Owl Dance

by David Lee Summers

  The Owl Riders were questioned by officers throughout the rest of the day. Finally, they were assigned tents near the edge of the camp. Larissa and Fatemeh were assigned to one tent while the men were split between two others. Russian soldiers sat outside a nearby tent.

  “So, are we heroes or prisoners?” asked Larissa.

  Fatemeh shook her head. “I have no idea.” She ducked into the tent and lay down on one of the cots. She closed her eyes and began to recite a prayer she had memorized back in Persia, but never thought she would need in America. “Lauded be Thy name, O my God! Thou beholdest me in the clutches of my oppressors. Every time I turn to my right, I hear the voice of the lamentation of them that are dear to Thee, whom the infidels have made captives for having believed in Thee and in Thy signs, and for having set their faces towards the horizon of Thy grace and of Thy loving-kindness.” She continued her prayer and when finished, she opened her eyes.

  “Do you think it did any good?”

  “You would be amazed at what prayer can accomplish.” Fatemeh winked.

  “I never really believed in prayer.”

  Fatemeh sat up. Reaching out, she took Larissa’s hands. “You became a believer the minute you climbed in one of Professor Maravilla’s owls and let it jump off the edge of the Grand Canyon.”

  Larissa inclined her head. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”

  “I can think of nothing that took a bigger act of faith than that.”

  “I believed in the professor.”

  “And I believed God would guide the professor.” With that, Fatemeh squeezed Larissa’s hands and let go. “Now I pray God will guide the army toward wisdom and not rashness where we’re concerned.”

  Larissa sighed. “Amen to that, sister.”

  << >>

  The next day, Ramon awoke as a bugle sounded outside, rousing the soldiers. Used to sleeping on the ground, he rolled over and fell out of his cot. He rubbed his backside as he sat up.

  Professor Maravilla threw his feet over the edge of the adjoining cot and rubbed the back of his head. “I had the strangest dream last night,” he muttered. “I saw plans for the airship we’d captured. I saw how I could improve it. What’s even stranger, I still remember it.” He reached around for his bag, withdrew a sketchpad and began making notes.

  A soldier stepped into the tent. “Private Ramon Morales?”

  Ramon held up his hand. “That would be me.”

  “Get in your uniform and come along.” The soldier stepped outside.

  “Yes, sir.” Ramon stood up. His uniform was folded on the ground near the cot. He quickly dressed and tried to brush off as much of the caked mud as he could, then stepped outside.

  Ramon smiled when he saw Fatemeh outside her tent.

  Maintaining his stoic expression, the soldier summoned Fatemeh and began walking toward the center of the encampment. Soldiers were climbing out of bedrolls and getting ready for the day. The smells of breakfast came from the mess tent and Ramon felt his stomach rumble. The soldier passed the mess tent and led them to a slightly smaller tent nearby. He lifted the flap and indicated they should enter.

  Sitting behind a desk was a man familiar from many daguerreotype images. He had a mop of brown hair, turning silver at the edges. A long, angular mustache hung under an aquiline nose. A tuft of hair protruded from the man’s lower lip. A round black hat sat on the table next to the man. Ramon snapped to attention and saluted General Philip Henry Sheridan.

  “At ease, Private,” said the general. “Please, be seated.” He indicated two chairs in front of the table.

  Ramon and Fatemeh sat down.

  The general folded his hands and directed his attention to Fatemeh. “Miss Karimi, I am given to understand you led a force comprised mostly of Mexican nationals against the Russian airships that invaded the United States.”

  “Yes, sir.” Fatemeh wrung her hands. “I’m a healer and I’ve come to believe that America is a good place to live. This invasion would hurt America like a disease hurts the body. I felt I had a cure.”

  “Hmph.” The general folded his arms. “I would have preferred if you brought your plan to the army.”

  Fatemeh inclined her head. “Sir, I respectfully submit that if I brought it to the army, committees would still be discussing whether the owls could be built and Denver would be in the hands of the Russians by now. Most of your force would be dead.”

  The general barked out a laugh that startled Ramon. “Young lady, you may well be right. I honestly prefer the political tangle you’ve handed me to burying most of my men.” He leaned forward. “However, the tangle is real. I’m afraid most of the men that helped you will have to be deported.”

  “Yes, sir.” Fatemeh swallowed and nodded. “What about me, sir?”

  The general sat back and folded his arms across his chest. “I suppose that depends. You’re in the country legally. Have you considered becoming a citizen?”

  “Very much so,” said Fatemeh. “America isn’t perfect, but I’ve found there’s lots of good here. I’d like to stay.”

  The general smiled charmingly at Fatemeh. “We’d be glad to have you, young lady.” Then his smile melted as he turned his attention to Ramon. “Private Morales, I understand you acted with extreme bravery on the battlefield. Your commander, Major Johnson, has recommended you for a commendation.”

  Ramon opened his mouth, but no words came out. He suddenly became more aware of his mud-stained uniform and made another effort at brushing it off. Giving it up as a lost cause, he adjusted his glasses and sat up a little straighter. “Thank you, sir,” he finally said.

  “Major Johnson has also informed me of the…circumstances under which you were drafted and your…relationship with Miss Karimi.” He cleared his throat. “In light of your heroic service, I would be happy to arrange an honorable discharge for you.” The general inclined his head. “However, we could sure use men like you in the army.”

  Ramon grinned briefly, then suppressed it. “Well, sir, I was grateful Major Johnson rescued me from a bounty hunter, but to be honest, I prefer civilian life to military.”

  The general nodded. “The major also told me about your situation with Randolph Dalton.” General Sheridan’s smile looked especially devilish framed as it was by the angular mustache. “If Mr. Dalton doesn’t call off this ridiculous manhunt, several lucrative army contracts are going to disappear.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Ramon. A moment later, the full weight of the general’s words sunk in. “Thank you, sir!”

  “Don’t mention it.” General Sheridan stood and saluted.

  Ramon jumped to his feet and returned the salute.

  “Now, get out of here,” said the general. “You two have given me a lot of paperwork to do today.”

  Epilogue

  Estancia

  A week of good-byes followed the destruction of the Russian airships over Denver.

  Professor Maravilla continued to make sketches and write equations in his notebook. Ideas seemed to flow from him at a breakneck pace. Since he was in the country legally, he was allowed to go once he turned over his design for the clockwork owls. As a bonus, he was able to give the army detailed sketches of the Russian airships.

  “They probably would have been satisfied with the plans for the airships,” said Fatemeh. “I’m surprised you gave them the plans for the owls as well.”

  “I’ve seen numerous ways I can improve the design, my lovely lady.” The professor straightened his red waistcoat and checked his pocket watch, as though he had an appointment. “I’m going to return to the Grand Canyon and build a new generation of flying machine. It’ll be much easier now that I have help.” He turned and smiled at Larissa, who stood beside him.

  Larissa tipped her coachman’s hat at Fatemeh. “Thank you. I used to think the only way I’d ever get the kind of respect and control I wanted was by being the best gunslinger around. You’ve shown me a new kind of world.”

  “Just remember, anyth
ing’s possible.” Fatemeh winked at Larissa. The two women embraced. Soon afterward, Maravilla and Larissa rode off toward Arizona.

  << >>

  Cisneros and his band of pirates were to be escorted to the Mexican border, but no charges would be brought against them. Like Maravilla, Cisneros found his mind flooded with new ideas. He gave the army the design for the chemical-reaction steam engine.

  “I fear this has been an expensive journey for you and your men,” said Fatemeh, “but I appreciate that you came when I called.”

  Cisneros took Fatmeh’s hand and kissed it. “My lady, you kept me and my friends from being hanged as pirates. It was our pleasure to come to your aid.” He began to turn away, but stopped. “Moreover this journey has proved very inspirational. I suspect I’ll be a rich man again in a short time if half the ideas I’ve had pan out.” He smiled and waved.

  Fatemeh’s brow creased as she wondered about both Maravilla and Cisneros. What was going through their heads? Were they inspired by the presence from another world that called itself Legion? If so, it was being quiet. She waved at Cisneros and wondered if she was waving at Legion as well.

  << >>

  The next day, Billy announced he was leaving. His left arm was in a sling and he complained the muscles ached, but was grateful Fatemeh had been able to set it back in its socket. One of the army doctors said he should have full use of his arm again within the month.

  Because of his role in fighting the Russian airships, General Sheridan dropped all charges related to his activities at Fort Grant and rustling cattle bound for forts in New Mexico. “Being a law-abiding citizen might be better than stirring up trouble all the time,” he said.

  “So, where are you heading, Billy?” asked Ramon.

  “I’m thinking about going down to Mesilla and looking up Luther Duncan. He seemed a decent sort. Maybe he can help me find an honest job.”

  “I hope so, Billy.” Fatemeh smiled at him. “You’re a brave and talented young man. You deserve better than the path you were on.”

  Billy frowned at those words. “You know, I think you’re right. Is it just me, or does the world seem different somehow?”

  “The world is always changing,” said Fatmeh.

  Ramon turned to Fatemeh as Billy stepped away. “Have you ever noticed that all of our best friends are outlaws and people with crazy dreams?”

  Fatemeh smiled. “A lot of people think Bahá’u’lláh’s dream of world peace and unity is a crazy dream. In Persia, I was an outlaw for following him. Good citizens maintain the status quo. It’s the outlaws and the dreamers who change the world.”

  “So, what does that make us? Outlaws or crazy dreamers?”

  “A little of both, I think.”

  Ramon took Fatemeh in his arms and kissed her.

  << >>

  The next day, Ramon, Fatemeh and Eduardo saddled up and began the ride south. Three weeks later, they reached Albuquerque. Once there, Ramon announced they would part ways.

  “I look forward to getting back to the hot springs,” said Ramon’s cousin. “You should come with me and rest up a bit before moving on.”

  Ramon shook his head. “Now that the general has promised Randolph Dalton will be off my back, I have my own promise to fulfill.”

  Eduardo smiled and nodded. “Tell Aunt Sofia ‘hi’ for me,” he said. “Make sure to send us an invitation to the wedding. I’m sure it’s going to be a wild party.”

  “It will be, Cuz—if mom approves of Fatemeh.”

  “She will,” said Eduardo. “They’re birds of a feather, you know.”

  Ramon and Fatemeh waved as Eduardo rode off toward Palomas Hot Springs. Once he was out of sight, they turned to the southeast. As they rode, Ramon and Fatemeh spoke about where they might try to settle down. They discussed the possibilities of returning to Newhall in California, or going back to Las Cruces.

  At the end of the day, the tiny village of Estancia came into view. The sun hovered just over the horizon as they reached the gate to the homestead Ramon’s mom and dad had built. A burrowing owl stood on a nearby fence post. It did a little dance and chirped.

  Fatemeh whistled in reply.

  The owl bobbed up and down, then flew away.

  “What about staying here?” asked Fatemeh. “I have a good feeling about this place.”

  Ramon shrugged. “I suppose Estancia’s as good as anywhere else.” Looking up, he saw his mom on the porch. Like Ramon, Sofia Morales was short and solidly built. She wore a simple blue gingham dress. Round spectacles were perched on the end of her nose. Her sleeves were pushed up past the elbows, as though she had been working on something when she saw Ramon riding up.

  Ramon climbed off his horse. He wrapped the reins around the porch rail, then wrapped his mom in a big hug.

  Fatemeh climbed off her horse, but hung back, holding her hands in front of her.

  “Who is this?” asked Ramon’s mom, looking around his shoulder.

  Ramon smiled proudly. “This is Fatemeh, my fiancée.”

  “I hope she’s a good Catholic girl,” said Sofia Morales quietly to Ramon.

  “Well…” said Ramon.

  Sofia Morales stepped forward and took Fatemeh’s hand.

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Señora Morales,” said Fatemeh.

  Ramon’s mom smiled and she looked back at her son. “She has better manners than you. I like her already.” She turned back to Fatemeh. “Come inside and freshen up. Tell me how you met.”

  Ramon lingered on the porch as they stepped inside. He watched the sun sink slowly below the horizon. In a few hours, a new day would dawn. There was no stopping this journey into the future. He couldn’t wait to find out what tomorrow would bring.

  About the Author

  David Lee Summers is an author, editor and astronomer living somewhere between the western and final frontiers. He is the editor of Tales of the Talisman Magazine and three anthologies. Owl Dance is his seventh novel. His other six include The Solar Sea, which was selected as a Flamingnet Young Adult Top Choice, and Vampires of the Scarlet Order, which tells the story of a group of vampire mercenaries who fight evil. His short fiction has appeared in such magazines and anthologies as Realms of Fantasy, Cemetery Dance, Science Fiction Trails, Human Tales, 2020 Visions, Space Sirens, and Six-Guns Straight From Hell.

  In addition to his work in the written word, David operates telescopes at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Learn more about David at www.davidleesummers.com

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