The Lord Marshall stared off into the sky, while pulling his foot toward his back in a quadriceps stretch. Andy was not sure what was going through the man’s mind. It was always a dangerous thing to challenge how the man wanted things done. He could not have been more surprised by the response.
“Yes. Send them out with new orders. Protect the weak, make alliances, and get us information.” Eric finished his stretch. “That was a good idea, Andy.”
As Andy Summers watched his leader walk into the headquarters, he was shocked by what he had just heard. That may have been the first time Eric had ever called him by his first name. He hurried off to give the orders, before reason returned to Lord Marshall Eric Fine.
CHAPTER NINE
Looking back over her shoulder, Kate could see the clouds forming over the front range. The afternoon storms of summer were beginning. The rain wasn’t so bad. After all, it was nothing like the rain after the Event, but summer storms often brought hail. Also, they were out in the eastern part of the Old City, heading even farther east. That meant an increased likelihood of tornadoes forming. It wasn’t common, but it happened, so you had to look out for it. Kate thought back to when the kids had been small and that tornado had ripped through the housing area on base in Texas. Cal had been on one of his many deployments, and she had never really talked to him about it, but it had scared her so much.
Cal had been gone now for a year and a half, but every thought of him made her sad still. He was the world to her, and now he was gone. Of all the people who would have turned this world of lemons into lemonade, Calvin Ward would have been chief among them. But he had made a mistake, and wandered on to loose ground during the Great Storm. The ground had given way and a river had swallowed her husband whole. She had put on a good face for the kids, but she was still deeply grieving the loss of her mate and best friend. She didn’t know if it would ever stop hurting.
“Ma’am?” Antwon asked, checking on her.
“Sorry, Antwon, just thinking about something.” She replied.
Antwon Shabazz was the healer for her itineracy. She had chosen to lead one since Kyle had suggested that at least half the council go out on these journeys to connect with others. She was so proud of the man her son was becoming, and proud of the way he interacted with his boyfriend, Britt. But, she was also happy to be out from under their watchful eye. Their worry about her was a little oppressive, and she just needed the space to breathe.
“There is a farm up ahead, it looks like there are people there.” Called out their kinetic, Jonah. Jonah was an Aquakinetic, or just Aqua for short. His ability was with water, and she had chosen to bring him because she would be near farmers. Farmers on the high plains east of the city were always in need of water, and Jonah’s ability could help. The warrior who made up their fourth and final member was a young man named Alex. Kate didn’t know him before they left, and hadn’t learned much about him since. But, Britt and Kyle both said he was an able fighter.
Alex had been a second year student at the Air Force Academy. He was naturally quiet, but had a strength about him that was undeniable. He seemed to have almost no sense of humor, and never laughed at any jokes. But neither was he stern. He was just a calm young man who did his job. His job right now was protection, so he ran to the front of the group with Jonah and led them onto the farm. An older couple was working in the fields; they could see that. The couple were that indiscriminate middle-age that always gave Kate a hard time. She just couldn’t place their age, maybe it was forties, maybe fifties. Kate and Antwon caught up quickly as the four of them walked through the open gate on to the people’s property.
“Well, hello!” Called out the woman, as the group came close.
Kate waved to her. “Hi! It is nice to see people going about their normal lives.” She smiled broadly. They had come across many people on this journey and Kate’s welcoming smile had always been a great introduction.
“Yeah, life doesn’t stop just because the tractor doesn’t work anymore.” Said the man as he walked toward them. “What brings you out our way?”
Pleasantry and caution was how everyone they met on the eastern side of town had engaged with them. This couple was no different. In fact, they were even more pleasant than others they had met.
“Oh, we figured it was time we got out and met the people who have made it through.” Kate said holding her hand out and shaking the man’s hand before moving on to his wife and shaking hers. “I am Kate Ward. This is Antwon, Jonah and Alex.”
The woman spoke first, “We are the Richards’, Bill and Steph. Did the church send you out?”
Kate looked at her companions to see if they knew what Steph was talking about, but none seemed to. “No. What church is that?”
Bill laughed, “If you have to ask, then they didn’t send you. Where do you all come from?”
“We are from the west.” It was all Kate wanted to offer right now, she was still assessing the situation.
“Welcome to the east side!” Steph smiled as broadly as Kate had and Kate began to wonder if it was as much a tool as the smile Kate herself used. “We have some pie, and I think the sun tea will be done now. What do you say we have a break, Bill?”
Bill nodded and all six went to the porch, where Steph gave them all some kind of delicious fruit pie and sun tea. Kate began to wonder if she could trade for tea. It was a nice, cheap flavoring. They all sat quietly eating and drinking in the shade of the Richards’ porch, when Steph looked off to the growing clouds in the west.
“Storm is coming in. It doesn’t look too heavy, but we will probably have to sit out the short rainfall. I was hoping for a little more. The crops need it.” Steph stood and stared west.
Kate stood up and walked next to her. “Maybe we can help with that. You were so generous with your pie and tea.”
Jonah stood, “Let me take a look at your irrigation.” He said.
“You some kind of irrigation expert, Jonah?” Bill queried. There was an odd look of fear on the man’s face.
“Something like that.” Jonah replied and began walking toward the corn fields. Based on the way the trees grew in a line at the far side, one could tell there was a stream there. All six of them ended up walking out that way, the other five following Jonah.
“You can see it is just a small stream, it really isn’t enough to add much to our crops. We do what we can, but I am open to any suggestions you have.” Bill said softly. These folks were clearly more worried about water than they were letting on.
“There is a well nearby?” Jonah asked.
“Yes, there is. How did you know that?” Steph asked.
Jonah sort of ignored the question and walked to the edge of the stream. Flattening his palm out and closing his eyes, he stood for a moment. In a few seconds, a pump nearby began to bubble out water into the surrounding field. Jonah opened his eyes.
“We will need to capture that water.” Jonah said, “It will keep going for about three-hundred gallons or so. That is all I have the strength for right now.”
Kate and the others turned to look at the Richards’, expecting to see wonder or gratitude. What they saw was fear.
“You should go.” Steph said, as Bill walked back to the house without looking back.
Kate walked up close. “Did we offend you, Steph? We are just trying to help.”
Steph leaned in close. “I know. I really do, we both do. But, it isn’t safe to show your powers here.”
Kate was flustered. “Why not?”
Steph started to back away, “The Lord’s Hammer will come. You have to go, or they will cleanse you. I am sorry.” Steph hurried back to her husband. They walked inside their house and closed the door. Kate heard an audible click as they locked the door behind them.
“Guess they don’t really want our help.” Antwon realized.
“What is the Lord’s Hammer?” Jonah asked.
Kate just shook her head and shrugged, “Okay, let’s move on.”
T
hey moved down the road, closing the gate behind them. The light rain and low wind began about ten minutes later. The storm passed in less than fifteen minutes with no hail and no sign of serious wind. Kate resolved to be more careful about showing any of their powers in this area. The Richards’ response wasn’t expected, and certainly wasn’t normal, but she knew there had to be a reason for it. They would assume the position of a small group of ability-less travelers. At least until she could figure out what the hell the Lord’s Hammer was.
CHAPTER TEN
The flutter of wings flapping in the breeze did nothing to assuage Rich’s astonishment at what he was seeing. He turned toward his group, seeing the same shock on Jack’s face; the abject horror on Kim’s; and the equal level of wonder in Cliff. Cliff’s smile was almost an opposite mask of the repulsion that showed in Kim’s features.
“What are we looking at?” Rich asked.
Cliff ran forward, “Harpies!” he shouted and burst into the nearby clearing.
Rich and the other two followed him, though Kim kept her distance. Once in the forest clearing, Rich saw an even larger number of “mixed” beings. The ones that Cliff referred to as Harpies were part bird, part human. But, there were others. There was half-horse, half-human. There were those who looked part cat, part dog, or part bull. It was an absolute shock, and Cliff had run into the middle of them with glee. A woman in her early thirties, wearing an earthy garb, walked out to greet him.
“Centaurs!” Cliff spit out, in a flurry of excitement. “Minotaurs, Were-creatures, Faeries…Faeries, Rich! Do you see them?” His smile was infectious, but Rich didn’t share his enthusiasm. This wasn’t a movie, or a get up. These were real.
“I do, Cliff.” It was all Rich could think of to say.
Turning to look at his companions, Rich saw similar expressions to that which he probably bore himself. The look of shock had left Jack’s face, but Kim retained an expression which Rich had long seen in parishioners. It was the cold, distant fear of the other, of anyone who was different. It was a look of judgment. It brought him up short. He checked his own thoughts, to make sure he did not bear a similar expression, and turned to the woman walking toward them with her arm around Cliff.
“Good afternoon, Ma’am,” Rich started. “My name is Rich Carson. This here is Jack Collins, Kim Pile and that young man is Cliff Ko.”
“I am pleased to meet all of you.” She said in a lilting voice that was instantly pleasant and free of the judgment that his friend, Kim, was currently throwing around. “I am Annie Grace.”
“Is it your power that does this?” Cliff spurted out, throwing his arms wide like they could encompass the entirety of the fantastic beings.
“Yes, I guess so.” She replied. “People ask to be changed and I think about it with them for a while, then they change. It is really up to them. But, you speak of powers. Do you have powers?”
Before Rich could stop him, Cliff just vomited out all of their information. He would have to talk to the boy about that later. “Not cool powers like yours. I can help people put their powers into stones. Rich sings people calm. Kim is a pyrokinetic. Jack is a healer.”
Annie laughed lightly, enjoying Cliff’s enthusiasm and most likely thinking that he was too free with information as much as Rich thought he was. “Those sound like much more useful abilities than mine.” Annie offered.
“Everyone has something they can do for the greater good, ma’am.” Rich interrupted, trying to shut down the boy’s exuberance before he got them in hot water.
Annie just nodded at him. Her face was calm, with a constant smile on her lips. She had laugh lines in all of the places of a person who is practiced at finding humor in everyday life. She had a peace about her that reminded Rich of those who have lived life, lost love and come out the other side a little wiser. He hoped he exhibited that kind of calm. It made him think she probably did what she did for the same reason they did what they did. She just wanted to help people.
A thought occurred to Annie that shadowed her face with concern. “We do have a small problem that could use a healer. One of our centaur mares is near to birthing a foal, and it would be wonderful if you could look at her.”
“You are breeding them?” Kim asked, aghast.
Annie turned, a darker look in her eyes. It was clear that Annie had no grace for the type of phobia which Kim was expressing. “No,” She answered curtly, “We are not breeding them. Like all other people, they have relationships, they have intercourse. Natural things happen.” Annie turned toward Jack, some of her peace returning, “Is this a problem, or do you think you could help?”
Jack shrugged, “The anatomy will be new to me, but I will see what I can do.”
“Can I come, too?” Cliff interjected, “Or would that be weird?”
Annie let out a hearty and refreshing laugh. “Of course you can come, you are very welcome here, Cliff.” As they walked toward a hutch in the far side of the clearing, Annie looked over her shoulder at Kim, a cold stare like she was seeing right through her. Rich couldn’t blame her. Kim’s display was bigotry in its purest form. Rich wondered how much of that showed on his face when he had first seen Annie’s group. A little shame crept in from the sides of his mind.
“I am going to walk around the area. This place creeps me out.” Kim stated and stomped out into the woods. She was not going to see the good in this community, Rich assessed. He would have to have a talk he had never enjoyed. Many church-goers are victim to this kind of fear of the other, but it isn’t a particularly biblical approach. Contrary to popular belief, the bible preaches a rather accepting view of refugees, the poor, and those different from you.
“Okay,” Rich called out, “Don’t go too far, we won’t be here long.”
Kim just waved back over her shoulder; which Rich took to mean that it was okay. He turned and began a mental cataloguing of all he saw. The Council would certainly want to hear about this.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The four robed men walked in single file through deserted streets on the south end of town. They seemed to be the only people anywhere around. Paul motioned to his four team mates to fan out, as he walked out into the open. As one, the men in robes turned and walked his way. Their synchronicity surprised and concerned Paul. He saw no communication, nor even notice of him by these robed travelers. They just turned and walked for him.
“Good afternoon, gents.” Paul began, smiling widely to settle any doubts about his welcome. The thought occurred that they might think they could rob a single person on the road. “It is good to see people out here. I am not from these parts. Are there markets in the area where people get together? I was looking to trade.”
The man in front with the dark skin, light eyes and loose curls answered him with only an intimidating gaze. The other three fanned out to his side, creating a human barrier before Paul.
Paul snorted to himself. “Look, I know there are four of you, but I can take care of myself. Don’t try to take what is mine.” He pointed at the chest of the closest man. Their silence was annoying at the least, oppressive at the most. He continued, “Are you going to tell me where the survivors’ market is, or should I just move on?”
The dark man stood in silence, the other three looking at him, rather than at Paul. The dark man leaned forward and sniffed, giving him a look of disdain. Paul knew the tactic, they thought he was going to pay them off to leave him alone. Hell, Paul had used that tactic many times in the past.
Deciding not to let this continue, he grinned at them and decided to show his ability a little. Lord Marshall Fine had directed them not to take anything but information from people, but it couldn’t hurt to knock these idiots on their asses. Gathering his chi, he pushed out with his hand toward the four men. Nothing happened. Gathering his strength, he once more pushed toward them. Nothing.
In succession, each of the robed figures turned their head toward him and said one same word.
“Witch.”
“Witch.�
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“Witch.”
“Witch.”
Paul looked back for his team, searching frantically for some aid. For some reason, his powers did not work. He needed the help of his team, but they were not quick enough. The four robed men brought cudgels out from within their sleeves, as quick as the wind itself. Paul felt weak in his legs, and had not realized the level to which he counted on his ability. All four men raised their arms, and the dark leader smashed his cudgel over Paul’s left eye, tearing a gash across his face as he fell to the ground. His head bounced off the asphalt, and his gaze dimmed for a moment.
Paul could not see any longer with his left eye, but with his right, he saw his men running to his rescue. Unfortunately, he also saw them get torn to shreds. His head was light, and his legs felt like lead. He could not raise himself to help. These four men, dressed like monks and bearing no more than short clubs, quickly dismantled one of the best Bandit teams in all of Manitou. But Paul could see there were only three of his team, where was Steve?
Gathering all the strength he could muster, Paul began to crawl away as the robed men beat his companions. He didn’t go far, unable to garner the slight energy it would take to get up and run away. He did not feel the smash into the back of his head, he only blacked out with its force.
How long he had been out was a mystery, but when he awoke, things had slightly changed. Struggling to regain his focus, he noticed the scent of burning wood and opening his eyes, saw the swirling smoke. Gasping and sputtering on the smoke, he tried to make out where he was. It had been in the street. He had faced four men. The memory rushed back to him, and he realized his own doom. His only thought was that he needed to get away from whatever this fire was.
Trying to stand up, he found he was bound to a pole in the ground and surrounded by branches. Had those men tied him up? Gaining a little clarity in his mind, he was able to see that his team was tied to the pole with him. The smoke was furling up around their bodies from somewhere below. His eyes came into focus as the dark man in the robe stepped before him, just out of the growing fire’s range. Next to him was a stocky, bald man with a goatee. He had not been there when they had fought. The man shouted over the crackling fire.
Fear of Mystics (Saga of Mystics Book 2) Page 3
