Civilization

by Stephen Drake

  “Yes, he did. He said he was angry with others and himself,” Emily said. She saw Mei Lee’s eyebrows rise.

  “Then he’s learned to be honest with himself,” Mei Lee remarked.

  #

  It had taken Murdock and Declan no time at all to set up a low tent and lay out the hides for sleeping. Murdock, Mei Lee, and all the children slept under the cart, with a hide tented from one side, while Declan and Emily slept in their tent, a short distance from the fire. Declan and Emily cuddled together under the hides.

  “The Murdocks seem nice,” Emily said quietly.

  “It’s funny. I didn’t think they were the last time I was with them,” Declan responded.

  “You were angry the last time you were around them. You’re not that way, now.” Emily snuggled her back into Declan. “These hides sure make it cozy!”

  “You make it cozy,” Declan said. Emily could hear he was smiling by the sound of his whisper and responded by patting his hand, which was on her hip.

  “Is that where your hand goes?” Emily asked, whispering. She gently took his hand and placed it between her breasts, fingers interlocked, hugging it to her. “Better?” she asked quietly.

  “No,” Declan whispered. Declan started to sit up a little and Emily rolled over to look at him. As she rolled towards him, he kissed her, deeply, passionately, and she kissed him back the same way. “That’s better!” he said when the kiss was finished.

  Emily gently pushed him back as she rose up. She laid her head on his chest and he stroked her head gently. “I love you, Declan,” she whispered, putting as much immediacy into the statement as you can when whispering. “You make me feel like I belong!”

  “You do, my dear. You belong with me,” Declan whispered. He fell asleep with Emily’s head on his chest, stroking her head lovingly.

  #

  The next morning, Emily was up before Declan. She wandered around gathering firewood. She was joined by Murdock’s eldest son. He had startled her by coming into her line of sight and she hadn’t heard a sound.

  “Good morning,” Emily cheerfully greeted him. “I’m Emily.”

  “Andrew,” the boy said quietly; so quietly that Emily had to strain to hear him. “So, you’re my new aunt?”

  That made Emily blush a little. “I’m hoping to be,” she said cheerfully.

  “You are, or so I am given to assume,” the boy said with a chuckle. “What do I call you?” he asked seriously.

  “Emily works for me,” Emily said, a bit taken aback. She saw his head pop back a little and turn a little.

  “Mother and Father are awake,” Andrew said without turning toward the camp.

  Emily said nothing. This boy was a puzzle. In fact, to her, the entire family was a puzzle. She was chagrined that Kevin had surprised her and Declan on the trail, the previous day, and neither had heard Mei Lee come from behind. To add to it, here was a boy not more than four asking adult questions and carrying on an adult conversation. He was also armed. It hadn’t registered, the previous day, the two older children were armed and ready when the adults entered the camp and they seemed to walk around unsupervised and comfortable in the wild. Also, the boy had heard his parents in the camp at a distance he shouldn’t have been able to hear anything, but he had heard it above her talking to him. She had gathered an arm load of wood and took it to the campsite.

  “Morning, Em,” Murdock said cheerfully as she entered the camp. “It looks like you were up early!”

  “Not really,” Emily replied. “I woke up and wanted to do something to help out.”

  “It’s appreciated,” Murdock replied, “but that’s Andy’s and Chun’s job.”

  “Sorry, I wasn’t aware,” Emily apologized.

  “It’s okay. I’m sure they won’t hold it against you for too long,” Murdock chuckled.

  “Please don’t punish them on my account,” Emily pleaded.

  “Punish them? Why would I do that?” Murdock asked, shocked.

  “I was doing part of their chores. I thought—” Emily realized that she had made an assumption about Murdock that was unwarranted.

  “You think I punish my kids? I may instruct them, but never punish them.” Murdock explained. “Can I ask you something personal?” Murdock continued after an uncomfortable pause in the conversation.

  “Sure, but I reserve the right to not answer.” Emily looked at him, dreading an embarrassing question.

  “How tall are you?”

  “Six four, the last time I checked.”

  Murdock got up, went to the cart and got out his bow. Emily had followed him.

  “Can you draw that?” he asked, handing her his bow.

  Emily grasped the bow and tried to pull it back. She managed only a couple of inches of deflection. She tried again and managed a three-inch deflection.

  “I’m impressed,” Murdock said. “Most people can’t pull it at all!”

  “What’s going on?” Declan asked as he joined Murdock and Emily.

  “Nothing much,” Emily responded.

  “Just seeing if Emily could pull my bow,” Murdock answered. He then handed Mei Lee’s bow to Declan. “Can you pull that?” he asked Declan.

  Declan grasped the bow and pulled it back almost to full-draw before he started shaking a little. He let it down and returned it to Murdock.

  “Have you decided what to do about the leadership position?” Murdock asked the couple.

  “I think I’ll keep it, if I can have it on my terms,” Emily said.

  “What do you think, Declan?” Murdock asked.

  “I think Emily can take it if she wants. I’ll support her decision.” Emily smiled at Declan.

  “What’s the problem the members of your group have with Declan?” Murdock asked.

  “From what I understand, some think he had something to do with giving people nightmares,” Emily answered.

  “You mean recently?” Murdock quipped.

  “No, when he was working on the community building at the pod,” Emily explained.

  “That would be impossible for Declan to do,” Murdock said.

  “I know that. Too bad I can’t get the rest to see it that way,” Emily said.

  “So, what are you going to do?” Murdock asked. “I take it you two want to be together and they don’t want Declan around, correct?”

  “Essentially,” Emily said. “I was hoping to live with Declan in the cave. It has enough room and it has a spa for bathing. We spent a lot of time securing it and it would be a shame to do without the amenities, but if we must, we must.”

  “You didn’t answer my question,” Murdock said good-naturedly.

  Emily looked to Declan who looked to Emily. Neither spoke up. “I guess we don’t know,” Emily said finally.

  “Why don’t me and Declan escort you back and make your decision final,” Murdock said, “while we see what is available for you two. If nothing else, we can start a cabin, after breakfast, of course!”

  “That sounds like a good idea,” Mei Lee piped in, handing everyone a skewer of hot meat. She was up and about for some time and Murdock was the only one who noticed.

  #

  Unbeknown to the others, Murdock had been communicating with Beron since the night before to see if there was a smaller cave closer to the river with a spa inside it for Declan and Emily. He was told that there would be, in a day or two and where it would be located. He had toyed with the idea of taking the couple to his cabin, but was unsure of Declan and Emily.

  #

  “Why did you want me to draw Mei Lee’s bow?” Declan asked while they ate.

  “Wanted to see if you were strong enough to draw it,” Murdock explained. “Living out here is not going to be easy and you need to hunt deer for food, clothing, and anything else you may need.” He looked at how Declan and Emily were dressed and was not too dismayed. They both, at least, wore jeans, athletic shoes, and a kind of denim shirt. All of which would be fine for summer, but when winter came, they’d have to ha
ve something warmer. “Have you learned to hunt deer?” he asked either of the pair. Both shook their head to indicate the negative. “You’ll both have to learn. I’m not opposed to teaching you. Mei Lee can help as well. She has become quite a good leather worker.”

  Emily looked at Mei Lee’s buckskin dress. “Who made your dress?”

  “It was a group effort,” Mei Lee explained. “Rose, Kevin, and I all worked on it. Kevin made my boots. He also made the bows, quivers, and all the arrows.”

  “Impressive,” Emily said in awe. “Were do you two live?”

  “They have a very nice cabin,” Declan said excitedly. “If Kevin would help me with a cabin, I’m sure it would be just as nice!”

  “We shall see what we find,” Murdock explained. “If we have to help build a cabin, I’ll need to go home and bring back a few tools.”

  “Did you build the cart?” Emily asked. “I’m sure we’ll need something similar.”

  “When I was the leader of the first group,” Mei Lee explained, “I had a few people work out how to build one with materials available.”

  “If either of you want to try to copy it, feel free,” Murdock said.

  #

  After eating breakfast, Murdock prepared himself for escorting Emily to her group. As he did so, he was pleased to see Declan trying to outfit himself with Rose’s equipment. Emily sported two twelve-inch machetes and a filled water skin.

  “You’re starting to look like you belong here,” Murdock said to Declan with a grin and slight chuckle, handing him one of the extra spears.

  “Am I really going to need this?” Declan asked as he looked at the spear.

  “The important thing you need to remember is, if you need something, it’s nice to have it,” Murdock explained. “There are beasties out there that would love to have you for lunch. Having that may deter them from that notion. Besides, having something and not needing it is not an issue.”

  As they were about to leave, Murdock kissed Mei Lee and kids good-bye and admonished the children to mind their mother. Murdock took point as the three people entered the cover of the trees.

  “Training may as well start now,” Murdock said quietly. “Both of you watch where you step and try to be as quiet as possible. That means no talking, as well.”

  As the three moved toward the location of the group, Murdock was watching all around. Every time one of the newbies would step on a twig and make it snap, or their foot would slide on a rock, or drag their foot while stepping, a cringe would go through him. He knew he had to be patient, but found it difficult.

  Once at Declan’s campsite, Emily proceeded toward the caves while Murdock and Declan looked around the campsite.

  “Why do you insist on quiet when we travel?” Declan asked.

  “It was practice. If you can move quietly, the game won’t know you’re there. If they don’t perceive any danger, it’s easier to take one,” Murdock explained. “Most people can’t shoot a primitive bow accurately much past twenty yards, and that takes lots of practice. That means you have to get close. The key to getting close is—”

  “Quiet,” Declan finished nodding and grinning.

  “You also have to be mindful of smells, humans and others, wind direction, predators, a thousand things. When you become proficient, all that will be processed automatically. It’s called experience.”

  “Can I ask you something?” Declan asked haltingly.

  “Sure.”

  “Are we still family?”

  Murdock turned to look at Declan with a questioning look. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

  “I thought maybe I would be disowned, or something, because I was being an ass.”

  “More accurately, you were acting like a spoiled child. So, how can you disown family? I never understood that.”

  “True, I was, and I’m truly sorry for acting that way. So, we’re good?” Declan asked offering his hand to Murdock.

  Murdock looked at Declan’s face and could see how contrite he was. He took the offered hand and gave a firm handshake. “Yeah, we’re good!”

  #

  When Emily got to the perimeter of the encampment, she was met by one of the guards barring her way.

  “You’re not authorized to pass beyond this point,” the guard said coldly.

  “Good. Can you retrieve Keith Rogers or someone in charge?” she responded just as coldly as the guard had been.

  The guard called out for his supervisor and the two had a tense discussion outside Emily’s hearing. He returned once they were finished.

  “No-one is available at this time,” the guard said coldly.

  “Okay, no problem,” Emily replied, obviously miffed, and turned to go.

  “Those machetes are to remain here,” the guard said before she took a step.

  “And why would I do that?” Emily asked, turning to glare at the guard. She had her fists on her hips and was looking very defiant.

  “They belong to the group. They were just a loan. You know that,” the guard said impatiently.

  “And if I refuse?” Emily asked stubbornly.

  The guard started approaching with disdain for her disobedience evident on his face. Before he was three steps from her, Emily had drawn a machete.

  “Stay back,” she warned as she stepped back a little.

  The guard paid no attention to her threat and reached for her arm. Emily quickly brought the machete into play and sliced the guards forearm.

  “You bitch!” he yelled as he grabbed his arm and stepped back.

  Emily used the guard’s shock to her advantage. She turned and started walking toward Declan and Murdock. She did her best to refrain from running, even though she wanted to. She didn’t want to give the guard, or anyone, the idea that she was intimidated. As she strode away, she heard the guard calling to his supervisor.

  Once she was out of sight of the guard, Emily started to trot toward Declan’s campsite.

  #

  Just as Declan and Murdock had finished shaking hands, Emily came trotting up to them. She ran to Declan and started crying into his shoulder. It took Declan a few minutes to get her calmed down enough to tell them what had happened. She had just started when six guards came into the campsite.

  “There she is! Disarm her,” the guard leader yelled and then noticed Murdock and Declan, both of them armed. “Disarm them all!”

  Murdock stepped in front of the advancing guards and was walking forward. He heard Declan pull his own twelve-inch machete and smiled to himself. As the closer guards attempted to split around Murdock, a few quick strikes to the legs caused the first two to fall hard. Another step and the guard directly in front of Murdock got his head knocked with the butt end of his spear. Even though he was focused on the guards in front of him, he could hear Declan and Emily defending themselves behind him. Another two steps, a quick jab, with the butt end of his spear to the next guard, he fell down. When he reached the last two, one of which Murdock assumed was the head guard because he hung back, one decided to run far around Murdock. Without taking his eyes off the last guard, Murdock tossed his spear in such a way that the one running tripped on the spear’s shaft and fell face first to the ground. As soon as Murdock let his spear fly, he pulled his own twelve-inch machete and proceeded forward. The last guard in front of Murdock had a panicked look on his face.

  “Hold,” Murdock yelled.

  “Hold,” the head guard yelled. The fighting stopped.

  “Are we going to dance?” Murdock asked with a grin. “No need for everyone to get hurt when you and I can settle it.” The head guard licked his lips several times before putting away his machete. Murdock did the same.

  “Get everyone picked up and get back to the compound!” the head guard yelled. “We need to have your weapons,” the guard said to Murdock. He was almost apologetic.

  “Forget it,” Murdock said sternly while he put his hand on the handle of his machete again. “I want your weapons!”

  “Forget it,” the head
guard said just as sternly.

  “Well, there you go. No one is going to give up anything. Apparently, we have to try to kill each other to get what we want. Is that what you want?”

  “No.”

  “Neither do I, so why don’t you call it a day?”

  The man thought for a second and decided that Murdock was correct and turned to follow his men back to the compound. Once the guards were gone, Murdock turned to see Emily, standing at the ready, and Declan still holding onto his machete despite the fact that he had blood dripping from his right arm.

  “You two okay?” Murdock asked.

  “Fine,” Emily replied.

  “Not so much,” Declan said. “I’m . . . feeling a little . . . woozy.”

  Emily caught him before he hit the ground and eased him down. She took his machete and replaced it at his side. She was rolling up Declan’s shirt sleeve when Murdock came up.

  “Is he okay?” Murdock asked concerned.

  “He should be, if I can get this cut cleaned out and stop the bleeding.”

  “Use your water skin and let it bleed. Open it up a little to see how bad it is,” Murdock told her as he trotted over to retrieve his spear and return. “How bad is it? Any pulsing blood?” he asked as he dug in the grass to get to the dirt. Once at the dirt, he used his water skin to mix with the dirt.

  “No pulsing blood, but it is deep,” Emily told him as he scooped up the mud and put it over the cut, patting it lightly to help seal it to the skin.

  “We need to move before they come back with more help,” Murdock said emphatically. “You are family, now, so I expect total discretion,” he said looking at her directly so she would know he was extremely serious.

  “You have it. Just, please, help him,” Emily replied, close to tears.

  17

  Murdock telepathically told Mei Lee to pack the camp and meet them at the cave Beron had made for Declan.