by Kyle West
Makara nodded. It was going well so far. “Well, I thought I was ready for a bit of extra responsibility.”
Ohlan arched an eyebrow, an invitation to continue.
“I want to be a wall guard.”
Ohlan had a chuckle at that and shook his head. “You’re not ready for that, Makara. A woman’s place is in the home, anyway. Raine spoiled you.”
“Raine let me fight in the final battle,” Makara said, trying her best to keep her voice reasonable. “I even killed a few men. That extra ammunition I brought you all those months back. I won that defending myself in L.A. If anyone has won the right . . .”
Ohlan cut her off. “You’re too young, Makara. I know you’ve proven yourself, but I don’t let anyone on the walls until they’re fifteen at least.”
“My birthday’s two months away.”
“Then come back in two months.”
Makara wasn’t about to get the runaround. “I’m worth three of whatever guards you have, and you know it. I’m a good shot. Raine was grooming me for command.”
“My brother wasn’t as good at judgment as you seem to think he was,” Ohlan said. “That’s why he’s dead, remember?”
He was testing her, to see she would go off. Almost every part of her wanted to.
“Please, Ohlan,” she said. “I’m begging you to give me a chance.”
He looked at her appraisingly, but as always, those glacier eyes were inscrutable. “Tell you what. We’ll try you out. You can keep watch up there, and if you do a good job, well, we’ll give you a gun like the rest of them.” Ohlan smiled. “You’ll have to wait for your birthday for that, though.”
Makara’s heart fell. If Makara didn’t show up tomorrow armed, packed, and ready to go, then Daryl would never give her another chance. Caravan leaders tended to talk, too, so there was a good chance that they’d find out about her malfeasance.
Maybe nobody would take her on after that.
But if she begged any more of Ohlan, he’d become suspicious of why she wanted a gun so bad that she wasn’t willing to wait two months.
“All right,” Makara said. “Let me start tonight. Watching, I mean.”
“Well,” Ohlan said. “We’re a little short on the east side. Report to Terrance Shaw, and he’ll see you set up.”
It would have to be good enough. “Thanks, Ohlan. I won’t let you down.”
“We’ll see. Now, get out of here. I’ve wasted enough of my time.”
Makara walked quickly out of the hall and headed for the eastern wall.
Maybe she hadn’t been given a gun, but she’d be around plenty of men who’d have them. She’d figure out a way to pilfer one of them.
Chapter 52
MAKARA REPORTED TO the eastern wall, as ordered, and talked to Terrance Shaw for the first time in a year. He looked much the same, though now he was sporting a full beard that covered his chiseled face. He wore sunglasses, even though it was night. Makara wondered how he could even see anything.
“Can’t believe he’s letting a little rug rat like you up here,” he drawled. “Well, if you’re lying about this appointment, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
“Nice to see you too, Terrance.”
He gave a grunt. Makara wasn’t sure if was supposed to be a laugh or not.
“Job’s simple,” he said. “Stand in that tower. Look out. If you see someone approaching, come find me. If you fall asleep on the job, then I don’t want to see you back.”
“Fair enough,” Makara said.
Terrance turned and called out to the tower. “Varner! You’re relieved.”
A man started climbing down the ladder, and Shaw nodded toward it. “Hop to it.”
Makara climbed the ladder and stood looking out at the bleak desert. The entire land was covered with shadow. Barely any moonlight was getting through tonight. Makara had sharp eyes, though.
Not that it mattered, because she had no intention of keeping an eye out, anyway. She tracked the other guards’ movements, along with Shaw’s. All of them bore weapons, but it seemed that all the rumors she’d heard about guards falling asleep on the job were exaggerated. Everyone was alert, though it was still early in the night.
Makara herself was tired, too. She had to stay alert and find an opportunity.
At some point, Terrance left, leaving only the guards. There seemed to be three other guys covering the eastern wall, all of whom were standing and not looking tired in the least. Makara was starting to think this might be a bad idea.
She waited for the other guards to face away before going down the ladder. When she reached the rampart, she walked quietly, sticking to the shadows. No one seemed to be any the wiser.
This is stupid, she thought. There’s no way I can get a gun from someone who’s fully awake.
She ended up climbing down to the ground and standing by the wall. Could she try sneaking into the barracks? No, someone was bound to see her there.
She sat back with her back against the wall. Getting a gun before dawn was practically worthless.
There was one option, though. One she hadn’t wanted to resort to. She didn’t see another way, though.
She stood up and walked home. It looked like she’d have to take George’s six-shooter.
WHEN MAKARA QUIETLY stepped in the cabin, both George and Emelia were still up.
“Where have you been?” Emelia asked, sharply. “We were just about to go looking for you.”
George looked at her sternly, but didn’t add anything to Emelia’s question.
“Ohlan wanted some help with guard duty,” she said, playing it off. “You can ask him yourself.”
The two looked at each other, before Emelia turned back to Makara. “Well, a bit of forewarning would be nice. Why’s Ohlan got you up there, anyway? You have school tomorrow.”
“Well, mystery solved,” George said. “I’m going to sleep.”
Emelia watched him go quietly, not seeming very happy about it. When he’d retreated to the back room, she turned back to Makara.
“Is everything all right? You don’t really want to join the wall guards, do you?”
Makara shrugged. “Maybe. I’m not much good at school, anyway.”
“You just don’t apply yourself,” Emelia said. “You’re a good student, but unless you work harder, few will want to apprentice you.”
“Maybe I don’t want that,” Makara said.
Emelia blinked. “Well, what do you want?”
To be free. Makara kept that thought to herself, though. “Right now, I just want to go to bed.”
Emelia shook her head. “Makara, we are just worried about you. We want you to fit into our community, but so far . . .”
“So far what?” Makara asked.
“Well,” Emelia said. “If you can handle a bit of honesty . . .”
“I can handle anything,” Makara said.
“I’ve been talking to some of the other townsfolk,” Emelia said. “Many of them are looking for a bright, young apprentice to take on. There are so few young people these days. For all that, though, none want to take you on.”
Makara laughed. “You thought my feelings would be hurt by that?”
“They hurt my feelings,” Emelia said. “Me, who’s been working so hard to get people to accept you. When you beat up the neighbor kids, or mouth off to the grocer, that gets around, Makara. You need to turn your attitude around if you’re going to last here.”
Don’t worry about that, Makara thought. I’ll be out of your hair by tomorrow.
“Well?” Emelia asked. “You don’t have anything to say?”
“You’re right,” Makara said. “I’ll try to do better.”
Makara knew Emelia hadn’t expected that answer. It seemed she had trouble accepting it, from the way Emelia just stared at her. None of it would matter by tomorrow, anyway.
“I hope you mean that, Makara. Will you try?”
“Yes,” Makara said, pushing down her irritation. “Can I go to be
d now?”
Emelia shook her head sadly. “I’m sure you’re tired. As am I.” She got up, poked the fire a bit, before retiring to the back room.
Makara went to her own pallet. The whole conversation had been irrelevant, but it still felt real. Her heart pounded at what she knew she had to do. Within minutes, she heard them both snoring back there. George kept the six-shooter in a drawer by his bed.
Could she really go through with this, after everything they had done for her?
I have to, Makara said. It’s the only way out of this place. It’s the only way to be free.
Besides, she was nothing but a drain, anyway. George was right about that. She’d bring nothing but disappointment to him, and eventually, Emelia too.
“I’ll be gone, soon,” she whispered. “Don’t you worry.”
She slowly eased out of her blanket and crawled on all fours to the bedroom, quiet as a mouse. She easily reached the side of the bed where George was laying. He was snoring loudly as Makara crawled forward. She reached for the handle of the drawer, pulling it open ever so slightly, timing it to move during the loudest parts of George’s snores. It stood completely open, allowing Makara to scoop up the shooter, a carton of bullets, and a speed loader.
Makara gently closed the drawer, and eased back out of the room.
Packing was quick. Within minutes, she had plenty of food and a canteen full of water. She took everything she’d brought with her, including the matches, as well as some extra clothes to keep warm. It was all she could fit into the pack. The rest she’d have to leave behind.
Makara couldn’t step out the door without making noise, so instead, she opened the shutters of the window, stepping out that way. She closed them behind her, finding herself on the dusty road outside.
She felt free, despite the fact she wasn’t even out of Oasis yet.
There was no one out, but a guard could be passing by any minute, and it was obvious from her pack that she meant to leave. Makara went down some side streets, sticking to shadows where she could. Only one time did she have to allow a pair of guards to pass her, but thankfully, they didn’t seem too vigilant. She made her way easily enough to the western wall, the designated area where caravans stayed.
She found Daryl’s caravan, approaching the guard on duty. Before he could even ask her to state her business, Makara spoke.
“Daryl said I could join up if I brought a gun,” she said. “I have that here.”
She showed the old six-shooter, and the man gave the ghost of a smile. “Is that all it takes to join the Desert Foxes?” He chuckled. “Well, you can speak to Daryl in the morning.”
“Where can I sleep?”
The man pointed with his head. “By the fire, with the rest.”
Several men were laying around the fire, and there wasn’t much room for Makara. She’d have to sleep on the outside, but she wasn’t about to make a fuss about it. The only thing she was worried about was being in the open, where any of the townsfolk might see her. Hopefully neither George nor Emelia noticed her missing. The caravans were usually out of town before most people were awake.
It was only for one night and then she’d be out of Oasis for good and no longer under Ohlan’s thumb. There were also a couple of tents set up, but Makara knew they weren’t for grunts.
Makara set up her pad and lay down with her blanket thrown over her. She’d be out of here as soon as the sun was up.
Chapter 53
SHE WOKE TO THE SOUNDS of the camels being laden and the smell of biscuits over the cookfires. Several of the hardened men stared at her, but none asked her name or why she was there. She found Daryl and showed him her gun.
He gave a bark of a laugh. “I should have specified a rifle or a shotgun,” he said. “But a promise is a promise.”
“I can come with you, then?”
Daryl nodded, impatient. “Yes, yes. Bring me some food first, and I’ll give you your assignment.”
Makara rushed to obey, getting a couple of biscuits and butter for Daryl, which he ate quickly.
“We’ll be out of here soon enough,” he said. “What about your parents, girl?”
She shook her head. “Don’t have any. The sooner we’re out of here, the better.”
“Wrap your head, then,” he said. “I don’t want any trouble with the authorities if they recognize you. Usually I wouldn’t do this, but I need bodies. The road to San Fran is a long one.”
Makara nodded quickly and wrapped her head until only her eyes showed.
Within minutes, the caravan and its train of twenty camels were soon trudging through town toward the north gate. Hardly anyone was awake this early, which Makara was happy about. When they passed by Emelia and George’s cabin, there were no signs of them being awake yet.
When the gate came in sight, she felt a sliver of doubt. She was leaving behind safety. She was leaving behind a full belly every night, and at least one person who cared about her well-being, Emelia, without so much as a goodbye. She hadn’t even thought to leave a note behind. It seemed a poor way to repay her kindness.
“I’m in control,” she whispered. “I can be whoever I want to be.”
That affirmation was enough for Makara. Ohlan would not get to decide who she’d become. Not even Raine could decide that. She’d done everything for him that could be expected, just as she had for Samuel.
It was her turn, now. Her life was her own, for better or for worse. It was a bit scary, but she was only here because of her own wits, so she deserved to call the shots for once.
She was surprised when she passed through the gate with the rest of them without incident. Daryl paid the gate captain a handful of batts, the town tax, and then they were on their way.
Makara let out a breath when the gates shut behind them. She looked to the east, where the sun was now rising, red as a drop of blood, over a high mesa.
“I’m free,” she said.
Makara knew that it wasn’t the beginning, but it was a beginning. Though she was almost fifteen years old, the responsibility she’d taken for herself made her feel a million times older. She was on her own now, with no one to watch over her for the first time in her life. It was a bit scary, but it also made her feel more alive. Every breath she drew tasted a thousand times sweeter.
Even if she didn’t last long out here, at least she would be free. Sure, she was under Daryl’s purview, now. But if she didn’t like Daryl, she could always just leave the caravan at the first opportunity and join another.
It was all steppingstones to becoming a raider. Then, she would be truly free.
MAKARA FELL INTO LIFE with the Desert Foxes. They followed the old highway north, making camp every night and picking up every morning. Sometimes they passed through small settlements, where Daryl would call a halt for a few hours to give the camels a rest and to refill water and food stores, if the town had any available. In exchange, they would trade some of the wares picked up in Oasis.
Shortly after, they were off again, heading northwest. A couple of days later saw them north of Bakersfield and the small community there, where they stayed a whole day to resupply and trade before making the next leg north, which would take them up to the ruins of Fresno.
Life seemed easier. There really wasn’t much to do in the mornings and evenings other than making sure the camels were comfortable and fed, and during the day her job was to scan the passing landscape for signs of raiders. While Daryl’s caravan had the right to pass through and trade in Raider Bluff and any outfits associated with their leader, Char, there were still many other groups not associated with Bluff, especially the further north they went. Things up north were wilder, according to Daryl.
That meant every group was for itself. But the best salvage was up north, since fewer dared take the risk to get it.
Makara survived her first ambush two days north of Bakersfield. Twelve raiders came upon them from the top of the hill and began to fire. Daryl and his men, about twice their number, fended them o
ff, but not before losing four guards. Makara, luckily, was not included in that number. She had shot at them a few times but hadn’t scored any kills.
The atmosphere became less jovial after that. She now saw what Daryl meant by needing a lot of bodies. If there were even one more attack like this, inflicting a similar level of casualties, they would be forced to turn back empty-handed, as the journey could no longer be made safely. Then again, that also meant more loot per individual for a successful trip.
Things were quiet after that. They reached Fresno and traded with several communities there. It was July, but still the temperature didn’t get much warmer than the sixties. Daryl ordered the caravan on, not wanting to lose time. He expected to make San Fran by early August, and the camels’ bags were full of food picked up from the south. Daryl hoped to trade that food for decent scrap he could sell for batts at Raider Bluff. Daryl’s wish list included bullets, weapons, gadgets, copper, and gold, to name a few.
When they turned west from Fresno, Makara saw natural greenery for the first time in her life. They passed through some low mountains, and while the trees were mostly dead, a lot of the evergreens had survived. Here, Daryl paused for a few days to collect some timber, having the camels pull them on sleds. Makara hated the grating sound those sleds made on the tarmac of the broken highways, and didn’t think she’d ever get used to it. Daryl told her that timber was a valuable resource, since trees didn’t grow in many places these days.
Finally, after almost two full months of travel since they started, they made it to San Fran. Daryl and the Desert Foxes weren’t going into San Fran itself. Instead, they set up camp outside the ruins, where several scrapper camps were located. These people were the ones who went into the city, and sold whatever they found to the caravans in exchange for food.
Here, the Desert Foxes stayed for a week, Daryl wheeling and dealing while the guards mostly relaxed and fraternized with the other caravans. Makara learned a lot, then. She learned that San Fran’s pickings were getting leaner, and that in a few years, the caravans would probably have to shift further north, toward Portland or even Seattle. Some caravans were already ranging that far, and it would be hard to do that in a single season, especially as the weather was becoming harsher. Others talked about Nova Roma, the new empire to the south, offering far better prices than even Raider Bluff. They would pay practically anything to get old tech or weapons, but the journey there was dangerous. There were talks of the Empire building a trading post at the mouth of the Colorado, so that the caravans of the Wasteland would not have to range as far.