. Clambering swiftly through the undergrowth, he stopped briefly to check that the fallen Pilatan herder was alive. The man had saved himself by grabbing at a laurel bush and was in agony but safe from falling further. He could be dealt with later. The most immediate problem was for Jak to calm the steer before it charged the whole herd off the path. If they hit uneven ground and more than one should stumble, there was every chance that they would hurtle themselves to their doom.

  The beast was still rearing, but had not as of yet made a strong break, the combined force of the stubborn cattle around it preventing the break it would wish. But its companions were becoming agitated and would soon try to get away from the disruption, which would only cause further confusion.

  Ignoring the rearing hooves of the steer, Jak ducked under so that he came up between the front of the agitated beast and the flicking tail and stamping hooves of the creature to its front. It didn’t give the albino youth a lot of space in which to safely move, but he stoically ignored the beast to his rear and looked the rogue steer fully in the face. He could
feel its hot breath, erratic and fetid, on his face. Its teeth were bared, and its eyes wild and glassy with fear.

  Smiling grimly to himself, Jak ducked to one side of the creature, his fingers probing the tough, corded muscle of its neck. He found the area he wanted and pressed hard, his fingers moving in a small circle until they found the exact spot. He pinched and the beast momentarily blacked out and stumbled before recovering, this time in a much more sedate mood.

  Jak moved among the other cattle, calming them, before leading them down the incline, stopping to send Krysty after the injured Pilatan herdsman.

  Once the cattle and the injured man had been recovered and taken to the base of the slope, it meant that the Pilatan caravan had reached their target in one piece. And just in time. The heavens opened in the deepening twilight.

  “Better find a place to camp, and quick,” Mildred said to Markos and Sineta. “Let the livestock calm down and get some rest before we begin the real trek.” And pray to God nothing else happened between now and then, she added to herself.

  THE PILATAN CAMP had been struck a few miles farther into the interior, using the shelter of a wooded area not unlike one of those found on their island. This had been Mildred’s suggestion to Markos, which he had seized upon, understanding her point that it would be simple to set up sec patrols in an environment similar to the one they had recently left behind.

  A fire was set and camp was made while the sec boss deputed a sec patrol and sentry posts to be established at the four compass points, covering the community while they took a much-needed rest.

  The forest gave them shelter and increased the ambient heat at ground level, making it less imperative to build a large fire. The smaller blaze was shielded to stop the glow illuminating the area and giving away their position.

  “It shouldn’t matter too much,” Markos told Sineta, “as the nearest ville’s some good few miles away. But we’re not sure what kind of predators may be lurking in the darkness. So a patrol and four compass point posts to check in with should keep us covered. I believe we may be able to rest easy tonight.”

  “I wish I could believe that so easily,” Krysty muttered to Ryan, keeping her voice low so that only the one-eyed man could hear.

  Ryan studied her. The redheaded woman’s hair had flattened to her scalp and curled into her neck, giving her a worried look that echoed that which her mutie sense was telling her.

  “You know what it is?” he asked.

  “Could just be that Markos is a bit too overconfident. They don’t really know what it’s like out there and he’s making assumptions about the area just because it looks like the island.”

  “Yeah, that’s got me a little concerned,” Ryan mused. “Figure we should mebbe give them a little hand.”

  “I don’t know if Markos will like that,” Krysty commented.

  Ryan smiled. “Who says he has to know, unless it’s really necessary?”

  The one-eyed man gathered his people from where they sat or lay around the camp. When they were together, he explained the situation as it stood. He continued. “The best thing for us to do is try to shadow the sentry posts and follow the patrol. Which won’t be easy, ’cause they’re not stupes, just not used to the mainland yet. Hopefully, they won’t have to learn the hard way, but…”

  “I follow patrol.” Jak spoke with an assurance that prevented his next comment from sounding like arrogance. “Mebbe they know others behind them, not me.”

  Ryan agreed. “If you follow them, I’ll take one post and J.B. you take another. Then Krysty can cover one and Doc and Dean the last.”

  “What about Mildred?” Krysty asked with a frown.

  Ryan looked over to where Mildred was in conversation with Markos and Sineta. “You know, I think this is one time when we really shouldn’t say anything to her. She’ll feel obliged to tell Markos, and then it could all be shot to shit. If nothing happens, then no one need be any the wiser.”

  “And if it does? Will the good doctor not feel betrayed?” Doc quizzed.

  Ryan grimaced. “That’s a chance I’ll have to take.”

  “Not just you,” J.B. said quietly, “all of us.”

  The one-eyed man shrugged. “If things go triple-red, then I figure they’ll be too glad of the help to say anything.”

  J.B. wasn’t entirely satisfied with the answer. He knew that Mildred would feel betrayed initially, and although she may understand the reasoning behind Ryan’s action eventually, it would only serve to put more distance between them when they had some to repair. But, as he looked across at Millie in conversation with the Pilatan baron and sec chief, he knew that there was no other practical course that Ryan could take.

  “Okay, let’s do it,” he said finally.

  The companions slipped away from the camp one by one, to avoid calling attention to themselves. Ryan went first, to take the north sentry point. It was in a heavily wooded area and he had to tread carefully to avoid making any sound. Once he had them in sight, he shinnied up a tree and waited in the branches, with a good view of the area surrounding. Krysty took south and followed a similar course.

  For Doc and Dean, it was slightly harder. The eastern sentry post was on the edge of an open plain and the sparser covering of foliage meant that they had to hang back farther than they would have liked to keep concealed and not give away their position.

  “I just hope it doesn’t kick off here, if there’s going to be trouble,” Dean whispered. “We’re a fair way away from them.”

  “My dear boy,” Doc countered, “if we are going to see any action from the local wildlife, it’ll probably come through us before it reaches them.” He smiled wickedly. “Let that be a consoling thought.”

  Meanwhile, the Armorer had made his way to the western point, where the sentry post was set up by a stream, giving a wide view of the opposite bank. The soft gurgling of the stream gave him good cover as he made his way toward the post, keeping in the cover of rushes that had sprung up by the bank. He settled there, figuring it was a good position for concealment, although the cold water and mud around his ankles promised a freezing night ahead.

  It was Jak who had the most difficult of the assignments and yet was the one best equipped to carry it out. He was the last to slip away from the camp, having no initial notion of where the roving sec patrol may be. The only thing he could do was pick any point from which to begin and listen to his instincts.

  Having made his way out into the wood, so that the noises of the camp were filtered from his consciousness, Jak stopped and hunkered down, stilling his breathing so that he was as immobile and as quiet as possible. In this state, he was able to focus his senses and maybe determine a direction for the sec patrol.

  Wherever they were, they were out of range. He could hear nothing and his only choice was to take a direction and proceed as swiftly as possible. If he was traveling in a counter direction, then he would find them quickly. If not, it would take him longer than he would have wished to catch up with them. He shrugged to himself, stoically realizing that there was no easier way.

  “THIS NIGHT IS TOO LONG for my liking,” one member of the four-man patrol whispered as they slowly made their way from one post to another. They had traversed the woodlands between the sentry points and had gone as far as the beginnings of another flat plain.

  “Do not have fear because of the darkness,” a second replied sardonically, “for the larger animals already share that fear and will not be seen until the daylight.”

  “Easy to say,” the other replied sharply.

  A third spoke with a weary tone. “Cease this petty squabbling. Neither animal nor man would be out tonight unless they had cause.”

  “I had not thought of that,” the first mused. “Could there be other patrols such as ourselves for which we should look?”

  The second laughed softly. “Truly, paranoia is a wondrous beast. You saw yourself that the nearest ville is at least a day’s march away.”

  The first man turne
d to his accuser in the moonlight and smiled. “Not everyone has to march. Listen…”

  In the distance they could hear the sound of a wag, high and whining across the plain.

  “Adopt secure positions now!” the patrol leader barked, the banter of a moment before forgotten. Following his lead, the patrol fanned out and adopted defensive positions along the verge of the woodland, waiting for the wag to approach, for the note of the engine deepened into a drone and increased in volume as it headed toward them. Scanning the plain, it was now possible to pick out the shape—with lights extinguished—of what appeared to be a jeep, with at least three men on board.

  “Do not fire unless we are seen. If they wish to pass and not enter the wood, we do not alert them to our presence. Understood?”

  The other patrol members didn’t answer, taking it as an order rather than a question.

  Away to the west, Jak had just passed a sentry post, having seen J.B. on watch and alerting him to his presence with the softest of birdcalls. The Armorer had returned the signal and let Jak pass, now knowing that the barest sound of his passing wasn’t an unknown danger. Jak scouted around the post without anyone even realizing he was there, and continued on his search for the patrol.

  It was soon after that he caught the sound of a wag engine on the night air. Realizing that it could only come from an outside source, and having no idea where the sec patrol may be, Jak increased his pace so that he could intercept the wag to ascertain its purpose. Within a few minutes, the engine had grown louder and Jak had arrived at the point where the sec patrol had positioned themselves.

  Swiftly and silently, Jak climbed a tree so that he had an overview of the situation. He could see the wag clearly on the plain and could pick out four men in the pale moonlight, all armed. Below him he could see the four patrol members, armed with Glocks and H&Ks, which were the standard Pilatan sec hardware. The patrol was focused and ready to fight. The approaching patrol wouldn’t be. They were either an outlying sec patrol themselves, or nocturnal hunters. In either case, their primary concern would be the wildlife and they wouldn’t expect a four-man sec patrol to blast them.