“Taste it,” Murdock suggested. As she took one of the smaller pieces and touched her tongue to it, her eyes widened with surprise.
“Well, some of us would be interested! The oatmeal has tasted pretty bland of late, but I don’t see any use in salt except as a seasoning,” Rose stated flatly.
“We all need some salt in our diet,” Murdock said matter-of-factly. “Besides its use as a seasoning, it is used as a food preservative and in tanning hides.”
“And . . . we need it why?” Rose asked skeptically.
“Do you think it’s going to be summer here all the time? When winter comes, some of you are going to get pretty cold, considering what the colonists were wearing the last time I was here.”
“I still don’t understand what you want me to do.”
“If I can get one of the pickaxes and a small tarp, I can get you enough salt to begin tanning some hides for clothing.”
“I don’t think Whittier will go for it. He has a real dislike for you. You could give him a mountain of the stuff, and he still wouldn’t go for a deal. Not with you, anyway.”
“That’s where you come in.”
“I’ll deliver the message, but don’t hold your breath. How do we contact you, assuming he wants to talk?”
“I’ll be around this area for a while. Just go to the stream and yell for me.”
“Okay,” she said, walking off toward the transport pod.
When Rose was out of sight, Murdock crossed back over the stream. He speared a fish, cooked it, and ate his fill. After he had eaten, he heard voices over by the stream.
“Murdock!” That was Whittier calling for him. Murdock headed in the direction of the voice. When he reached the stream, he saw Whittier, Rose, and Burns standing on the other side.
“I’m here, Whittier,” Murdock said, showing only his head and shoulders. Grass and small trees hid his lower half.
“I have a counter-proposal for you!” Whittier yelled. “Why don’t you just show us where you got the salt, and we’ll do the work for you?”
“Can’t do that,” Murdock responded.
“No deal? No room for negotiation?”
“None!”
“How about you supply us with a couple of tanned hides and some meat?” Whittier countered. “Say, two hides and a deer butchered. We would pay you with the use of a tarp and pickax.”
As Murdock pondered that proposition, he heard someone behind him, getting closer.
“Let me think about it,” Murdock said as he drew his twelve-inch machete. “How about one hide and half a deer?” He readied himself. The noise was a lot closer, and whoever it was would be striking soon.
“I have to get two hides and a whole deer. The tarp and pickax are worth that much, at least!” Whittier called back.
Just then, the attack from behind came. Murdock just managed to sidestep the downward slash of a machete held by Metzger. The machete stuck into the ground as Murdock made a quick little slice across the top of Metzger’s wrist. The other man yelled and grabbed his wrist as Murdock got behind him and shoved him with his shoulder. Metzger stumbled forward and fell face first into the stream. When Murdock looked up at Whittier, he saw that Whittier had grabbed Rose by the hair and was holding his own twelve-inch machete at her throat.
“You’re a real class act, Whittier,” Murdock yelled.
“Just doing my civic duty,” Whittier responded with a wry grin. “Now, suppose you come over here and surrender to Burns and Metzger.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Well, maybe your little girlfriend, here, won’t be quite so pretty the next time you see her!” Whittier drew the machete a little way across Rose’s throat. Murdock could see a thin line of blood start to flow from the small cut. Rose’s eyes got big, as the shock of what was happening hit her.
Murdock laughed aloud.
“I fail to see anything funny in this situation,” Whittier yelled, frowning.
“You won’t kill her, Whittier,” Murdock called back.
“And how did you come to that conclusion?”
“Several factors. Only one of which is the fact that, if you do, she won’t be able to carry any more water. Besides, it isn’t your style,” Murdock taunted. “You would rather have one of your goons over there do it for you. Too much like work and too messy for you!”
Murdock had noticed Burns and Metzger looking nervously toward Whittier. Metzger was still holding his wrist, which was still bleeding. “Why don’t you come over here, Whittier?” he continued. “We can settle this like men!” He paused. “Well, one of us is a man, anyway.”
“I’m warning you, Murdock — don’t test me!”
“I’m way over here, Whittier. What can I do to stop you? Keep in mind, though, that if you kill her, I’ll be hunting you and those two slugs over there. You won’t see me or hear me until it’s too late. I can guarantee you one thing, though.”
“And that would be?” Whittier asked haughtily.
“I can guarantee your death will be a slow and painful one! So, if you’re going to kill her, do it and get it over with!”
Whittier’s thoughts were plain on his face for all to read. Then the other man relaxed his knife hand, and Rose pushed it away. She knelt at the stream and splashed the cut with water.
“You stupid asshole,” she screamed at Whittier as she dipped water onto the cut. “You have a problem with Murdock, take it up with him! Leave me out of it!” Rose put more of the cold water on her neck.
Whittier, Burns, and Metzger were turning to leave. Murdock bent down and picked up Metzger’s machete.
“Hey, Whittier, you forgot something,” he yelled at the retreating Whittier. Whittier turned just in time to see the machete heading for his chest and leaned back. The sharp edge drew a neat line across his chest as the machete stuck in a tree just past him.
“You see that! He tried to kill me,” Whittier screamed to the other two men.
“If I wanted to kill you, Whittier, you’d be dead.” Murdock stated coldly.
Metzger walked over to the machete stuck in the tree and pulled it out. All three men turned their back to Murdock and walked off in the direction of the transport pod. Rose followed close behind them.
Murdock waited until the area was clear before turning his back on them and returning to his fire. He sat by the fire for an hour or so before finally deciding to take what he needed. I offered to barter, but they obviously didn’t think I had anything to barter with, he thought. Besides that, I have a right to at least use some of the tools. I’m part of the colony, even if Whittier doesn’t like it.
#
Whittier, Metzger, Burns, and Rose walked quietly back to the transport pod. Whittier was livid and his mind continued to scheme. I have to turn this around, he thought. Murdock’s earlier escape into the wild had been a major disappointment, but Whittier had managed to turn it around to his advantage. He had made Murdock an unacceptable alternative to his rule, but this was not the same.
Rose’s presence complicated things. Whittier controlled Burns and Metzger and knew they didn’t dare dispute his version of the facts. But what was he going to do with Rose? She and Metzger had begun a relationship, but Whittier doubted that Metzger could control her. He doubted anyone could.
#
Burns was fearful of Whittier and his further loss of status, and fearful of Murdock and his threat. He knew Murdock meant exactly what he said and was skeptical of his survival chances if Murdock decided to make good on it. Burns also knew that if he were banished, he’d have nowhere to go. He could survive inside a city, but not out here.
#
Metzger was in pain. His wrist hurt from the slice Murdock had given him, and his pride was hurt. He didn’t care much for Whittier or Burns, and he didn’t care if he lost his position with either man. Whittier could do his own dirty work if he didn’t like the results. Murdock had proven, once again, that his skills where superior.
Metzger had figured the cha
nces of their ambush succeeding were low. He’d told them as much. And he wasn’t bothered by Whittier’s threat to Rose. Metzger knew Whittier didn’t have what it took to take a life himself.
#
“When we’re back at the pod,” Whittier began angrily, “we need to have a meeting of the minds. Go straight into the pod, and say nothing to anyone. That means you, too, Rose!”
When they were close to the camp, Burns trotted ahead to eject anyone who might be in the pod. He knew Whittier well enough to pick up on what the man wanted.
After the three men and Rose were inside the pod, Burns closed the ramp.
“That went well,” Whittier said sarcastically, exhaling heavily. He sat in the only chair, glaring at everyone.
“We did exactly as you told us,” Burns pleaded.
“I told you it wouldn’t work,” Metzger accused. “Only an utter fool would have fallen for that little ambush. Murdock never struck me as a fool.” Metzger glared back at Whittier.
“Murdock was correct about needing the salt. So, what do we do now? Do any of you have any helpful suggestions?” Whittier asked.
Rose looked sideways at Whittier, glaring, arms crossed.
“You have something to say?” Whittier asked, glaring back at her.
“You threaten me with a knife again, you better make it good,” she warned.
“I said helpful suggestions. Denigrations or idle threats aren’t helpful.” Whittier scowled.
“We could let him borrow what he wants,” Burns stated, rather fearfully. “It didn’t seem to be an unreasonable request.”
Whittier slowly turned his attention from Rose to Burns.
“So, you’re saying that we should trust him? What makes him so trustworthy?” Whittier asked.
He waited for a response.
“All we get from him are threats and insubordination,” he continued when no one spoke up.
And then Whittier got an idea.
“I think you could be right, Burns,” he mused after a long pause. “I don’t see that we have a lot of choices. He could just walk into the camp and take whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Who could stop him?” Whittier looked from one to another slowly. “Since we have a tentative plan, we can at least continue talking to Murdock about it. I would keep this to ourselves until we can get things ironed out. I see no need to unnecessarily alarm the rest. Agreed?”
Everyone nodded agreement. “Rose,” he went on, “I need to talk to these two about other matters. We all will leave shortly to continue the negotiations, and I want you to do the negotiating. Close the ramp on your way out, please.”
Rose left and closed the ramp behind her.
“Do you have any special attachments for that one, Metzger?” Whittier asked after Rose left the pod.
“Nothing permanent, not that it’s any of your business,” Metzger said defiantly as he shrugged. “Why do you ask?”
“She’s going to be a major problem. I thought of a way to turn this around to our advantage, but it means that we all have to be of the same mind on the matter,” Whittier stated. “I know where Burns’ loyalties lie. I am not so sure of yours.” Whittier squinted skeptically at Metzger.
“What do you have in mind?” Metzger asked.
“Does it matter? I want to know if I can count on you.” Whittier asked.
Metzger thought.
“Let me put it another way, Metzger,” Whittier continued. “You don’t back me, then you’re of no use to me for anything. No special favors. You’ll be treated just the same as the rest. Or back me and be one of the elite, if things go as I want them to. But if I can’t trust you, you’ll be neutralized.”
“Is that supposed to intimidate me?” Metzger asked boldly.
“Not at all. I’m relatively certain I can find someone to replace you. You’re dismissed.” Whittier turned to Burns. “Burns, find me a replacement for Metzger.”
Metzger didn’t move.
Whittier could see the thoughts running furiously through Metzger’s head reflected on his face. Good! He is balancing his ambition with his morals, Whittier thought. Burns stood still watching both men. After a short while, Burns activated the ramp.
“I won’t be a party to murder,” Metzger said through clenched teeth.
“What would you call what you attempted with Murdock?” Whittier asked. “It wasn’t self-defense!”
“I mean, I won’t murder Rose,” Metzger clarified.
“Who asked you to?” Whittier asked. “I understand that there are some lines you won’t cross. No problem. I respect that!” Sort of, he thought.
“All right, I’ll back you,” Metzger said, angry at his capitulation.
“Good! You and Burns go get Miss Rose and a couple of filled water skins,” Whittier ordered. “With any luck, we can make contact with Murdock again before dark.”
#
As he studied the encampment around the transport pod, Murdock noticed that very little had been done to secure the tools and equipment. It was as if he had never left. He saw the rest of the group milling around, talking or lounging on the grass. Just past them, he could see the site of his old campfire, where he cooked the snake he had killed. The remains of the snake still hung in the tree.
But as he waited for dark to fall, his conscience began to bother him. I can’t do this! There is no justification for stealing, he castigated himself. Stealthily, he retraced his steps, careful to be unseen by the others.
When he was far enough away from the transport pod, he traveled faster. Not long afterward, he crossed the stream and headed for home. But fatigue stopped him when he had traveled only a little over a mile from the stream crossing. He would have to spend the night there.
#
As the four walked back toward the stream, Metzger led, and Rose walked behind him. Whittier fell in behind Rose, and Burns brought up the rear. After they were out of sight and hearing of the pod, Whittier bent down quickly and picked up a rather large rock. As the rest walked, Whittier, making sure Rose didn’t see or hear him, rushed forward and struck her in the head with the rock. Rose hit the ground hard, face first.
“What the hell did you do that for?” Metzger asked excitedly. Blood oozed from the side of Rose’s head.
“Don’t act so surprised,” Whittier responded sternly. “You knew what was going to happen. You two pick her up and carry her across the stream.”
Burns and Metzger carried Rose while Whittier guided them across the stream.
“Stand her up,” Whittier commanded when they had reached a likely spot, out of sight of the stream crossing.
With Burns and Metzger holding Rose up, her head lolling forward and to the side, Whittier unbuttoned her shirt and removed it.
“What the hell are you doing?” Metzger asked, full of concern for Rose.
“What do you care?” Whittier asked. “She is nothing to you, remember? Burns, throw a rope up there. I want her standing up somewhat.”
Burns did as he was told, tying and hanging Rose, still unconscious and topless, by her arms, her feet barely touching the ground.
#
Murdock made camp and got a small fire going. Then he sat looking into the flames. He could not reconcile what he should do with what he knew to be right. After a while, he threw the last piece of wood on the fire, frustrated by his moral dilemma.
“Aw, hell!” he said aloud as he settled in for the night. His mind had turned back to Beron and the ritual he had attended earlier in the day. In a way, I feel privileged to attend the meeting with Beron by my side. I’m sure that not many strangers had ever attended a similar meeting. But then, maybe it is commonplace for them, but that’s of no consequence to me, I still feel honored. These thoughts pleased him as he drifted off to sleep.
Murdock suddenly woke. He thought he’d heard someone scream, but he couldn’t be sure it was real or just a dream. Checking the fire, he guessed he had been asleep for only a few hours. He stirred the embers of the fire with a stick
, making it a point to be quiet.
Then he heard it again. A definite scream — and he knew from experience that only a human could scream that way. Someone was in a lot of pain.
He started to trot toward the sound, which came from his side of the stream; that much he was sure of. As he moved, trying to watch his steps and be as quiet as he could, he heard another scream. This time the scream was closer — a lot closer. Murdock trotted on.
When he reached the stream crossing — the spot at which he had confronted Whittier and company earlier — the screams had stopped. He could hear something, though. It sounded like dripping, but no rain fell. No, the drip sound wasn’t water. It dripped too thickly, too much like syrup, to be water. And he smelled blood in the air.
Murdock followed his nose. Soon he found a limp body tied to the side of a tree. His hands moved quickly over the body, checking for breathing and trying to find a pulse. The breathing was very shallow, and the pulse he found was weak. His hand brushed against a bare breast. This is one of the women, he thought. His hands were covered in something sticky, and he knew it was blood without needing to see it.
As quickly as he could, Murdock felt around the woman’s extremities, trying to locate the points that secured her to the tree. Failing, he got a fire going nearby. He needed to see to assess the damage done, as well as how she was secured.
Murdock took in a shocked breath in the firelight. There was Rose Griffen, tied to the tree. She was totally naked, bleeding badly, unconscious, but still alive.
6
With some effort, Murdock managed to cut Rose down from the tree and lay her close to the fire. As he started to wash off some of the blood with water from his water skin, he saw something carved into her chest. The carving appeared to be letters. As he put more water on her chest, the letters began to show. The word “spy” was clearly carved into Rose’s chest, still open and bleeding.
Looking at her face, he barely recognized her. Her face was battered, bruised, cut, and bleeding in several places. Her eyes had swollen shut with huge bruises covering her eye sockets. Her nose appeared broken, and she had a few teeth missing.
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