Civilization

by Stephen Drake

  Declan was awakened by someone tapping his chest with a wooden staff.

  “Hey, you,” a man’s voice said, “Wake up!”

  It took Declan’s brain a little while to become aware and open his eyes. When he did, he saw several men surrounding him. Each had one of the wooden staffs that Phylicia had contracted for. “What do you want?” Declan managed sleepily.

  “Hey, I know you,” one of the men, the tall one with brown hair, said excitedly. “You’re the one that Murdock kidnapped!”

  Declan looked sideways at the man. He didn’t recognize him, but didn’t know if he should keep his mouth shut or correct the man.

  “What are you doing here?” a bigger man, with blond hair, asked roughly.

  “I was sleeping, until you woke me,” Declan answered back, the fog in his brain dissipating quickly.

  “He isn’t one of them that went with Carter,” another man, the short man with brown hair, stated flatly.

  “What’s your name?” the blond demanded.

  “Declan Griffen,” Declan answered, “and you are?”

  “Clem Adams,” the tall, thin man with brown hair answered.

  “Cliff Reed,” the short, heavy man with brown hair said.

  “Gary Carpenter,” the heavy blond answered. “Now that all the introductions are out of the way, what the hell are you doing in our territory?” Carpenter bellowed.

  “I was looking for those that headed this way,” Declan said flatly.

  “I’d say you found some,” Carpenter said heatedly. “But for what purpose do you look for us?”

  “I’m no threat to you,” Declan pleaded. “I was hoping to join your group.”

  “He has nothing,” Cliff Reed said. He had been looking the area over, looking for signs of others or weapons.

  “You’re out here without a weapon?” Carpenter asked derisively. “How dumb can you get?” All three men laughed heartily.

  Declan kept his head and said nothing, but he did notice that each of the men had a twelve-inch machete as well as the wooden staff.

  “We don’t decide who joins us,” Carpenter said finally, when they all had finished laughing. “You can, however, follow us back to our camp to beg a place with our leader, or you can go on downriver.”

  “I’ll follow you,” Declan answered quickly.

  The four men turned and marched deeper into the woods with Declan surrounded by the other three. He doubted he could have gotten past them, if he wanted to. They all were more muscled than he was and it bothered him. Being on the council and doing no manual labor had taken its toll on him physically. After walking a little under two miles, the three men stopped.

  “Clem, you go get Keith,” Carpenter ordered. “Cliff and I will hold him here.” Clem nodded and trotted off away from the river. “You better make yourself comfortable. You could be here a while,” Carpenter told Declan as he found a log to sit on.

  Declan had decided to sit and not talk unless they questioned him, but neither of the men asked him anything. As he sat there, Declan could hear distant sounds of chopping and dropping trees in the direction Clem had trotted off. It wasn’t long before a blond man had come down the path and Carpenter got to his feet and met him some distance from Declan. They seemed to be talking, but Declan couldn’t hear what was being said.

  “Mister Griffen,” the man said after his short conversation with Carpenter. “I’m Keith Rogers,” Rogers said as he stuck out his hand.

  “Declan, please,” Declan said as he took Rogers’ hand and shook it.

  “Okay, Declan,” Rogers said after the proper amount of time had been taken in their greeting. “What brings you out this far?”

  “I was hoping to join your group,” Declan said.

  “Really,” Rogers said with a shocked look on his face. “Aren’t you related to Murdock? I seem to recall you being his brother-in-law.”

  “Yes, I am,” Declan answered. “Does that preclude me from seeking others to live with?”

  “Oh, no,” Rogers said, “you can live anywhere you want, as long as the others want you. We have a bit of an issue. You were on the council and there are many here that will remember that. The council, and their abuses, will not be easily forgotten. I’m not sure the others would accept you.”

  “Yes,” Declan started, “I was on the council, but I had no say in their policies. That was all Phylicia and Palmer. In fact, at the end, I was almost beaten to death by Palmer.”

  “I did hear something about that,” Rogers stated. “I doubt the others will accept that distinction. They won’t trust you and some may try to kill you, because they equate the council as all three of you and their betrayal was by the council. Wouldn’t you be better off with Murdock?”

  “It’s true that Murdock is my brother-in-law and he did rescue me from Palmer and Phylicia. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean I agree with his methods or attitudes either.”

  Rogers looked at Declan for a long time without saying anything. “I would like to be able to trust you,” he said finally, “but I have other people to think about. Their safety and security are my concerns.”

  “Would it be possible to work my way into your group?” Declan asked after seeing the direction the conversation was going.

  “That might be possible,” Rogers said thoughtfully after a short pause. “I couldn’t, of course, guarantee anything. In our group everyone has a say in what affects everyone. And our security measures are not in place. You wouldn’t be allowed to come close to the camp until we decide we can trust you. Would that be acceptable?”

  “It would, as long as I can get a little help with fire making and some sort of shelter. As your men can attest, I have no tools or weapons,” Declan countered.

  “And if I refuse?” Rogers asked.

  Declan remained silent for some time. He had no idea what to do or where he would go, should these people refuse him. “Frankly, Mister Rogers,” Declan said finally, “I have no idea where I’d go or what I’d do. I lack the skills to make a fire and no tools or weapons of any kind. I’ll probably starve or freeze.”

  Rogers thought about the situation for a moment. “Declan, go with these men and help with the collection of fish from the river. For your help, you will be fed. I need to take this situation to others for a decision. I can’t make a unilateral decision like this. I hope you understand?”

  “I understand,” Declan said in a low voice.

  As he walked away, Rogers signaled Carpenter to follow him. The two men walked some distance away to talk. Declan watched the two men during their conversation. When it was finished, Carpenter came toward Declan followed by Adams and Reed.

  “Let’s go, Declan,” Carpenter said as they all walked past Declan.

  Adams, Reed, and Carpenter did the catching of the fish while Declan, with a borrowed machete, was cleaning them, after he was shown how. Once they had enough for the others, they all headed back. When they had reached the point where Declan had talked to Rogers they all stopped.

  “You stay here, Declan,” Carpenter said. “We’ll bring you back some of the fish after it’s cooked.”

  “And if you don’t come back?” Declan asked.

  Carpenter looked at him derisively. “You’ll just have to trust us. If you want something to eat, you’ll wait here. You’re not to follow us or get any closer to our camp. If you do, we’ll know that you can’t be trusted and we’ll be free to kill you or, at least, banish you.”

  Declan sat and waited while the others carried off all the fish. He was hot and sweaty and smelled like fish. He had managed to wash off his hands, but he wanted a bath and something to eat. He thought about trying to make some sort of shelter, but had no idea of how to go about it or what materials to use. As he sat thinking about the situation, he had come to the conclusion that Carpenter was right. He had no choice but to trust them. He had sought them out and tried to get Rogers to let him into their group. He couldn’t fault Rogers for being careful. They had all tra
veled together and had gotten to know each other. Rogers was obviously high up in the decision making. As he was sitting, thinking, he saw a rather large woman coming toward him. He had no idea how tall she was, but at this distance, she appeared to be close to his height. Damn, she’s an amazon, Declan thought. She could snap most of the men in half!

  “Hello, I’m Emily,” she said sweetly once she was close enough. She appeared to be carrying something wrapped in a leaf. “I brought you some fish,” she said handing Declan the bundle.

  “Thanks,” Declan said as he took the package from Emily. He hunkered down and carefully removed the leaf. Inside was quite a bit of the fish, already cooked. “Would you like some?” Declan offered.

  “No, thanks,” Emily responded. “That’s yours. From what Keith Rogers said, you earned it.”

  15

  “Is someone going to show me how to get a fire started?” Declan asked Emily as he ate.

  “I don’t know anything about that,” Emily answered softly. She found a spot to sit and watch Declan eat. “Would you mind if we chat while you eat?” she asked.

  “I don’t mind,” Declan said. He had come to the conclusion that cooked fish was better than raw and the company wasn’t bad either.

  “I hear you’re related to Murdock, why didn’t you go to him for help,” Emily asked sweetly, “if you don’t mind me asking?”

  Declan looked at her while he ate. She didn’t seem to be asking just to pry. He got the impression that she was actually curious. “I don’t know if I should tell you,” he said self-consciously. “It’s kind of embarrassing.”

  “You can tell me,” Emily answered sweetly. “I won’t tell anyone.” Declan believed her immediately.

  “Truth is,” Declan started haltingly, “it’s my fault. I was acting immaturely and Murdock called me on it.”

  “What happened?” Emily asked.

  “I was acting like a spoiled child,” Declan said finally after he had finished eating. “I embarrassed Murdock to others.”

  “Why would you do that?” Emily asked.

  “I don’t know what you’ve been told,” Declan started, “but I used to be on the council. When I came back from visiting my sister’s tomb, Palmer beat me. Doctor Harris took care of me and when she was raped and beaten, I was very concerned and very angry. I said a bunch of sh—um, stuff I didn’t mean.” Declan’s head had been bowing as he talked.

  Emily didn’t say anything for a long time. “Would you like some water?” she asked finally offering Declan a water skin.

  “Thanks,” Declan said as he took the water skin. He drank deeply from it and then handed it back to Emily.

  “Who were you mad at?” Emily asked softly as she rehung the water skin across her chest.

  “Honestly, I don’t know,” Declan said softly. “I thought I might have been angry with Murdock or those that refused to let me see Doctor Harris. Just saying that makes me angry. Saying I’m angry with myself doesn’t seem to cover it either. Maybe it’s some combination of the two, but I’m not sure.”

  “You seem to be calmer, now,” Emily observed, “why is that?”

  Declan told the woman about the doe and how it had mesmerized him and how, when it ran away, it seemed to take a lot of his anger with it. He told her about stealing the fish and eating it raw the day before. They hadn’t talked long, but Declan found that it was easy to be open with Emily.

  “I need to get back before they send out a search party,” Emily said sweetly after they had talked for about thirty minutes. “I did enjoy talking to you, though.”

  “I enjoyed talking to you as well,” Declan said and found that he meant it. “You’re very easy to talk to.”

  “I’ve been told that before,” Emily said with a chuckle. “I’m sure someone will come out to help you. Hope I get to talk to you again . . . sometime soon!” Emily waved as she left.

  Declan sat where he had eaten and somehow felt better after the conversation with Emily. He didn’t seem to feel so dejected. As he got to his feet, he wandered around looking under the trees for a soft spot to sleep. He had picked one with a lot of low hanging branches. As he lay down on the ground under the tree, he looked and could see little of the surroundings and was reassured that it would be hard to observe him. As he was finishing his selection, he saw Carpenter coming his way.

  “Go gather some fire wood,” Carpenter told him, “and bring it over here.”

  Declan did as he was told and deposited the fire wood close to his chosen sleeping spot.

  “Now, pay attention,” Carpenter said gruffly as he demonstrated how to make a fire. “I was told to give you this,” Carpenter said as he stood to leave. He handed Declan a scabbard with a twelve-inch machete in it. “The rules remain the same. You’re not to approach the camp. The machete is a loan. If you leave, leave it behind!” Carpenter left; back the way he had come.

  #

  For the next month, Murdock spent his time harvesting deer, tanning hides, fishing, and gathering wood, and enjoying his family. He had long since come to the conclusion that this was the happiest he’d been since Rose died. More importantly, he was content. When he harvested deer, he took the two older children with him. It was a means to further their education and to spend time with them.

  #

  Mei Lee spent the time with the two younger children while repairing leather and getting cold weather clothing made for the older kids. Mei Lee felt that her life was very full. She had a husband that she loved and who returned that love. She had four children who, though trying at times, made her feel fulfilled. There were some things that would have made her life more comfortable, but they also would have unduly complicated her life and she flourished in a less complex lifestyle.

  #

  Murdock and Mei Lee trained the older children in martial arts, knife fighting, and the staff. Once in a while, Murdock and Mei Lee would spar. The children were excited to see them spar and marveled at the expertise of their parents. When they sparred, Murdock tried not to use his enhanced abilities. He wanted Mei Lee to feel like she had a chance of scoring on him.

  After a particularly hard work out, Mei Lee collapsed on the soft grass, laughing. The family had been slightly downriver on an ad hoc picnic. Their laughter had been interrupted by Beron, Bridget, and their youngest cub.

  “Doing?” Beron inquired telepathically of Murdock and Mei Lee. The Oomah, though they watched over the younger humans, tended to ignore them when it came to communication.

  “Just relaxing,” Murdock tried to explain. His mind was filled with confusion from the two adult Oomah.

  “Much activity for relaxing,” Beron responded.

  “It’s a human thing,” Murdock tried to explain. “It’s more a change in daily activity that helps us relax.”

  “Stay close,” Murdock said aloud to the children who were playing with the cub under the watchful eye of Bridget and Mei Lee.

  “Is this a social visit?” Murdock asked his large friend. He got both an affirmative and a negative.

  “Elder passing soon,” Beron responded and Murdock could tell that it bothered his friend emotionally.

  “How soon?” Murdock asked after expressing sadness. He liked the old Oomah and knew he would miss him at the next spring gathering. Unbidden, memories of his own father’s passing came to him and saddened him.

  “Before long sleep,” Beron responded reservedly.

  Murdock knew, from his years of interaction with the Oomah, that there was something else on Beron’s mind. The bears thought it was rude to ask for anything, especially from the humans, but were not opposed to accepting an offer.

  “If there is something that you require of me, I will do it, if I can,” Murdock offered solemnly.

  “You express curiosity for our kind. Would like if you attend passing rite,” Beron stated.

  Murdock knew the bear creatures were immensely old, but hadn’t given much thought to their rites, particularly when one of them passes. He had
always felt that the Elder Oomah would be around long after he was gone.

  “Shells wear out and need to replace,” Beron responded mentally.

  “Is it for my mate as well?” Murdock asked.

  “Rite not for females to witness, but can attend after,” Beron responded.

  #

  In the month since he left Murdock, Declan worked. He helped with anything that needed to be done without complaint. He still was an outcast, and therefore was not allowed to see or enter the camp. He wasn’t even allowed in the immediate area of the camp. It bothered him some, but not enough to cause him to leave. He managed to build a shelter for himself under a large tree. He used existing boughs and any tree limbs he managed to cut using a hatchet that was loaned to him. The few members of the camp that had interaction with him had gone out of their way to make sure he understood that he owed them for everything, which bothered him.

  “Hello in the camp,” Emily Brooks called out as she neared his campsite. She had been to his camp several times and had become quite a good friend.

  “Hi, Em,” Declan answered back. He was tending to the fish he was cooking for himself. “You’re just in time for dinner!”

  “I’m not intruding, then?” Emily asked. She knew she wasn’t, but still felt the need to ask.

  “Not at all,” Declan responded with a smile. “You know you’re the only one to visit me.”

  “Is that a problem?” Emily asked as she found a place to sit on the ground close to the fire.

  “It would be more of a problem if you stopped,” Declan responded grinning at her.

  “There’s been talk about you,” Emily said guardedly. “The people you have been working with have said good things about you.”

  “Really,” Declan responded and shrugged. “I’m not doing anything to gain favor. I’m helping to be of some use and the guys have taught me a few things in return.”

  “Well, there’s been talk about allowing you into the camp, making you one of us,” Emily said. “Is that something you’d be interested in?”