“I wonder how that could be possible,” Murdock asked flippantly. “No one can come here without me knowing and no one has been here. No postal carriers. No pony express. No stagecoaches.”
“You’re mocking me,” Harris accused. “I don’t know how I know, I just do. It’s just . . . a feeling!”
“I wasn’t mocking you . . . exactly,” Murdock responded. “I was trying to get you to challenge your own belief-system. You may want to be more open-minded. Well, Declan,” Murdock started as he got to his feet, “Irene feels the need to go see Annie. Are you up to escorting her?” Murdock asked.
“By myself?” Declan asked, disbelievingly.
“You don’t feel up to it?” Murdock asked while he telepathically conferred with his wife.
“Sure, I can escort her,” Declan tried to sound convincing and braver than he felt, “but if you wanted to walk along, I wouldn’t complain.”
“You know, I could use a good stretch of the legs,” Murdock replied trying to keep from snickering and receiving a mental chastisement from Mei Lee.
Murdock and Declan outfitted themselves with bows, machetes, and water skins. Irene Harris outfitted herself with her own machete and two water skins. Murdock prepared the cart with his spear, deer skins, and a partial front quarter of venison. After Murdock kissed Mei Lee and Declan kissed Emily, the three headed toward the cliff, with Declan pulling the cart and Irene and Murdock walking along side.
#
Palmer, Wagner, Osterlund, and Hornsby were all gathered together under the transport pod watching the fish cook. All were silent and pensive. All knew that Murdock would, most likely, come looking for them. None wanted to face Murdock’s retribution. Not alone and not as a group. Wagner jumped up, machete at the ready, and scanned the prairie for any movement.
“What are you doing, Wagner?” Palmer asked. “Getting jumpy?” Osterlund and Hornsby chuckled quietly. “What are you two laughing at?” Palmer asked them sternly. “I don’t see you two being particularly brave. We all know what’s coming, so let’s try to relax and be ready. Murdock is, after all, just one man!”
“I don’t recall you having to fight him!” Wagner retorted.
“I fought him before anyone else did,” Palmer replied quietly.
“And?” Wagner questioned.
“It went about as well as all the encounters we’ve had with him,” Palmer replied calmly. “What do we know about him?”
“Not much!” Osterlund added.
“I know his wife is a dead shot,” Hornsby chimed in, unconsciously rubbing his hand.
“Which tells me that Murdock is also damn good with a bow, a staff, his hands and feet, but what about a knife?” Palmer asked.
“If you can’t take him barehanded, what makes you think you can take him in a knife fight?” Osterlund asked snippily.
“Nothing, I’m just trying to figure a way for us to survive,” Palmer said, obviously irritated.
“I say we cook all the fish, fill the water skins, and lock ourselves inside the transport pod!” Wagner insisted.
“Do you really think that’s a solution?” Palmer asked rhetorically. “We’d be better off trying to find more of the others. I doubt they’re all located in one spot.” No one offered a rebuttal. “I think we may prolong things if we leave here and try to locate another camp. What could it hurt?”
#
Annie Cooper was keeping an eye on the three women trying to make them more comfortable and still trying to ascertain the extent of their injuries.
“How are they doing?” Bass Heartly asked on one of his rounds.
“Hell, I don’t know,” Annie replied, frustrated. “I think Phylicia has dislocated her hip and has some broken ribs, but I can’t be sure. Heather and Kimberly seem to be better off, but not by much. All of them are severely dehydrated and starving!”
“We don’t have enough food for everyone,” Bass replied, “but you can give them some water.” Bass handed her his water skin, which she took.
“Thanks,” Annie replied and then drank deeply. When she had enough, she tossed the water skin to Kimberly, who drank her fill before passing the water skin to Heather.
“I have patrols out, so we should know if Palmer and crew try to cross the river,” Bass said to Annie. He made it obvious that he didn’t want to look at the women.
“Is there a way we can untie them?” Annie asked. “I doubt Phylicia can move very fast in her condition, and the other two won’t leave her behind.”
Bass thought about it for a minute. “I suppose you can, but you’ll have to be responsible for them. I can’t spare any men to retrieve them, should they make a break.”
Annie looked at the three refugees. “Where would we go?” Heather asked her resignedly.
After several hours, Heather and Kimberly were finally up and walking around, but Phylicia was still unable to get to her feet. As Annie was watching the women, she saw a man run up to Bass.
“Murdock and Harris are approaching with someone else,” the man reported to Bass.
“Bring them all here,” Annie commanded. Bass bristled at her giving orders. But he nodded to the man, who ran off towards the river.
As she watched the approach from the river, Annie breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Harris, Murdock, and Declan. Harris hurried over to Annie to get an update of the patients. Declan went to the patients and started stringing hides to give the women privacy. Murdock went to Reyes, mainly to keep her and Bass, out of the way.
As Harris and Annie entered the enclosure, Declan took up position outside to help keep the other men away.
“How are you feeling?” Harris asked the women.
“Kimberly and I are fine. Sure, we’re a little beat up, but our concern is Phylicia. She was having a hard time moving and we had to carry her quite some distance when we escaped,” Heather Stevens answered.
Harris tried to get Phylicia’s legs to straighten without causing too much pain. As she continued her examination, periodically Phylicia would wince or cry out. When she was finished, Harris left the enclosure.
When Murdock saw Harris exit the makeshift enclosure he went to her.
“What’s the damage, Doc?” he asked.
“Heather Stevens and Kimberly Grey have massive bruising over fifty percent of their bodies. Most of the bruising seems to be centered on their sinus cavities, legs, ribs, hips, and arms. Phylicia looks to have a lot of damage to both her hip labrum, as well as extensive bruising. I can’t tell more because there is no x-ray machine on this planet,” she stated and then exhaled deeply, exasperated.
“What do they need?” Murdock asked as Reyes came up behind him.
“All three need rest, food, water, and, for Phylicia, minimal walking. No running or heavy lifting.”
“So, what are we supposed to do with them?” Reyes whispered impatiently.
Murdock held up his hand to stop all conversation, as he noticed that the others were being overly curious.
“Declan, watch over them for a few minutes,” Murdock said as he led Reyes and Harris away from the rest.
#
“So, you’re now Murdock’s lap dog?” one of the guards with a staff asked Declan a few minutes after Murdock, Harris, and Reyes were out of ear-shot. Declan remained watchful and silent. “That bitch had you beaten and now you’re protecting her?” the man continued. A few more of the guards, who were hearing and agreeing with the speaker, were starting to gather around the enclosure. Declan remained silent and continued to watch.
As one of the men was reaching for one of the hides at a spot that was out of his reach, Declan noticed that another guard carrying a staff wasn’t holding on to it securely. As quick as he could, Declan reached out and snatched the staff from the man and brought it down on the other man’s wrist, causing the man to grab his wrist in pain.
“What do you think you’re doing?” the guard who had just lost his staff asked.
“I think you’re way out of your league,
Declan!” another guard added. More of the guards came in closer menacingly.
As a different guard took a swing with a staff, one that was aimed at Declan’s head, Declan blocked the strike with his borrowed staff and countered by sliding the staff toward the man’s body and raked across fingers. A sharp upper strike with the lower part of the staff smacking the guard’s wrist caused the staff to fly into the air. Declan managed to catch it before it hit the ground. It was then that Annie Cooper came out of the enclosure, Declan handed her the extra staff, and the two of them prepared to make their stand.
#
“I thought you were one of us, Annie,” Bass Heartly said as he rubbed his wrist. “And you, Declan, have gained a few skills.”
“Bass, what’s going on?” Reyes asked. During the scuffle, Murdock, Reyes, and Harris had returned from their discussions, unnoticed by the rest.
“These two are protecting those three bitches. You know how much we all suffered because of them,” Bass said harshly.
“They’re doing what I expected them to do,” Murdock said. His tone was calm, but menacing. “They would do the same for you.”
“You have a point, Bass, but they are our guests,” Reyes said.
“Maybe, but now I require satisfaction. I’ve been humiliated in front of my men,” Bass replied with venom.
“He does have a point, Murdock,” Reyes said.
“What form does this satisfaction take?” Murdock asked. “He’s already disarmed two of you and stopped a third from gaining access to Phylicia. That should tell you something, Bass.”
“I wasn’t ready and he caught me by surprise,” Bass pleaded. “If he beats me in a fair fight, I guess I can live with that!”
“What do you think, Declan?” Murdock asked. Declan still said nothing. He stood ready and stared at Bass. “Qui tacet consentiret, ‘he who is silent is taken to agree’ it is, then. Okay, Annie, give Bass your staff. The rest of you back away so they have some room.”
Annie tossed the staff to Bass and retreated a little toward the enclosure. Murdock gave his spear to Harris and then walked in between the two men.
“So, just to be clear, if you lose, Bass, that will be the end of it?” Murdock asked as he faced Heartly.
“As far as I’m concerned it will,” Heartly agreed.
“Since you qualified the statement, if anyone else wants to take up this argument at a later time, they’ll take it up with me!” Murdock turned to Declan. “Be calm and remember your training,” he said calmly and quietly, so Declan was the only one to hear him. “This will be staffs only, so no other weapons are permitted.” After a short pause he said, “Begin!”
Declan moved in cautiously, watching Bass for any possible openings. Bass gave ground a little and seemed uncertain. There were a few testing strikes by both men. When Bass finally decided to strike, he swung the staff like a baseball bat, in a downward motion, trying to hit Declan in the head. Declan brought his own staff up to meet Bass’ as perpendicular as he could, parrying the blow. He then turned his back toward Bass and stepped backwards as he slid his staff backward and caught Bass in the solar plexus. The strike was sharp enough that Bass, having the wind knocked out of him, dropped his staff. Declan stopped and backed away, still ready and watching.
19
After making sure that Bass wasn’t going to get up right away, Declan went over to help the man up.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concerned.
“I . . . suppose . . . so,” Bass managed while trying to catch his breath.
As Declan helped Bass to his feet, Murdock came over and motioned for Bass’ men to help him.
“I never would have thought you would defend Phylicia,” Reyes said as she walked up beside Murdock as Bass was being helped. “I had thought you’d want her head on a pike after all the damage she’s caused. And to get Declan to help you defend her is staggering, to me.”
“What are we doing here?” Murdock asked Reyes. “Are we just trying to survive, or are we trying to build a civilization? Are we no better than a pack of wolves? Is that all you want, or do you want more?”
Reyes stopped to look at Murdock.
“It’s just something for you to think about,” Murdock said as Reyes left.
“What’s the verdict?” Annie asked after Reyes and the seven men left the area.
“It’s obvious. They don’t want Heather, Phylicia, or Kimberly here,” Declan said, “and I don’t think they are too happy with us right now, either.”
“Phylicia will be laid up for a while,” Harris said, “but the other two should be okay to take care of her. The problem is where? They have no shelter and they don’t know how to fend for themselves.”
Declan, Harris, and Annie looked to Murdock for a response, but he just stood there, eyes closed and not moving or even indicating that he’d heard them.
“I have a way to get them some shelter and we have some food for them,” Murdock said after a minute. “It’ll mean that either Annie, or Irene, stays with them for the medical treatment Phylicia is going to need.”
“I, for one would rather go home,” Irene said.
“I need to check in with Reyes. I may be out of a place after what she said,” Annie said.
“Annie, you go do what you feel you need to, but know I’ll see to it that you’ll have a place,” Murdock said earnestly. “Do you need me to escort you?”
“Maybe you should. I’m unsure what kind of reception either of us is likely to receive,” Annie said guardedly. “I, for one, would appreciate the company.”
“Declan, use my spear. You and Irene watch over our charges,” Murdock said. “I shouldn’t be gone long.”
#
When Murdock and Annie reached the perimeter of Reyes’ encampment, they were challenged by the guards and Reyes was summoned.
“What do you want, now?” Reyes asked, testily, once she was out of ear-shot of the guards.
“Did you think about what I said?” Murdock asked.
“I have and I’m not certain where we’re going, as humans, since our disembarkation. More than a few of us have turned into animals, but when you keep wolves for protection, you do need to give them some red meat once in a while,” Reyes said wryly.
“Am I allowed back in?” Annie blurted finally.
“After you’ve shown us where your loyalties lie?” Reyes responded incredulously. “I’d say no. And, frankly, I’m surprised you’d even ask!”
Annie looked at Murdock, who was clenching and unclenching his teeth, as evidenced by his jaw muscles flexing.
“I’m going to set up Harris and Annie with housing,” Murdock said after a long pause. “I expect them to be unmolested by any of your people.”
“Expect all you want. I’m not going to guarantee their safety. Come to think of it, I can’t guarantee your safety, Murdock!”
“You better think about that one for a bit. Your men are no match for me, and you know it,” Murdock warned.
As Murdock finished having his say, he saw Reyes move a little and heard the distinctive twang of a bow string. He reached out and grabbed the arrow just before it struck Annie in the chest. Murdock moved Annie behind him and walked calmly over to Reyes, being sure there was no clear shot at either of them.
“Would you like me to return this to its owner?” Murdock asked menacingly while waggling the arrow between his fingers. Murdock saw Reyes blanch. “I think I’ll do it later, when you least expect it!”
As Murdock started to back away from Reyes’ compound, Annie, taking the hint that she should turn and go back the way they’d come, did so, quickly. Murdock backed away as casually as he could. He knew better than to turn his back on Reyes’ compound, especially since they’d demonstrated their intentions. He stopped when he was fifty yards out from the compound and leisurely removed his bow and nocked the arrow. He saw Reyes casually walk inside her compound.
When the pair returned, Declan was keeping a vigilant watch and Harris was checking
on Phylicia’s condition.
“What’s the plan?” Annie asked as they joined the others.
“After we rest a little, we’re going to the pod,” Murdock said.
“What about Palmer and crew?” Annie asked. “I’m sure they’ll have something to say about that.”
“Right now, they aren’t there,” Murdock explained. “It is the quickest way to give you, Harris, Phylicia, Heather, and Kimberly shelter. It’s the best way to insure that Phylicia has time to recover.” Murdock motioned to Declan to follow him as he moved toward Reyes’ encampment a little to talk privately. “How do you feel after your duel with Bass?” he asked after they reached a point so as not to be overheard.
“I’m okay, now,” Declan said quietly. “I was scared to death during the fight, though.”
“It was a good move you made, though. It ended the fight quickly and didn’t permanently damage Bass.”
“That was luck,” Declan confessed with a slight chuckle. “I was trying for his stomach, but I guess I was too close, or not close enough, and accidently struck him in the solar plexus.”
“That’s how things usually go,” Murdock chuckled. “I was impressed with the fact you didn’t allow them to bait you into anything and you stood your ground. Also, you backed off when Bass went down and didn’t drop your guard. Plus you helped him up afterwards. That displayed a degree of honorability that Bass will always remember. So will the others.
“On another issue, we will be leaving for the pod shortly. I want you to hang on to my spear and bring up the rear,” Murdock instructed.
“Why there?” Declan asked after he raised an eyebrow. “I heard you say that Palmer and his men have left, but what if they come back? And why did you defend Phylicia?”
“Why did you?” Murdock asked.
“Yes, she’s evil and manipulative, and she did have Palmer beat me mercilessly, but it didn’t seem right to let Reyes’ people vent their rage on her. From what I’ve seen, Heather, Kimberly, and Phylicia have all suffered greatly and will continue to suffer from their injuries.”
Civilization Page 31
