Murdock chuckled a little. “You’re learning,” he said as he walked back to the others. “Get Phylicia loaded onto the cart and repack it with everything we brought,” Murdock whispered. “When we leave, I want Heather and Kimberly pulling the cart while Annie and Irene walk on either side of it. Declan will bring up the rear.”
“We aren’t your slaves,” Heather fumed. The back of her head was immediately cuffed by Annie.
“You need to drop the attitude,” Annie chastised. “We just saved your asses, or are you so clueless that you don’t realize it? Reyes’ people were going to take their anger out on you three and torture you all. I got shot at for trying to help and defending my patients!”
“Nobody asked you to,” Kimberly jeered.
“We can fix that quick enough,” Irene Harris said angrily. “Come on, Annie, we’ll just leave these three out here for wolves or other animals to prey upon. They don’t appreciate what we’re trying to do, so they can all stay here!”
“Why should we pull the cart?” Heather asked. “Why can’t one of the men do it?” This time it was Harris who cuffed her.
“Because, you brainless twit, there are only two of them and they’re going to be busy making sure we women folk are protected. Show some appreciation by shutting your pie-hole and doing what you’re told to do!”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Murdock interrupted. “I’m telling you, because you can’t shoot my bow and don’t know the way.”
“I know the way better than you do and who says I can’t shoot your bow?” Heather challenged.
Murdock smirked. “Okay, those are fair points. I’ll tell you what. You pull my bow to full draw and I’ll pull the cart myself. If you can’t, you’ll do as you’re instructed without any more sass. Deal?”
Heather looked around to the others while she thought about it. She saw Annie and Harris cover their grins while Declan was chuckling openly. Phylicia looked at her dubiously. Only Kimberly was giving her any encouragement. “Deal!” she said after a few seconds.
Murdock handed his bow to Heather and watched as she fumbled with it trying to get it into a shooting position. Once in a shooting position, Heather grabbed the bowstring and started to pull. When it didn’t move, she put all the power her slight frame could generate and still it didn’t move. Finally, she put the bow on the ground, stood on the riser, and pulled up on the bowstring for all she was worth. Still there was no deflection of bowstring or limbs.
“That’s not fair,” Heather complained after giving up. “That’s a trick bow or something. Nobody could pull it!”
Without a word, Murdock walked over, picked up the bow, and drew it to full-draw with ease. After holding it for a few seconds, he let it down.
“Sometimes, it’s just easier to do what your asked,” Declan said softly behind Heather. “It’s definitely a lot less embarrassing. I may be taller than Murdock, but I can’t pull his bow either. I’m suspecting that he’s the only one who can.”
Heather stomped to her position to pull the cart, since it was now loaded. Kimberly was at the rear of the cart to push. When Murdock gave the signal, everyone moved toward the river.
#
After several hours of walking and numerous stops to rest, the small group, led by Murdock, finally reached the transport pod. The sun had gone down many hours before. As Murdock, Declan, and Annie looked, they saw no fires or any sign that anyone was around.
“Stay here, while I check it out,” Murdock said quietly.
As he approached the pod, Murdock’s senses were on high alert. His night-vision showed no signs of the recent inhabitants. As he reached the underside of the pod, he saw that the ramp was down. He climbed it slowly and as stealthily as he could. He quickly checked every compartment inside the pod and found nothing.
“Bring them in,” Murdock flashed to Declan and received an affirmative signal from Declan. “Bring everything and everyone inside the pod,” he instructed.
It wasn’t long before everyone was up the ramp, including the cart, and Murdock closed the ramp.
“Irene, you and Annie get Phylicia settled where you want her,” he said. “Declan, secure the cart so it doesn’t move.”
After Phylicia was secured inside the infirmary, the compartment that had housed Declan, everyone else was complaining that they were hungry.
“We’ll eat in a bit,” Murdock said. “Everyone should find a place to sit. I’m going outside. Declan, after I leave, close the ramp and secure yourself.”
Once he was outside the pod, he heard the ramp close. He stood there and started to concentrate. It wasn’t long before the pod was levitated and moving toward the cliffs that he had levitated the pod down last spring. As he approached the cliff-face, Murdock levitated the pod and himself in a smooth, upward angle. He was doing his best to not jostle those inside. Once at the top of the cliff-face, Murdock let himself down and turned the pod toward the river.
After a few hours of traveling, he let the pod down close to the river crossing that he had used so often over the years. Once the pod was back on the ground, he signaled Declan to open the ramp.
“I was starting to wonder what was going on,” Declan said as he started down the ramp. “What the hell? The stream is in the wrong place.”
“That’s not the stream, Declan, that’s the river!” Annie exclaimed as she descended the ramp. “This place does look familiar to me. I thought I felt movement.”
“You two get a fire started under the pod and away from the ramp,” Murdock said as he entered the pod and retrieved the cart.
It didn’t take long to get the fire going and some venison cooking. Everyone was moved outside and sat around the fire, waiting for the venison.
“This is a safe enough place,” Murdock said as he tended the venison. “Your only worries are the animals with more than two legs.”
“Where are we?” Irene Harris asked.
“You’ve been here before and so has Annie and Declan,” Murdock said. “I’m leaving after we eat to bring Emily here and bring some tools.”
“What’s the plan, Murdock?” Declan asked.
“This place is secure from any human that don’t belong here. I’m going to bring Emily to help with Phylicia, Heather, and Kimberly, mainly because I don’t trust them.”
“And why is that? Kimberly asked snidely.
“I don’t trust you because none of you have given me reason to. Quite the contrary you’ve given me every reason not to trust you. To prevent you three from harming anyone else, you will be restricted to the pod and the immediate area. Annie and Harris can either tend to Phylicia or they can instruct Heather and yourself in her treatment. I would prefer you be trained.
“I’ll be in and out of here until Phylicia is able to fend for herself. There is no need to worry about food or water, I’ll provide the food and will leave enough water skins so you can get your own water. Whomever stays here, are to make you three fend for yourselves as much as possible. Heather, Kimberly, and Phylicia, you have until Phylicia is able to fend for herself to figure out what you’re going to do after that.”
“This pod is more ours than it is yours!” Phylicia retorted.
“True enough, but I have need of it to house you and get you back on your feet. No one else was using it, so—”
“A case could be made that where this pod rests is rightfully ours,” Phylicia taunted.
“Good luck with that,” Murdock chuckled. “That attitude could be one of the reasons people have a problem with you. But, if you or anyone else wants to leave, please, feel free. I doubt anyone who knows you will shed a tear when you end up inside a wolf or something worse. I have enough to worry about already to be overly concerned with you. I know I’ve done what I can to offer you a chance to live.”
Everyone sat in silence while the meat cooked. When it was done, everyone took a portion and separated to enjoy, either alone or with preferred company. Murdock had found a spot away from Phylicia and was joined by Dec
lan, Irene, and Annie.
“What are you going to do, Annie, when this chore is done?” Murdock asked between bites.
“I don’t know. I haven’t given it much thought, until now,” Annie replied.
“Declan, Emily, and I have been enjoying the teachings of Kevin and Mei Lee,” Irene offered. “I think you’d be welcome with us.”
“Thanks, Irene, but Kevin made that offer to me some time ago,” Annie replied. “I chose to stay with Reyes and her group. Now, that has gone by the wayside. It looks like life with Kevin has helped you. And Declan, I’m glad you finally gave up all the anger.”
“I’m feeling useful, which is a big part of my being angry,” Declan responded between bites. “What happened when Annie went back to Reyes’ group?”
“I got shot at,” Annie answered, “and if it weren’t for Kevin, I’d at least have a nasty wound, if not dead. I’m sorry, Kevin, for causing you a problem with Reyes.”
“You didn’t cause any problems, Annie,” Murdock responded. “It’s human nature to want revenge after you’ve been hurt by someone. It’s that need for revenge that caused the rift, not you.”
“It helps knowing you don’t blame me,” Annie replied.
“Why would he blame you?” Irene asked. “You did what you’re supposed to do. You protected your patient over the wishes of those in political power. I did the same for Declan.”
Murdock grinned a little at the other three sitting with him. “Sometimes, it’s enough to be understood and I appreciate you three for trying. As far as our guests go, I would suggest closing the ramp when I leave and Declan sleep close to it to prevent the others from venturing out on their own. I’d also suggest that you three take turns watching through the night. Don’t trust them and don’t underestimate them. I’ll be back by dawn with Emily and more meat.”
“Don’t you get tired of looking out for everyone else?” Annie asked. “I, for one, owe you a lot!”
“All I’ve ever asked is for people to learn something and quit making the same mistakes,” Murdock said. His exhaustion was evident in his voice. Without prompting, Irene got up and gave him a hug before returning to the guests and trying to get them inside the pod. Taking a hint from Irene’s action, Annie got to her feet, hugged him, and helped with the guests. Declan got to his feet and so did Murdock. “Look after Annie and Irene, Declan. They’re special.”
“I know,” Declan said as he stuck out his hand.
Murdock shook his hand, took the cart, and disappeared into the darkness.
#
When Declan awoke, he opened the ramp. Emily and Murdock were sitting close to the fire. They had restarted it and were sitting and waiting. Declan bounded down the ramp and greeted his wife with a big hug and a passionate kiss. He was followed, a few minutes later, by Irene and Annie.
“Em, this is Annie Cooper,” Declan said.
“We’ve met,” Emily said as she extended her hand to the much smaller woman.
“A pleasure to see you again, Emily,” Annie said as she took the amazon’s hand. As she watched Emily’s hand close over hers, her hand seemed to disappear.
“Nice to see you, too, Annie, and you can call me either Em or Emily,” Emily replied.
Irene came over and gave Emily a hug. “How are you, Em? How’s our kids . . . err, umm, Murdock’s kids?”
“There just as healthy as can be,” Emily responded.
“And just as exasperating as usual, too, I bet,” Irene said good-naturedly.
“Well, they are Murdock’s kids,” Emily joked.
“Very true,” Irene responded with a big smile.
“How are our guests?” Murdock interjected.
“Quiet,” Declan reported. “No problems at all.”
“Phylicia is about the same, physically,” Irene reported.
“Is it going to work having Heather and Kimberly treating her under your tutelage?” Murdock asked.
“Who knows?” Irene responded. “It’s only been a day. Ask me again in a week. I did tell them that they had to take care of Phylicia. I told them neither me nor Annie are going to do it. I’ll add Emily to that list as soon as possible.”
“Have you given any more thought to what we discussed at the cabin?” Murdock asked.
“I have and I’m in,” Irene stated. “With everything going on and with everything that has happened, I like the idea of belonging.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear it,” Murdock said with a small grin. “Right now, I need to go to where the pod was to see if they left anything behind that we can use.” Murdock waved Declan over to him. “I need you to stay here and get things organized,” he told Declan once he was in earshot.
“Do you need me to go with you?” Declan asked. “I know Mei Lee would kill me if anything happened to you.”
“No, I need you here,” Murdock said with a chuckle, “but I do appreciate the offer.”
“Oh my freakin’ God!” Phylicia’s voice sounded from the ramp. “Who is this walking mountain of flesh? You need to go on a diet, dearie!”
Emily got to her feet and turned to face Phylicia. “Was that directed at me?” she asked with a scowl.
“She’s too dumb to know who we’re talking about!” Phylicia snickered. Heather and Kimberly laughed openly.
Irene, Annie, and Declan ran over to Emily to try to restrain her, but Emily was dragging Annie and Irene, who had each grabbed one of Emily’s arms, and Declan was being slid backward as his wife pushed forward. Phylicia had a panicked look on her face, as did Heather and Kimberly.
“You two better keep her under control,” Murdock warned as he hung a quarter of venison from one of the landing struts. “Talk like that is rude and unacceptable. As you can see, we are trying to keep Emily from snapping Phylicia in half,” Murdock said gravely, “but I’m afraid they’re losing ground.”
“Do something, Murdock!” Heather yelled.
“Like what?” Murdock asked. “I guess I could gag Phylicia until she learns to keep a civil tongue in her head. Or you two can.”
While Murdock hung the second quarter, Emily threw off Annie and backed handed Declan’s shoulder, knocking him to the ground and out of her way. Irene couldn’t restrain her alone and let go.
“Murdock!” Kimberly screamed as Emily grabbed Phylicia by the front of what was left of her shirt and straight armed the much smaller woman. Kimberly and Heather had grabbed onto Emily’s arm so that all three women were hanging free of the ground.
“From what I understand, I’m here to see to it that you three behave,” Emily yelled to be heard over the screams of the three small women hanging from her right arm. “Apparently, I have to teach you three some common courtesy as well!”
Murdock started chuckling. “Glad to see that you women will work it all out.”
“Em, don’t break anything important,” Irene pleaded as she came up to Emily after helping Annie and Declan to their feet.
“My husband and my friends felt that you were worth saving,” Emily said through clenched teeth, giving them all a good shake. “They risked their lives and all they get in return is insults, sass, and back-talk. I, for one, will not tolerate it! Prove to me that you’re worth the cost or I’ll throw you all over the cliff myself!” With that she dropped Phylicia and the other two released their grip on the big woman’s arm.
“I protest this—” Phylicia started.
“I don’t care what you protest you’re going to learn to be civilized, even if it kills you!” Emily boomed cutting off Phylicia’s protest.
“I’d listen to her if I were you,” Murdock cautioned, with a chuckle, as he left the pod area.
Once Emily had boomed, there were no more protests and all three guests were silent.
“Now then, my name is Emily, but you can call me Misses Griffen. You haven’t earned the right to call me by my first name. We’re going to start with morning clean-up, so get your skinny asses to the river and bathe!” All three women walked fearfully to the
river with Emily close on their heels.
“Impressive, isn’t she?” Declan asked Annie and added a deep sigh afterwards.
“Was she mad?” Annie asked sheepishly.
“Oh, no, she was just a little irritated at the rudeness,” Declan explained. “If she would have been mad, you would know!”
“I’ve only seen her as very sweet and lovable. I hope I’m never the focus of her anger,” Irene said while shaking her head slightly.
#
By the time Palmer, Jax Hornsby, Ted Wagner, and Nels Osterlund reached the cliff downriver from their plateau, it was only hours before sundown. As Palmer stood by the edge, he could see no movement below, but he could see what appeared to be paths on the other side of the river and into woods. He suspected that the paths led to the others. From his vantage point, he could see the zig-zag path down the cliff and knew it was going to take a while to navigate the cliff.
“We have some careful climbing to do to get off the cliff,” Palmer said aloud. “I don’t want to be on that treacherous path after dark, so move it along!”
By the time the four men had managed the cliff-face, it was after sunset and getting dark quickly. Working together, they managed to get firewood collected, a fire started, and a couple of fish caught. While the fish were cooking, Palmer could see an old campsite on the other side of the river and figured the others were close by.
“I think the others went into the woods on the other side of the river,” Palmer said as all four men sat to eat by the fire. “Tomorrow, we’ll see if we can find them.”
“What kind of a reception can we expect?” Osterlund asked.
“I’m more worried about being safe out here through the night,” Hornsby said.
“You three can rotate a watch to keep the fire going and to wake the others if needed,” Palmer said around a bite of fish. “I’m sure we’ll have a frosty reception, but maybe we can wheedle a place somewhere. We should keep an eye out for possible campsites, though, just in case.”
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