Chaos Calls Book 01
by Ernest Bywater
All rights reserved © 2010 to 2013.

This book contains the following novels in the Al Adams series:

Chaos Calls: The Learning Visit
Chaos Calls: The First Rescue
Chaos Calls: Dragon Dilemma

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events
portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance
to real people or incidents is purely coincidental. All rights
reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or
portions thereof in any form.

Product names, brands, and other trademarks referred
to within this book are the property of their respective
trademark holders. Unless otherwise specified, no
association between the author and any trademark
holder is expressed or implied. Nor does it express any
endorsement by them, or of them. Use of a term in this
book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of
any trademark, service mark, or registered trademark.

Cover Art

Background image is Cove Mountain Trail tn4 by Brian Stansberry
and is covered by the Creative Commons rights. The adding of text
is by Ernest Bywater. All rights to the final cover image reserved by
the copyright owners.

March 2015 Edition

About Al and Chaos

The Al in this story is Allyn Robyn Evans Adams, more is told about him in the story Finding Home; which is an adventure story with graphic sex scenes and not recommended for young readers.

Sixteen year old Al is devastated when a drunk driver causes a car collision resulting in the death of all his family, except his father who he was never real close to. He inherits the businesses of his mother and his grandparents, and obtains more in an out-of-court settlement when he sues the rich man who caused the accident. Since then he's increased the value of his businesses through a combination of good management and good luck.

Al has studied martial arts for as long as he can remember and is a very competent fighter qualified to the level of master. He also adopted the Japanese approach to honour during his training and his character is more that of a Samurai than a typical western teen. The Australian born boy now lives in Frederick, Maryland, USA with his father. There he attends high school, runs his businesses as the senior policy maker and continues to write a series of books he started some years before.

When Al put together a team of retired military personnel as his security staff he came into contact with a man he knows as 'John.' Al knows he works from the Pentagon and is involved in covert actions. Due to the intrusions of others into his life Al involves John in some of his activities, which leads to a situation where they help each other.

Author's Note: This story is a follow on to my story Finding Home, it is not a straight sequel, but a divergence into the Damsels in Distress Universe and they stand alone as stories in their own right. They do include some background on Al as this may help some readers to enjoy the story more. Both Finding Home and the main Damsels in Distress Universe stories are available at storiesonline.net - many Damsel stories by other authors are adult stories with sex scenes in them, thus reader discretion is highly advised if you wish to read them.

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Damsels in Distress Universe

In 2005 Lazlo Zalezac published a story titled The Portal: Doorway To Adventure and started the Damsels in Distress (DiD) Universe. It's with his permission these stories were written using that universe. I'd like to praise him for creating this universe, and his allowing other writers to use it. Some universe rules are explained and refined with his approval.

The universe consists of four planets: Cassandra, Crossroads Earth and Chaos. They're linked by portals, and everyone is supposed to pass through Crossroads to reach any other destination. Some Earth families had been using their portals for many generations. The portals have some very unique features. First, no matter how long you're away from Earth only fifteen minutes passes at your point of origin. Second, only those healthy enough to suit the control system are allowed to use it. Third, weapons and most metals are unable to pass, while approved humans, plants, seeds and other animals can pass without a problem. Fourth, a ring with a sapphire stone is needed to activate the portal.

The key component in the DiD universe is the planet Cassandra. At a point in the planet’s past a war wiped out much of its population and a side effect of the war caused the fertility and sex drive of the males to steadily decline. The situation reached a point where any male children are almost always sterile. Without outside intervention the Cassandran people would soon cease to exist, and it's the obvious purpose of the system's creators to try to prevent this from happening.

Earth humans are sexually compatible with the Cassandran women and can impregnate them. The resulting child, male or female, is fertile and without any of the genetic problems found in the Cassandran males. The females who want an opportunity to have a normal child enter a lottery. If chosen, they go to Crossroads for a basic education of the system and are then are sent to the planet Chaos.

The people of Chaos are human in appearance, but are stuck in a society like the European Middle Ages on Earth. It's a dirty, smelly and violent place with little law other than the rule of the sword. There seems to be something which draws the vilest of the local men to want to own the woman from Cassandra. Whatever attracts these men to the women isn't sex as any sex with the women results in a burning pain on their penis which lingered for days.

Men from Earth are known as Heroes and their role is to rescue the Cassandran Damsels and return them to Crossroads. There the two stay together until she's pregnant. When the pregnancy is verified both are quickly returned to their home worlds. The Heroes not only rescue and impregnate the women, they seek out others to become Heroes too.

By word of mouth the pool of Heroes slowly increases, which also enables more ‘Damsels’ to be sent from Cassandra. The reasons men join this group varies, but they're generally in three categories: men who fight for the rightness of saving a world, men who enjoy the challenge and adventure of ancient combat, and men who consider the right to impregnate the rescued Damsel as a sufficient reason to risk their lives on Chaos.

Also, on Crossroads there are Caretakers assigned to each Hero. Her role is a combination of mistress, researcher, intelligence officer and mission planner. Companions are another member of the group, though less than half of the Heroes use them. They're also humans and can be either male or female. The Companions are the functional equivalent of squires, helping prepare meals while travelling, caring for the horses, and performing the general camp duties. Companions are forbidden to fight, except to defend themselves.

There are many more aspects and rules involved, but these will be revealed as the story develops. The purpose of this Foreword is not to tell everything, but to explain enough so the reader is not lost from the very beginning.

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Table of Contents

About Al and Chaos
Damsels in Distress Universe

The Learning Visit
An Odd Meeting
More Meetings
Crossroads
Chaos
The Journey Starts
Travelling
Bridgetown
Rescue Work
Journey Home
Party Games
Crossroads Again
Back Home
Getting Organised

The First Rescue
The Trip
Interruption
The Kennels
Horses
The Return
Meetings
Crossroads
Chaos
Travelling
Grassy Meadows
Rescue Work
Entry
The Rescue
Valley Bound
Jaycee's Jaunt
Outbound
Crossroads Again
Home
Life Goes On

Dragon Dilemma
Ready
Crossroads
Special Interests
Rescue Plans
Chaos
Getting Ready
Side Issue
On the Road
Training Tells
Two Sheaf
Organising the Farms
Dragon Discussions
The Exchange
Rescue Raid
Work Review
Resolving Farms
Moving On
Grassy Meadows
Clean Up Campaign
Loot and Go
Clean Up
New Friends
Getting Out
Bridgetown Boogie
Planning
Barley Bound
Seaside Citadel
Crossroads
Earth
Cavalry Wagon Notes

Headings are centred - a story, a chapter, a sub-chapter, a section.

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The Learning Visit

An Odd Meeting

One Saturday in January a few weeks after coming back from Japan I'm sitting in the mall finishing my lunch when Lia, my lead girlfriend, returns from the rest rooms with another girl. I smile, as it's like Lia to make new friends. Lia is giving me a very sweet smile as they walk over - so I know I'm in for some sort of trouble. She nods at her new friend, saying, “This is Meredith, you're taking her to her high-school dance in three weeks' time. But you have to ask her father for permission first. She'll take you to where he's at so you can ask him this afternoon.” I glance at Meredith, and notice she's a bit concerned about all this.

Sometimes I wonder if my life would be better without a girlfriend, and this is one of those times. But knowing the way of the world, I take the simple way out, stand up, I smile at Lia and give her a nod. I look at Meredith and raise an eyebrow. She gives me a lopsided grin in reply, and starts to walk off - with me following. Lia calls out, “Kira will catch up with you there.” Which leaves me wondering why she will. I just wave at Lia and the bulk of my entourage while I leave them. Two of the security guards go with me while the rest stay with Lia and the rest of my ladies going to the hairdresser today. The ladies go in two or three groups now, it varies with how many staff the hairdresser has at work - the rest of the ladies will be getting their hair done tomorrow.

About ten minutes later we're standing in the entrance to a fencing club while Meredith signs us in and we show identification. A member of staff escorts us to a medium sized training room on the next level up.

The five of us stand and watch as two of the club members finish a match on the special mats they have. I try not to laugh at the way the two men look in their safety gear with cords running out the back. The staff member tells me the suits they're wearing have sensors in them and they feed the information back to the umpire to assess when they score a point. This is literally a case of touché, where a single touch with the sword scores a hit and a win, regardless of if it's good enough to hurt or kill.

A few minutes later the one nearest us scores a hit and the match is over with his five hits to his opponents three. I guess the match was the first to five. They lower their swords, remove their masks, and shake hands before returning to their end of the mat to be unplugged. A little more work to disconnect and the man at this end walks over to us. The man hugs Meredith while he nods at the staff member, who leaves us; I guess visitors must be with a member or staff while in the club. The man glances at me while he says, “Good to see you here, Meredith. I thought you were shopping! Who is this young man with you?”

She looks embarrassed, so I step forward and hold out my hand while I say, “Al Adams, Sir. I'm here to ask your permission to escort Meredith to the coming school dance.”

He shakes my hand, and says, “Well, you've passed the first test I set for anyone to take her to the dance, to politely ask me for permission to do so. That leaves only two more. Let's get the last one out of the way first. Will you get her a corsage and go in a nice car?”

I smile, “Certainly. A nice stretch job with driver. I'll even buy her a nice dress to wear if she wants a new one.” She spins around and looks at me in surprise. I don't think Lia told her much about me. That leaves me wondering just what they talked about in the ladies.

He smiles back, “I'm forgetting my manners. I'm Joseph Martin, Professor of History at Hood College. Please call me Joe. Your accent gives away your country of birth. How long have you been a student at Frederick High School, how old are you, and how long have you known Meredith, my daughter?”

I grin at him, and say, “I don't go to Frederick High School. I'm seventeen year old. I've known Meredith about half an hour.”

Now he's very surprised. He asks, “Has she told you what the other condition of taking her to the dance is?”

“Well, actually, Meredith has told me nothing. She and my number one girlfriend, Lia, had a long talk a little while ago. Then Lia told me I was taking Meredith to the dance and I had to come here to formally ask you for permission to do so. So here I am, as commanded.”

He glances at a very red faced Meredith, and starts to laugh. After a few minutes he calms down, and asks, “How do you feel about swords? Do you know how to use one?” Now I know why Kira will be meeting me here, she'll probably bringing my swords to me.

“Swords are good tools that have their uses. Not only do I know how to use one, I own a couple. I suspect Lia arranged for someone to bring mine to me here.” He grins, and so do many of the members.

“Good, because that's the last part. Being prepared to meet me on the mats with a sword, and having to score two points against me.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Do I have to score against you within a set number of scores on me by you?” He shakes his head no. “Good! As I've never used a suit like you use. I'd find it restrictive.” I stop when I see a staff member escorting Nadia, Kira, Tora, and two guards in. They have my sword case, Tora's sword, and my suit-bag with my combat gear. Joe is giving me an odd look, so are most of the club members. “Good, here's my swords now. Is there a table I can sit the case on?”

The staff member showing the girls in changes direction and heads to a table against the wall. Tora had carried her sword in a blanket, and she's unwrapping it while she enters the room. She now places the blanket on the table and Nadia places my sword case on it.

Crossing to the table I open the case, remove my katana, take it out of its shirasaya (storage sheath) and hold it out for Joe to look at.

He walks over and his eyes light up, “I see you follow the Japanese sword arts. It'll be interesting to see how it goes against our blades.”

“Yes, it would be fun to find out. The only trouble is your blades are blunted for safety reasons, this is a fighting blade and is razor sharp.” His eyes go wide, and he waves to another man.

The other man walks over while he pulls out a piece of cloth, saying, “Oh, I doubt it's razor sharp. Do you think you can cut this in half?”

I know his game, and it's clear he knows nothing about real Japanese swords. I nod, and say, “Yes. I know how very fine silk is hard to cut. But all these fighting blades are kept honed to a razor edge that's sharp enough to do the job.” I smile, and nod at Tora and Kira. Tora has also taken her sword out to show them, and Kira is standing beside the case.

The man with the cloth grins and he tosses it in the air. I let it rise, and when it starts to open up when it falls I step forward as I swing my blade at it in an upward stroke. They all gasp when I cut the cloth clean in half and step back. As I do, Tora steps forward and slices across one half to cut it into half again. Turning while Tora strikes I hand Kira my sword and draw my wakizashi she's holding out for me. After cutting one half Tora steps back, and I've room to step up again and cut the other half with the shorter sword. All the members are shocked to see we carry three swords that are sharp enough to cut fine silk in the air.

The man who owned the cloth looks at me, “I've tossed that cloth out and had hundreds of swords try, but not put a mark on it. And you just slice it to pieces. How?”

I hold the sword up, “These are true combat swords and are made in a special way with an extra hard cutting edge. It takes a lot of work to keep them in good order, but they are literally razor sharp, as sharp as most medical scalpels. You won't find a sharper edge anywhere.”

I return the wakizashi to its sheath and take my katana back from Kira. Moving out towards the centre of the room I nod at Tora, and she smiles while she follows me out. We take up positions a few metres apart and bow to each other. I say, “Standard training rules.” She nods.

Demonstration

Some of the members start to move closer, until Kira says, “Give them room to move, or you may get hurt by accident.” They stop the movement towards us, and some back away.

For a moment we stand still, then Tora attacks me. For a few minutes she attacks using the range of moves she knows, and I defend. After giving her a chance to demonstrate each attack I start to respond with some attack moves as well, and we've a nice little bout. At one point I'm just starting a new attack when Tora calls, “Still.” We both stop.

I smile when I ask, “Why?”

“Master, I'd noticed a pattern in your last several moves and readied to deal with the next expected move in that pattern. But I moved too early, you saw I was ready and changed your attack to one I could not move to deal with. I saw my error and called a halt.”

“Good. Nadia, what have you learned from this situation?”

“Master, I too saw the pattern, and saw you shift your attack. From this I've learned not to commit myself to a move that will only work if my opponent takes the expected action, because this leaves me open to a new attack while they've the initiative.”

“Good. Tora, that error's worth four points. However, you gain two bonus points by calling a halt to admit the error so fast. A lot of the students at your level would try to adjust instead of admitting an error. Good, let us try two blades. You take my wakizashi and go through the attack moves while I use my tanto as the second blade to block you.” She nods, and we get the other weapons. When I do this I notice most of the members have shocked looks, but Joe is smiling.

Joe asks, “Do you always train with live blades?”

“No, most training is done with wooden or bamboo swords. But we do some training with live blades to fine tune control since the practice swords don't move exactly the same as a real sword.” He nods.

We spend a few minutes with Tora attacking me with both swords while I use my knife and sword to counter her attacks. After she's gone through each of the usual attacks, and added a couple of the new ones I've taught her, I start to attack using new moves that give me the maximum opportunity to use the knife to my advantage.

After a few moves I call a halt and we move to the sword case. We both put our second blade down on the case and remove a sharpening stone from amongst the ones in pockets in the case. When Tora and I start to run the stones along the edge of our blades to ensure they've a sharp edge Nadia picks up the wakizashi and the third stone - to hone it as well. While we return the fine edge to the swords I look at Joe, and say, “As you can see from that demonstration, the way I use a sword is very different to what you do here. Your fencing is based on a touch anywhere on the torso, while I train to kill. Many blows that would win me a match in my art would lose me a match in fencing as I can, and will, accept a mild cut to the arm or side to create an opening for a killing blow. The mild cut would register first on your system and I'd be denied having killed you in reply.” Joe laughs, and nods. “In a real fight I'll add in hand blows and kicks to gain me an advantage as well.”

Another member says, “I can't believe you just did that with sharp blades! Isn't that dangerous?”

I turn to her, “Yes, it can be dangerous. However, Tora trusts me to not let her harm me, and if I let her do so, then I deserve the cut for being slack. And she also trusts me to stop any attack from actually hitting her. She's my student and still has a lot to learn, but is doing well. There are many more strikes which we did not demonstrate since she hasn't been taught them yet.”

Joe half frowns, “Student, but she's older?”

“Although I'm physically younger, and we both started training at the same young age, I'm a bit better physically and my training's been much more intense than hers was. So I've reached a point where I can train her and others; so I do it, because it helps in their protection.”

Permission Fight

Joe nods, “OK, we'll just have to fight free form using two of the other swords we have here in the club, and we'll have to use the remote sensor suits. Since you seem to be so good, I want to see if you can score twice before I make five touches.”

“That should be OK. Let's look at what you've got, but let me finish this first, please.” He smiles, and nods then he watches us put the fine edge back on the weapons then oil them. It only takes me a few more minutes to do my katana, but the girls take a little longer because they aren't as experienced with doing it as I am. I hand the stone I have over to Kira, and she starts on my tanto.

Leaving the girls, Joe and I go to look in the other rooms for suitable swords to use in our match. They've a very nice collection of swords from across all the ages and cultures, including some US copies of Japanese swords. We settle on the use of a pair of Roman short swords for our match, mainly because it's like nothing either of us has used in today's work. One of the staff promises to bring them from the display case for us. These are copies, not originals. We return to the first room.

A few minutes later we both don slightly different suits to those they use for the main fencing matches. These use a wireless unit stored in the protective helmet to send signals to the umpire. Also, they cover the chest and back in a set of zones, so the umpire can see where the strike is. Ground rules are agreed upon, and we get set. I'm allowed to be athletic in avoiding hits, but can't use my feet to kick or strike with. The girls have the swords packed away, so Nadia holds the case while Tora holds the unopened suit bag.

The umpire gives us the command to start, and we both stand there waiting for the other to attack so we can assess them. After a minute we both laugh at the situation. Since I'm technically the supplicant here I decide to start the attack, and am careful to keep my balance on my back foot as I take small sliding steps towards Joe. He smiles as I move forward. I swing my sword in front of me before we get close, and turn my wrist to make a powerful swing back across my body as we close. He has no choice, he has to bring his sword up between us to protect himself. My move forces his sword back at his torso, but he holds it.

When we break I move back and turn my wrist as I flick the tip of my sword back across his stomach before he can react to block it. The point touches his left side before he can knock my sword out of contact. The umpire calls a halt to assess the contact in light of our ground rules; they're enough different he has to check them with care. He declares a no score touch to me; a nick but not restrictive. Joe nods, and we get set.

This time Joe is more aggressive and attacks. I settle for countering the first few strikes, then step forward when he's expecting a retreat by me. I use my left arm to block his forearm because his sword is now behind me, and turn my right side a little away so I can have enough space between my right shoulder and his body to bring my sword in to make contact just above his heart with a thrust. The umpire calls a halt, and we part; he soon declares a death stroke by me. Joe nods again.

The restart has us both move around in a circle while we look for an opportunity. Joe has ceased underestimating my ability, and I know he's very skilled and able to adjust to new situations. The circle tightens and we clash blades several times while we continue to move. Then Joe uses a fancy little twisted wrist move that catches my sword near the tip and pushes it aside, leaving him with an inside track. He lunges. I can't avoid the hit, so I dive down and to the side to minimise the contact while I toss my sword from my right hand across to my left hand and I reach up to stab at his chest. Both swords make contact just before I hit the floor near his left foot and roll away. The umpire declares I gave Joe a severe cut while he gave me a disabling blow. If the fight had been real and back in Roman times we both would likely have died from the wounds. As it is, I get my two touches while he gets one. We smile at each other while we start to take the gear off.

I bow, and say, “I'll pick Meredith up to go have dinner at Pat's Place before the dance on the night.” He nods, and I turn to Meredith. “You have Lia's phone number?” A nod. “Good, call her to arrange to go get you a new dress at my expense. Choose well, I can afford it.” She looks surprised when she nods. I can see Joe giving me an odd look as I finish wiping the sweat off and hand the towel to one of the staff. With my clothes straightened, I go and shake hands with Joe, and start to leave.

I'm facing the door and in mid-step towards it when it opens and Mr Benson walks in wearing a set of fencing clothes. I didn't think fencing was that popular here in the USA, but I must be mistaken. He stops and looks at me, blinks, and smiles. He walks towards me and holds out his hand, “Mister Adams, I'm glad I finally get a chance to meet you. Please accept my apologies for the problem with that quote and your visit to my office. Things have changed. And thank you for allowing Small and Little to sub-contract all that work to us.”

I smile while I shake his hand. “I never held you responsible for that problem, and you should thank Mister Little for the sub-contract work. I've not checked, but I think he currently has some work sub-contracted out to just about everyone in the industry in the city.”

“Yes, there is that. However, it's all your work, and work that's well needed at this time. Most of us were reviewing who we'd have to lay off, not if we had to, but who to lay off. Then bang, you have us all working at a good pace for some months. And it looks like you've shamed the County Commissioners into getting a lot of overdue work done, too. So we should be right for a few years when your work ends.”

“I know the delays with the county were due to funding. But the work I'm paying for is generating a lot of income, and thus taxes, so they now have the money to get on with the work. I struck a deal with them to not get billed for increases for ten years if I pay ten years in advance and the back taxes on the land I bought. They worked out an estimate for the land as developed and gave me a bill for ten years, and I paid it. I think we almost lost a couple of commissioners when I did that. They were very shocked to see it all paid as a cash transfer. But it's given them the funds to get some things done that needed doing, and kept local businesses in good shape, too.” He smiles and moves past me to his appointment for fencing.

The whole room is quiet whiles we talk. When we part a voice I don't know asks, “Construction work. But the only major construction work is that big job out on Etzler Road. Are you involved with that?”

I turn, and nod, “Yes, my company is paying for the building work, and we're sharing costs for the road works.”

Joe laughs, “Al, the car you're sending to pick up Meredith, is it one of your own?”

I grin, and nod, “Yes, I'll be in one of my armoured stretch Hummers to collect her on the night. So you can see, I'm not worried about costs.”

He smiles, and starts to turn away, then spins back. “Al, that fancy ancient Japanese sword that was given to the people of Japan a few months back, that was you, wasn't it.”

I look around the room and catch the eye of all present, before I say, “This is not for public discussion or dissemination; yes it was.”

He nods, “If what I've heard is right, you killed an evil man in a sword fight to win it.” I nod. “So killing with the sword isn't new to you, is it?”

I sense there's something else behind this line of questions, it's as if he's testing me for something, but I can't tell what for. I decide to be brutally honest, “No, it's not. I've killed several people with a sword, a few with a knife, some by hand, and even shot a couple who needed killing. In all cases it was a matter of defending myself or someone else against a bad guy on everyone's better dead list.” A few in the room are shocked a person as young as I had killed a number of people, but Joe nods while his smile grows a bit wider.

No one else seems to want to talk much now, so I turn and leave.

More Meetings

It's the second Saturday in February and everyone is getting ready to go out, except me. I'm staying put because Lia asked me to have the morning off to meet with someone. I wonder who it is. Last night was the Frederick High School Junior Dance I took Meredith to, so it can't be Joe to tell me to behave myself; which I did anyway since Meredith was very new to going out with boys. She looked great in the outfit my ladies helped her organise at my expense. We went to Pat's for a great meal, and on to the dance. We spent the night talking and dancing. Both of us spotted how surprised a lot of the other girls were to see Meredith there with such a nice dress and a lovely orchid corsage. A lot of the boys seemed surprised at how well she dressed up. I don't think she'll have much trouble with boys being interested in taking her to the senior's dance when she's old enough for that one.

All the ladies leave to do some shopping, and I sit at my computer working on the next book. About twenty minutes later one the guards tells me a visitor is on his way up. I finish the sentence I'm writing and close the file before heading for the lounge room.

I smile when I walk in and see Joe; I wonder why he's here as I walk over and shake his hand. He holds up a small bag, and says, “I'm told I need to ask for special dispensation so we can talk in the spa for privacy, and you'll be relaxed.” I nod, smile, and wave him towards one of the rooms to get changed. When he walks into the room I head to my room to find a pair of swimmers; I have them, but rarely use them.

A few minutes later we're sitting in the spa relaxing with some fruit and sandwiches to eat and juice to drink as we talk. I lean back, asking, “Right, what do you want to discuss that needs me to be relaxed?”

“Since we met a few weeks back I've been seeing what I can find out about you, and it's all good, very good. I've a proposition you may be interested in. It involves dangerous work, but helps people out. You face danger and run a real risk of being killed, but the weapons are limited to those in use around the middle ages, a crossbow is the most complex.”

“It sounds interesting, but why should I get involved?”

“Because you're a perfect fit for the job, that's why. Also, you'll be helping out lots of people on two planets.” Now that really gets my attention, two planets? I must have shown some interest, as he smiles at me. “Yes, two planets, and neither is Earth. You also get to spend a lot of time making love to some lovely ladies.” I raise my eyebrows at him.

Joe takes a deep breath, “OK, here's the deal. There's been this odd arrangement going on for centuries that links some planets. A long time ago a planet had a major war and now has a problem with the males on their planet not being up to repopulating the planet. There's a system where they import human DNA in a semi-controlled manner by having Earth Heroes rescue Damsels in Distress. His reward is he gets to have sex with her until she shows up pregnant, and her reward is she gets to have a very healthy baby and bragging rights about the father.” I've a real issue taking this in, as it's like a fantasy. “There's an intermediate planet or station called Crossroads where the operation is coordinated from. Women from Cassandra enter lotteries to be able to take part. Once selected they go to this medieval planet called Chaos and are soon in a situation where they need to be rescued. The Heroes go to Chaos and save them. Some of the women aren't saved in time and die, some of the Heroes aren't up to the task and die, there are very real dangers for all parties. No one knows what the distress situation will be until the woman is in trouble. Some can be on Chaos for years before they qualify as being in distress, while some others only stay free for a few minutes after arrival. There are rules and other aspects, but I won't go into those unless you're really interested in becoming involved. On Crossroads you'll have an assistant called a Caretaker, and her job is to find suitable rescue operations that are within your resources, skills, and abilities to manage. Oh, part of your job is also to have sex with the Caretaker to keep her happy and on the job. They get bragging rights as well. They brag about the Hero they serve, and they can only serve the one Hero. If he dies their career is over. Once you go to Crossroads you can't return to Earth without completing a rescue. Once you make your rescue you can return to Crossroads and they can fix anything as long as you reach them alive. Some time distortion effect has you being gone from Earth for only fifteen minutes, no matter how long on elsewhere.”

The whole thing sounds like a teenage boy's fantasy game. But Joe is dead serious and seems real concerned I believe him. I lean back and relax while I think about all this. If it's true it sounds very interesting - but is it true. I know I'd enjoy the fighting and such, but am concerned for my family now I've found a new family. “Joe, that all sounds good, but I'd have to talk it over with my family because I'll be running a risk. To do that, I'll have to lay it all out for them. Can you give me the other rules about the place now?”

He sits, and thinks for a few minutes. “OK, I'll lay out the other basic rules. Heck, I can even take you along on a mission as a Companion so you can see what it's like for yourself.” I nod for him to continue. “You will need to build a portal of your own, but I can let you use mine for a while. If you decide to be fully involved you'll need to select your own Caretaker as well. Then you need to see about organising a base of operations on Chaos so you can develop some resources and back up. Rules; well, no weapons can be taken from here, nor metal items, none of the explosives work there for some reason, not even Chaos made gunpowder. They've metal and you can make swords and the like, so they're common weapons, mostly European style swords. They've a form of currency, but most day to day stuff is done by barter. The cash is a clear disc with gold dust in it, it's called a pinch. Then four pinches to a quad, with four quads to a shell, and fifty shells to a conch. A shell is about a normal day's work and two quads will pay for a room and meals, breakfast and dinner. A pinch will usually buy a meal or a jug of watered wine.” I think on this while he speaks, it sure sounds like someone has been putting some modern concepts into an old society and changed a few things to make it work. “Your Earth portal will take you to Crossroads and your Caretaker will brief you on a mission. They've a portal that'll take you to Chaos, where you arrive in the bank. You also leave there through the bank portals. But you can't leave without the Damsel you went to rescue. You can take a Companion, but they can't directly help in the rescue of the Damsel. You can't just attack someone, you have to act as a Hero within a code like the Knights of the Round Table. Once you defeat or kill someone all they have is now yours, so strip them of what you want or can use. You can't have sex with anyone on Chaos, except a Companion - if you have one. You can't have sex with your Companion on Crossroads.” He stops to think.

We both take a moment for a drink and a bite to eat. He adds, “You don't have to have a Companion, but they can watch your back and do work with making the camping on the road easier. The bank, you can rent a storage box at the bank to store any weapons and things you win in them, that'll make them available to you on your next visit. But don't put anything alive in them, I'm told it's very messy. Don't even think about attacking someone for a criminal reason, that'll get you banned. That's about all I can think of, except Chaos is truly a society of might makes right.”

One odd thing I notice is the way he speaks of heroes, caretakers, and companions, you can hear the capital letters as he says the words. After a few minutes thought, I ask, “You said I can't take weapons or metal, can I take plants, wood, leather, paper, cloth, and animals?”

“Yes, you can. Animals are deemed to be Companions for some odd reason, but you can take them and leave them there. Due to the time rate difference they'll age faster than you do, so do the locals. A good Hero will set up a strong base of operations and be treated as a local lord. Due to the time rate changes a Hero will be served by generations from the same family. At my own bases I've set up a nice operation to make better quality steel weapons and improved crop management. It all helps to make the people who work for me have a better life.”

We spend the next couple of hours just talking while we snack and drink. Most of the time Joe is talking about his adventures on Chaos, and they do sound very interesting. Towards the end of our chat, about when we're expecting the ladies back, he says, “Just after we first met I mentioned you to my Caretaker since we're always looking for Heroes. She told the higher ups and they were worried about your age. On my next visit they were anxious to recruit you. It seems you come from some interesting stock that's supplied many great Heroes in the past. And they'd like to have you involved. They even managed to get some information on your security people and would like to see some of them recruited as well, but will leave that up to you to organise after you're set up.” I think on all this for some time, then we get out and shower as the ladies are due back. We're back in the lounge room when they arrive home from their shopping trip, and Meredith is with them.

Luncheon Meeting

My ladies put their things away and come back into the main room. I turn to ask Lia about lunch, and she smiles as she points to the door. Almost as if by magic, which means someone gave her the sign it was time, the door opens and the hotel staff bring in trolleys of food. It takes just a few minutes for them to set up the round table and serve our lunch. There are times I feel over organised, but there are times like this when I appreciate all the work my girls put in to keep things going.

We all sit down to eat. Just after we start Sharon gives a brief on the new residence. Everything is ready and we'll be moving in next week. The main shift of gear will be while I'm at school on Monday. The hotel will be vacated by Wednesday, allowing her a couple of days to move everything and clean up. The people to install the heliport will start on Thursday, and expect to be finished in a fortnight. Which is good, as the bookings for the high security penthouse with its own heliport are high, despite the charges being four times what they were before. The first of the new tenants will be moving in two days after the heliport is set to be finished, so the work crews better be on schedule. Some work is still to be done inside the main residence, mainly because we haven't yet said what we want in those areas, and some of the outbuildings are still under construction. The other major buildings are done, as is the special garden. On that note: all my ladies were invited to be involved and are happy helping out in the creation of the huge domed garden.

I smile, because this period of my life is coming to a close, an unexpected and happy close.

Lia gets everyone's attention, and says, “I don't know the full details; Joe has a proposition for Al that'll require him to undertake some high risks, but will also allow him to help a great deal of people while he gets his adrenalin rushes catered to at the same time. He does run a real risk of dying, but won't be hurt otherwise. Al's skills with weapons and combat greatly improve his chances of survival. He'll also be saving the lives of many people while improving the living conditions of many others and doing away with bad people. Joe isn't allowed to say more to me, due to security concerns. Joe has been talking to Al about this today, and we now have to think about how we feel about Al taking the risks involved. I'd like to be able to give them both an answer today.”

I now learn Joe is a lot smarter than I thought, because he'd spoken to Lia about this a couple of weeks back and she's been talking to the rest of my ladies about it. Lia hands out papers for people to vote and they all make a vote. I smile when the unanimous vote is for me to take on the work Joe is proposing. Lia counts the votes, and says, “Al, I don't see this work as being any less important or more dangerous than the stuff you do for John. So please do it for Joe.” I see a frown cross Joe's face at the mention of my other dangerous work. He turns to me, and I give him a small smile and a little shake of the head.

Looking around the table at my group I smile and thank them for their vote of confidence in my ability to stay alive in bad circumstances. Taking a small plate of sliced fruit I go to my office and shut the door. I sit down and call John. While I do I wonder if he ever leaves the place because he's always there when I call.

He answers the phone, “Al, it's a good thing you called. What the hell are you getting involved in now? I've had a couple of dozen people asking about you, from both here and overseas. It's a very odd mix of people to be asking about anyone.”

I smile because I now know what some of the checking up has been. “John, I've been asked to get involved in a special project. There are some high risks involved, but it'll help a lot of people and have great rewards. One aspects of it is there'll be times I'll be totally out of contact for about fifteen to twenty minutes at a time. High security meetings, you know what they're like. They should only be one every week or two, not sure of the frequency or how often, because they'll depend on other factors.” I can hear him tapping his fingers on the table.

I almost die of shock when he says, “Hmm, well that shouldn't cause me any Chaos, but it's amazing where we end up on life's Crossroads, isn't it?” I can hear the capitals in his voice. “OK, I think that explains a few of the odd inquiries, but it makes some of the others even odder. A very interesting situation. Well, whatever you get involved in with this, make sure you examine and plan things before you act the Hero, OK! I need you as well, as do your ladies.”

“Thanks, John. Your support for this is much appreciated.” I hang up, and think hard while I sit there for a moment, before returning to the table, lunch, and my family.

When I sit down I look around at my people, and say, “John wishes me well in this endeavour, whatever it is, and supports it. I get a feeling he knows a lot more about this than I do. But his support speaks well of it.” Joe is surprised at my comments, and my ladies smile.

Well, it's now official, I'm about to become a Hero.

Preparations

After lunch I take Joe into my office and we talk about a few things. I make appointments to see him and to practice with the sort of swords they use on Chaos, and for him to brief me on what Chaos is like. He also gives me the details of the sort of clothes to wear, because I want to get my own made up to take with me. In three weeks' time I'll go with him on a trip as a companion. Soon after that he leaves to go home, taking Meredith and her shopping with him.

In the afternoon I ring the lady who made my formal Japanese clothes and ask her about people who can make certain types of clothes. She offers to bring them around to see me, and we agree on tomorrow in the afternoon. Next is to hit the Internet and the history books to study some things, and think. I resurface about dinner time, after sending out many emails asking about getting things made for me. I'm sure I've found ways to make things a lot safer for me to do this work.

The next three weeks pass with a lot of teaching by Joe, and a lot of learning and training by me. Also, the many items I want made for this trip are done in plenty of time, too. I've others that I knew would take longer, and they should be ready for my second or third trip.

Crossroads

As arranged, I meet Joe at his home, a nice two-story house typical of the style of house made in the late 1960s. We go to the basement and I get changed while he opens up the secret section where the portal is stored. A section of wall swings out and lies flat against the wall beside it, when he releases some clips a part of the main support frame swings back to stick out from the wall. It looks like a thick wall frame. He flicks a switch and smiles at me. I finish changing into the gear I'll be wearing on Chaos, slip my Chaos pack on my back, take a hold of his hand and we step through the portal.

I believed Joe, I really did. But it's still a bit of a shock to just step through a section of wall form and go from a basement to a nice looking library in a large private house. A door to the side opens up to let a very lovely and elegant looking woman enter. She races to Joe and wraps her arms around him, giving him a big kiss. She looks to be about Joe's age, i.e. in her late 30s to early 40s, and very well built - no fat at all, with all the curves in the right places.

She turns, looks at me, smiles, and bows, “Welcome, Lord Torao.”

I return her smile while I bow, and say, “I'm honoured you let this humble one in your house, Maria Caretaker of Cassandra. But today I'm Al, companion to Hero Joe. I hope to speak to someone in authority about some ideas for my future Caretaker. Maybe I can do that while you give Joe a proper welcome and catch up on recent events.”

She smiles as we go to the door. We enter a nice lounge room. I head for the lounge and sit down when Maria asks for a hot chocolate for me to drink. They soon vanish through another door on the far side of the room. I expect they'll be busy and enjoying themselves for a while.

A mug of steaming hot chocolate appears on the low table in front of me, along with a plate of cream biscuits; so I take one and eat it while I sit and wait. Joe had told me about that because it surprised him the first time it happened to him. I don't have a long wait before another woman comes through one of the other two doors in the room. She looks to be in her sixties and has that regal elegance you associate with people born to power.

The woman walks over while she orders a coffee from the computer. She says, “I'm Mistress Eva, one of those in charge of Crossroads. Why do you wish to discuss the selection of a Caretaker before a Greeter places some files before you to review?”

“From what Joe told me, if a potential Caretaker is rejected by three new Heroes she's then dropped from further consideration. I've some odd requirements that may be a bit rare in your system. I wish you to preselect the files according to my stated needs before I review them. That will mean I won't be giving any others an unfair strike due to my odd wants. I hope this is allowed.”

Eva looks at me for a moment, and says, “Master Authority Control, we need a ruling from you on this because it's not in the rule book.”

A strong vibrant baritone voice replies, “Lucky I'm listening to you, isn't it? Yes, this is permitted and it is something we may wish to have included in the new Hero greeting process. Allow them to set one or two skills or knowledge prerequisites, it should reduce the rejections.”

She smiles, “I know you always listen in on my meetings with the Heroes, so there was no luck involved. Yes, I'll see about changing the greeting protocols and questions as it makes sense. If the Heroes are being more selective about a Caretaker's skills, then that would explain the recent rise in rejection rates. We may have to review rejections too.”

“Correct. I'll start a review of the rejected files and will make an administrative adjustment where I feel that may be the case. Mister Adams, please state your requirements.”

I hear the command in the words, and reply, “On Earth we've some people trained in psychology that work with the police as profilers. The job requires them to study crimes and identify the sort of person who is likely to behave like that. They also study files on criminals and give an idea on how they'll behave in a certain situation. I want someone with that sort of knowledge and skill so they can help me analyse how the people I'll be going up against behave. They should also be very good at conducting research into any subject. I figure you already select on planning skills, knowledge of Chaos, and combat skills. But doubt you use the first two as a main selection criteria, so I want to list them up front. My ideal Caretaker will be a good profiler with research skills of a high level, a good planner, and some knowledge of Chaos.”

The computer responds, “From what you say about a profiler, and from what my files show on how you use them on Earth, I can see how the skill can be used by a Hero to his advantage. All our Caretakers are skilled at research, so why the extra emphasis?”

“I gather your title is Master Authority Control!”

“That is correct???” Even I can hear the question in the voice.

“May I call you Mac, for short?” There's a short wait.

“My records show that is a name often used between friends in your culture. Do you wish me to be your friend?”

“I'd like to be your friend; also, my culture has a big habit of cutting people's names down to one or two syllables. Joseph becomes Joe, Allyn becomes Al, Edward becomes Ed. Another big thing we do with names and titles is to make names out of the first letters, make an acronym of it. Your title letters are M, A, and C. The acronym would be MAC, and Mac is also a name. So it'll make a great name for you and save a lot of time in addressing you. It'll also make people feel much happier and friendlier towards you.”

There's a wait of several seconds, that's a very long time for a major computer. “Yes. Now that I think about it, I would like to be called Mac. Mistress Eva, please let the staff who work with me on a daily basis know this as part of future training. I'll tell the others about it now.”

“Thank you, Mac. Joe's told me about a few recent cases where a Hero's died because information that should have been linked to a file hadn't been linked and the real dangers weren't known. I want a person so skilled in research even a deleted link won't stop them from finding such information for me. They should also be able to find any related information that's not linked, but may be relevant. So they have to be a very skilled researcher, one who thinks outside normal search patterns. On a side issue, Mac, are you an artificial intelligence or a cybernetic intelligence? I ask, because you sound more alive than what I would expect of a straight electronic AI.”

Eva gives me a strange look, and is about to speak, when Mac says, “What do you mean by a cybernetic intelligence? My files don't know the phrase.”

“That's interesting, why wouldn't your files have a basic concept in them! OK. Not everyone uses the term in the same way, but cybernetics is the study of how organisms and mechanisms operate, and some people use it to cover specifically how they process data. We even have a special word for a hybrid variant where a computer and a living organism are linked in one, we call that a cyborg. In most cases it's used to refer to a manufactured organism that uses a human or organic brain as the core processor of an electronic computer complex. The easiest to understand representation of this is the Brain Ships in a series of books by Anne McCaffrey. A human who's born deformed and can't survive without major support has their body altered to stop growing at one point and is encased in a support unit. A number of direct links are made to the brain and the brain is the core control unit of a major computer complex. In the book series Anne has some running ships and major industrial complexes, even large bases, cities, and as planetary controllers. You seem more human to me than a straight computer or a self-aware computer, that's all.”

“Thank you, Al, for that information. I must now look into it because I do not like the idea there is an area of important knowledge I don't have on file. If one's missing, what else could be missing? I've started a data cross-check with all the major data repositories on all the planets I have access to. It'll be interesting to see what I learn, and to see how much more knowledge I gain from it. I don't think anyone has thought to do this before.” A short pause. “I am, to the best of my knowledge, a self-aware electronic entity. I've the final say about what happens here at Crossroads as I control the various other AIs and computers that run everything here. I make the judgement decisions in most cases, and sometimes involve people like Mistress Eva in making them. The sort of decisions I make by myself are those referred to me by others like the Access Control AI. He noted the things on your shoulders have sharp points and thought they may be weapons, but they don't match any weapons in his database and they're not metal, so he jumped the matter to me. I reviewed my files and identified them as climbing tools used in your ninja training, so I passed them. I did note they're usually made of metal, but yours are made from special plastics. A neat way to bypass the system.”

I smile at having my deception picked up, and wonder what else I didn't sneak through, but was allowed to have, anyway. I've a sudden thought, and ask, “Is the Access Control AI self-aware, too?'

“Yes, he is, as are all of other systems in the level just below me.”

“May I suggest you change his title to Access Control Entity, and then you can give him an acronym and name of Ace, another name often used between friends on Earth. You should then look at extending such changes to the other self-aware entities. I think you'll find they'll perform better if given names that allow the people to interact with them in a more friendly and casual manner.”

“Hmm, I think you're right. My files show people often give their equipment names and work better with ones that have names. I'll ask him and the others what they want.” A short pause, “Ace thanks you for the name. Interestingly, he sounded happy to be given a name. You've given me a lot to think about.”

“Before you go too far in coming up with names from acronyms of duties, do some research on human nicknames. Our medical people have many real names and titles, but two very common nicknames are 'Doc' and 'Bones.' The AI in charge of the medical facilities may prefer a nickname like that. You should be able to find something that each of your assistants likes from the wide range of names, titles, acronyms, and nicknames we have.”

“Again you've done good, Al. The Health Evaluation and Repair System much prefers to be called 'Doc' to being called Hers. And I can understand why. All the other self-aware entities are now checking the databases to select a suitable name for themselves that's related to their duties. It'll be interesting to see how the other people respond to this change in our operations.”

Eva smiles and shakes her head, while she says, “Not even on the books as a Hero yet, and already you turn the system upside-down. You're a true descendant of your ancestors, some were good Heroes.” This stuns me. Our family legends state we'd many heroic ancestors, but to have it confirmed like this is a big surprise.

Eva goes through the normal new Hero greeting process while we have a few drinks and snacks. After about twenty minutes she hands me three profile folders to go through, and points me towards a new door in the opposite wall. I go through it to find a nice bedroom with a study desk. Smiling, I go lie on the bed while I read the folders.

Each has a biography of the person, the usual statistics, a photo of them nude, and a list of skills. All meet my criteria and have planning skills, a lot of knowledge of Chaos, and some martial arts skills to help me with training practice. All are very much matched and good for what I want, so I go to their hobbies to see if I can find a way to place them in an order. And that's where I find the reason for a choice between them. Meredith Psychiatrist is studying databases part-time and is creating a cross between a map and a database of Chaos that shows all roads, places of residence with their owners, as well as many other demographic aspects. The details shows she thinks well outside the box, and is just what I want. I place her file on top and take a nap.

Choices

I wake up to a knocking on my door. It's Maria inviting me to have a meal with them. I get up, wash up in the attached bathroom, and go to the lounge room. It now has a dining table off to one side with three meals set on it. We sit down to a nice roast beef.

In the talk after eating, I ask, “Joe, Maria, are you taking into account how my skills can help Joe in his work? I know I can't be involved in the rescue itself, but how far along with one constitutes a support role? For example, if the Damsel is kept in a fortress is my climbing the wall to open the gate a support task or a direct involvement? We do need to get some real guidance in this area.” They both nod, and I'm fairly sure Mac is now listening into all my conversations as well.

We discuss this back and forth for a while, until Maria addresses the ceiling “Computer, can you give any guidance on what does and does not constitute a Companion's support role in a rescue?”

A familiar voice says, “That'll vary with the rescue in hand because some will require more support than others.”

I smile, “Is that you, Mac?” I get odd looks from Joe and Maria

“Yes, how did you guess?”

“You've a different voice to whoever was in control when we first arrived, I can pick up the slight difference in tone. May I suggest you and the other self-aware AIs get together and discuss how you would like to sound, and then adjust the frequencies to be used in your voice files? I also suggest you find a way for any of the self-aware AIs to subtly display who they are in each room they're active in. This'll allow the people in the room to call them by name. One thought that comes to mind is a small sign on the wall saying 'Now on duty is' and under it is the names of those on duty so they can be called by name and not just computer. I think it'll lead to better interaction.”

“Al, do you ever come up with a bad idea?”

“If I thought it was a bad idea, I wouldn't mention it. There are a few times I come up with an idea others don't like, but often my idea will spark a better one in someone else. Now back to the subject at hand. Is it possible to add to each file a point of limit for a Companion's help, or a list of tasks they can't be involved in?”

“Yes, I'm sure we can do that. And if we get it wrong, then we just have to accept it as we're the ones who decide if they did too much. If they stay within the limits we set at the start, any mistake is ours and they're in the clear.” A slight pause. “You wouldn't believe how much processing that's taking. I'm starting with all the files currently being looked at. I'll do the rest as I can, and as they get called up. This may take a couple of days to complete. Al, have you chosen a Caretaker?”

“Yes, those were a very good selection you offered, and they made it very hard. I select Meredith as my Caretaker. May I be permitted to talk with her while Joe and Maria organise this mission?”

“Yes. We usually allow you one visit to get to know your Caretaker before you have to go on a mission as a Hero. For this mission you'll remain as Hero Joe's Companion and will be given a Hero's ring when you return from it, along with the details on how to make your own portal so you can visit from your own home.”

“Thanks, Mac. I'm glad you enjoy your work, because it makes things a lot easier for us.” I'm rewarded with a short chuckle.

Turning to Joe and Maria, I'd been looking towards the ceiling while talking to Mac, I say, “Earlier I was introduced to the Master Authority Control AI and we had a nice chat. I got permission to call him Mac, and he's since decided he wants everyone to call him Mac. The other self-aware AIs are selecting names to be called. They're using acronyms of their titles, or Earth nicknames as their names. Some are making mild changes to their titles to make them more like a name.”

I look up, and almost laugh on seeing a new item set on the wall opposite me. Turning, I see each wall has the same neat sign saying, “Now on duty: Mac, Jeeves.” It's obvious Jeeves is the housekeeping or butler AI. I point the signs out to Maria and Joe. But I have to explain the name Jeeves and its meaning to Maria, as she's not familiar with it.

Meetings

A little later they retire to discuss rescues, or something. A moment after they leave the room another door opens and a lovely lady my height enters the room. I recognise Meredith from her photo. It's a good point in her favour I selected her despite her having the same name as Joe's daughter. She's the best candidate and I'll have to live with any confusion I get from names. But I don't expect to have any trouble.

She glides over the floor as I stand up. I hold out my hand to shake hands and she melts into my arms for a kiss, a long kiss. I enter into the spirit of the occasion. After a while she breaks the kiss and steps back, saying, “Companion and Hero to be Al, I'm Meredith, soon to be Meredith Caretaker. Please call me Merry.” Well, there goes all the risks of confusion as Joe's Meredith insists on her full name; something to do with another girl at school named Meredith who all call Merry.

My Caretaker to be takes my hand and drags me to my bedroom, “Let's go get better acquainted.” Yeah, let's, and I bet the conversation won't be much to listen to for quite some time.

A long time later I'm sitting with Merry at a small table in the corner of my room while we've a snack and discuss my abilities and skills, and what I expect from her as my Caretaker. I say, “Merry, from what Joe has told me about recent events on all the planets I don't trust the data in the systems. My main concern is the removal of some important links between files so Caretakers don't get all the data they need to make an informed decision on a rescue. I think the normal data integrity checks built into any large database would make the removal and wholesale alteration of data itself hard to do, but links aren't always that well protected and would be easy to cut. So instead of relying on the quality of the cross checking of information in the system, I want you to make extra searches you feel might help to find or verify any information about the area, towns, or people involved in a rescue. I also want to see a simple to understand psychological profile on all the people that will, or might, be involved in a rescue. In the time I'm not here I want you to start creating a database of such profiles of people on Chaos so we can find them much quicker.”

“That's a lot of work, Al. But I can see what it's for and why. So it's worth doing for its own sake. I'll start on it while you're on this mission with Joe.”

“Good. I also want the database you're working on as a hobby made to provide a visual representation as if from a satellite over Chaos. I want to see the topography with the roads, trails, tracks, towns, cities, farms, etc. marked. I want to be able to tag a spot and see the data about the people in the area, the geology, economics, etc. about the area. I know it'll take a long time to finish, but the final product should allow me to look at the map and touch a spot to know everything there is to know about that area. The first priorities are the topography, geology, roads, housing, rough people numbers, and who controls the area. That will let me know who I have to deal with when I travel through an area. Others will find it useful, too. Do you understand what I want?”

She smiles, and nods, “Yes, that's what I'm working towards. And now it will be done as part of my day job and not a hobby. I like that.”

“Good. I'll need to set up a strong and safe operations base or two, and this information will help me to decide where. I see no real point in setting up close to where other active Heroes have major bases set up, so I want to cover an area they aren't. But I want to choose one that's reasonably safe and offers good resources for my people.”

We soon finish the meal and go back to our getting to know each other activities. This is the pattern for the next couple of days.

A few days after my meeting Meredith I'm told to have a meal with Maria and Joe, Meredith is also there. She's an invited guest, but not part of this discussion, as it's about the mission we're about to go on.

There's a few problems with the mission - a Damsel was kidnapped about three months earlier and has been moved about by a group of twenty men. About a month ago they kidnapped another Damsel and both are with the group. But recent information has about thirty other men involved in the group. They travel as if they're seven groups, six of five and one of twenty, but they travel relative to each other at all times. The small groups are in a circle around the large one.

Joe says, “I'm positive this is a trap to catch Heroes, and if they don't get any takers soon I think they'll just kill the women. So I see them as the ones at most risk. But I don't know how I can rescue them.”

We sit and think for a while as we eat. I look up, and ask, “Mac, how certain are you the spies here at Crossroads can no longer listen in on our conversations?”

“Al, we've found their listening devices and the programs they used to redirect conversation to them. I've checked out all the operating and housekeeping software and fixed them so they can't subvert them or place new listening devices. So we're certain they no longer have any sources of direct conversation. However, we're also certain they're still receiving copies of the Hero assignment reports from one of the official reports. Someone who has a valid reason for a report is copying them on to the other side. We can't track it down, though.”

“That's OK, Mac, because we can make it work for us. The moment Joe lists as going for these Damsels they'll know about it and have a reason to keep them alive. They know they'll have to keep them alive until they get Joe, or their whole trap fails when he's shipped back here. So the sooner we list Joe as accepting the mission, the safer they'll be. Also, the mission record, can it be set to show we only know about the group of twenty guards, make it look as if we don't know about the others, please, Mac?”

“Actually, that's how the file reads at the moment. We only suspect the others are involved because Maria did some people tracking as a result of your concerns on data integrity. Why don't you want them to know we know about the others?”

“While they think we're unaware of the extra teams set to hit us from behind they won't beef them up. Another related issue. The rules for Companions and Heroes are different, does a person's actions as a Companion affect their status when they choose to be a Hero?”

“Hmm, not had to consider that before, and it's not in the rules. So they should be treated as two different personalities in the records.”

“That's good. I read a Hero isn't allowed to do anything not heroic - like theft, etc. A Companion can't fight anyone except when directly attacked. Both reasonable rules. However, there's a gap in the rules that can be exploited to allow a Companion to be a help in some situations. It's not wrong for a Companion to steal because it's not covered by the rules. I'd expect you'd see a Companion stealing the weapons of the bad guys as helping with the rescue, but if I can stir up trouble between them, that's another issue. As a Companion I can steal their horses and supplies to slow them down and cause internal strife in their group. I can slip in to steal their money and plans as well. Is that within your understanding, Mac?”

There's a long pause. “Al, I've closely studied all the rules and am prepared to make the following ruling. A Companion may not steal the weapons of a person as part of a rescue. They may not steal from honest people. They may not hurt anyone except when directly attacked, and then they are free to fight all in the immediate group attacking them, both then and later. They may carry food, drink, and messages to the Damsels if told to by the Hero. They may not tell the Damsels anything except what they're told to convey. They may not provide the Damsels with any other support until after the Hero has rescued them. While fleeing from the bad guys the Companion may help the Damsels in any way. A Companion may take action to help or free any other prisoners they come across, as long as it does not involve initiating a fight. A Companion may not kill by poison, and may only drug someone when ordered to do so by a Hero. Any actions a person does as a Companion will not be held against them when they seek to be a Hero in their own right, as long as they are within the allowed actions of a Companion. That should make things a lot clearer for you, Al.”

“Thanks, Mac, it does make things a lot easier. This may take time to rescue the Damsels, but we can have the opposition cut themselves down for us and cause them to lose a lot of sleep too. If I sneak in and steal money from the men they'll accuse those on guard of doing it. This will lead to fights and a reduction in numbers when they hurt each other or leave. I can steal their horses and food to slow them down and mess up their plans and operation.”

Joe smiles, and adds, “Yes, it'll be interesting to see how they react to such a situation. Maria, list me down for that rescue.”

Maria leaves us for a few minutes, and comes back with a big smile. “I listed you as the Hero assigned to that rescue. And there's an update. They now have three Damsels in the group, so I wouldn't be surprised if the number of extras has grown, too. You be careful, take your time and get them out safe.” We both nod agreement.

The talk moves on to what weapons Joe has we can use, and what other resources he has in the area. In the end we decide to enter from a point a bit further away than we have to, just so Joe can pick up a few extra things from one of his caches of equipment. Soon after that we break up for the night and go to our rooms.

The next morning Joe and I dress in our Chaos outfits and I ready my pack, checking everything in it has been cleared with Mac. I've a number of herbal medicines and stuff in my first aid kit. My research at Crossroads shows I can replace them all on Chaos, if need be.

A quick hug and kiss each, and it's into the portal for us.

Chaos

We arrive in a room in the bank of the town called Junction and Joe opens his bank box to remove weapons. He offers me a choice of what's in the box. I stick with the ones he'd described and we agreed to in our earlier discussions. In a few minutes we're ready to leave.

Both of us have two medium length swords, four knives - three for throwing, a good bow with a quiver of arrows, and a hatchet each. Our clothes are typical of Chaos and look like leather or coarse cloth. I look a bit bulkier than I am because my clothes have a layer of thin bamboo rods between two layers of good leather to be light armour. When I showed it to Joe he was upset with himself that he'd never thought of it. The short bamboo rods are thin when compared to that usually worn as armour, but this is much more flexible. One added bonus is it provides some insulation against the weather. We also have on long capes and large Aussie bush hats with padded protection in the crown section. None of the clothes look particularly odd by the standards of dress here, but they're a mix of colours and will blend in well with brush or forest. Before I slip my back pack on I remove my climbing hooks and a few other items I'd attached to the clothing as ornaments. I put on my cape, and it covers the pack. The pack isn't that big, only a bit more than a hand width deep, as wide as my shoulders, and goes down to my waist, but it has some changes of clothes, ropes, medicines, and blanket.

Joe closes the box and we walk out into a hallway, along it to the main bank area, across that, and out the front door.

The first thing anyone notices about Chaos is the smell as sanitation is an unheard of concept here. The roads are mostly dirt, although I can see the main road through the middle of this town is a well-built stone road, so this must be a major road in a well maintained area. Joe sees me looking at the road, and smiles. He says, “We're on the very edge of King Sid's domain and he has all the major roads well-built to make transport and troop movements easier.” I nod, as I've heard Joe talk of the Hero Sid and what he's done here - especially in the slaver war.

We start to walk out of town on a dirt road to the south, heading to where Joe has a farm with some horses. These are horses bred from Welsh ponies he imported some years ago. They're easier for the locals to handle on the small farms and easier to maintain. They aren't as fast as the bigger horses, but they've more stamina and can go for longer. We discussed the rescue and agreed the smaller horses will be better for travelling through the forest and brush we'll have to deal with.

It's just after lunchtime when we arrive in town, and just on dinner time when we arrive at the farm - to a very warm welcome. And soon sit down to the evening meal with the farmer and his large family.

During the meal I notice the two oldest children, twin boys, keep glancing at Joe and their father while the father looks like he's having trouble working out how to say something. The third eldest, a girl, is very glum. I can also see Joe hasn't noticed any of this.

With a grin I look up, and say, “Not a chance, unless one of you is a very good camp cook.” Everyone turns to look at me, and the father is a lot more embarrassed than before. Also, the eldest girl looks up with a gleam of hope in her eye. Joe frowns at me. “It seems to me the oldest children are of an age to try an adventure or see more of the world. But there's no way I'm cooking for extras. If we've extras along, one of them better be taking over the buying of food and cooking.” This causes Joe to look around the table. He stops, and looks at the father.

The father, Jay, shrugs, and says, “Your friend, Al, is right, Lord Joe. My older children wish to see more of the world. I was thinking of how to ask you to take Jason and Joseph with you. But neither can cook.”

The oldest girl, Jaycee, says, “I can cook well and am already very experienced at buying food in the markets.” Her mother is trying hard to hide a smile while her father isn't sure what to say. The two boys aren't sure if to support their sister or not.

Joe turns and looks at me, shrugging his shoulders. I answer him, “If we take all three Jaycee can look after the food and cooking while Jason and Joseph look after gathering the wood for the fire, the horses, and setting up the camp. That leaves me more time to do scouting for you. Only one thing, if Jaycee sees a young man she wishes to marry she has to wait until we're almost back here.” This causes her to blush and the rest to laugh. Joe looks around the table, and receives nods from both parents and the three eldest children.

With a slow nod Joe looks at them one at a time, and says, “This isn't a simple rabbit hunt in the woods. We go to fight bad men, many bad men. You could be seriously hurt or killed. Still interested?” They all nod while they smile at getting a chance to see the world. “OK, that means we'll need twelve ponies now. Ten with riding saddles and two with pack saddles to carry all our gear and food.” The younger kids start to discuss when they may get a chance to see more of the world.

After dinner Jay, Jason, Joseph, Jaycee, Joe and I gather together to discuss what gear we'll be taking from the farm and what weapons the children will be using. Jaycee is the youngest at sixteen, but that's an adult by local standards and her two brothers are a year older. By the time we should be heading to bed we've the packs ready to go on the horses, the horses and saddles selected, the weapons for the three teens selected, and they've proven they can use them. I add a nice short staff to my weapons from those Joe has here; he hadn't mentioned it before, but I like it as soon as I see it. It's the prefect height for a hanbō; just up to my waist, as thick as my thumb, and made from a hardwood. Also, we all add good crossbows and bolts to our pile of weapons.

Joe has a nice room in the house and I elect to sleep on the loose hay in the barn. I'd seen their beds earlier, and I know I'll be better off in the barn. I fall asleep as soon as I hit the hay.

The Journey Starts

Like all farms we're up just before dawn to have breakfast before the sun rises and calls everyone to work. I wonder how they'll go with three less to do the work, so I ask. The mother, Alice, smiles at me, and says, “One of the problems we've had for just over a year is to keep all of the children properly busy at work. As they grow older they can do more work. Over the years we've made the farm bigger. However, the way Lord Joe has us do things makes it a lot easier to do the work and each of us can do more than we used to be able to do before. This farm could be run by four adults, so two adults and twelve children, four of whom are adult high, means we have more workers than we need. Yes, the younger children will have a bit more to do, but not as much as most of the children on the other farms around here.” I nod at her reply.

After a good breakfast we go to ready the ponies. While the boys saddle them I wander around and look at how they do things on a working farm. The youngest two children have the job of milking the cows, and I stop to watch them. One of the older children takes the full buckets away and brings them empty ones, so they just move the stools, buckets, and themselves from one cow to the next until the job is done. The youngest is a girl and she gets a real laugh out of my early attempts when she teaches me how to milk a cow. But by the time the others are ready I can do a good job; so I'm happy to have learned something new, and she's happy to have tricked me into doing some of her work for her.

I go to mount my horse, and almost laugh when I realise these adult animals are so small I can jump over them. After getting up in the saddle I take both feet out of the stirrups to let them hang. The soles of my shoes are only a bit over a hand's width from the ground. Seated on the pony my head isn't much higher than when I'm standing beside it.

With a wave to the family we ride off down the farm lane and head back to the town we arrived in. We already have a lot of food from the farm for the trip, but we still need to buy some things like pepper and salt. Joe also wants to buy the children some hard leather outer clothes as minimal armour for them, and I agree with him on this need. We have to do all we can to protect our team mates.

Back in town our first stop is the leather worker's shop. The children are measured up and most of what we want is a simple matter of sewing some pieces together to the right sizes for the coats, while the pants are available from stock items. Joe orders them two sets each and pays for them. Jaycee and I leave the rest waiting with the animals outside the leather worker's and we go to shop for the rest of our food. I'm interested in seeing how it's done here. I leave my hat, pack, and bows on my pony. I carry my staff in my hand, using it like a walking stick. Jaycee is carrying a basket with some food stuffs she brought from the farm to trade with. I also have some money in a pouch Joe gave me to carry in case we need it.

It's an interesting experience watching her at work while she haggles with the others over items she wants. The only problem we have is when she comes to one trader who has cinnamon to sell; he has a lot of it, but isn't doing well as he wants only cash and few of the locals have or use cash. I can see Jaycee wants some, as do many of the locals. I pull her back a bit, and ask, “There's more there than we want. If I buy it all can you trade it locally for other things you or your family want, and find someone you can trust to take the traded items to the farm?”

She gives me an odd look, while she nods, “Oh, yes. I can soon have all the extra traded off for things we can use at the farm. And there are a few people here we can trust to take them to father. But the man wants three shells for the lot, and won't sell any less than two quads worth. We don't have that much money, no one around here does.”

I smile and lead her back to Joe. We pack what we've already bought on the pack pony and I ask Joe for three shells. He gives me an odd look, but gets it out of his money pouch while being very careful not to flash it about. I hand my pouch with a few pinches and quads to Jaycee to carry and slip the shells into my pocket while I ask Jason to join us on our trip back to the market, he declines, but Joseph volunteers to go.

On the way back to the market I see Brian, he was pointed out to me before as the local King's Representative - what they call the local cop. I ask him to come with us to the market. He gives me an odd look, but agrees to go with us.

Trading Trouble

We go up to the man with the cinnamon, and I ask, “Did I hear right, before? You'll sell all three sacks of cinnamon for three shells?” He nods at me. “Right, we'll do this one sack at a time. You open them up and show me that the contents are good and I'll pay you. To prove I've got the money I'll hand it to the King's Representative to hold and he'll give you a shell as I take each sack from the table after it's inspected. If a sack is short or the goods are below standard I don't buy that sack.” He nods. Pulling the money out of my pocket I hand it to Brian to hold. His eyes go wide with surprise, so do those of all within hearing.

The first sack is put on the table, the contents removed and checked. Jaycee is happy with it, so I'm happy too. I repack it and take it off the table. When I hand it to Joseph to hold Brian hands the man a shell. The same with the second and third sacks. As soon as I accept the third sack and he's given the last of his money the man packs up his gear and is off like a rabbit. I look up in surprise.

Brian laughs, saying, “That's more money than he's ever seen before. He's in a great hurry to get it in the bank before someone robs him. I suspect this may not have been his stock to sell, but that's another matter and none of your concern. That was an interesting way to do business, thanks for showing me. Now I best be off to see he makes the bank safely.” I grin, and laugh while he leaves.

I turn to Jaycee, “OK, young lady. You now have some cinnamon to trade. You best get at it.” She still looks a bit shocked, but shakes her head, and nods at me while she moves over to beside the three sacks Joseph is guarding for us.

With a grin in her voice, Jaycee calls out to the local about having cinnamon to trade now. They soon flock to the table and she soon starts haggling with lots of people. Even agreeing with some for them to deliver stock or animals to the farm in exchange for some cinnamon. As she haggles I move back a bit and look over the crowd. There's a lot of people around the table.

To make Joseph's job of protecting the stock easier I take my cape off and put it around his neck. The cape reaches to the ground on him. He looks at me when I spread it wide around the bags and place the front hems in his hands. I say, “You'll feel the cape move if anyone tries to reach under it into a bag or tries to cut the cape, so you don't have to try and look in all directions at once.” He smiles, and I back away.

I notice it now looks like I'm standing beside Jaycee since the cape was the most distinctive thing about my clothes. A little later I notice the cinnamon seller is walking back down the street. With him are two rather large men. While I watch they stop and the seller is pointing to the table and talking to the men. All three are smiling. I move back into the crowd and around a bit. I also bend my knees and tilt my head forward while I watch them. This changes the way I look from their direction and makes me harder to spot in the crowd.

Jaycee has done so well the first sack is nearly empty of cinnamon, and they were big sacks. People must have really wanted it. She also has a pile of various goods that's about the size of half a sack, and many promises of things to be delivered from people she trusts. A little later she asks for a short break and moves a lot of things off the table into the empty sack the cinnamon was in, and opens the second sack. The three men seem a bit irritated she's traded so much away already.

I smile when the two big men move towards the table. Reaching the back of the crowd they start to push their way through it. On reaching the front of the crowd one produces a knife, and says, “Well, thief, I've caught up with you and I'll have my cinnamon back.” Everyone in the crowd knows this was just bought, but they don't want to get caught up in any fighting, so they start to back away.

Jaycee stands her ground, and replies, “This was purchased fair and square, as was witnessed by all here. Take your concerns elsewhere.”

While this is happening the other man is moving around behind Joseph who's trying to maintain security of the goods while providing support to his sister. When the second man produces a knife and moves closer to Joseph I swing my staff out and hit his wrist with it. He drops the knife and grabs his sore wrist. Joseph turns to the noise and sees the man holding his wrist with the knife on the ground, so he draws his own. I leave Joseph to deal with that and turn to Jaycee.

From the corner of my eye I can see the man is silly enough to go for Joseph with his hands. I smile when Joseph uses a simple move to slice the man's throat open. The first man is concentrating on Jaycee and has Joseph between him and his partner as well, so he doesn't see his partner isn't of any use now.

The first man reaches across the table and grabs Jaycee's left arm. I'm in the process of swinging my staff up to deal with him when Jaycee's right arm sweeps up from the table. I see a flash of metal, and the man has a very strange look on his face because the small knife she had at her waist is now stuck in his throat. He lets go of her and drops to the dirt. I move over and look at the knife. It's through the throat and the spine. He's dead, his brain just doesn't realise it yet.

Smiling at Jaycee I pull her knife out, wipe it on his clothes, and place it on the table. Under her watchful eye I strip the still warm body of valuables and place them on the table. Two more knives and sheaths, a sword with sheath, a hefty money pouch, a coat, and good boots. The rest isn't worth the trouble of stripping him for. She checks it all over and places the items in the bag or in her pockets.

Joseph is still holding his position of protecting the stock. So I drag the first man away from the table to give Jaycee room to trade and go strip the other man, putting everything for Joseph on the table near to him. The haul here is the same as from the other man. I drag the body away a little. As I do that Joseph looks over the crowd, and calls out, “Hey, Mace, I'll give you two pinches to haul this garbage out of town for me.” A young man with an empty cart stops and turns to look at Joseph. He looks over the scene, nods, and brings his cart over. I give him a hand to load the garbage, Joseph hands over the money, and the young man is headed out of town again, with a wide smile at his wages.

I look around the street, and see the cinnamon seller has a very shocked look on his face. Brian is coming back down the street with one of the women who'd been at the table a moment before. I catch his eye and motion towards the cinnamon seller. He frowns, but goes to the man and takes him by the arm while he brings him over.

When they arrive, I say, “Brian, a few minutes ago this man came back down the street with two other men. I saw them walk down and stop over there. They talked for a moment, then the other two men came over here. One accused Jaycee of stealing his cinnamon. Both pulled knives. Joseph dispatched the one who went for him and Jaycee took out the one who went for her.” Brian smiles on hearing the kids took out the bad guys. “Now, I wonder if this fellow can tell us about them. If you wish to look at them Mace is taking the garbage out of town to dump it.”

Brian replies, “I don't feel in the need to examine any garbage, but I'll enjoy having a couple words with this fellow about some of the company he keeps. I'm surprised you didn't deal with the men.”

“I was going to, but the kids were closer and did it all before I could get there. I think they can look after themselves.” He laughs while he walks off, taking the other fellow with him for a little chat.

A little later Jaycee is finished trading and has a bag and a half of goods, lots of promises, and a half bag of cinnamon left for our use. As she packs up I ask about the table. She explains the first seller either owns the table and will come and collect it or he paid to hire it for the day and the owner will collect it when we walk away. I smile at the neat way the market is organised.

When we reach Joe and Jason and tell them of the trouble Jason is a bit upset he missed it, and Joe laughs. Jaycee adds a lot of stuff to the packs and I accompany her to take the bags with the rest to a house in a side street. A woman answers the door and gives Jaycee a very warm greeting. They chat for a moment and the bags are gone through. A deal is reached and the bags are handed over. In exchange for some of the goods she'll accept delivery of some of the things to go to the farm on Jaycee's behalf since they're already organised for delivery here and her husband will see all the gear gets safely to the farm. We're about to leave when Brian arrives home for his lunch. Yes, the gear will be safe.

Back to Joe and the boys, and the gear is all ready to go. We get some food to eat for our lunches and head out of town, going east.

On the Road

We make good time riding along the road at a nice pace. When we near sundown we start looking for a place to camp. A little later we see a cleared section in the brush and forest to the north with a neat trail to it from the road; it's very inviting, it seems too inviting to me. Jason says, “That looks like a good place to camp for the night.”

Smiling, I nod, and simply say, “Yes,” while I point out some small and faint trails into the woods on each side of the path. Joe nods, and I get off my pony. The others look at him while I move into the woods.

I take care while I scout out the area for a few hundred metres around the camp. Just over two hundred metres north of the camp I find the ground drops away for about twenty metres or so. It's a straight drop down to some brush and fen land. I look over the edge, and can see the remains of many bones along the base of this section. I scout wider when I move back towards the road. About three hundred metres further east is a small natural clearing in the forest without an obvious trail to it. I head back to my party.

Once in sight I nod at Joseph and he leads them along the trail in single file. When they reach the clearing Joseph goes to get off, but I wave him back and hold a bush aside while I wave them over. By now Jaycee is in the lead, so I tell her, “Go as straight as you can that way, and be careful not to damage the bushes, there's another clearing to set up camp in.” She nods and moves in the direction I'm pointing. When Joe reaches me, I say, “This is an ambush site. There's another clearing, a natural one, about three hundred metres that way. We should be safe there.” He nods and keeps moving in Jaycee's wake. Once all the ponies are by I follow them for a few minutes, then break a small branch off a bush and go back brushing the trail to hide their tracks. Back through the other clearing, along that trail, and down the road for a bit.

Coming back I check out the other side of the road, and soon find some foot trails into the forest. Following them back I find a small and well hidden clearing about one hundred metres from the road. On the far side is a well-used trail that heads to the south-east. Nodding slowly to myself, I head for our camp.

First Camp

Stopping just before I walk into the camp I smile at what I see. I'm just back from the edge of the clearing and still amongst the brush, but both Joe and Jaycee are looking at me while Joseph is watering the ponies and Jason is placing some firewood near the fire. Our packs are set out around the fire, the cooking gear is out and Jaycee is preparing a meal, the saddles and the rest of the gear is in a neat stack to one side, and a little of the hay we brought is ready to be given to the ponies. As I watch they all go on with their tasks.

Moving into the clearing I go to Joe and tell him what I've seen. He nods and tells me to go back and watch things for a while, but to return for my meal when he whistles. I acknowledge my orders and go to my gear to change a few things before going back into the forest.

I find a good tree near the road to watch the trap clearing and the road. It's just getting on full dark when a family group comes walking along the road from the east, sees the clearing, and goes to it. I sit and wait. A moment later a man crosses the road and goes to watch the family. After a few minutes of watching them set up camp he leaves and goes back across the road. I climb down and go to our camp.

Approaching the camp I'm happy to see I can't see the fire until I'm in the clearing, the fire pit is deep and the fire is well down in it. I sit down and accept a wooden bowl of a delicious stew from Jaycee. I set about catching up with the others who have almost finished eating. As I eat I tell Joe what I saw. He's not happy about it, neither am I.

I soon finish and Joe gives us orders. Jaycee and I are to go and bring the children to safety in our camp and I'm to help the parents deal with the attackers. We both nod because we can see he's sending Jaycee to show we're the nice guys. I can tell he wants to be involved in this, but he has trouble moving about in the dark as he has poor night vision and Chaos has no moon. There's plenty of starlight, but you still need good night vision to get about in quiet safety the way Jaycee and I do.

I lead Jaycee to the other camp and the family gets a big shock when they don't realise we're there until we squat down beside them.

I tell them about what I saw earlier and suggest they let Jaycee take the kids to our camp for safety. The father isn't sure about us, but the mother asks us to move closer to the fire light. She smiles when she sees Jaycee properly, and tells the kids to hurry and finish eating then to go to our camp. While they eat Jaycee and I start packing their gear back into the packs they had on, the family are walking and carrying everything they have in packs, which isn't much. A few minutes more and Jaycee is walking back through the under-brush with the four kids while we hide the parents' packs nearby.

The parents get out their crossbows and I help them find a nice spot to hide in where they should be reasonably safe and can get a few good shots at the bad guys. Then it's just a matter of waiting for the bad guys to arrive. Telling the parents what's up I go towards the road and keep an eye on it.

About an hour later I spot a group of several men moving across the road, so I hurry back to the camp site. When I reach it I can tell it's not how I left it. I give it a close look, and soon realise the difference is a bush has grown larger. When I near it I spot Jaycee hiding in the bush watching me approach her, she recognises me and waves. I smile and move to the low light of the fire. I squat down and put more wood on the fire. I can't fight until these guys attack me, so I need to get them to do that so I can take them out.

Night Fight

Several minutes later I see the bushes on the side of the camp nearest the road move as the men come up to the edge of the clearing. I sit just to the side of the fire as if meditating, with my two swords lying on the ground beside me covered in leaves and dirt. After a moment the men move in closer to the fire and look around the empty camp site. One of them asks, “Where's the family that came in here?”

I look up at him, and say, “I was hungry, so I ate them. And since I'm still hungry, I'll eat you lot too.” Some of them look very shocked.

The leader, a middle aged man, pulls his sword and charges at me, while he yells, “Smart arse.” I sit and wait until he gets close, then I rise up with a sword in each hand. I use my left hand one to block his sword and stab the sword in my right hand between his legs. He screams as I cut his genitals in half at the same time as I slice open the arteries on the inside of his thighs. He collapses to the ground in a screaming heap as I come upright and charge the rest of them.

Two of them have bows and raise them to fire. Just as they fire I hear the crossbows of the parents twang. The arrows and bolts arrive so close together it's like they all appeared at once. The two bowmen have shocked expressions as the bolts penetrate their chests and lungs while their arrows bounce off my chest. Then everyone stares as I run at them after the arrows don't penetrate. It's obvious the attackers expected me to fall down with arrows in me, and they're very shocked when I don't.

Reaching the group of men I swing my right hand up and across in a fast arc as I stab at the nearest with my left hand. The man on my left loses all interest as he screams with cut up genitals and thigh arteries while the two closest on my right drop their weapons as they reach for their throats in a wasted effort to save their lives, my swing had the tip of the sword slice their throats open. That's six down and three to go.

The last three are a bit to my right, so I turn towards them. All three raise their swords and charge. I brace for their arrival, then I hear a bow twang. The middle one sprouts an arrow and falls into the man on his right. The last man is stunned by the sudden change of the situation, but he can't stop his charge. It's no effort to block his sword swing and stab him through the heart. I turn to the last man who's now getting up off the ground again when the father of the group reaches him and stabs him in the neck with his dagger. That's all of them that we know of. We set about stripping them of valuables.

A few minutes later I leave the ladies to finish stripping the dead while the father and I start dragging the stripped out of camp to drop them over the cliff I found earlier. By the time we get the first two tossed over and are back in camp the ladies have finished the stripping. Of the clothes only the coats and boots are worth taking from them all, and the shirts from the two I stabbed in the balls. No one wants to try and clean the pants or the bloodied shirts. A few more trips and the bodies are all tossed over the edge to feed the local wild life.

We pack up everything in the camp and Jaycee leads the parents off to our camp while I go to check if there are any more men about.

An Odd encounter

I take care when I head for the camp I found on the other side of the road earlier. When I arrive there I see a well set out camp and a young man with a glum expression cleaning up the cooking gear. I notice he has no weapons.

Moving into the camp I squat down opposite him across the fire. He has a quick look around the camp, and says, “You best hurry up and get away from here. If my uncle and his family returns and sees you they'll kill you.”

I shake my head, saying, “If you mean the nine men who attacked the family camping on the other side of the road, they're dead.” He's very shocked by this. “I was there and helped kill them. They're all dead and the bodies are now feeding whatever lives in the fens at the bottom of the cliff.”

He sighs, “Good. Their leader is my mother's brother and the others are his two brothers-in-law and their sons. I don't know how long the banditry has been going on, but a cousin took ill and died a couple of weeks back. My uncle asked my dad for my brother or I to help on his farm, so dad sent me over. They hardly do anything on the farm. Today, after the family had walked by, they made me come with them. I knew they'd kill me if I didn't, but they don't trust me enough to arm me or let me go on the raid, thank goodness.”

“Well, you're well rid of them now. Who owns the farm they live on? And is there anyone else on the farm?”

“My uncle and his two brothers-in-law owned the farm, so whoever killed them now owns it. My uncle had recently remarried because my aunt and the other men's wives died of a flu last winter. And there are two daughters from the other men also living on the farm.” Damn, a widow and two kids. “The girls are husband high, but their fathers wouldn't let them look around or get to know anyone.”

I see a possible solution. I know I killed two of the older men and think I got the third, but not sure. I'll have to check that out. “Are you interested in one of the daughters? And do you know someone who may be interested in the other one? How many people will it take to run the farm properly?”

He looks up at me, and I can see the ghost of a smile on his face, so I think he knows where I'm heading. “Yes, I'd like to take one of the girls as my wife and my brother would like to take the other as his wife. The farm would need three men and their wives to run it properly, but two can make a good living off it, and do more as kids grow up.”

“Good. Let's pack up camp and move, because I have to get back to my people.” He nods, and starts to pack everything up. It doesn't take long to get the horses saddled and the gear strapped on them. We string them in a line and I lead them to the road, across it to the trap camp, and over to our camp. I call out when I near our camp.

Jason comes out of hiding in bushes near us and helps with adding the ten horses to the picket line. A little more work putting things aside, and we settle down for the night.

Just after I lie down on my bedroll and spread the blanket I brought with me from home over me the two youngest of the kids move around the fire a bit more and snuggle up to me. I've no idea why they did it, but sigh and spread my blanket to cover them too, because that'll keep them warmer. I cheated a little, this blanket is waterproof on the outside with two layers of knitted wool inside its Kevlar cover. It's a bit bulker than most, but about four times warmer due to the wool and trapped air. Also, the Kevlar cover makes it hard to tear or stab me through it.

Travelling

I wake up at dawn, to find the mother looking down at me and her two youngest; she has an odd smile on her face. She looks a bit familiar. Then Jaycee walks up and stands beside her, saying, “OK, we let you sleep late because you didn't get much sleep last night. But it's time to get up and have breakfast now.” I grin as I can see they're related when they stand beside each other. I nod, and Jaycee moves away.

A few minutes later we're all sitting around the fire as Jaycee hands out the hot breakfast. The mother says, “Jaycee, I see you have your mother's way with food.” This makes everyone look up, except me.

Jason stares at her for a moment, and says, much like a question, “Aunt Ami!” She nods. “What are you doing here? I thought you lived well to the east now!”

“A new group called the Brotherhood are causing trouble where we set up our business. We could see the writing on the wall and decided to sell up and move, which we've done. The money's in the bank, so are the best of our possessions, and we're on our way to your farm to speak to your mother and father about where we can set up business.” I smile at being able to help out friends, even if we didn't know it at the time. She turns to me, “What is it with the kids? I've never seen them be that friendly with a stranger before!”

I give a weak grin, and shrug, while saying, “Maybe they checked and found out I've got the warmest blanket around.” They all laugh.

Joe adds, “Maybe they just know he's kid friendly. But he does have a very warm blanket. I noticed it was thicker than normal and checked it myself. It has to be a few times warmer than anything I've found or used.”

They all look at me, so I shrug, and say, “I know most blankets are a single layer of cloth. That's four layers, the middle two are knitted wool and the top layer is coated to be water resistant. The coated layer traps in heat, and so do the little air pockets in the wool blankets.”

Joe slaps his forehead, “Why didn't I think of doing that instead of half shivering through a cool or cold night!” I notice they all take a note of the idea. I expect I'll be seeing a lot more of them in the future.

Smiling, I add, “If you make a blanket out of two layers of fine cloth then sew it up with pockets all over it while filling the pockets with duck feathers, that'll be a much warmer blanket for your bed at home.”

The conversation moves on and I tell them what I found out about the attackers and the farm. When we pack up the lad from across the road, Bill, identifies which lot of gear goes with which coat of gear stripped from the dead. I did get all the older men. We soon divide up the few spoils of war there are. I keep two of the horses with us and we pack up the gear on four of the others while setting up four to be ridden by the family headed west. They'll take the extra gear to the farm for us. The horses will help them get there faster.

Once packed and moving it doesn't take us long to reach the road. There we split up, Ami and family heading to Junction and us heading east to my new farm.

Farm Work

We take our time because we don't wish to tire our rides and we're on schedule for our rescue. We reach the farm in mid-morning. When we do Bill points out another farm we can see down the road, and says it's his parents' farm.

I have him take us in and introduce us to the two girls and a mid-twenties woman on the farm. He tells them about the deaths and I'm the new owner. They all gulp because their future now rests in my hands. I send Bill off to get his brother and parents while I go through the large farmhouse as well as talking with the ladies. Jason and Joseph go over the farm and its gear to evaluate it for me while Jaycee checks out the kitchen and house for me. In the room set aside as the uncle's study I find a box with some cash, but not much. I take it, anyway, and go get a report from my other inspectors. About the time I finish my inspection and hear the reports Bill is back with his whole family, they all came to see what's going on.

I gather all the spectators around and ask the girls and aunt if they want to stay on at the farm, they all say they do. I ask Bill and his brother Bob if they'd like to marry the girls and work on the farm. They say they do, and the girls are very quick to agree to marry them. That's when I pounce; turning to Bill, I ask, “Bill, do you accept you're partly responsible for what happened last night because you were part of the group? I know you didn't want to do it, but you did.” He gulps, and he nods. “That being so, I'm going to give you more responsibilities in you also have to care for your widowed aunt as well.” He nods. “I think you may misunderstand me, Bill, I mean you have to care for her for the rest of her life - as your wife. You'll have two wives and have to meet your husbandly responsibilities to both of them.” Everyone's eyes pop out as he gulps and looks at the good looking woman several years older than he is. Then he smiles, and nods. “Good.” With that settled I've only one more thing to say.” I wait for a nice dramatic pause, “I give the farm to the five of you as your wedding present, along with the two horses we brought back.” I also give them half the money I found, so they have something to start their new life with.

We leave the dumbfounded new owners to discuss things and walk back to the next farm with the rest of Bill's family. His mother turns to me, and says, “That's the first time I've seen someone real happy to be giving away a good farm. But I can see you don't know what to do with it, while they do. Thank you.”

I grin, and nod, “I also unloaded having to see to the care of those I'd made homeless as well. So I'm very happy with the outcome. I know you'll keep an eye on things and see they don't go the way your brother did, and turn bandit.”

She nods, “I think he only went that way after those other two talked him into it when their wives died. But that's all over now.” We part at their gateway as friends, and we head off down the road.

No more excitement for a while, just two weeks of boring riding and camping out until we reach the town nearest where we expect to find the Damsels to be rescued. I spend a lot of time teaching the teens more combat skills that'll be useful when we reach our objective.

Bridgetown

This town is called Bridgetown because it's at a bridge over a major river. Both Joe and I are expecting trouble here, because this is the town where we would've arrived if we came via the nearest bank; as per the standard procedure. We need supplies and information, so we split up. After finding a nice clearing in the forest, well away from the road and not that far from the town, we set up camp and picket the ponies.

The kids and I prepare packs that look like we're travelling by foot and are almost out of supplies as we get ready to walk into town. We leave most of our other gear here. It's just on lunchtime, so we all get out food we can eat on the move. We leave Joe to watch the camp while we head for the road, and eat as we walk the last two miles into town.

We get a few looks as we walk into the town. The closest being from four groups of men spread around the bank. Each group has four men in it and they look like they're watching the bank. We head to a nearby inn and get some watered wine as we sit to discuss things. I spot four men across the room having an intense discussion. I don't like the look of them, so I warn the others. We all have our crossbows on our laps and loaded ready to fire, so we should be able to deal with most things that can arise. We already have a strategy worked out and agreed to.

We're near the end of our first pitchers of watered wine when a fifth man walks in and sits with the other four. They talk for a moment, and the newcomer stands. He walks over, and asks, “You the people who just walked into town from the west?” We nod. “Where are you from, and did you see anyone on the road?”

I look at him, and reply, “We've been on the road for two weeks. In that time all we've seen have been some bandits, so we left the road for a while, and a family going the other way. What's it to you who's going where?”

He looks at me with a sneer, “Mind your manners, kid.”

“Now that's a case of the pot calling the kettle black.”

He started to turn away, now he spins back while he draws his sword and the other four stand up. I come up out of my seat with my dagger in my left hand and the crossbow in the right. I stab him in the heart before he can get his sword clear of its sheath. Raising my right hand I'm just a bit behind my companions when I fire my crossbow. But not by much, they fired before me and their bolts are still in the air when I fire. The four men are soon back on the seats while they die with their hearts and lungs destroyed by the crossbow bolts. I look around, but the place is empty, except for us and the staff. The owner is very shocked four teens are able to kill five men so fast. We strip their bodies of valuables and the boys drag them out the back door to the garbage heap. The leader had a very hefty purse on him.

I ask the owner, “Did they have rooms here?”

He nods, “Yes, those five and the other twenty with them have all my rooms, and horses at the stables too, and don't pay me for them.”

“Good, you best show us all the rooms and we'll move the gear into just one or two.” He's shocked. “I don't know about you, but I think the others will try to kill us when they find out we killed these five.” He nods. “So we now need to go find them and deal with them.”

“They usually spread out around the bank with a few inside, but I don't know why, as they've been her for a couple of weeks and haven't robbed it.” I smile, as I know why - they're part of the trap for Hero Joe.

It takes us several minutes to have a quick look at all the gear we just inherited or are about to inherit, and move it into the largest room. We stack it all along one wall and lock the door. The owner is happy to be able to rent the rest of the rooms out again and make some money.

When we go to leave the owner says, “They're called the Brotherhood.” I wave acknowledgement of his words while we leave, and I wonder what they're the brotherhood of.

A short walk back down the street, and we can see the four groups are still set around the bank We notice with the way they're set up each group can see the bank, but they can't see the other groups. I point this out and we stop in an alley to make plans. I say, “Sorry, team, but the rules I must abide by on this trip are such I can't attack anyone until after they start to attack me. Understand?”

They all nod, and Jason smiles when he asks, “But that doesn't apply to us, does it?”

“No, only to me!”

“Good. You walk up to each group and strike up a conversation, and we'll just shoot them.” I smile at his fast spotting of the best solution. We soon have a plan of attack and order of operation, so we get started.

I wait until they walk down the street and go into an alley opposite the first group. After waiting for them to get set I walk down the street and stop just before the first group of men. Leaning against the corner of the building on this side of the alley they're waiting in, I ask them, “Are you men part of the Brotherhood?” They all turn to look at me. One nods as he walks over, one turns back to watch the bank. “Is that the Brotherhood of Useless Cock Sucking Bandits or the Brotherhood of Bum Fucking Bandits?” They all reach for their swords and the one watching the bank turns around. But before they can move the three furthest from me cry out when they sprout bolts in their chests. The one approaching me turns to look at his mates. As he was pulling a sword while approaching me he was attacking me, so I can now step forward and place my knife in his heart. He falls with a shocked look on his face. I start stripping him of valuables and the rest join me before I finish with him. Jaycee and I tie the loot in a pack made from one of their coats while the two boys drag the garbage off to a midden heap they saw behind the buildings. I carry the pack as a bundle in my left hand and we move to the next group. The same routine works with the other three outside groups. Now we have to deal with the group in the bank.

I have an idea and we make a quick trip back to the room to leave our loot there before going to the bank. We've quite a bit of cash by now, so I count it up and split it into seven equal amounts. Taking one pile I slip it into my purse and give the others two piles each. They start to complain, but stop talking when I order them to take it.

With our crossbows ready to fire in our hands we walk into the bank. Jaycee is first in line and asks to open an account. The teller smiles while he goes through the new account process. She puts most of her share in the bin and the money is counted, a little over five shells. I notice the others in the bank are surprised at how much money she has. Then it's Jason's turn to open a new account with the same amount, and he's followed by Joseph. I'm last with just over three shells to put in and start an account. That's a lot of money for this place.

Finally it's too much and one of the watchers speaks up, “Hell, what are you lot doing walking around with so much money? Weren't you afraid to be robbed on the road?”

Jason turns to him and gives our agreed on answer, “Oh, we only had a couple of pinches between us when we arrived in town. But we got all this money off these men in the inn when we killed them after they said they were going to rape my sister. We objected, and got rich as well. The inn owner said they belonged to some sort of Brotherhood.”

Well, we get the reaction we want. Four of the men go for weapons, while the talker says, “No one kills a member of the Brotherhood and walks away to talk about it.”

We'd all been holding our crossbows in our left hands and a bit behind our legs so they aren't obvious. While talking we move them to be in front of our left legs. So it's but a fraction of a second for us to point them up and at the men. The room is only a few paces wide with us on one side and them on the other. At this range we don't need to take proper aim. Staying to our planned choices of target we all fire. It's not a smooth volley, but all are in the air at the same time and the firing sounds like one long drawn out twang. All four have pained looks as they fall on their arses with the bolts buried to the feathers in their chests. They're still breathing when we walk over and strip them of all valuables. They scream while we pull the bolts through and out their backs; the heads are sticking out their backs and that's easier than trying to pull them out the front. The men give weak struggles as we drag them out of the bank to throw them on the nearest midden heap. It does take a minute or so to do this, but the teller and normal bank guard are still in a state of shock when we drag the dead out.

After dropping the garbage on the midden heap to finish dying we head to the stables to look over our new horses. We arrive, to find the owner watering a group of horses in the corral. Real good looking animals too. Jason asks, “You the owner?” He gets a nod. “Where are the horses that used to belong to the men from the Brotherhood?”

He turns around, “Used to belong? These are the horses belonging to the scum from the Brotherhood. They're fine horses and they don't treat them right.”

Jason grins, “Well, that's not a problem any longer. We objected to the way they looked at my sister, so we killed them all.”

He's stunned, “Killed them all??”

“Yes, you'll find their bodies spread out on various midden heaps around town since we only took them to the nearest place of disposal.”

“What do you intend to do with all these horses? And what about the wagon they have?”

“Sell them all, and all their gear.”

Jaycee cuts in, “Tomorrow's a market day, isn't it?” He nods. “Good. Can you spread the word we'll have all their horses and gear for trade or sale tomorrow morning. We may end up keeping the wagon if we get too much gear in trade. But we'll start with all their personal gear, weapons, boots, and stuff displayed on the wagon, and the horses and the tack. We'll keep the wagon for last, after we see how thing go. We do need some food stuffs, so we'll trade for some of that, too. Can you please let people know?” He nods, and promises to do so.

We retire to the inn and go through all our new gear in fine detail. There's not much there worth our keeping, but the kids find some good boots that fit and are almost new, so they move to the keep pile. Then it's downstairs and our dinner, and back for a good sleep because it's been a busy afternoon. Our plan is to be back with Joe tomorrow night.

Trading Fun

We're up for an early breakfast. After which Jaycee and I start to move the gear downstairs while the boys go and get the wagon. They hitch two horses to it and bring it to the inn. They arrive just as we finish emptying the room, so the four of us are on hand to load it all in the wagon - our gear on the seat and the stuff for trade in the back.

At the stables we set up just off the road, but not too close to the front entrance while still close enough to the corral for people to see the horses. We get the hint about where to set up from the pile of saddles and gear the stable owner has piled at that point. A few minutes work under Jaycee's direction and all the stuff to go is laid out in groups in the back of the wagon, all the boots together, all the shirts together, and so on. It's now easy for people to look at all the options available. Our gear goes in the front foot space and under the seat. Joseph sits on the seat with the crossbows on hand and Jason stands at the back end while Jaycee stands in the middle of the side to conduct business. I move away from the wagon and let them get on with the trading.

The locals start arriving as soon as Jaycee takes her place, they must have been watching. I'm a bit surprised when Jaycee announces she's prepared to trade metal items for other metal items, even broken ones if they weigh a bit more. The weapons are first to go, all traded for more than their weight in broken metal items. The town has little money, so trading is preferred to paying cash, and no blacksmith means no local way to repair broken metal items, but Junction has two blacksmiths. The boots and coats are soon gone as well. In about an hour everything in the back of the wagon is gone and we've a good load of gear - old metal, carved wooden items, quality leather items, and lots of food.

I'd been so busy examining everything I hadn't realised a lot of the tack and some of the horses had been traded too. Last night Jason had estimated all the gear and horses would make about thirty shells if sold for cash. Since we won't be getting much cash from this town I wonder how Jaycee intends to handle this, but she's the expert, so I leave it up to her.

By mid-morning she's finished trading. The wagon bed is full of gear to take back to the farm, with some food on top. Four cows and a bull are in a corral for us to take back with us, and their care by the stable owner has been prepaid for the next several weeks. The owner brings out two horses to move the wagon into the stable, where it's placed in a corner out of the way. We stop to pack our personal gear and load the packs with the fresh food we just got. Restocking the food was the main reason for visiting the town in the first place.

Jaycee told them we're on our way to meet some people about a week's travel to the south and will be bringing back some horses from there. So she's made deals for everything to stay here until we're on our way back. She's happy, the boys are happy, and the locals are happy, so I'm very happy to have helped them out.

We've an early lunch and head out of town, heading south. Once well clear of town we leave the road and enter the forest. We take care while we swing west and then north, we go a couple of miles into the forest because we don't want to leave any tracks close to the road where they may be found by people looking for us. By late afternoon we're nearing the camp where we left Joe.

He's well and happy when we find him just before dusk. While dinner is cooking I let the kids tell him of our adventures in town. After the meal we settle down for the night.

Rescue Work

At dawn the next morning we're up and getting ready to move. While Jaycee prepares a hot breakfast and some trail food we pack and ready the ponies. We know the Damsels are in the area and the little we learned in town made it clear they hadn't passed through the town. Also, a lot of strangers have been wandering in and out of town every few days. Joe is sure they're camped out in the area east of town, so we're making our slow way through the forest to find them before they spot us, we hope.

This is slow and careful work while we go in a single file to make tracking us very difficult. Also, I have to scout around ahead of us before we move on, and Jason is working hard to erase our back trail. The only problem we face is crossing the river as it's ten metres wide here. It flows from the south to a waterfall dropping into the fen area below. At Bridgetown they've a nice bridge, and there are several places where you can ford the river to the south of the town, but starting well south of the town the river runs through a steep sided ravine over six metres deep. In the normal course of events this would be impossible to cross with Chaos level technology, but we Earthmen solved this one many years ago; and it's within the Chaos level of technology, too.

Joe and I figure they'd see the river and the drop to the fens as a safe barrier for them. So they'd concentrate defences on the other directions. By coming from this impossible direction we'd face less risks from early observation. When we reach the river Joe and I start getting ready.

The teens look at the river and start to swear. Jaycee says, “Well, there goes our idea of sneaking up on them. Now we have to go back and through the town, so they'll be sure to see us coming.”

I just smile while I unpack some gear from the saddle bags on my pony. As I get ready I say, “Don't worry, we'll be across the river soon. Jaycee, how come you and the boys are so good with so many weapons and are so ready to use them?”

She looks at me and then the nearby chasm, “Right, we'll soon be across the river!!! What are we going to do, fly across?”

“It's a bit more than that; but yes, that's essentially it.” All three teens turn and stare at me real hard, then turn to look at Joe. He's calm while he takes all the gear off his pony as if he's setting up camp. Shrugging their shoulders, they start to do the same.

Jason says, “Our parents were farm children before the slaver war. Their farms were attacked either very early in the war or before it got started. All on them were taken as slaves and marched away. They were split from their parents and never saw them again. The slaves were broken into two trains and left in different directions. They were lucky because some of the locals were retired soldiers who went after the slavers, and attacked the slave train our parents were in about six days after they were taken. Just long enough to hate slavery and not long enough to be too damaged by the slavers. Some of the rescuers were injured and couldn't continue on the campaign to get the others back, so they took the children to safety. On the way back they taught them how to use weapons. They weren't old enough to be allowed in the anti-slave army, and that was mostly too far away for them to easily get to. When the rest of the soldiers returned they only had about half the missing adults, the rest had been killed by the slavers for various reasons. The children without parents didn't want to live on their farms, so they sold them and moved. Most of those living on farms around Junction were children in that slave train and settled the area together. They all agreed they'd never be taken again or allow their children to be taken. So they trained all their kids in how to use weapons and made sure we're prepared to use them. That started when we could hardly walk. Jaycee wants to be a soldier and is very good. This Brotherhood is in for a real shock if they reach Junction, because every farm is full of trained fighters prepared to die before they give in.” We both continue working as he talks, so by the time he's finished his story his pony his stripped and he's working on another while I'm ready to do my special job.

I leave my pony and head to the cliff edge, looking at the trees as I go. Joe stops me and checks over the ropes and gear I have. He nods, and lets me go. The teens keep glancing at us while they do their work.

Spotting the right combination of trees I want about three metres back from the cliff edge I give the ones opposite a thorough look over and select a target group. Putting my climbing hooks on my feet and hands I start to climb a tree trunk. When about three metres up I look over to see how the kids are doing, and they're all staring while I climb the tree like a cat. About fifteen metres up I reach a good strong branch placed how I want it. I use a short piece of rope over a piece of leather on the branch to tie a pulley to the branch and thread a rope through the pulley. With that done I tie the two ends of the rope in a joint knot and drop it to the ground. Taking another rope from the ones on my shoulder I select several metres of coil and toss the rope out behind me into a tree a few metres back, then hang the rest of the coil on a handy broken branch. I take care as I climb down, and walk to the tree I tossed the rope into. The kids have finished their work and are watching me. I climb the tree and go to where the rope is. Moving out onto a branch I collect the rope and move up the tree a few metres, being careful to ensure the rope doesn't catch as I climb. When about two metres above where the rope is in the first tree I pass this end around the trunk a few times and tie it tight with a non-slip knot. I climb down and go to my pack on the ground beside my pony. I wink at the kids as I get my cape out and put it on. I also get out some ties and put them in my pockets. Back to my first tree and up to where the rope is set in it. Taking the rope from the second tree I pull all the slack out of it. Picking the best spot for what I want, I uncoil the rope and let it fall to the ground. As I tie the end to my belt Joe picks up the rope on the ground and walks towards the river. When he reaches the edge I wave for him to move until he's lined up with my target group. Once lined up he pulls the slack out of the secured end and is careful to lay the rest out to run free. As he does that I take the ties out of my pocket and put them through loops on the inside of my cape as I tie the bottom hem to the top of my boots, then a loop is tied to just below each knee, a couple to my belt, one to each elbow and wrist. I look at Joe and he gives me a thumbs up.

Taking a few deep breaths I run out along a long branch heading towards the river. When I dive off the end I can just hear the three teens gasp. Their surprise is loud enough to reach me, but not loud enough to carry across the river. I wait a moment after I leave the branch, and when I'm horizontal to the ground I spread my legs wide and I stretch my arms out to make my cape the sail of my one person glider.

Like an oversized flying fox I glide across the river at a downward angle of about twenty degrees. I cross over the cliff on the other side with a metre or so to spare, so I bring my feet forward and stall to land in the small clearing I was aiming at. As I take off my cloak I look back and smile at the looks of wonder on the faces of our three assistants, and Joe's look of joy it works like I said it would. It's just a moment for me to take my cape off and walk to my target tree. A few minutes to climb it, pass the rope through a pulley I've got, and wrap the rest around the trunk of the tree before I tie it off with a non-slip knot. I check the angle, it's good at about twenty to twenty-five degrees of slope from the other tree. I climb down the tree and move back a couple of metres to a tree just to the left of this. I climb up it, out along a branch a little until I'm over the rope across the river, and I use a short rope over leather to tie my last pulley to this thick branch. After passing a rope through the pulley I tie the ends together and drop them to the ground. With that done I climb down and back up the first tree. Reaching the rope I take my last rope and tie it to the pulley and start climbing back along the rope using my hands and legs to hold on, after I run a safety rope over the guide rope.

Several minutes of work and I'm back in the first tree feeding the rope to the pulley over a thick piece of leather I tie to a branch. A moment to adjust the location of the rope holding the first pulley, and I climb down the tree. When I reach the ground Jason hands me some bread to eat and a mug of watered wine. I smile while I take and eat my late lunch.

It only takes a few minutes for me to eat and show Joe how to hook up a load to be lifted into the tree. Joe and Jason tie the rope to another tree to hold the load up in the air while I help Jaycee climb the tree. Once in place I show her how to safely transfer the load from the lifting pulley to the crossing pulley. A simple matter of getting the new one tied before undoing the first one. With the load off the lift the two below move to the rope holding the transfer pulley in place and start to let it slide down the slope. I ride over with it and transfer it to the other pulley on the other side. When they pull the transfer pulley back I climb down and lower the load to the ground, a simple matter of a controlled drop. The next load of gear includes Joseph and my pack. We lower the load and set up a routine of getting the loads over.

About half an hour later all the gear is across the river and Joe is placing a blindfold on the first pony. Jason also ties a cloth around its mouth, in case it gets scared. I'm surprised when we get the pony down on our side; it's not nervous at all and is soon happy eating the grass at the spot Joseph pickets it at a few metres away. Due to the ponies being heavier we take more care and it takes longer to transfer them. It takes a bit over an hour to get them across the river. Then Jaycee comes across with the last of the gear, which includes all the lifting gear. Jason comes across and I go back with the pulley, taking my cape with me. I swap places with Joe and he rides the pulley back as I control his ride via the rope. When he gets off on the other end he pulls the control rope across the gap and ties the rope to the tree to make sure the pulley stays there.

While I climb down I notice we've scuffed the tree a bit, but not much and not in a way anyone can tell what we've been doing, unless they've done this themselves. I climb down and up the tree the crossing rope is secured to. I undo the rope and toss it towards the first tree. Back in the first tree I pull the rope through and lay it out to run free before I put my cape back on and tie it in place. Tying the end of the rope to my belt I take another running dive off the long branch aimed at the river. Just a moment later I'm landing in the clearing again. While Joe pulls the rope in, because much of it's now hanging over the cliff, I climb the tree the other end is secured to and undo it, allowing this end to fall so it can be coiled up again. A few more minutes and everything on this side is back as it was, so we start packing the ponies again.

It's mid-afternoon as we move out again and vanish into the forest on this side of the river we couldn't possibly have crossed. A few hours later we stop and set up camp for the night. The next four days are a slow process of moving forward a few hours at a time because I need to spend a lot of time scouting ahead and to the sides before we move.

Mid-morning of the fifth day after crossing the river I find a camp of five men deep in the forest. It's clear they've been there for a while, and they've no horses with them. There's a faint trail leading into the camp and out again. I follow the trail for the few hours; it takes me on a long circle about six hundred metres in diameter and through seven other camps. Back at the start I check out the centre, and return to report.

Getting Ready

On my way back I cast around to find us a good long term camp site, and lead them to it as we advance. Joe smiles as I lead him into the new site, since it's clear this is for a long stay. This site is about fifty metres in from the cliff drop to the fens and is a reasonable sized clearing with a large rock to the south and large thick bushes almost all the way around the site. There's a small animal trail into the centre, which I expand by removing some bushes so we can get the ponies along the trail. Since the trail is on the north-western point of the clearing it's not likely anyone will see it. Even so, I widen the path at an angle to make a turn so a glance at the bush sees only bush, unless someone is standing in the path when you look at it. It was hard for me to find in the first place.

Once in the site it takes only a few minutes for us to set up a picket line on one side and a fire pit just off centre. While the rest are setting up the camp I take care and remove some branches from the bushes. I soon have our individual sleeping areas set up at the bases of the larger bushes so we're more protected from the elements if it rains. I also take some time to do some similar trimming in the area where the ponies are picketed so they can take more shelter too, if they wish. Some of the cut bush is taken to the cliff and tossed over while the better wood parts are kept for the fireplace. Once all is ready we sit down and start an early meal because the wood doesn't produce much smoke and the firelight will be harder to see during the day.

While Jaycee cooks I deliver my report and explain the situation. I draw in the dirt when I talk, “Joe, we've target central, five women and a girl kept prisoner in a camp here. There are about sixty men with them.” This gets a few shocked looks. We'd expected them to beef the numbers, but not that much. “The camp looks to be well settled with the horses picketed to the north and the prisoners near the horses. It's clear they expect any attack to come from the southern quadrants and the men are set up to best defend against such. In a circle around the camp are eight smaller camps of five men each. Again, the focus is to the south. They've one camp to the east, one to the west, one a bit north of both north-east and north-west, with the other four spread to cover the southern half of the circle. More than a quarter of the circle to the north isn't covered. Even I would have trouble getting you in from the south, but the north is wide open.” They smile at this poor set up.

Joe asks, “What do you recommend we do, Al?”

“I suggest we spend a day or two here while I check out their camp routine. Then we'll get them to cut their numbers down for us. I'll sneak in and steal some purses. They should blame the guards and fights should start, leaving some hurt before they finish. Even a few less will improve our chances. I counted one hundred and twenty horses at the main camp. With some for the prisoners and a few as pack animals, that still means there should be about one hundred guards. We have to cut the numbers and we'll have to launch surprise attacks.” Joe nods, and we go on to discuss tactics for some time. This situation is a lot harder than what we were looking at when we planned this rescue. It's well after we've eaten our dinner that we stop talking and settle down for a night's sleep. Joe takes the first guard shift.

For the next few days they stay in camp and prepare for a big fight while I spend my time sneaking about the woods getting information. The third morning after our arrival I'm hiding in a large bush between the end of the horse picket line and the only tent in the place, this is where the leader sleeps and spends his day. I'm sitting lotus fashion in a small depression I've created near the centre stalk of this bush with my green and brown cape wrapped around me to look like I'm a part of the bush. A man rides into camp with several pack animals.

The man stops and some of the guards get up to unload the supplies on the pack animals. The rider gets down and walks to the tent. The leader walks out, and the rider says, “Colonel, I've been told to tell you if this Hero Joe doesn't turn up in another week you're to move all operations west about two days ride the other side of Bridgetown. Command is concerned about the situation. They know he's on Chaos, but have no idea where he is. The people who took out the guards at Bridgetown left there headed south and haven't been seen since. And that has them spooked, too; because they don't know who they are.”

The colonel runs his hand through his hair, and I stop breathing for a moment. He replies, “OK. I gather all the other camps have their supplies for this week?” The other man nods and I stare at the sapphire ring on the colonel's hand, one very much like Joe's Hero ring.

Get Set

I don't move and I nap as best as I can until dark. This is a good place to learn what's happening, but I can't move in or out unless it's dark. When I pull out I decide to start our little extra action tonight. I move between the horses, giving each of them a little bit of attention as I do. Over the last few days they've gotten to know me and accept my presence amongst them. Starting at the outer camp in the north-east spot I take care while I enter every camp and steal the coin purses of each of the sleeping men. They've only one guard on duty and he's always looking for someone coming from the side away from the main camp. None of the men have much worth stealing, but by taking the money of the sleeping men the guard will later have a hard time explaining how it happened; especially after I hide the stolen purses amongst the food supplies where they seem hidden and will likely be found. I move from camp to camp doing the same thing. It takes a few hours to do and I'm back at our camp very late.

I eat a filling cold meal while I tell them all I've seen and done. When I'm finished Joe gives orders, “Get a good sleep. No guard duty for you tonight. Tomorrow evening we'll clean out the outer camps and get set to deal with the main camp as per the plan.” We all nod and head off to our bedrolls for some sleep.

The next day is just eat and sleep for most of the day for us all, because we'll have a long night of heavy activity.

Going

Just before dusk we've an early evening meal, stick some trail food in our pockets for snacks, and pack up ready to leave. We lead six of the ponies out when we head to the small enemy camp nearest us. Jaycee is with the lead pony and I'm scouting ahead, as usual. We soon reach the first camp and I smile at the sight. Four men are eating while the fifth is lying on the ground to the side with his head twisted to the side - we can see he's dead from across the camp.

There's still enough light for Joe to see to get set, so he and the kids are soon set. On Joe's soft whistle they let fly with their crossbows. All four drop dead with a bolt high in the back cutting their spine in two.

I lead three ponies in while they strip the bodies. A few minutes' work and the camp is tidied up, and I lead the ponies out with the gear and bodies loaded up. We picket them in the forest and take the other three to the next camp south, the one due west of the base.

Here the fifth guard is alive, but unconscious; they'd beat him up. A bit more time setting people in place, and a repeat attack of the other camp. With these ponies loaded we head back. Jaycee and Jason cut off to take the two ponies with gear to our camp while the rest of us head to the cliff with the four ponies loaded with bodies. We soon toss the dead over the cliff and head to our next meeting point. On finding the others there and ready for us, it's time to repeat the tactics at the two top camps on the eastern side of the base. We follow the same process of taking out the guards at the two camps, cleaning up as we go, and tossing the bodies off the cliff while taking their gear to our camp site. We share the workload across all the ponies. We aren't slow, nor are we fast. It's about midnight by the time we're finished with all the small camps, and that's forty less guards we have to worry about fighting.

Back to our camp and pack everything on the ponies so we don't have to come back and do it later. The horses at the main camp make a lot of noise when strangers come near them, so the guards are slack about checking out the area near the horses. But the horses are used to me wandering amongst them at night because I always give them some attention and something to eat when I do. My leading our ponies and the others into the horse picket area causes the horses to relax. I lead the boys amongst the horses and we give them all an extra feed, making them very happy to have us with them. Several minutes later and our ponies are in the picket line as well, with all our gear stacked close by.

The camp is dimly lit by the fires in it, but almost enough to allow Joe to wander around the camp by himself. I smile and motion for him to wait a moment. Walking out from amongst the horses I head for the large pile of wood. One of the guards on the perimeter sees me, so I wave to him as I pick up some wood and go build the fires up a bit more. The guard watches me for a moment, and turns back to his job of watching the forest approaches to the camp for an approaching enemy.

Just when I finish building up the last fire I look back towards the horses, and see the three guards nearest the horses are missing and the boys are moving in on two more near me while Joe is moving in on one on the other side of the camp. I can just make out Jaycee as she covers them with her crossbow ready. I stay near the fires adding more wood as I watch Joe and the boys take out the duty guards. They soon have the ten guards accounted for and are carrying them over to near where the captives are. That's fifty guards accounted for now, that's good.

I smile when Joe makes sure each of the six prisoners has a good tight gag and is well tied before he picks them up and carries them to a spot behind the stack of gear just in front of the horses. Six guards' bodies take their place leaning against the three trees they were tied to.

We set about getting ready to deal with the rest of the guards. Jaycee and the boys find good spots up in the trees sheltering the horses and set up with their crossbows on hand and their bows ready to use as their main weapons. They've all the arrows shared between, including Joe's and mine. They're to provide covering fire as well as the main attack fire. With them as cover, Joe and I head to where the six young men who look after the camp are sleeping; they appear to be in their late teens or early twenties. I'd noticed they're not armed and are watched all the time, so we see no need to kill them. Joe covers the mouth of the first one and puts a knife to his throat. The young man stirs and stops. He's no trouble when I follow Joe's orders to gag him and tie him up, hands and feet. We move along the line of them, securing each as we go. With them all secured Joe and I carry them and place them beside the prisoners we've rescued. All are quiet.

Joe finds a nice piece of wood and sets up close to the entrance of the tent where the colonel sleeps. He'll waylay the colonel when he leaves the tent. We want him alive until after Joe removes the ring and has a chance to talk to him.

The teens will methodically eliminate the guards by shooting them with arrows when they've enough light to start the event. They'll start with the guards nearest them. My job is to build the fires up so they can see what they're doing, and to be ready to respond if attacked.

Gone

We've been up all night to deal with this lot, but dawn is still some hours away and we're in a hurry to finish the task. So I go about putting more wood on each fire, not much at first, but I continue to do so. If I put a lot on any one fire at once the sudden flare will wake some of the sleepers up, but a slow increase as I build up each fire will go unnoticed by most of them. I know I've done enough for the moment when I hear the soft twang of bow strings being released while under tension.

Turning to look around the camp, I spot the three guards sleeping nearest the horses with arrows in their chests. The light is good enough to see the arrows are in the middle of the chest, good killing shots. A moment and three more, then three more as Jaycee, Jason, and Joseph go about the task of reducing the enemy numbers by killing them in their sleep. These are identified bad guys and they wouldn't hesitate to kill us. It's close to the edge, but this killing them in their sleep is within the rules and a lot easier to justify to the Powers That Be on Crossroads by having the local Chaos people doing it. I continue to wander around feeding the fires while I do some quick maths. I'd counted one hundred and one armed guards, including the colonel, in the camps and about a dozen others along the road with a camp I couldn't find in the short time I had to look for it. We've taken out the forty in the satellite camps, the ten night watch, and that salvo of three arrows makes it fifteen in their sleep. That leaves us thirty-five and the colonel, and each minute sees another three dead, making life a lot easier and safer for us.

Two more salvoes and one of them isn't a quick kill, he rolls over while the arrow is in flight, so it isn't a clean kill and he cries out. His yell wakes the others up. The three nearest him are starting to sit up when their salvo arrives, two drop back down without a sound while the third shouts with pain as the arrow goes in a bit high. It's still a mortal wound for the man involved, but it isn't a quiet kill.

All the guards are now jumping up, so the next salvo wounds two and kills one who's a bit slow. That leaves twenty-five guards in good order, two dying wounded, two lightly wounded, and the colonel. Oh well, not the best odds, but much better than when the sun went down. Just as I finish working that out the colonel charges out of his tent and takes a heavy hit across the shins, bringing him to his knees, another heavy blow across his shoulder blades and he's face down in the dirt. Joe strips the ring off the man's hand before he ties the hands together, followed by his feet, and a gag in his mouth. The gag goes in the mouth just as he stops screaming with pain and starts to issue orders. But he's gagged before he can do much except order the prisoners to be killed.

All the guards in the northern half of the camp are dead. The rest are scrambling for cover and looking around for the attackers while more of them fall to the arrows. They aren't falling so fast now because the moving guards are harder to target and hit, so more care is taken with each shot. Four of the guards grab bows and are very fast to put arrows into each of the prisoners leaning against the trees, except these are now guards they kill, and not helpless women prisoners. These killers have to stand still to shoot their bows; so they don't live long since they give our archers easy targets.

I stay squatting on my heels beside the southern fire while the battle goes on around me. Joe is sitting down on the colonel, and smiling. His main job is to stop anyone entering that part of the camp, mine is still to keep the fire going and the teens are getting on with killing the men by firing arrows out of the dark. Based on the count of new extra bodies on the ground I figure the Brotherhood is now down to sixteen men as the two with light wounds are now dead with an extra arrow each.

Some of the guards have found some safety behind a stack of stores near the fire I'm at. One sees me, and calls out, “Why the hell aren't you being shot at?”

I turn, and smile at him, “Because I'm just sitting here and not trying to grab a weapon to kill anyone. But mainly because the archers are my friends and I'm keeping the killing ground alight for them.”

My different accent and the wording of my answer makes it clear whose side I'm on, and he doesn't like my answer. The man leans out and throws a knife at me. It penetrates the guard's coat I'm wearing as camouflage and sticks into my period armour. I look down at the knife stuck in my chest, then look up at the thrower and those with him. With a big smile I stand, and draw my swords while I rush at the group of several men hiding behind the stack of supplies.

I enjoy the look of shock on their faces as they see the knife stuck in my chest. Two of them fire their bows, and two arrows are added to my collection of embedded hardware in my chest. The two archers last as long as it takes them to fire, because the teens target them as soon as they move to target me; so they fire just before they receive their own chest changing arrows. The difference is they've shirts on as protection and I've a lot more gear. All the remaining guards can see the knife and arrows stuck in my chest. Most are stunned I'm attacking and not dead.

Reaching the group at the stores I attack with both swords swinging at them. When I start in I see a few hiding behind nearby bushes rush to join the fray. I concentrate on the moment as I block swinging swords and stab or slice at the attackers near me while also kicking at those close by. During the next frantic few minutes of close swordplay I lose track of my actions as it's all done by instinct and training in this sort of melee. I feel several blows land on me, but feel no cuts, so I keep on blocking and stabbing. Suddenly I'm all alone as the last one before me falls back, screaming as his hands go to his groin where I stabbed him and cut his arteries open while making him a eunuch. I look around me at the ground, and see a dozen or so bodies; some with cuts, some with arrows, and some with both. The guard's coat I've on has lots of cuts in it, many in places that would've been very serious if that was all I wore. I take the coat off, after removing the extra knife and arrows, and check my own clothes. Some of the outer leather is cut and I can see some grooves in the bamboo in places. I'll leave a close examination until later. I keep the knife because it's a good one for throwing.

Smiling, I turn and walk over to Joe. He's grinning and shaking his head while the colonel is staring at me in shock. I kneel in front of him, and remove his gag, saying in my most commanding tone, “Who are you, and who do you represent?”

He replies, “Ian Bond. I'm here on behalf of the Aryan Brotherhood. We've an agreement with some others that allows us to take control of a third of this world and another. I don't know who the agreement's with.” Joe is surprised he answered; I just nod.

“Do you know where your portal is located here and on Earth?”

He shakes his head no, “I was blindfolded when I was taken to the portal. It's near Washington, DC. But that's all I know. I arrived here through a bank near the coast.”

While I'm asking questions the teens get down from their trees and release the prisoners, all twelve. They bring them over to us as Joe and I discuss what to do next. I leave Joe to think while the rest of us start to strip the valuables off the dead. When we've the first ones ready to dump I've one of the camp staff help me prepare the two strongest horses. He saddles them while I ready two long ropes. They all keep looking over to see what I'm doing. In a few minutes I've a long rope tied to the saddle of each horse. Dragging a dead guard over I lift his feet up to put some loops of rope over his feet and pull them tight, then another. I soon have ten dead guards secured to each of the ropes from the horses. My helper and I lead the horses towards to the cliff.

At the cliff we turn and walk along it until the line of dead is along the cliff. It's a simple matter to back the horse a little to get the rope slack and release the dead. With the last off the first rope I roll the rope up and place it on the saddle. My assistant copies my actions, so all the dead are soon free of the ropes. I walk back along my line of ten and nudge them over the cliff with my feet, my assistant follows suit. Then it's back to camp and another twenty dead to rope up and dispose of. As we ready the last of the dead for removal we find we've only killed fifty-three of the sixty armed guards in this camp. That leaves seven wandering around. On each trip to the cliff we pick an area a bit further away from the last trip. After disposing of the last of the dead I head out on a scouting mission while the rest pack up the camp and prepare to move out by packing loads for the horses to carry. In the hour I spend making sure the living guards are not close by I find one more. He'd got a little into the forest before he died of a sword wound. I drag him back and add his valuables to the collection, then he's tossed over the cliff.

Back at camp, Joe asks me, “What we should do with Bond?”

I give him an evil grin, “I think we should let him go.” The rest of our expanded group turn and stare at me. I add in a soft voice, “Over the side of the cliff. Let him talk to the scavengers down there.”

They've big grins, especially the three women from Chaos. With that decided we carry him out to the cliff. It's a long way down, but we can already hear the animals fighting over the meals the bodies represent. We move along a bit further and I tie a rope to a tree before untying Ian's hands. I drag him by the wrists to the edge and place a section of rope in his hands before pushing his top over the edge. He holds on tight so he won't fall head first. Undoing the ties on his feet, I say, “We don't want you being able to organise a chase real fast, so climb down. By the time you get through the fens we should be long gone. If you take too long I'll write the rope off and cut it.” He gulps, and he starts to lower himself down the cliff. I don't expect him to last long, no boots, no coat, and no weapons. But he does have a chance, if he can get past the animals. I watch him go down the rope. There are no scavengers near here at the moment, but we can see them a few hundred metres away. He reaches the bottom and I pull the rope up. When he starts out across the fens he moves fast and makes some splashing sounds, even we can hear them. At the start of the sounds he makes a few of the scavengers on the outside of the packs around the dead guards turn and look towards the noise. As the sounds continue some of them move off after them. More and more black blurs move off after Bond, but he doesn't seem to notice them or care. We turn and walk away because we don't care about him, and I don't think we want to watch what's about to happen. A little later we hear some screams from the north.

On the way back to camp I've a good laugh, when Joe says, “His full name is Ian F. Bond and his older brother is Jimmy Bond. With parents who do that to kids, it's no wonder he ended up as he did.”

It's just on dawn by the time we've had a hot feed, cleaned up the site, and got it all packed on the horses ready to leave. We've now got seventeen of us, four ponies, and one hundred and twenty horses. All the horses are loaded with gear from the camp sites and our other stuff - not heavy loads, but still a load. All twelve ponies are saddled. It takes quite a bit of time to move all the animals through the forest to the road, so it's a little more than an hour after dawn when we're set up on the road ready to go. Three columns, the outer two are horses and the first twelve of the centre column are the ponies, forty-three rows. There's a rope line along the side of each column with the horses' leads on it.

On the Road

It takes some arguing by me, but the order of march is Joe on the lead pony, the six female ex-prisoners, four of the young men who are now our slaves under Chaos laws, and Jaycee on the last pony. Jason walks on one side of the lead horse with one of our new slaves on the side of the other lead horse, while Joseph and the other new slave take up similar positions with the last horses. The new slaves tire out quick, so we often rotate them to ride the ponies. All the while I wander about the forest scouting ahead and behind us. The odd thing about all this is the new boys are happy to be our slaves, so are the Chaos females we released. It's all according to Chaos laws and customs, but not what Joe and I were expecting. I'm surprised we don't see guards on the road.

With so many animals to care for and so few of us I know it'll take a long time to unload and load them up each time we camp. So I spend time talking Joe into not making camp before we reach Bridgetown. It took us several days of slow going through the forest, but it should only take a few days of road walking to get back.

We keep the animals at a walk, but every four or five hours all the young men go around putting feed in the nose bags of all the animals. We leave them on so they can snack when they like. We only take the nose bags off when we come across streams, then we remove each bag and lead the whole column out and into the stream. We stop them in line and allow them all to have a good long drink at each of the four streams we find near or crossing the road on our march. This set up allows us to go all night with the sleepers tied into the saddles.

We march through the first day and night, the second day and night, and soon after dawn on the third day we're crossing the bridge into the town of Bridgetown. The stable owner sees us and is very surprised at our long train of loaded horses. A few words and we soon have the loads stacked inside his stables, the horses and ponies in his corral, and we're walking towards the inn for a meal and a long sleep in a bed. The stable owner warns us there's five men from the Brotherhood at the inn.

Journey Home

By now I'm very tired and very grouchy. We walk into the inn and see a couple of dozen patrons. In one corner are five men who look like the ones from the Brotherhood, so I decide to settle them now. Joe goes to the owner at the counter to organise meals, rooms, and baths for us all. I cut off and walk over to the five men staring at Joe and his troop. One of them is the guy who delivered the supplies to the camp.

Stopping in front of the table I wait until the men look at me. I point at the one I know, and say, in a loud voice, “You delivered supplies to Colonel Bond and his camps about a week ago. Those camps are no more. Hero Joe has taken those six young men as prisoners, six others ran from the fight and vanished into the forest. The rest we're killed and their bodies thrown to the fen animals to eat. Colonel Bond we released unharmed, but the last we saw of him he was walking across the fens with some scavengers heading after him. Now you lot have to make a choice. You can keep out of our way and leave us be, and live. Or you can try to cause us trouble, and die. We don't care, either way. Attack us and you die, it's as simple as that. The Brotherhood's headed for a major fall, both here and on their home turf. I suggest you quit them.”

They stare at me. I turn around and start to walk away. While I do I hear stools scrape on the floor. I smile when four crossbow bolts pass by my left elbow with only a hand width or two to spare. I turn back, four of them are slumped back against the wall, dying with crossbow bolts in their chests, and their leader has a sword half drawn while he stares at me. He's scared as he pulls more of his sword out of its sheath. I take two quick steps to him and strike his throat with my right hand. He loses interest in his sword when I crush his wind pipe and he starts to choke to death. He collapses onto the stool again. Just to make sure, I grab his head and give it a sharp twist, snapping his neck. I strip him as the rest of our team joins me to strip their dead. Apart from my man's hefty purse, all we get are some more weapons, coats, boots, and I get a newish shirt. The inn owner mentions they've a few things upstairs and says he'll simplify things by renting us their rooms so we don't have to shift it. They also have horses and tack at the stables. Our new slaves haul the garbage out to the midden heap for us.

Breakfast is a simple meal of cheese, bread, fruit, and tea. Followed by hot baths and beds. Jason and I take first watch and are relieved by Joe and Joseph four hours later. We spend the whole day just resting up from the long march. We keep guards out because we know we haven't killed all of the Brotherhood troops in the area.

The day after we arrive is a market day. We're not fully rested, but are too restless to stay in our rooms all day again. So we go through our latest pile of acquisitions, secure the rooms, and head off to the stables. With the help of the stable owner we borrow a larger wagon and set it up with all the clothes and boots etc. we don't want, and let Jaycee go into her trading mode. While that's going on with her brothers keeping an eye on her safety the rest of us get the saddles, horses, and other gear ready for trade when she finishes with all the gear on the wagon. We're nearly finished when a man rolls two large brand new wagons up and starts to unhitch the horses. A quick check, and we learn we just traded some horses for them. He selects a dozen horses with tack and leads them away. I set to putting the other gear up in the beds of the wagons because they'll be easier for people to look at that way.

We spend the time watching our pile of acquired goods shrink while the supply of new goods grows. The horses keep walking out the gate, literally, and other stock replaces some of them. It seems the local community is getting a real big boost from their recent brush with the Brotherhood. Clothes, horses, and tack have been in real short supply until now, while pigs and cattle are in an oversupply. I give up trying to keep track of it all, but Jaycee is having a great time.

I wander over to Joe, “How are you handling all this trading stuff?”

He looks at me, “Normally I just sell this stuff off. I know I don't get top value as I'm usually after coin. What Jaycee is doing has me lost.”

“That's good, now I don't feel so bad about being lost, too.” We both have a good laugh, and I decide it's time to get some food. So I take a couple of our new staff to the inn to get some cooked lunch for all on our team. It's a long day of trading, and we rest up again the next day.

On the Road Again

Three days after arriving we're up early in the morning to get a good start on the day, talk about wishful thinking. The first thing is to hitch up horses to our three wagons, the one we got on our first visit to town and the two traded for on market day. The two new ones are a bit wider and a lot longer than the first wagon. The wagons are hitched up and put in a line so we can reload them to be better managed on the road.

The middle wagon is one of the long ones and we load all the metal and traded for goods in it. By the time that's properly loaded it's about eighty percent full. We use the last of the goods to be traded out to fill it. The other long wagon has some wooden cages loaded up and then we manhandle the pigs into them - two in-pig sows, two boars, and a sow with piglets. A few more cages of chickens with two roosters, and some pups. The rest of this wagon is loaded up with feed for all the animals, and most of it's fodder. The smaller wagon has our gear, the cooking gear, and most of it's set up as an extra large mattress so we can sleep on the move. Six horses pull each of the big wagons and four pull the smaller one. Two bulls, ten cows, four goats, thirty-two horses, and nine ponies are tied to the stock wagon by long leads because it's last.

We're ready to pull out late in the morning. Joe is on a pony near the lead wagon, it has the rescued females in it to share the driving. Jason has four of the camp workers assigned to him to help with the stock wagon in the rear. Joseph and the other two camp staff are in the other big wagon that's in the middle. Jaycee and I are on ponies as guards.

If we stop each night we'll only get half a day's travel, as the rest of the time will be spent setting up and breaking camp. Because it takes so long to get organised Joe is ready to agree to moving through the night again. We figure if we travel for this day, the next day, and both nights we should reach a town of some sort sometime on the following day, so we'll take a break there. He's also planning on stopping on the road to do some trading at any farms we pass or towns we go through. There's enough room on the wagon seats and the back of the first wagon for most to get some sleep during the night or day, so we should be OK.

We get started at a walk again. We have no troubles during the rest of the day or that night. Jaycee and I alternate scouting missions.

The next morning on the road we near a large farm a bit after we have our breakfast of cheese and bread baked fresh yesterday. I'm on scout, so I turn in and tell them about the wagons and us having some things to trade if they want to have a look. The farmer and his wife are interested, and so are the five men visiting them. The farmer and his family seem honest enough, but I can't say the same for the five men. I turn and head back to have the train stop at the farm's front fence.

I warn Joe and all our people when I get back to the wagons. Joe orders Jaycee, Jason, and Joseph to take their weapons and walk with us while hiding just in the edge of the forest. The eldest Chaos woman we rescued is in her mid-twenties, and Joe gives her the job of trading with the other two local women helping her.

It takes the train another fifteen minutes or so to reach the farm gate. The farmer, his family and four of the men are there, one man short. The land on the farm side is open fields with a new crop just planted, so the teens are in the forest opposite to provide us with protection. I watch the four men while they've a good look over the goods.

We hear the sound of horses from down the road to the west, and all turn to see what it is. A dozen or so armed riders are headed our way. The leader of the visiting men pulls out his sword, saying, “Put your weapons down and you need not ...” He stops talking when the knife the farmer's wife is looking at becomes lodged in his throat. The farmer produces a short sword and stabs one of the men in the side while his son gets another with a crossbow bolt and I take out the fourth with a knife in his neck. We all turn our attention to the dozen riders being led by the missing fifth man.

Joe and I raise our bows and prepare to fire, then three arrows fly out of the woods to kill the lead three riders. The rest swerve to avoid the fallen men, and we fire when they slow down a bit to turn. Within a moment nine of the riders are lying on the road as the rest ride into the woods to escape our crossfire. It takes fifteen minutes to strip the dead and move the garbage off the road to a ravine in the forest opposite. The farmer is very happy when we insist he takes the horses from this lot, as we already have too many. We get four hot fruit pies as a reward.

A few items of clothing are traded for some fresh food while Jaycee and I scout the woods. We follow the bandits for half an hour on foot, and decide they're still riding hard to the east when we break off. We're sure they won't trouble us anymore. When Jaycee and I return we find the boys have fed and watered the animals and all are ready to go after an hour long stop here. The farmer promises to warn his neighbours about the four men who got away. We pass two more large farms that day, but they aren't interested in any trading.

The night and next day pass without any trouble. We also have a couple of short trading stops. The next night we pass a couple of farms, but don't stop because it's too late. Just before lunch of the third day of the trip we arrive in a small town, more of a village. The tavern is on the far edge of the town, and has a field between it and the forest.

Joe supervises the parking of the wagons in the field, but back from the road a little, while I go organise rooms in the tavern for us. Not enough for all of us, but the two rooms are big enough for four people each. I've a big grin when I book them both and organise for Joe and the Damsels to be in one room while Jaycee and the other ladies have the other. But first we've a room for each gender to organise hot baths.

I walk out to find the wagons lined up tail to front backed up against the tavern in order. When we wish to go we only need to hook up the horses and pull them out. A two strand rope corral runs from the front of the small wagon to a tree a couple of metres in from the edge of the forest, and from the tree to the back of the tavern. The stock are posted out around the area and the horses are allowed to roam free inside the roped area. All the animals should provide a good alarm for each other.

I tell the boys what the situation is, and they're quick to work out arrangements. Each wagon has more than enough space to sleep one person on the seat and another in the foot area, also the bed area of the smaller wagon will handle five nicely or six fairly well if no one does a lot of moving about. With half our people in the tavern we've more than enough space for us. We end up with Jason and Joseph using the seats of the big wagons, the camp staff using the small wagon, and I elect to sleep on the ground under the wagon nearest the forest.

Rest Day?

Once our camp is set up we retire to the tavern to have our lunch and baths. If we all sit in the tavern there's no room for locals, so we eat in relays. This makes it easy to leave some people outside on guard, without seeming to be distrustful of the locals. It's mid-afternoon by the time we're all finished with the baths. Jason takes first watch with one of the camp staff while the rest of us get a start on our backlog of sleep.

A few hours later we take dinner in the tavern in two sittings, and Joseph takes the next watch with one of the camp staff. I wake for my watch around midnight, and spend the time in a quiet talk with my watch mate. I learn his name is Barry and he's a farmer by trade, but got forced to work for the Brotherhood. He's happy to be out of it.

Dawn and breakfast seems to arrive real fast, so we wake the others and go eat. At breakfast I'm told it's a market day and the ladies expect to do a good business with the locals, as the word was spread near and far yesterday afternoon. After breakfast the ladies get set to do the trading. Jaycee briefs them on what is and isn't available, and leaves the other ladies to do the trading. She didn't get much sleep last night due to the others snoring, and wants to get some more sleep while she can.

With Joe and the boys to keep an eye on things I decide she's got a good idea. We grab my blanket and cape and slip into the edge of the forest. Only a metre or so in, but in under the edge of a large bush each, so the animals won't step on us. I give Jaycee my blanket to keep warm and I use my cape. We both curl up, wrap up in the covers, and slip our wide brimmed hats over our heads. Tucked in under the bushes we merge in with the bush and the grass. I glance over at Jaycee, and have a hard time making out her shape in the next bush - two metres away. I made a point of having these made in patchy colours of greens and browns so they would have that effect, just in case I needed to hide out. I think Jaycee is soon asleep, and I'm not long in following her.

I fall asleep to the soft sounds of the animals in the field and the talk of the people around the wagons. Knowing what they are, my mind filters them out. Later, something brings me to full awareness, so I hold still as I think to work out what. I soon identify it as the lack of talking.

I take care when I lift the brim of my hat real slow, to look out over the field. About twenty armed men are on horses and have swords out while they talk to the people. Jason and Joseph aren't in view and I know the Damsels are staying in their room. The six camp staff, the three Chaos ladies, and Joe are being held aside by five men on the ground with drawn swords. No one is looking this way.

Using slow movements I keep my cape and hat covering me when I crawl over to Jaycee, she's awake and watching too. We discuss what to do, and move a bit further into the forest. We'd brought our weapons with us, simply because you don't move about on Chaos without your weapons being on hand. She sets up behind a bush with all our bows, quivers of arrows, and crossbows. They'll only be in my way when I get in close. I leave her and move back a bit before crossing the road and working through the forest up to beside the horsemen.

I decide to take a small risk. To be attacking someone I have to use a weapon or charge at them with the intent of getting my hands on them to harm them. I figure scaring horses isn't an attack on a person. Once in place I look over to Jaycee, she sees me behind my bush, and signals she's ready. I watch her raise her bow and get ready to use it, but she's not to open up until after I break them up a little bit.

From my crouched position behind a bush beside the road I race forward and rise to fully upright when I lift my hands up and wave them around while screaming at the top of my lungs. I start from just in front of the lead horses, so all their horses can see me running at them while I wave my arms about and scream. Several horses rear up on their hind legs and more try to race away, fighting their riders as they do. About half the horsemen are unseated and fall to the road with loud thuds, the rest are having trouble controlling their frisky mounts. The five men on the ground turn and charge at me, so I draw my swords.

The men take two paces, and the back two fall down with arrows in their backs. I snatch a glance at the wagons. Jason and Joseph are ready to fire again. The first man reaches me and swings his sword. I block his swing with one of my swords and stab him in the heart with the other while the boys kill the last two men on the ground from behind.

I turn to the still mounted men because they're starting to get their horses under control. I soon spot three lying over their horses with arrows in their backs; probably Jaycee's work. On reaching the leader of the group I pull him off his horse and stab him in the thigh to stop him moving around too much. He gives a nice scream. Chaos rules supreme while men with arrows in them fall from horses and I move through the pack stabbing other men in the belly. I also spot Joe doing the same on the other side of the horsemen. A few minutes more, and three unhurt men ride off to the east as fast as their horses can go. Jason and Joseph get down and start the clean-up by making sure all the attackers are dead while Joe interrogates the leader. Our camp staff is busy stripping the dead and catching the loose horses. They tie them to the wagons as they catch them. I look up, and see all the locals are stunned by the events, because it only took us a few minutes to kill so many men.

The tavern owner brings one of the loose horses over, and says, “You know, I didn't believe you people, last night, when you said you got so many horses by killing the bandits who rode them. Now I do. I fought in the slaver war, but have never seen a small group kill so many people as fast as you lot just did. And only about a third of you were doing the fighting.” He walks off shaking his head.

Several minutes later we've got all the dead lined up along the side of the road when a local arrives with a wagon. He looks at the pile, and asks, “Do you mind if I take the dead off your hands?” Both Joe and I indicate he can have them, “Good, they'll make a grand feed for my pigs and save me on feed costs for a few days.” Well, you can't fault a practical man, as he's dead right. Cleaning up this offal will put a bit of fat and protein on his pigs. Three of our staff help him load the wagon.

The ladies and locals are back to trading before we finish cleaning up the site. You've got to admire them for their ability to just get on with the job at hand. The bandits started with twenty-six horses, three rode off. But we only have nineteen on hand, seems a couple vanished during the fight. Either they bolted into the forest and locals will find them later, or they bolted into the forest and locals have already found them. It doesn't matter; we'd only be trying to trade them out - anyway.

I walk over to Joe, and say, “Look, mate, can't you deal with any of this rubbish by yourself? I can't even get a decent sleep due to you needing a hand to take out the garbage.” A few locals laugh at me.

He shakes his head, “Sorry, but we were concentrating on the people and the trading when they burst out of the forest opposite us.” We both shrug our shoulders. “They're another group from the Brotherhood. It seems their management got word we got the ladies. So they sent out a number of patrols of twenty-five men with a junior officer to find and kill me while they get the ladies back. It seems no one's let the leaders know we killed almost everyone in the trap. I figure they should get the information soon and we can expect to see patrols of a hundred or so looking for us.”

I think on this for a while. “Joe, I'm not so sure.” He turns and looks at me. “When we took out that trap we were already outside of their area of real control. That operation was also part of their expansion into this area. We've taken out about two hundred of their men, one of their higher level imported leaders, and alerted the whole area to what the Brotherhood's like and up to. They can't have that many men near any one border spot to be able to absorb those sorts of losses and still send out strong forces to search for us. They may send one very strong force in the direction they think we're going, but the rest will be smaller scouting forces. I think this was one of the larger scouting forces. When those three get back they may send a large force this way, but they have to get it together and then catch us. It'll take them a week or two to report, another week to get a force together, then they have to catch us. They have to figure they can't make up a three to four week deficit fast. If they've any brains they'll write this off as a failure. Sadly, I think we can expect to see a large force coming down this road in four or five weeks. They won't be trying to take control, they'll be on a vengeance mission to kill us and those who helped us.” He stops and thinks about this at length, before he nods. “You should tell the locals what we think, and tell them to inform the Brotherhood of what we did and we moved on. They don't need to get into a fight over this.” He nods agreement and goes off to speak with some people. I walk back while I think about all the killing going on at the moment, I'm not happy about having to kill so many for the warped sense of honour of their leaders.

Back on the Road

The next morning we're moving off about mid-morning. Despite having traded out a lot of horses on the trip so far, yesterday's attack means we now have forty-one horses strung out behind us. The new plan is to keep on the march until we reach Junction, stopping only to water the animals and do any trading while staying in formation.

Day and night we keep on the move for over a week. Only stopping twice a day to water the animals, with three stops in towns for a couple of hours trading and several stops on the road to trade with farmers. By the time we reach Junction we're down to twelve horses and the tack for six horses. All the acquired weapons and clothes are traded off, and so is most of the extra camping gear, too. We're a ragged mob when we enter junction. We stop briefly at the stables to leave the extra horses there, and move on to Jay's farm. I let the rest get ahead while I stop to warn Brian about the Brotherhood and what we expect to happen. We get an enthusiastic and warm welcome when we approach the farm, because they saw us coming down the road.

We pull up near the barn and just about collapse, it's been a long tiring march for us. Jay, David (Ami's husband), and the children take over the care of the wagons while we're guided by Alice and Ami as we stumble off for some sleep. There's not enough room in the house, so the ladies end up in bedrooms while us guys end up on the hay in the barn; yes, Jason and Joseph gave up their rooms for the ladies. They don't mind because they're more concerned with getting some sleep.

I don't know about the rest, but I don't wake up again until nearly lunchtime the next day. They must've either kept out of the barn or been very quiet while in it, and I appreciate their thoughtfulness. Sitting up I look around, and see the others don't appear to have moved since they lay down. Smiling, I wake them up as we need to get things started to give the Brotherhood a real warm welcome when they come visiting.

We all go have a bath and a hot meal. We wanted them in the other order, but the ladies made it clear, no bath - no food, so we do as told.

Party Games

Like all parties, preparing for the coming visit by the Brotherhood is a lot more effort than the party promises to be. The younger children do the daily tasks that still need to be done while we adults and the older children, really adults now by local laws, go about preparing for war.

Jaycee is good at making arrows, so she starts making two hundred more arrows. Jay has a good blacksmith operation, but isn't as good a blacksmith as Harry, the best blacksmith in Junction, so one of the older children is sent to get Harry while Jay and I start sorting the metal we have, sorting it into piles based on the types and quality of the metals - there's iron, simple steel, brass, and pewter. We want to work at the farm as Joe previously built a forge here which is more like a Dutch oven with two crucibles than a normal style one. The design keeps in the heat and runs far hotter than Harry's forge in town. Harry arrives with his waste metals and some jobs he has to do. He'll work on them while directing us. Harry soon confirms all the metal is sorted right.

Now down to business, I take the best of the steel and place it in one of the crucibles. I almost cry when I have to break up the longer pieces, but it's no good to me unless I can purify it some more. At the same time, Jay is putting most of the plain iron into the other crucible to melt it down. All the base metals will be melted down and put into bars for future use because it's easier to store as bars. The next two days I sweat a lot because I work at or near the forge while working on numerous projects. Joe and I spend a lot of time dredging our memories of every trick we can remember to make the steel better. One afternoon he dashes off and comes back with some very fine dark coloured sand. We check it as best as we can, and it seems to be high in carbon. We take a risk and sprinkle some in the molten steel, we do this a number of times while I make the moulds we'll need when the steel is ready. Several times I skim the poorer metal off the top of the steel.

One of the other projects is ready well before the steel is. This needs only basic iron and the moulds to pour it into. The plaster moulds look very funny; I've three of them and each has sixty-four of Jaycee's arrows stuck in them for about a hand's width.

When the moulds are well hardened it's time to pour the iron. I'm surprised when Alice joins us to do the pouring. The arrows have been removed, leaving one hundred and ninety-two pointed cylindrical holes. Jay pulls out the crucible with the molten iron and pours some into a smaller crucible with a very fine pouring lip. This one has an insulated handle attached. Alice picks this up and is very careful while she fills each hole to the top of the mould, they're all perfect pours. Jay smiles when he sees me watching, and says, “Alice is a marvel at slow and steady pouring. I always have her pour the fine stuff.” Her pouring crucible doesn't hold a great deal, so Jay has to get the main crucible out and refill it for her several times during this operation.

Once they're poured I get started on making a powered grinding wheel while the metal cools. Chaos has grinding stones, but you sit the stone between your legs to grind the metal on it. I build a basic potter's wheel and place a grinding stone on it by making a tight fighting frame to hold it in place. They all have surprised looks when I pump the foot pedal and the table turns around, taking the stone with it. I don't have time to refine it, but I'm sure Harry and Jay will make it better after we leave, when they've more time.

My other moulds have set, so have the clay inserts I've made to use with them, thus it's time to pour the steel. These moulds took longer to make because I made wood replicas to pour the moulds around first. Again, we've Alice doing the fine pouring. First is the four knives like my tanto knife. Followed by six sets of steel springs for mini-crossbows. Last is the katana shaped swords I want, I've four moulds, but only enough steel for three. What little is left is poured into a bar for later. These are all put aside to cool while I get busy removing the contents of the iron moulds. Only Joe has an inkling of what these are, and he hasn't said anything about them. So I've a lot of attention when I pull them out, because they want to know what I want them for.

After getting them out I check them over, and only reject four as not properly formed. They don't feel right or well balanced, so they're out. I turn to Alice and ask her to make some leather holders for them, giving a clear description of what I want and how many of each. She takes a couple of the metal spikes as she listens to me, then nods and walks off.

I take the rest and sit at my grinding wheel while I give them a good grind to smooth the sides, ends, and sharpen the points. My silence gets to them, and Jay asks, “Al, just what the heck are those for?”

I smile as I spin and throw one at a post about three metres away. He smiles when it sticks into the post about where a person's eyes would be. Jaycee sees this, and smiles, asking, “Do I get any of those?” I grin, and nod. She grins and pulls up a stool opposite me to watch what I'm doing. A few minutes later she's doing the same thing on the other side of the stone, so they all get sharpened in half the time. With them all sharpened we take and test them by throwing them at a wooden board. As we pull them out I give each one a good examination, and reject four more. Back to the grindstone to sharpen the points again. Followed by a few hours of teaching Jaycee how to use bo shuriken by throwing them at a bag stuffed with hay used for archery practice. By the time we go into dinner she's very competent at under two metres. We take some tested ones in to swap for the ones Alice has, as I need to check them.

The next three weeks are full of hard work for me as I train Jaycee to use the weapons I'm making while also making them. The swords may not be ready in time; if they're not, Jaycee will work on them so they'll be ready for my next visit to Chaos. I make the handles and guards for the swords and the knives. The two triple shot mini-crossbows are not quite as long as my forearm and have a rhombus shaped centre bar. One steel bow on the short side and each of the two angled sides, with all three triggers on the bottom side. Their range is under three metres, but easy to use in close quarters. Jaycee is very happy when I present her with one as a thank you for making the short bolts they need. This is handy to hang on your belt or to hold under a coat and not be seen.

By the time I've finished giving the bo shuriken a set of thorough tests twenty-four have been sent back to be melted down as faulty. Also, Jaycee is very proficient in their use up to three and a half metres now, which is about as far as you should be using them. We've nice leather holders to have five on our left forearms, five at the back of our necks, and the rest in sets of ten on a belt that hangs from our shoulders like a bandoleer. I've three sets of these holders made because I want one for my Companion, later. Jaycee is the only local interested in using them.

Halfway through the fourth week after we arrived back all my new weapons are ready, all the extra weapons being made for the others are also finished and ready, so is the ambush site. Poor Joe is feeling a bit henpecked because the Damsels are all in hurry to return to Crossroads so they can reward him, but he refuses to go until this is settled.

Once again I'm checking the state of the ambush area. If they take much longer we may have to move it, due to the crop growth. Barry rides up to tell me the Brotherhood are coming down the road towards Junction from the direction of Bridgetown. They should be almost to Junction by now, but a group of twenty-five split off and are walking through the brush well back from the road. I expected that.

We return to the farm and orders are issued. The younger children mount ponies and head for the neighbouring farms to bring in the older children who've been training to help us. Within an hour all is ready. Jason, Joseph, and Jaycee are moving off through the forest to deal with the flanking group, they'll hit them as soon as they find them. Joe, Jay, Alice, and eight neighbours are hiding in the traps in the fields with bows and arrows. They're in deep covered dugouts with wood and sod covers to look like part of the field. They'll be firing through small gaps between the roof and the ground, so they aren't exposed much at all.

I set up a stool in the middle of the road and sit on it. I'm the one with the best armour and the best chance of staying alive in the middle of the expected mayhem to come. I sit there while I wait for our enemy to arrive. For about five hundred metres or more there's no cover, just open fields. The forest stops about seven hundred metres closer to town and runs along the back of the fields, that's where the teens will be dealing with the flankers while we take on the main force. I picked this spot because they won't be expecting an ambush in such an open place.

Party Time

About forty minutes after I take up my position the lead scouts of the Brotherhood force come around a curve in the road where it's still in the forest, a bit over a kilometre from where I am. One turns and rides back the way they came while the other four of them head towards me, checking everything while they do. They stop well short of me.

A column of mounted men comes around the bend, they're riding four abreast with three riders at the front. I sit and wait while they come down the road. The middle one speaks to the one on his left and he rides ahead to speak with the other scouts. They spread out and ride on the sides of the road while they stare out into the fields. When they near me I call to them, “Any of the Brotherhood who passes me will be killed as soon as they do.” They stop and look at me. I raise my left arm, and two of the neighbours hiding in the woods about three hundred metres behind me on the left step out of the woods waving their bows. One of the scouts turns and rides back to the column for orders. He's soon back; they pull back and to the side while the column approaches.

The column stops several metres from me and the leader leans over while he studies me. After a moment he nudges his horse forward until he's only two metres from me. He asks, “Who are you? What are you doing here? Why should we not clear these forests of bandits?”

I take care to keep my cape tight around me while I stand up, as I don't want them to see the weapons I have, yet. I check him over. I don't know what it is, but I get the impression he's another leader from Earth. I smile at him, and reply, “I'm the Companion to the Hero Joe. Like you, I'm from Earth. Unlike you, I'm here to do good and help people. If that means killing you and others like you, such as the nearly two hundred members of the Brotherhood we've already killed because they attacked us, then I will. I'm standing here in the road to deliver a message to the Brotherhood as we've been expecting you to come. I figured you'd feel safer out here in the open, as it's harder for us to ambush you in this area, thus you're more likely to stop and talk first. There are no bandits in the forest here, just local farmers seeking to protect their families from the murdering bandits who call themselves the Brotherhood.” He's very surprised with my answers, so I continue. “The Brotherhood, as it's known here on Chaos, is going down, it will be destroyed. Just as the parent organisation on Earth, the Aryan Brotherhood, is going to be destroyed. You've a chance to save your life and those of your men. Drop all your weapons and head back the way you've come, never to ride this way again. Do that and you may keep your lives. Otherwise, you die. You all die. By the rules of Crossroads I can't attack you until one of you is stupid enough to attack me, but then I'll kill you all. Those who pass me will be killed by the farmers in the woods behind me.”

He looks stunned for a moment, then shakes his head, and laughs. “You are funny. Do you really think you and a few farmers can kill me and the two hundred and fifty soldiers with me?”

I smile, “I don't think we can do it. I know we can do it. Just as I know three members of my team are already killing, or have killed, the twenty-five other men who went into the forest to flank us. Think on the numbers. Three of my students are taking out twenty-five of your men. Only five of us have already killed nearly two hundred of the men of the Brotherhood. I challenge you - no, I beg you - to attack me so I'm free to wage war along your column and kill all your men. Here I stand before you, death incarnate, ready to kill you all.” I give him my most evil smile, and laugh as I watch some of the men who can hear me start to look about in fright while they wonder what I know that they don't.

The leader looks at me for a moment, then makes a small motion with his right hand, his left is holding the reins of his horse. The other lead man swings a crossbow up and fires it at my chest. I stand still so he can hit me dead centre, but spread my cape wide so I can get at my weapons. The bolt strikes home, damn that hurts. I take a half step back while I absorb the impact. It penetrates the extra layers of clothes I've on, my bamboo armour, and just manages to break my skin as it cuts into my chest. That crossbow is a lot more powerful than I expected, but it's only a light wound. However, from their view the bolt is half buried in my chest, due to all the extra clothes I've got on.

They all looked shock when I raise my left hand holding the mini-crossbow and shoot the bowman in the chest, the other man near the leader in the chest, and the leader in the thigh. The first two drop with the bolts buried to the feathers and the leader screams. Drawing my swords I race forward to attack them before they can spread out. When I attack the troops the several farmers in the forest step out to fire at the soldiers on their side of the column while those in the field to my right open fire at those on their side. The leader is very surprised when I drag him from his horse, pull the ring off his left hand, and stab him in both shoulders. That should keep him still and out of the rest of the fight. I race towards the main body of men a few metres away.

The shock of seeing me race around with the bolt in my chest while some of them are dying with arrows seeming to appear from nowhere has the whole column in turmoil, despite us being able to fire on only the front quarter of it at the moment.

I race into the fray with a katana sword in each hand. They aren't the proper razor sharp I prefer, nor are they as hard as I prefer, but they're sharp enough for the job at hand, and much better suited to this type of combat than the normal swords used on Chaos; despite being finished last night. Moving between the two inner columns I stab all I can reach in the stomach. All are mortal wounds and some are killed straight away. Many of the men stabbed collapse on their horses while others fall to the ground. The attackers are milling around as they try to work out what to do and how to escape. The four rider wide column already took up most of the road, so they don't have much room to play around in, anyway. Yells from further away tells me our support is engaging the rear of the column. I spend a very hectic ten minutes or so ducking, blocking, and stabbing while I move down the column. I stop only when I can't see anyone sitting up on a horse. Moving to the side I step around the dead and dying on the road. Looking up the road I can see the wagon full of townspeople blocking the way back at the forest edge, as per the plan. More of the local farmers are moving out of the forest into the fields while they move in to check the enemy are all dead. I return to the leader, to find Joe dragging him off to question him.

Calling Barry over I hand him the reins to the leader's horse, “Barry, take this horse up to the barn. Strip the tack and everything off it and put it somewhere safe, because I'll need to check it for information later. Then the horse can be returned to the pool for distribution, bring another saddle and tack with it.” He nods and leads the horse away as I turn and walk down the road to talk to Brian.

When I reach Brian he shakes his head, and says, “When you laid out this plan I couldn't see thirty or so locals could take out such a large number of soldiers, but we did. I still don't understand it.”

“Brian, it's all a matter of training and knowledge. These men have all been trained in a couple of very specific way to fight as soldiers. We set them up for a fight that didn't allow them to use any of the training. Add in the scare factor of what I said before the fight and my surviving being shot at close range, and they panicked. Once that happened most were dead men waiting to be finished off. We sat back and slaughtered them before they could think and work out a way to get out.” He gives me a slow nod while he listens. “All their training was based around either staying on the horse if on a horse, or formation fighting on the ground after being ordered to dismount. We set them up in a restricted area where they couldn't use the horses like they'd been trained to. Then I take out their leader in a way that frightens them. You block the way back and kill those at the back while the others kill those at the front. That leaves the bulk trapped in a small killing field where they've no room to use their training, because the horses of the dead block their way forward and back and the fences block the sides without enough room to get up speed to jump the fence.” He still gives me an odd stare. “Look, they all stayed on their horses and gave us easy targets. If any had thought about the set up once the fight started they could've easily got off their horse, slipped through the fence, and crouch walked away through the fields in total safety. We wouldn't have seen them or been able to target them. But none did, and they died.” He starts a small smile now that it makes sense to him. “Can you take charge here? I've got to go and get help to take this bolt out and patch up the small wound I have in my chest. That crossbow was a lot more powerful than I expected and it got through enough to hurt me, but not kill me.” He nods, and waves me away. I head to the house.

Back at Jay's house I find Joe getting no answers out of the enemy leader. I walk in, and the man stares at me with the bolt still stuck in my chest while Joe shakes his head at the sight. Joe says, “He won't talk. Anyway, I don't think he knows anything worth telling. His insignia is for a colonel and the last one knew nothing.”

“Joe, I don't think they let anyone who really knows anything useful leave their core area. So there's no point talking to them. Have you got his name?” A shake of the head. “Have someone do a sketch of him and I'll give it to my NSC contact when we get back.” Both of them are stunned by that statement. “Joe, it's the NSC I do the other dangerous work for, so they help me out with information. They appreciate having a trained ninja to handle some things.” More surprised looks. “Once the sketch is done, feed this to the pigs.” The guy screams and Joe laughs.

Jaycee walks up, saying, “We got back from killing the flankers just in time to see them shoot you. That had me worried for a moment. But when you attacked them I knew you were unhurt.”

“Not quite true, Jaycee. Help me get this gear off so I can tend the wound they did give me. The bolt stopped when it hit my sternum. It hurts, but isn't restrictive. Pull it straight back and it should come out OK.” She does as asked, and the bolt leaves with just a small amount of pain. I take off the outer coat, the five layers of knitted wool tops, my bamboo armour, and last is my Kevlar T-shirt. While I strip Jaycee gets my pack and first aid kit. I get a right telling off when she sees the wound. I flinch when I use the Tea Tree oil to disinfect the wound. I use quite a bit because it's bigger than I expected. No significant bleeding, but some, and I can see the bone at the bottom of the hole. Some sterile linen soaked in Tea Tree oil as a cover, and Jaycee starts to bandage me up. While she does I smile when I hear a man scream for a minute or so. That's one less of the Aryan Brotherhood to worry about.

Joe walks back in with a worried look at the bandage. I tell him, “No problem. Nothing for us to worry about. Now go back and make sure everyone knows not to talk about his fight. It'll be sometime before the Brotherhood sends out people to get a status report, but I want them to find nothing. I want them to get worried about all these men they send out and nothing comes back. The fear factor will affect the other men they have and should impact on their recruitment. Another point will be they know their people from Earth will turn up back at their centre when they die, but only if they die while wearing the ring. That's why I'm making a point of keeping them alive until we take it. No ring means no body returned for burial on Earth. That'll cause a lot of trouble in their organisation because they'll think their people are cutting out on them. It also means the people are listed as missing at home and the related legal issues that will cause.” Joe nods, and turns around to go back out to speak to people. He's the boss man here, but he also accepts my better understanding of warfare and its psychology.

Jaycee slips one of my clean T-shirts on me and makes sure I'm well fed before taking me to lie down on my hay bed in the barn. I know it's no use arguing, so I go to sleep - anyway, I need the sleep.

It's late the next day before everything is cleaned up, put back the way it should be, and all the spoils of war distributed to those involved. There was nothing useful in the gear the colonel had, except a set of written orders addressed to a Colonel J. Bond. I think we've taken out Ian's brother.

We spend another two days helping with the details of the aftermath of the fight. Then it's time to return to Crossroads.

Before we leave I take Jaycee aside and speak to her at length. Half my concerns are resolved when she opens the conversation. She smiles at me, and says, “It's all right, Al. Lord Joe explained it to me. I know we can't be together either here or at your place. But please promise me to come and visit when you can, and to let me join you on adventures when you can.” I smile, and nod while I make the promise.

On the way into Junction, Joe says, “Al, this base here at Junction isn't my main base, but a secondary I set up because it's so far from my main base. So please feel free to call in if in the area, and help out or make use of anything you can.” I nod, and smile at him while I thank him for the use of the base.

All three Damsels are very happy when we walk to the bank. I get a box linked to my account and place my weapons, armour, and other Chaos gear in it before closing it. Joe had given me both the rings from the colonels and I've them in my money pouch when I load it in the box. Joe does the same. When he closes his box we're all transported back to Crossroads.

Crossroads Again

A Hero Companion is last in line for the healing chamber unless seriously hurt, which I'm not. So I stand around and talk with Merry while I wait. She came to visit, since I'm back. She berates me for not bothering to find out the names of the other camp staff or any of the women we released. I accept her criticism, and reply, “I knew I'd have nothing to do with the Damsels at any stage, so I didn't bother with them. At that point I saw little reason to bother with the others as well.” That was a big mistake, one I won't ever make again. Boy, did she chew my ears off; and, in hindsight, she was totally justified, too. I'm glad to climb in the box for medical treatment because it ends the discussion.

While Joe does his duty by his ladies Merry and I discuss Chaos and study where she's up to with the map she's making. Looking at it I ask her to see if she can mark the zone of influence for the Brotherhood and to look for a suitable base of operation on the edge of their zone so I can stop their expansion and deal with them while making rescues in their area of influence. She promises to have it all ready for my next visit. We also spend time catching up on where I was back on Earth, so I won't be out of touch when I return. What's been fifteen minutes for them has been a number of months for me.

Joe adds a few more months to that time while doing his duty to the Damsels. One morning the last of the three ladies walks out and tells us she's with child. Then Joe and I get the bum's rush to our portal and back to Earth. Merry hands me a ring before shoving me through.

Back Home

Arriving back in Joe's basement I shake my head at the speed we're tossed out. He looks at me, and says, “Be glad they did it that fast. If you're slow you get stomach pains that are not nice, not nice at all.”

I acknowledge his comment. “Well, that was an interesting time and it lived up to all you said it would. But we've some real problems to deal with on both planets. I'll talk to those I know, and see what can be done about the Aryan Brotherhood.” He gives me a strange look. “Joe, how much did you learn about me?”

“I thought I was able to find out a lot, Al. You're rich because you own a few businesses. Some said you wrote books, but didn't say what books. You built a new big mansion out on Etzler Road. Oh, you've had ninja training. What else should I know?”

I shake my head. “Joe, I'm worth a few billion dollars now.” He's stunned. “I'm the leader of an alliance that includes a number of Yakuza clans. I deal with the National Security Council on a regular basis via a Pentagon contact. Not only am I a trained ninja, I'm qualified to train others and am doing that. I'm about to turn a major spotlight on the Aryan Brotherhood for being involved in what's happening on Chaos, and they won't like it, not at all. So if you need anything, money or help. Just let me know. The hotel I was living in, I own it.” He's very stunned by these revelations. He gives a slow nod while he locks up. I suspect he's thinking about how I can provide extra help.

Spreading the News

I leave Joe still walking around like a stunned fish and go home to the residence. We moved in some weeks back and are well settled now. We still have discussions about how to finish off half the main building, but no rush on that. At home I go straight to my office and call John.

He answers and we exchange a few words while I fax the drawing to him. I say, “John, I'm sending you a drawing of someone I need you to identify. I suspect his name is Jimmy Bond.” I stop while John makes the expected comments. “Yes, that's what his parents burdened him with, and his brother is Ian F. Bond.” Another rude comments break. “Look, I know Ian's involved with the Aryan brotherhood and is now dead, although his body will never surface. His brother Jimmy is also involved. I've reason to think the man in the drawing's Jimmy. Whoever he is, he's also dead and will never surface.”

“Al, how come you're getting involved with the Aryan Brotherhood, and how do you know these two are dead?”

“I've just come back from a high security meeting and it was real Chaos there when those two turned up. The Aryan Brotherhood has been offered one third of the organisation for helping two other groups to take full control. I know Ian is as good as dead and the other is dead. The bodies won't be found because they were eaten by local animals.”

“Well, that doesn't sound good at all. I'll let my people know about the Aryan Brotherhood and see what we can do about disrupting them, both here and at the other end of the pipeline.”

“I thought you might. I'll be doing the same. See you around.”

“See you, Al. I'll let you know what we learn.”

Hanging up from John I call Tadao and Tsukasa on a conference call. When both are on the phone, I say, “Due to security reasons I can't tell you why I'm concerned about the Aryan Brotherhood, but I'm very concerned. Please inform everyone we know that I'm against doing any business with them and I'd appreciate anything anyone can do to make it hard for them to do business. Is that clear?”

Both acknowledge my concerns and agree to pass the information on to everyone they've contact with. Tsukasa says, “Lord Torao, we've a situation developing here in Washington. A new chapter of the Aryan Brotherhood is set up in our area and are trying to take our business. We've been careful because we know you don't approve of street wars. What should we do?”

“Tsukasa, I don't approve of street wars because most can be avoided. Sometimes they can't be avoided and the only option is war and to kill the enemy. That's what I did in Tokyo soon after I arrived there. When you find evil ones, you must eliminate them. The Aryan Brotherhood is very evil; if you need my special skills to aid you, let me know and I'll help you eliminate them. Do not hesitate to ask me for help or to ask Tadao for help, as he has some resources you don't, so do I. Also, as long as you're not very blatant about it, I'm sure the authorities won't put a great effort into solving the deaths of any known members of the Aryan Brotherhood for the next few months. I'll let you know if that changes. I'm particularly interested in any building where they've a lot of visitors, especially from other organisations and people from out of town. The Aryan Brotherhood, and two other organisations, are trying to take over the world and they're getting involved with some nasty stuff in order to do so. I intend to stop them from doing this.” Both men agree with my position and promise to keep me informed of anything worth passing on, and we hang up.

I call John again, “John, Al. I've just had a few words with some special friends about the Aryan Brotherhood. As you're probably aware, the Aryan Brotherhood is moving into Washington and has started a new chapter there. In doing this they're going out of their way to have clashes with the Yakuza. I've just given the Yakuza clans here in the US permission to fight back and eliminate the Aryan Brotherhood. Can you please see what you can do to tone down any investigations into the deaths of any known Brotherhood members? I've told the clans to be discreet in their actions.”

He gulps, “Hell, Al, when you decide to go after someone you don't do it by halves, do you! I'll see what I can do to limit the time wasted in such investigation. Anyway, that should help us as they thin out.”

“That's what I figured. I also figure they can't watch both sides of the street at the same time, at least not effectively. The two pronged attack should cause them to drop the ball a time or two.”

“Yeah, there's that. I'll also pass along the safety concerns to any undercover people involved with the Brotherhood at the present. Oh, I got some preliminary information. That sketch is of Jimmy Bond. Ian and Jimmy are the two top men in an investment company. With them just disappearing it'll be very difficult for the company to operate. The company's main investors are the Aryan Brotherhood and a few other extreme right-wing organisations we don't mind having their money mishandled for a while. I've asked people to keep an eye on things as I've had a tip off the brothers have done a runner with some illicit funds they're supposed to launder. The people I spoke to won't do anything, but will keep an eye on things and make sure those who are left don't break any rules. It'll be interesting to see when and how they try to account for the absence of the brothers. But I'm worried their bodies may just turn up somewhere.”

“Hmm, John, I gather you know a lot more than you've let on about certain things. Let me just say they were both alive when I relieved them of certain sapphire rings they'd no right to wear. Thus the system didn't register any problems when they died. They won't be turning up anywhere, believe me.”

“Very interesting. I feel a lot happier about it now. See you around.”

Talking of the rings reminds me I have to discuss them with Mac, because I put them both in my bank box when I dumped my pocket contents. I forgot all about them while on Crossroads, too. I tidy up the office and go to find my ladies, in order to spend the rest of the day with them.

Getting Organised

Having decided to be really involved in this work on Chaos I now have to set up to do it properly. So I sit down with the plans for a section of my home that's been set aside as my special office area and review them. I decide to steal a little space from that and from the storage area beside it. I'll have a set of secure rooms built in the space with full camera coverage and biometric check locks; I figure five will be more than enough. I use the design program Brian Little sent us to plan the unfinished parts of our home I want to use, and rough sketch them in. In the attached file I detail the types and levels of security I want, and send the file off to John Small to do the full plans up.

Smiling at getting that started I take the instructions I've got for the construction of a portal and go to speak with Captain Dasler. It takes about ten minutes for me to find him in the gym. I wait for him to finish his training session and hand him the papers, saying, “Bob, I need you to pick a couple of our security people to set up a secure and safe spot to make five of these. This is top security and they aren't to talk to anyone about this, except you and me. They'll need to be reasonably good at handyman work.” He takes the papers and goes over them, I watch as he frowns while reading them. I can tell he's trying to work out what they're for, and not having much luck at finding an answer.

I don't envy him his problem because the instructions also threw me. They're simple, but odd:

On a door-frame of glass of sufficient size to step through, place thin films of these metals electronically isolated from each other - gold, aluminium, tin, platinum, copper, and zinc in that order, with a final layer made of electrum. A good varnish is suggested as the insulator between layers.

He looks up from the paper, and asks, “Now what the hell would this be good for?”

I grin, “I'll show you when they're finished. Get them done as soon as possible, please. But quality over speed, and make sure of no extras.”

He walks off shaking his head while he slips the paper into his pocket. I'm sure he's already thinking of who he can have do this work. Now back to my office for me to do some more research for Chaos as well as my next book.

Later, while doing my homework from school, I think about my life and how little of what I'm doing at school is relevant to my life as it is today, and smile. I do make a note to read and study more on ancient and medieval history. I also send an email to Sharon to have someone research which are the best books on how they did things in ancient times and to buy me copies. I laugh when I picture her trying to work out why I want them.

Checking my emails, and responding to them, I've a hard time to put Chaos aside for the moment to concentrate on the here and now. I know Chaos will just have to wait until my next visit.

The First Rescue

The Trip

Arrival

I'd kept the number of people travelling to as few as I thought I could get away with, but it still looks like we've all but taken over the Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport. Since I'm in New Mexico to look at puppies I'd no chance of getting away to do this without taking along my three girlfriends or my six adopted daughters, along with the three young women involved in their care. I think myself lucky to keep the security team to look after us down to twenty-one guards.

The airport is a good sized one, but it's not a regional hub; so it's not large enough to have much in the way of the permanent facilities and services you get used to seeing at larger airports. The few locals here are watching us with care. But the bulk of people at the airport are over having a look at Ryū while it's being serviced. It's not often they get to see such a large plane come in here, or one that looks so nice.

The flight down was faster than expected, so we're early. We've come from Maryland and beat the local transport here. Andre is on his mobile phone checking up on the bus and cars organised as our local transport. While waiting we've spread out a bit, with the security staff further out. I smile at how appropriate the transport is. Sharon had organised what she could, and I now see she's organised a school bus for us plus two cars - one to ride in front and one behind. Andre starts to speak into the phone. I wave at him while pointing at the approach road. He turns, and smiles at the fast approaching bus and two cars; he hangs up after telling them they've just arrived at the airport.

Once the vehicles are on hand it takes a few minutes for the team bomb expert and mechanic to inspect and pass them as safe for us to use. The girls are first to load while three guards get in each of the cars. The local drivers have been checked out and approved through John, so we're letting them drive. Everyone is soon loaded up except Lia, Brian, and I.

We're waiting for the Meadows Mountain Kennels representative to arrive, we'll ride with him while he shows us the way to the kennels. Another few minutes and an old four door pick-up with the MMK logo on it arrives. It stops near us and a man gets out. He matches the photo I was sent of the man to expect.

Smiling, I walk over, hold out my hand, and ask, “Frank Phillips?” He nods. “I'm Al Adams, come to look over the dogs.”

He smiles and he shakes my hand, saying, “Morning, Mister Adams. We expected someone a bit older looking.” We've a short chat, then he leads us to the vehicle. A Border Collie is sitting on the front passenger seat. Frank reaches in and scratches the dog's ears, and he says, “Meet Pick Up.”

I smile while I hold my hand out for the dog to sniff it. He gives my hand a good sniff and a lick as a greeting, then I reach further and scratch him behind the ears before letting Lia and Brian do the same.

Frank walks around to get behind the wheel while I open the back door for Lia to get in as Brian walks around to get in behind the driver. I smile when Pick Up moves from the front seat to the back as I close the door behind Lia. He sits between the two in the back while watching us all. I get in the front passenger seat and belt up, so do Lia and Brian. Frank's got a cheeky grin when he starts the engine. No sooner does the engine start than Pick Up barks, sits up, and places a paw on Frank's shoulder. He turns and smiles at the dog, “OK, Pick Up, I'll put my belt on.” When he does the dog settles back down on the seat. “Miss, there's a couple of straps back there, will you please clip them to Pick Up's harness?” Lia does, and the dog rests his head on her thigh. It appears he's happy to relax with everyone now belted up properly.

Putting the truck into gear Frank heads out, followed by one of the cars, the bus, and the other car, with a safe travel space between each vehicle. Frank watches the mirror while they fall in line, and smiles.

I grin at him, “I tried to get away by myself, but too many people found out why I was coming down here. So I had no choice; my six adopted daughters and three girlfriends just had to come to see the puppies, and that meant suitable security staff.” He glances at me. “Hey, I had to fight like hell to keep the numbers this low. Look right.” He does, and I can tell when he sees Ryū because his head jerks back around to look at me. I nod, “Yes, that big blue plane is my private jet we came down in.”

I let him stew on that for a moment. I half turn in the seat and look at the dog on the back seat, saying, “That was a nice demonstration of the dog's intelligence.” Frank gives me a quick glance while Pick Up looks up at me with a smile. “I saw you grin when you started the car without putting a belt on. Also, since you knew Pick Up had to be belted up and hadn't said anything, it was very obvious.” Frank nods, and Pick Up nods as well. Lia reaches down and scratches him behind the ears. This causes him to lean sideways and lie more on her leg. He seems happy with the situation.

Following that Frank starts to talk about the dogs, how intelligent they are, and how useful they are in many tasks; once they're trained for the task. We chat about the dogs for quite a while as we drive south.

The airport is some miles north of the town on Interstate 25, and where we're going is in the mountains off to the west, we'll turn off the I-25 a few miles south of Williamsburg. It's not that long a drive, but it's not a quick dash to the local shops, either.

Interruption

We're some miles south of Williamsburg and travelling along at the posted speed limit when the car in front of us (a much older pick-up with a large load of gear in the back) makes a sudden pull to the right. As it does I see a long black strip fly off to the right. The truck in front hits the dirt shoulder. The front wheel digs in. It starts to spin on that corner. The back chases around to pass the front as it angles right a lot more. Frank is busy braking hard and keeping this truck on the road.

The couple of cars that had gotten between us and our main group pass us while I pull out my radio to call the security detail. I click the radio to transmit just when the driver of the truck in front loses his fight to control the pick-up. It goes into a roll over the front corner. Holding the transmit button down, I say, “All, Prime. Emergency stop. Medical check all passengers in the wreck. Spread out, check for people thrown out.” I get three confirmations while all the drivers start to brake.

All four of our vehicles stop at the same time, but at different points along the road. We're just a bit in front of where the wreck has come to a halt. It's back upright, but it's very battered. I can see blood on the windscreen. The two front passengers are moving a little. I pull out my phone and hit a speed dial national number, they answer. I say, “Area Prime, declaring Valkyrie! I two five just south of Williamsburg, New Mexico. Car wreck, injuries unknown. More will follow.” Frank gives me an odd look as I talk. I don't blame him; it must sound odd to him.

“Area Prime, Vampire Base, acknowledge Valkyrie. I two five just south of Williamsburg, New Mexico, injuries unknown at this time. Launching. Smoke please.”

“Vampire Base, Area Prime. Will smoke on sight.”

I smile at the benefits of proper planning. When I made the decision to make this trip I let Vampire know, and they deployed a bird to the local hospital, arriving yesterday. It's now headed this way at top speed.

We all get out and head for the wreck while most of my people get out of the bus and cars. Some stay at the bus to keep the youngest girls safe and away from the wreck, while the rest spread out and start to walk along the path the pick-up took when it left the road.

We're almost to the wreck when one of the guards calls Victor over, he's our travelling medic for today. He races over to where the guard is standing, I can just make out it's Nadia; she doesn't look happy, or well. Victor drops to his knees beside her, does something, gets something out of his pack, and does something more. My radio comes alive on the second frequency it's set to monitor; “Hawk Four, Area Ground, burn a hole, burn a hole. Baby with serious injuries after being ejected from the vehicle. Over.”

“Area Ground, Hawk Four, prepare a hot drop L Z by you and a proper one nearby. Over.”

“Hawk Four, Area Ground. Affirmative, on the spot hot drop L Z; proper L Z as close as possible. Out.” He continues to work on the child while he speaks to Nadia. She leaves him and goes to speak to four other guards, three move back to the vehicles. They've the bus and cars move to block out an area on the flat road shoulder. Nadia and the other guard set up near Victor - both release smoke canisters, one red and one green.

We reach the wreck and start to check the people. Brian and Frank are first aid trained, so they start doing what they can for the driver and front passenger while Lia and I check the two kids in the back seat. All are injured to some extent, but none seem life threatening to us, despite the blood. On hearing the chopper approach I look up.

On seeing the manoeuvre being done, I think, 'My God, they can't be serious.' But they are, and they do it. I watch when the helicopter comes in at high speed with his nose down at a sharp angle while aiming for the smoke. At what I think is the last possible split second the pilot pulls up to a horizontal position just a foot off the ground and he spins the bird to be side on. When the helicopter comes to a halt the two people standing on the skids and holding onto something inside the cabin let go of what they're holding and are propelled from the skid in a dive. Going into a shoulder roll on the ground, the two pop up and race the last metre to Victor while three more jump out with bags of gear.

With the medical team unloaded the helicopter rises up and moves over to where there's yellow smoke near the vehicles. The helicopter takes care when it settles to the ground. The pilot sits there with blades idling, ready for a quick exit if needed.

The combat medical team doctor takes over from Victor and the rest set out their field theatre. Victor gets up and comes to the vehicle. Sirens of emergency vehicles arrive, and some turn off. I look up, to see two state police cars and a local sheriff's deputy car stop on the shoulder above us. With them are two ambulances. One of the ambulance drivers gets out and checks the ground. He hops back in and drives down to the wreck. The professionals are here, so I head up to the road.

There's nothing I can do to help the injured now, so I leave them to the care of the trained medical helpers and see what else I can do to help out. Approaching the law enforcement trio, I call out, “OK, who has to know what happened here?” I grin when all three put their hands up. “What is this, a race to see who can get back to the station and do the paperwork first?” They all grin. A few minutes talk, and I learn this part of the road has a confusing jurisdictional history and no one seems to be able to sort it out; or is interested in doing so.

Shrugging, I tell them, “The pick-up I rode in was behind that truck. We'd been slowly creeping up on it for about fifteen minutes. We were doing the posted limit and the difference in speed couldn't have been more than a couple of miles per hour. Anyway, back there, just back from where the bus is stopped, the pick-up's front right went down and it jerked to the right. A long strip of something black went off into the grass on the right. I suspect the tyre blew out. The driver fought for control, but lost it when the back caught up with the front just after the rim went into the softer shoulder. The car went into a roll and ended up where it is. We stopped to help. I called in my emergency medical team. They're the ones at work on the injured right now.”

The sheriff's deputy looks up at my mention of the medical team. I wonder why that's important to him. They take down what I say and add my identification details. One trooper and the deputy go to speak with Frank. The other trooper goes to the road and waves the traffic on.

A little later the local Sheriff and a State Police van pull up together, the drivers get out and have a talk while they approach the two taking statements. Another talk, and the Sheriff waves at the scene as the trooper from the van starts taking photos. The Sheriff walks up to me, “Well, son, I gather you saw it all!” I nod. “Care to show me where you think the tyre ended up, no one else saw it.” I nod, and we head back down the road. While we walk along the shoulder I keep an eye on the brush for the odd looking tree I saw just before the tyre blew.

A few minutes and about half a mile back we're level with the tree, “Sheriff, the pick-up was about level with this tree when what I think is the tyre tread took off at a sharp angle.”

He nods, “OK, let's check to see if there's anything around here that may have been involved.” We check the road for a hundred yards or so back, but can't see anything beyond a gouge in the road just near where I said the trouble started, and a gouge where I think the rim first hit the road a few yards further along. We back up from the rim gouge and look out at the grass on the side of the road. This stretch of road has a nice wide stretch of grass beside it and the grass angles down towards where the trees and bushes are.

We stand and take our time to look over the area. After a moment I spot what looks like a section of grass not upright. I point it out to the Sheriff, he nods, and we back up along the shoulder until we've a line up with it at about the angle I said I saw it take off at. Now we can see another patch like it a bit further out. We move until they're lined up. He says, “Stand here for a moment, please, son!” I nod while he walks back to the road, he keeps looking over his shoulder to make sure he's lined up with me and the patches. He looks at the road, and nods. Pulling out the microphone to his personal radio he speaks into it. A moment later one of the several state troopers down at the wreck hops in a car and comes up to us. He parks on the road just back from where the Sheriff is standing, and puts on his lights.

The Sheriff comes back to me, “That funny gouge in the road's about two feet before where those two patches line up. If something tore up the tyre, that would be about where it did it.” I nod.

Together we start to walk along what I think is the line the tyre took. We find the first patch, and it looks like something came through here fast, hit the ground, and took off again. The distance to the next patch is less. Again with the third. By the time we reach the fifth patch they're a lot closer together and the fifth has almost a full tyre retread lying in it. The Sheriff squats down and has a long look at it.

“Son, give me your thoughts on how long this has been here!”

I look around, the grass is still very damp, yet the face up side of the rubber is bone dry. “Sheriff, by the look of the wet grass and the dry rubber, I'd say it can't have been here too long, since the dew hasn't settled on it. When did it last rain around here?”

He grins, “A drizzle, an hour ago.” We both stand and walk around the tyre, as we don't want to disturb it before the crime scene people have a look and get their photos. As I near the far end I spot something glinting in the sun. I lean closer, then point it out to the Sheriff. He has a close look, and swears. “Someone's going to be in big trouble. That's a caltrop made to disable large animals. There's no way that should be around here. Thanks, son. No one else saw this go flying and we were about ready to write this off as driver error, but this is now a felony assault of some sort; either criminal negligence or attempted murder.”

“I don't envy you trying to find who did it, Sheriff. Just before that car went sideways we'd all been passed by another car. It was a grey sedan of some sort, but I can't tell you anything more than that. Nor do I know if they dropped it or were just lucky to miss it.”

He nods, “This makes three things I have to thank you for.” I give him a sharp look. “First, seeing the tyre going. Second, having that hot bird handy. The baby would've been dead before they got to hospital, but the doctor's field operation saved her life. I absolutely hate the reports on deaths, especially those of small kids. Third, I was near the hospital yesterday when I got a call to go meet someone. Your doctor, Captain Porter, is known to one of my deputies. The deputy was there when the Captain dropped in during the middle of a fire-fight and did field surgery to save my son's life. I finally got a chance to thank him.”

Not much I can say to any of that. So I simply shrug and give him a wry smile. “My deputy and I are trying to work out why someone so young pays for such top level medical support!” This is more a question than statement.

“Sheriff, how do you feel when you have to go to a house and tell a person their husband, wife, daughter, or son who works for you just died in the line of duty?”

He goes a bit pale, “Like shit, son, like shit.”

“I've a lot of security staff who're ready put their bodies between me and attackers. If they get hurt doing so, then top medical help quick to hand may save them and keep me from having to make a visit like that. I'm thankful I've not yet had to make a visit like that, and I'm prepared to do what I can so I don't have to make such a visit. I'm rich enough to afford it, so I have it. This is the second time I've used the helicopter medical service, and the second time it's made the difference between life and death. To my mind, the first time repaid my costs and efforts for a lifetime of fees for the service.”

He nods, “Yeah, I see what you mean.”

“Sheriff, that pick-up's a wreck now. Who's the best local mob to get a suitable replacement pick-up for the family from?”

He gives me a long stare, smiles, pulls out his mobile phone, and punches numbers. It rings, they answer, “Hey, Hank, remember Julio Hernandez?” He waits, “Yeah, him! Know that fancy new economical to run pick-up truck you got in that he was looking at?” A reply, “Yeah, that one! How long for you to do it up with every safety device known to man, put in top car seats for each of his kids, and a quality canopy on it?” Another pause. “Then get it done, get it registered to Julio with a year's full insurance.” A long pause while listening. “No, he didn't win the lottery or rob a bank. He and his family are on their way to hospital. Their truck's a write off. But I'm standing beside the Fairy Godmother who's going to buy that off you for him. So make sure it's tricked out and at the discounted starting price you've had on it of late.”

He hangs up, and I raise my eyebrows at him. “You're obviously very rich, you care about people, and you ask about a new pick-up for him. I can add up, son.”

I grin, “Yes, you can. The only thing I'd have done different was to check if they had a colour Julio liked.” He smiles.

The Sheriff looks around, and finds a big stick nearby while he says, “He liked the colour of that truck, that's why he was looking at it.” He puts the stick in the ground near the tyre, making a good marker for it. We walk back to the state trooper. The Sheriff tells him about the caltrop in the tyre and to keep an eye on it. He nods, and heads towards the tyre. We chat while we make our way to the wreck. He tells the officers conducting the investigation what we found, neither likes what we tell them.

I look around. All the medical people except Victor have left, so have the injured and the ambulances. I'm told they're on their way to Truth or Consequences, the Sierra Vista Hospital. The scene of crime fellow is just finishing up at the truck when the Sheriff tells him about what we found. He heads up there to document and collect the evidence there.

When we walk back to the road the Sheriff's phone rings, he listens, and says, “Put temporary tags on it, bring out to where I am on I two five. Julio's truck's here, so you can grab the plates and papers while we transfer his gear. Bring the invoice with you so I can check it out.”

Andre, Lia, and Frank join us while the Sheriff's talking. Andre looks at me, and says, “I'll bet you just bought the guy a new pick-up! Right?” I nod. He shakes his head real slow, turns around, and yells. “Don't bother getting back on the bus yet. Go back to where the truck lost control, form a line, and start searching. We've got to collect everything that got tossed out of the truck, a replacement's on its way out to collect it.” We all laugh when my group of bodyguards shake fists at me while they smile and they head back to the start of the search area.

The Sheriff grins, “I see they all know you well, and aren't surprised by this.” I grin when I nod in reply.

It takes about twenty minutes to check the area and make sure we get everything. It takes fifteen minutes for the new pick-up to arrive. So by the time the Sheriff and two state troopers have moved everything from in the old truck to the new truck all the thrown gear has been loaded as well, and Lia has arranged a wireless electronic payment of the invoice.

______________________________________

One funny thing about the clean-up is the tow truck operators. Three turn up and start to discuss who gets the job. This is about five minutes before the new pick-up arrives. The Sheriff walks over and tells them who was involved and that the whole family has been taken to hospital. Two of them swear about wasting fuel coming out to it. The other just shrugs, and says, “Well, Sheriff, it looks like I got another job on the hopeful cuff.” The Sheriff nods.

After the other two are out of sight the Sheriff calls me over, “Son, part of the clean-up is to have that old wreck taken out of here. The cost to haul it from here to town is about a hundred bucks. Bob White here is the only tow truck operator who'll do jobs for the Mexicans without making them pay up front. I know he has about twenty jobs he's done he's still waiting on payment for, but that don't stop him doing the right thing by them and the county.”

I smile and I get the message, the Sheriff likes this guy and the way he operates. I do too. I hold my hand out, and say, “Hi, Bob, I'm Al. Got a business card with you?” He shakes hands and hands me a card from his shirt pocket. I pull out my wallet and slip the card in when I pull out five one hundred dollar notes and hand them over, “I think this job's worth five hundred today. So write up the job as being five hundred bucks to take this out of here and get rid of it. Maybe one of the schools would like it as a shop project.” I hand Bob and the Sheriff a REBS card each, “These people will help out with materials cost if it's a school shop job to end up as a community help project.”

A very stunned Bob looks at the Sheriff, who says, “I think you've got a work sheet and receipt to make out, Bob. Don't be holding the man up. He's got business to get on with.” A few minutes later the new pick-up is on hand, I've got the receipt, and Bob is moving his truck over to where the wreck is. He waits until it's cleared out before he loads it up. He even helps to clear it out; he hooks up a spare battery to turn the CD player on and get the loaded CD's out of the wreck to put in the new pick-up. Bob is very happy and waves to us when he drives off, so does Hank.

My people are loading up the bus and cars while the Sheriff and I walk back to Frank's pick-up. The Sheriff says, “I thought I'd get to you by ordering the extras for the pick-up, but you really floored me by paying him five hundred bucks.”

I smile, “I can easily afford it, and that may make the difference of a meal for him. Since he helps others, I'll help him. That card I gave you! That's for REBS, the Robyn Evans Benevolent Society. If you know of anyone who needs help of any sort, call REBS. They'll look into it and help out if it's not a scam.” He nods while I get in the car. A few more minutes and we're on our way again.

About forty minutes later we're pulling up at our destination. I want to look at some dogs for the new estate, and elsewhere.

The Kennels

The owner, Maggie Meadows, greets us when we pull up in front of the main house. She has a wry smile as she glances at the bus and two cars. The cars spread out and the guards get out while the bus pulls up behind the pick-up. Only one guard manages to get off the bus before the six girls are off and racing up to us. When they get out of the bus the guards spread out around us while the young women I brought to ride herd on the girls walk fast to catch up with their charges. I smile when I notice a lot of adult dogs spread around the yard keeping an eye on us.

Frank grins while he watches me looking at the dogs and smiling, he says, “We had a talk on the way here. He wants people dogs to protect people, not territory. Smart ones that can be trained to do guard work as well as animal herding, watchdogs, and rescue work in the forest. Not necessary for all the dogs to be trained in all those skills.” She smiles and nods at him. “There was an accident just in front of us on the I twenty-five. Truck went off the road. We stopped to help out. The pick-up looked familiar, but I didn't catch whose it was.” She nods at his telling her why the delay in arrival.

I add, “The Sheriff said it was Julio Hernandez and his family.”

Maggie is a bit shocked, she turns to one of her staff, “Steve, go tell Diego his brother's in the hospital. Car accident. Tell him to take the field pick-up if his car's not working yet.” The man nods, and races off. She turns back, “Nothing serious, I hope!”

“I don't know, but the Sheriff said the baby was the only serious injury, so I don't think so. All were stable when they left the site for the hospital.” Both Maggie and Frank nod.

“OK, how many dogs are you interested in, Al?”

I glance around the girls standing around me, “A lot more than when I first started looking.” All smile. “Look, before we get to the nuts and bolts, I've no choice now, I've to get this lot a bunch of puppies. So let's go get that organised. I hope you've enough that are old enough to leave their dams.” I get a nod and big smile in reply. “OK, this is how I want it done. I want us all to gather in a circle sitting on the ground with the puppies in a large cage in the middle of the circle. Each puppy is to be lifted out one by one and introduced to all in the circle for a quick pet, then back to the cage after being introduced to us all. While this goes on we'll chat. After all the puppies have been introduced to everyone I want them released from the cage. I want to see who they make their own way to.” They give me odd looks, and Maggie smiles.

Five minutes later we're in a large yard area sitting in a huge half circle; my girls, those looking after them, my girlfriends, and a few of the guards who said they'd like a puppy when I asked them if any of them wanted one. I'm in the middle of the half circle and the other guards are all well back. The flat side of the 'D' we make is made up of some large kennels and yards with six bitches and their puppies in them. Maggie first introduces the bitches to those in the circle, then does the same with the puppies. Each dog is given a short petting by all of us. With the introductions over Maggie and five staff open the gates to the yards to let the puppies out.

I find it very interesting to watch what happens next. I tell everyone to sit absolutely still unless Maggie or I tell them to do otherwise. The puppies surge out of their smaller yards into the bigger one. Some of them start to explore the bigger yard. A few look about them, while several run straight to someone. One small pup heads my way, only to be bowled over by two larger pups from another bitch when they all head for me at a run. Each of the pups that goes straight for people reaches them and licks them. At a nod from Maggie or I they pick the pups up and cuddle them in their laps.

Each is happy with the pup which selects them. When the girls end up with a pup I direct them to move back outside the yard. As they do one of the staff takes the girls to the other end of the little yards the bitches are in and explains to the bitch the girls like their pups and want to keep them, asking if they may. The bitches eye the girls and nod. I think it's a nice touch, however it's organised. Some of the pups that did a little exploring are soon seeking out people too. It's not long before all thirty one of us in the circle have a pup in our laps. Lia and a couple of my staff have two, so do two guards, and I've three; that's thirty-eight pups in all. That leaves only the seven who chose to inspect the yard as not ending up with one of my group. Maggie lets them run around in the yard while the rest of us get approved by the mothers.

At my request a few of us end up with large aprons with pockets the pups sit in with their heads sticking out. It's hard to carry and cuddle two pups at once, let alone three. All the pups and their new owners seem very happy with the choices.

Maggie walks up, “I've not seen anyone do that before. You let the pups decide who they go to, why?”

“I knew my people would be happy with any pup, so I let the puppies select the person they found they liked the most. Some years ago I'd a neighbour who got a pup for his daughter. She loved it, but the pup bonded with her younger brother and would always favour the brother over her. After a while seeing 'her' pup going around with her brother was very upsetting for her. Lucky for all her mother found a way to resolve the situation with a nice pony.” Maggie nods at the start and laughs at the end.

I continue, “Now, about how many dogs. I figure over the next few months I'll need a couple of hundred dogs.” Her eyes go very wide. “I'd also heard you may be interested in selling all of your breeding stock and breeder's licence. If that's true, I'd like to buy you out and move the operation to my home compound. I'm not after the land or buildings, except where they're needed for the dogs and can be shifted. If need be, I'll buy it all and put what I don't take up for sale through a local agent so you get a clean finish.” She stops and looks at me for a moment, then goes to talk to Frank.

After a while the two come back to me, and she says, “Look, that's a very good offer. Just a couple of related things need to be sorted out. The staff; I don't want to leave them without work, if I can avoid it. I'd hoped to have someone buy me out and continue here, using my staff.”

“I'll need staff and am prepared to pay the costs of shifting them to work for me at home in the north, if they'll go. I know nothing about running an operation like this. I'll need a good manager and staff.”

She shakes her head, “One of the reasons I was looking to close up shop is I hurt my leg some years back and can't get around as good as I'd like. For two years I've had a manger. He put in notice as he and his family have to go back East to look after his mother-in-law. She's in some fancy hospital back there and has to stay real close to it. So he's looking for work up that way, as they need to be near her to help her.”

“Call him over and let's talk turkey, or dogs in this case.”

With a grin she yells out to a man a hundred yards away “Hey, Eduardo, come here.” He walks over to us, “This young feller wants to buy the operation and needs a manager, he ...”

Eduard interrupts her, “I told you, missus, I've got to leave and go up north for Rosa's momma. I can't stay around here and ...”

I interrupt him, “Shut up and let the lady talk.” He goes to speak again, so I simply put my hand over his mouth. “I said 'shut up.' Let her talk before you give a wrong answer to a question you haven't even heard. Understand?” He nods, so I let him go.

Maggie smiles, “As I was saying. This feller's buying the operation and wants a manager to run it for him on his home property which is in Maryland. Are you interested in moving to work for him there? If you'd kept your trap shut I may have been able to get him to pay hardship to you for going to the cold country, now I can't.”

A very sorry Eduard gives her a wry grin, “Sorry, Boss, I made the wrong assumption. Maryland's the right state, we've got to be near Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, because that's where she's at.”

“I'm moving the operation to my home compound just outside of Frederick, Maryland, about an hour's drive from Baltimore. I think that might be a good location for you.” He smiles, and nods. “Good, now I need to see how many more of the staff will move north. If I can hire them here before I leave, then I'll pay to move them. I also provide all my staff with good housing in the compound.” This gets a vigorous nod and smile. “I'll need to have someone design and supervise the construction of a facility there too. I'll probably end up with a couple of hundred or so dogs as guard dogs for the compound and residence. The breeding and training program will need to take that into account as well. I've two large apartment complexes for staff in the compound, and people can choose between living there or having something built at the kennels for them. My aim is to have a facility to breed and train the dogs I need, and then breed and train more for sale to others.”

He grins, “I get to design the layout?” My turn to nod. “Let me go and tell the wife and the other staff. I think they'll all want to go work for you, if what you say is true.”

“My security guards here all work for me in Maryland. They can tell you what the apartment housing is like, because they live in it.” He smiles and he dashes off to collar a few guards for some talks before heading to the other staff to recruit them for me. I turn to Maggie, “Julio Hernandez; his pick-up looked like he was moving house! Do you know anything about that?”

“The farm he worked on as a senior supervisor of livestock got sold. The new owner, he doesn't like or employ 'Spics,' as he calls them. So he sacked Julio and the four best staff he has. Since they all lived on the farm he gave them a week to get off. Julio was coming down here to live with his brother until he got a new job.” I nod while I think on this.

Horses

Frank looks at Maggie, “Another problem is Frank here,” she says, “I let him run his horses, for free, on the part of the property I don't use now. He needs to do something with the horses, can you help there and allow him to stay on for free. He's got some bad ex-wife trouble and has next to no money.” I turn and look at Frank.

He shrugs, and says, “Shortly after my ex and I split I met Maggie just after her husband died in an accident. He ran cattle on the rest of the spread and she knows nothing about them. We sold off the cattle. I had an agreement with the ex on property, but she got remarried and has hired herself a real shyster lawyer. Every time I get more than a grand in the bank he finds out about it, somehow, and they put in a claim on the money. I wouldn't have minded, except none of the money goes to my daughters because the ex spends all she gets on herself. When I fight the claims the money goes up in smoke on the legal fees. My daughters have found out and told me the campaign isn't to get her money, it's to keep me broke; the bitch! I've got a fortune in horses here, but there's no point in selling any. I'm waiting until my girls are old enough I can safely give the horses to them so they can sell them and keep the money. Anything they get before the youngest is twenty-one ends up in the bitch's bank account. I've got to hold out another seven years, somehow. The deal I have is I keep giving away some of the foals to the locals in exchange for things and Maggie lets me live here.” I nod all through this.

Maggie speaks up again, “My two sons don't want the property, just the money from its sale after I die. I know if Frank's still here when I go they'll just kick him off without a care. That's what a good college education can do for you, it turns nice kids into money grubbers.”

“Maggie, I'm sure I can work something out. Once I buy you out, what will you do?”

She grins, “Stay with Frank. He's my man now.”

While I think I pet the pups in the apron, I smile and I think about things here plus something Randy and Bryce had told me a while back.

After a few minutes of getting my hands licked I turn to Frank, “Let's go look at these horses first. How many do you have?”

“Ten stallions and fifty mares which are top breeding stock and are kept as the core of the herd. Fifteen other stallions and sixty mares I'd sell if I could. Plus around forty foals and colts. If I sold the herd, as a group, to another breeder I'd get about half a million for them. That's my life's work and my girls' inheritance.”

We walk around the back of a large barn, to see a few paddocks of horses; with all my girls lined up at the rail watching the horses while they pet their pups. I stop, turn around, and lead them back behind the barn. They follow, but give me a funny look. Shaking my head I pull out my phone and call Randy, he answers, “Hey, Randy, how quick can you draw up papers for a new company and incorporate it?”

“About two hours. I've got five shelf companies and the basic papers for them ready to go once you tell me what you need. After our little business conference last week I thought you may be needing some.”

I look at Frank, “Those looked like Walers to me, are they?”

He's surprised by the question, and he nods, “Yes, how did you know? It's because they're uncommon over here I can't do much with them as a herd.”

I smile at him, “Randy, the new company is to have an initial value of one million dollars with shares at a dollar each. I'll put up fifty-five percent as cash and Frank Phillips will put up his forty-five percent as pedigree horses. The company will breed, train, and sell horses, they'll specialise in the pedigree of Australian Stock Horse known as a Waler. The operation will be run from a facility to be built on my estate and they'll pay a reasonable rent for the land. The papers of incorporation need to note several years will be needed to establish this new business. To ensure the business has a good chance to get established and grow the partners are not to withdraw any equity or profits for seven years; all profits to be rolled back in during this period. If either party sells out or hands on their shares that rule is to apply to the new owners and the deed of sale or gift is to note the clause. I want this tied up tighter than a fish's arse. Frank has a bitchy ex who's doing all she can to see he stays broke. She can't do anything to the horses until he sells them; he's not selling them, but swapping them for shares. I want to make sure she can't get a fixed court to steal them from him. This is all he has to leave his daughters.”

Randy thinks for a few minutes. “Al, I think I can do this if I do it a little differently.” I turn the volume up and hold it away from my ear so Frank can listen in. “I'll incorporate the company with some ironclad clauses I know the courts have previously approved. They'll hold all the way up to the Supreme Court. The first is for all profits of the first six years to go back into improving and expanding the business. Second is none of the initial shareholders can sell or pass on their shares, except to the other existing shareholders for that period; in the case of death the shares may be bequeathed to blood heirs on the same terms that apply to the initial shareholder. Third is shareholders may be employed by the company, but only at the industry pay rates for the work they do. If no set rate, they're to be paid the industry average for the region. They must keep records of attendance and work done. Fourth, the percentage of profits to be paid out after the sixth full year of operation is to be agreed by the shareholders at the end of the year when the amount of pre-distribution profit is known. How does that sound? Think that may protect the investment?”

I look at Frank, he grins as he nods. I smile, and say, “Do it.” I hang up after saying goodbye. “Once I saw all the girls looking at the horses I just knew I wasn't getting out of here without buying a lot. So the issue became how to protect you while I do it.” They both laugh. “Now I need a manager to run that operation as well as plan the stables etc.”

I look at Frank when I say the last, he smiles and holds out his hand. While we shake on the deal, he says, “My girls live in Gettysburg. Is it OK for them to come visit and take a ride?”

I nod, and ask, “Won't the ex get upset with them visiting you?”

“Only if she learns that's where I am. They can ask for permission to go riding at this operation at Frederick they just found out has the type of horses they like to ride. If I don't tell her I've moved from here she'll never know. I can set up a mail redirection with ease.”

We're laughing when we walk back around the corner of the barn. On hearing the noise of our laughter the girls all turn and look our way. Sarah walks over, looks up at me, and flutters her eyelids while she asks, “Daddy, can I have a horse as well, please?” She speaks in that lilting tone young girls use when wheedling something out of their parents.

I glance at both Maggie and Frank, “Listen to her!” I declare. “The ink isn't dry yet on the permanent adoption application, and she's already trying to wrap me around her little finger.” I look up to see a whole row of girls and young women batting their eyelids at me. “You have to learn how to look after and train your pups before you take on the care of any other animals.” They all lose their smiles while they nod. “But, in the meantime, there's no reason why you can't go riding on any of the horses in the new horse breeding company I just formed and is moving to be based in our compound.” The smiles return, much bigger.

Turning to Maggie I ask, “The other people who worked with Julio and also got sacked; can you have someone contact them and see if they want jobs working with horses in Frederick, Maryland? The new boss will pay to shift them there. I'll also pay for short term accommodation here while we're getting organised there.” She smiles, and nods before heading off to speak to another member of her staff.

She spends a long time talking to the man. She returns, saying, “Two of Esteban's nephews are involved, so he'll get hold of them. What's this I hear about a Fairy Godmother buying Julio a brand new pick-up?”

I try to look innocent while Frank turns and looks at me, saying, “I thought the Sheriff organised that truck just to come and get their gear. But you bought it to replace the one that was totalled, didn't you?”

I shrug my shoulders while I nod. They laugh at my embarrassment.

The Return

Naturally, before we can leave we have to stock up on snacks and something to keep the pups safe and happy while in transit to home. The Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport is a daylight operations only facility, so I left very early to allow us lots of time on the ground here. It's just going on lunchtime when we pack up and leave MMK with a bunch of happy people and pups. Maggie is letting us keep the pup aprons, and each new pup owner has papers detailing the care and feeding of their pups.

After we agree I'll buy the property as well we both get our lawyers involved. They'll sort the rest out with proper valuations etc. As a good faith payment, and to pay for the pups, I've Lia transfer ten thousand dollars to Maggie's account; making her almost as happy as I made Lia when I got her authority codes on my main business bank accounts so she can help me. I do think she's starting to work out well, now she's over her girlish behaviour that caused trouble last year.

We pack up and head out. Since we know where we're going Brian, Lia, and I ride in the bus. We go to Truth and Consequences for lunch, and to check how things are at the hospital. It's not all that long before we get a few stares when people watch the school bus pull up near the Bar-B-Que on Broadway for some good hot local food. As it's meal time they can understand people pulling up, but a school bus on a Saturday is a bit much for some who know there's no local activity for it today.

There's space to sit outside to eat, so it's no problem to keep the pups on hand while we have lunch. Apart from finding something on the menu that's also on the list of what we're allowed to feed the pups at this stage in their development. This is a real issue because the pups like the smell of the BBQ ribs etc. we're eating.

We're almost finished eating when the Sheriff's car pulls up behind the bus and he gets out. He walks over while we finish our lunch, eyes roaming up and down the line of people with pups. He sits down at my table, and says, “Well, I see you had a busy morning! How many pups did you buy?”

I grin back, “The lot. Bought the whole operation. I'm moving it and the staff north to my place in Frederick, Maryland; along with a bunch of horses that belong to a new business I'm the senior partner in.” He's surprised. “Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

“I'd like to ask a favour. My wife is a nurse at the hospital. She tells me the baby will be better off if we can get her to Johns Hopkins to be treated by a top doctor they have. However, the family doesn't have any health insurance. The state health system won't cover anything except life threatening treatment, and the girl's life isn't in any danger now. I was hoping you might foot the bill, since you care about people.”

I look over to where Victor is sitting. Like all the rest he's watching to see what's happening. I get his attention and signal him over. He has two tables to walk, and soon joins us. “Victor, get hold of Doctor Porter. Find out what he knows about the current status and welfare of the people from this morning's wreck, please. I'm told it's thought the baby would do better at Johns Hopkins. I want his opinion; and ask if he can travel with us on the plane to provide care in transit. Find out if the rest of the family would be better going there too. I want a briefing when we get to the hospital.” He nods, pulls out his phone, and calls Porter while he walks away. I turn to the sheriff, “I've bought out both Maggie and Frank, and hired all their staff. I'm sure one of the staff will be happy to drive Julio's new truck up for him.”

He smiles, nods, and says, “Will you have enough space on your plane for the extras?”

I grin, “Plenty, I flew down in my private jet; an Airbus A three one eight converted to carry eighty in luxury, cut back from over a hundred and twenty in basic airline conditions.” He looks stunned. “You may want to check with Eduardo and Frank, see if they've enough staff to look after the horses and dogs. If they need more and you know of any suitable people who need the work and don't mind moving up to Frederick, Maryland, they can hire them before I have to move them north. When the move occurs in the next few months I'll pay for the moving costs of all my employed staff.” He smiles, and nods again. I'm sure he knows of some people who'll be happy to move with the work for a chance of a real job, especially with me paying the shift costs.

A few minutes later we all mount up and drive to the hospital. On arrival I get a report from Doctor Porter, and I go talk with the hospital administrators. An hour later, after I pay for the treatment to date and the cost of the help needed to shift the patients to the airport, we're leaving the hospital. The Sheriff leads the convoy north to the airport - our bus, two ambulances, and two cars.

Twenty minutes after arriving at the airport all are settled in and we're on the runway on our way home via Martin State Airport in Baltimore County. Basil, my senior pilot, figures it's the best one of the airports near Johns Hopkins we can land at; the others are larger with a much higher traffic flow, which means a longer waiting pattern. Also, there should be less traffic on the roads between Martin State and Johns Hopkins. He turns out to be right. We get an almost quick in and out at Martin State. After the injured disembark to ride ambulances to the hospital under Doctor Porter's watchful eye it's a short hop home for the rest of us.

Our usual buses are at the airport. The arrival at home is organised mayhem. Lia phoned Sharon and organised for her to get the dog beds, accessories, and food the new pup owners need. The training won't start for a few weeks. Some of the professionals will be here by then, to show us how to do it. The pups do take a lot of care at this stage.

Life moves on while school, business, and caring for my family take up most of my day. I spend some of the spare time getting ready to return to Chaos.

I was told to take a two week break before returning to Chaos, as I need time for my body to adjust for the time distortion effect. Mac is sure I'll get used to it and be up to weekly visits in the near future, but should take two week breaks between visits for the first few visits. I don't mind, because it gives me a bit more time to get ready for the next few trips.

The dogs, horses, and several other projects are part of my future Chaos visit preparations.

Meetings

One thing I know from my studies and training is you should make the best use of the weapons available and you should learn how to use them to their best effect. I already know how to use a bow and a sword, but I now spend a lot more time practising with other bows and swords to become better with them. I also study how they're made and how I can make better ones within the technological limits of Chaos. I look at changing what I'm studying at school, too.

The whole school now knows I'm independently wealthy because I own and run a few businesses. The talk about the girls' royalties let that out of the bag. Many of my original classes are compulsory subjects. Most of the electives relate to what I'll need when I finish my studies and start work as a senior business executive. In the mix are a few subjects to help fill up the minimum number of study hours required by the state education laws. Some of those courses don't count towards my academic point score average.

After a careful study of the available courses for this year and next I seek permission to drop two fill in classes that don't count towards my academic points so I can audit two other classes for the rest of this year. I ask to be allowed to sit the exams so I can qualify to attend the next level next year. The two class teachers and subject head teacher have a meeting with me about this. They originally wanted dad present, but a note from him giving Sharon parental authority for me has her in his place. This is much better for me sinces she'll be helping me to catch up.

Mr Monroe, the head teacher for History, opens the meeting, “Now that we're all here let's get started. This has got to be one of the oddest meetings I've had to take part in. Over the years I've been in meetings about students wanting out of History part way through, but not one about a student wanting in. First, Al, why do you want to take the Advanced History course as well as the Basic History you take now?”

I smile at him, “Mister Monroe, I've looked at the curriculum for the rest of my time in high school. The basic history class is doing modern history only. I recently got interested in how people lived in the earlier times and how they did things then. I want to learn more about them. This will help me in a number of ways. I need to keep on with the Basic History studies because they feed towards my business studies later. But I want to really know more about the people, technology, and ways of life in the earlier periods. I see this as the only way I can do it. I can't do the Advanced History elective next year unless I pass this year's class. To do that I have to study hard to catch up on what they've done and to sit in on the rest of the year's classes. I realise catching up on the older stuff is my responsibility and I can't take up any class time with it, but I can speak with the teacher outside of class times. The same applies to the studies of Ancient Technology.” I glance at all three teachers as I speak. This meeting is taking place in the History Staff Room after school so they can all be present and not pressured by other matters.

Mr Levi, the teacher of the Ancient Technology course, an advanced elective class asks, “Why do you wish to know all this?”

Settling back into my chair a bit more, I reply, “I take it you all know I'm independently wealthy and pay my own fees from my trust fund!” They all nod at this statement. “My original wealth is from my earnings as an author. My current series of books are all set in modern times and require little research on the society, or people, or how things are done. I recently came up with an idea for a series of stories set in earlier periods of history. I need to know the details of the daily lives of those periods and what it's like to live in those times. By doing these classes I get the full details from experts. I also get proof I know what I'm talking about. By doing this in class I also get an idea of how others view the things of that time.”

Mr Monroe says, “Al, when I heard you were a businessman I did a search of the public records. I found a lot of information about your trust company, a bit about you, but nothing about any books written by you; despite some of the students saying you're an author.”

“This information isn't to be repeated without my prior permission, OK?” They all nod in answer to my question. “I write as Lyn Evans.” I watch all their eyes go very wide with surprise.

Mrs Levi, the other history teacher involved, starts to laugh. After a moment, she says, “Our daughter and niece often argue about the age of the girl who writes those, but they always agree it's a female author. I'm going to have a very hard time not laughing the next time they have that discussion.” The rest laugh with her, for a moment. “OK, so you're going to do some period stories and want to be as authentic as you can be. I can understand that. You do realise your marks in these classes will affect your total mark for History and your Points Average, as these are scored classes?” I nod. “Good. Since you already carry a bit more than the minimum required these will be extras. You can keep a high Average without having to be top of the class in these two at the end of the year. But being bottom of the class or failing either class will bring your GPA down. I realise you know this. I just want to emphasise it. I'll also get approval to do the tutoring you asked me to do. But the price of tutoring now includes a signed set of Lyn Evans books, OK?”

I smile at her, “No. Signed books are never part of a deal by me. I'll give you a set of signed books as a gift for letting me do the class.”

The meeting continues while we set out the terms of auditing the class. Including a schedule for completing the class projects already done by the class I now need to do, times for tutoring, and the many other details to get this done right. All are happy with the arrangements we set up by the time the meeting comes to an end. We all sign an agreement of targets I've to meet.

During the drive home Sharon is making arrangements to purchase the extra books I was told to study while I read the first of the several text books I've got to study. I've got some work to do, and I'll do it.

Archery

It's early evening on the Wednesday of the second week after my visit to Chaos with Joe. I'm in one of the small conference rooms in the business section of the main house. With me are Sharon and four men who are the best known makers of medieval style bows. I'm seeking to hire one to teach me, and others, how to make bows. We discuss the technical aspects of the medieval bows.

At one point, I say, “I know the best information we have on the power of the Welsh longbow is the descriptions of damage they've done in battles with the French and the tests of bows from the wreck of the Mary Rose. The technical specification all vary, but agree the bows are about six feet to seven feet long. The problem is with the performances of modern replicas; they've a range of about two hundred yards with a pull of sixty to eighty pounds. The average of those on the Mary Rose are six and a half feet in height and have a similar estimated pull. While a few replicas copied from them have a pull of one hundred and fifty to one hundred and sixty pounds with a range of about three hundred and sixty yards. We know from some historical records good archers had a range of over four hundred yards and the training butts were set at two hundred and twenty yards by the order of Henry the Eighth. Those training butts were set for the average worker to be accurate at, which would mean the professionals would've had a far greater range. Some experts have calculated that for the arrows found in the Mary Rose to have penetration capability at four hundred yards they'd need a pull of around one hundred and ninety pounds to two hundred and twenty pounds. Few, if any, modern archers can pull such a bow. So we've a dilemma to solve. Modern archers are either wimps compared to ancient archers or they don't know how to use an ancient bow. Also, the performance capabilities of the bows from the Mary Rose don't match those of the combat records. Why is there a discrepancy? Did the king send poor quality bows? Were these from a less than top quality stock pile? Were they testing bows that weren't made to top standards and not able to perform to original standards?” I look at the men. Three shrug, with the fourth in deep thought.

I ask, “Do you think you can make me a yew longbow that's six and a half feet tall with a pull of one hundred and eighty pounds or more?” The men look shocked.

The oldest of them replies, “No, that can't be done. And if it could, you'd never be able to draw it.”

The second youngest, the one who thought hard on what I had to say, looks up, and says, “I don't know if I can, but I'd like to try. Will you pay me a good wage while I try to do as you ask?” The other three all looked shocked.

I smile, “You and I need to go and talk turkey over a cold drink. I'll only be wasting the time of these other men. Since they say it can't be done at all, I may as well get them started on their way home.” The two of us stand and walk out while Sharon hands the other men cheques for their time and calls for a car to take them back to their hotel.

Pierre smiles as we sit down with cold drinks in more comfortable chairs in a corner of my office. Pierre has a cold can of Foster's beer and I've a cold can of coke. Pierre says, “I think you may be right about the bows out of the Mary Rose not being as good as the ones in general use. If they were, then the replicas would've been shooting over four hundred yards and had a pull in the one hundred and eighty pound range. However you look at it, that's an awesome bow. I wish I could get my hands on a Mary Rose bow to see how they were made.”

“I've managed to buy only two Mary Rose bows. I made a point of not asking how the seller got hold of them. I did check and confirm none had been stolen. I also had them checked by experts, and they confirm they're as advertised.” I enjoy the smile on Pierre's face. “I also have a good supply of yew branches and tree trunks for you to play with. Many assume the bows were made from the larger branches; I wonder if they're made from the trunks of the older trees, which would explain the shortage of the Yew trees for so long.” He smiles again. We talk for a long time about the conflicting reports of the quality of the Mary Rose bows and their power.

“It's very hard to know what's true.” I add. “Some reports say the bows in the Mary Rose were well preserved and tested as such, while others say they weren't so well preserved and they tested replicas made like them to get their results. Some say the wood should be aged for a year or two. The wood I've got a hold of is aged from one year to five years, in both branch and trunk. I want you to make a set of bows the same from a branch and trunk of the same tree for each year age group. What I want from this is an exact evaluation of performance capabilities based solely on branch versus trunk and the wood's age. I also want you to take some wood from the one group I've the most of and make some bows with varying mixes of heartwood, in the depth and length of it. All bows to be the same length. This should tell us if the mix of wood types makes a significant difference. I've also got a few people I want you to teach how to make bows as you do this.” Pierre gives me a small frown, as few people are interested in making bows the old way; few people want them, so it's hard to make a living at. Most, like Pierre, do it as a hobby. “The last task is to make a short variant that gives the maximum power it can for a bow only twelve to twenty-four inches long.” Pierre gives me a long hard look. “I want to test out the concept of a short bow that can be fired fast in a confined area. Imagine an old style inn and trouble starts, you've a little bow like this and can spit out arrows the size of crossbow bolts, probably will use crossbow bolts.”

“Al, that would've been good then, but useless today.”

“I know that. I want to prove the concept. We don't know if anyone did or didn't have or use such a bow. But I write books and intend to do some period books where my main character uses such a bow. I want to be able to demonstrate it's possible when I'm challenged about it.”

Pierre nods, “Ah, being able to prove what you claim in the stories will be a good public relations stunt, as will the challenges. So you wish to push the borders of knowledge on old style bows and make money. You also want to be able to make lots of bows as you figure there'll be a renewed interest when you publish. You do plan ahead! This'll be fun.”

I nod, and say, “Another point is how the bows are used. Many of today's archers push the bow out with one hand then pull the string back with the other while they hold the arrow on the side of the bow, resting it on their thumb; it's called the Mediterranean Draw, because that's where it came from. I've read lots of old accounts and the description given by a fellow called Hugh Latimer says he was taught how to lay his body into the bow. While another man, W. Gilpin, wrote:

“The Englishman did not keep his left hand steady, and draw his bow with his right; but keeping his right at rest upon the nerve, he pressed the whole weight of his body into the horns of his bow. Hence probably arose the phrase 'bending the bow,' and the French of 'drawing' one.

“This got me to thinking about it. I suspect the Welsh, and later the English archers who followed the Welsh traditions, stood with the bow in front of their chests and pushed the bow apart. When the left arm moved away from the chest they made this easier by leaning forward and placing their body between the stave and the string, then pushed out. I've tried this with some local longbows, and you can draw a bow this way. It looks odd, but can be done. I also found it easier than the traditional method, too.” Pierre looks stunned. “The one hard thing was holding the arrow in place on the outside while I did this. So I tried it with the arrow between me and the bow, and it stayed in place with no effort.” I stop and have a sip of coke. “Another thing I thought about. It takes only three to six seconds to pull an arrow out of a holder in front of you and to loose it. Yet several records state the war archer could only fire five or six arrows per minute, and even that was tiring for them. This means it took about ten to twelve seconds to draw the bow and fire. This bodes well for a very powerful bow that takes longer to draw, and a more involved method of drawing was used to do so.”

I add, “Now, another thing I got to thinking about is the way many people use bows around the world; not all use them the same. I also got to thinking about some of the things said about the size of the bows and how they're made in relationship to the height of the archer. The Welsh bows were usually six and a half feet long, yet the average height of a Welshman for the era was close to five feet. So how would a person handle a hunting bow more than a foot longer than him? I study and use Japanese bows. They're long, too. They deal with the extra length for power by having the bow held below the centre so the extra length sticks out above the archer's head. Yet the longbow is held in the centre. I can only see two ways they could handle this. One, the bow is always fired while being aimed up into the heavens and the archer adjusts the amount of pull to suit the range. This worries me as that's so awkward and hard to adjust accurately. The other is for the archer to grasp the bow in a cross body hold. Now this is not as easy as holding it upright by your side, but it does allow you to sight along the arrow and adjust for range in the traditional manner. I tried many ways to do this and found it awkward in most ways, and hard to keep the arrow in place. I did find if I held the bow in my left hand at my side and lifted my arm up. When I lifted my arm out to hold it at full stretch the most natural angle of the bow was close to being at forty-five degrees from upright.” I take another small sip while I think on how best to make my point. “In the end I found a way that was reasonable to use. The odd thing was when I tried it I got a firing speed of several arrows a minute, no matter how much I tried to speed things up. I also figure using a stronger bow would slow me down a bit.” I look up at Pierre while he takes this in.

When Pierre smiles and waves for me to continue, I say, “I used the forty-five degree angle as a guide in my trials of how to use a longer bow. All the records say the archers stuck their arrows in the ground in front of them, so I set up that way as I tried my way to use a longbow. Stand side-on to the enemy. Hold the bow at my side in my left hand. Lean down and grab an arrow with my right hand, holding it between me and the bow. I hold the bow at forty-five degrees when I rest the arrow shaft on the top of my left hand and the bow stave while I lift the bow and arrow. I raise both hands in front of my left chest, left on the bow and the right with the string and knocked arrow. Leaning forward at the waist I push out to my left with the left arm while I hold my right arm in front of my right shoulder. Holding my right arm in place I continue to straighten my left arm while I push the bow out and lean my weight into the bow. With my left arm at full stretch the arrowhead is just in front of my left hand while the shaft rests along the top of my hand. My head is tilted forward so I can aim along the top or side of the arrow with my right eye, and my right hand is clenching the arrow and string; waiting to let fly. The bow is at forty-five degrees from upright, and the string runs down in front of my body. I've got a full movement range - about forty-five degrees angled down to almost straight up in the air.” I stop and smile at Pierre, he waves again. “I found out with this method I can draw and use a longbow with a stronger pull than what I can with the usual method. I'm also more accurate with this method. The one downside is it takes a lot out of me to hold that right hand in place while I finish getting ready and aim.”

He smiles at me, “I must try this. I also wonder how firing arrows this way relates to how close to a castle wall you can fire.” I give him a raised eyebrow look. He grins. “I've visited many medieval castles and one odd thing about the older castles is the angle of sight from the wall to the far side of the moat. They all have different heights and different moat widths, yet that angle is almost a constant. After gunpowder was introduced in Europe the castles that were expanded or built then have many different angles of sight; but all the older ones from the sword, lance, bow and arrow days seem to have almost the same angle. I just wonder if the builders decided on the moat width or wall height based on how far an archer could safely fire down at those on the far side of the moat. Once they reach the base of the wall it's not safe to bend over and shoot arrows at them.” I smile and I too wonder if this was how they decided those issues. I doubt we'll ever know. He adds, “I've seen a lot of medieval art, and much of the artwork about battles is done by people who don't know how to hold weapons; that's clear by how they show them being used. But some do, and a couple from the right era do look like the arrows are on the body side of the bow. Interesting.”

I wonder if we may resolve this issue on the use of the longbow while we talk, at length, about the terms of his employment and how long he thinks it'll take to do what I want. He runs his own software consulting company by email and phone, so he has no trouble with moving his business here. Especially right now, because his business is slow while everyone waits to see how the economy is going. After another hour or so we break up and he goes to the hotel for the night. He'll go home tomorrow to pack up and move here to live while he works on this project for me.

Gunpowder

The next afternoon is another training session with Joe about Chaos. We discuss things while practising with the types of swords they have on Chaos. These talks cover many topics and are very educational on how they do things and interact with each other. This day there are two conversations of particular interest.

While blocking a swing at my leg, I ask, “Joe, what's the collective noun for the people of Chaos?”

“You know, I've never heard one given for them as a people in the way writers call us Earthlings, Terrans, Solarians. I suppose they could be called Chaosians.” He thinks for a few minutes, and smiles. “Maybe we should call them Chaotics! Ask Mac when next on Crossroads.”

A little later while he's ducking a swing at his head, I ask, “You said gunpowder doesn't work, any idea why?”

“Not really. I do know I can't take gunpowder from here through to Chaos, so there must be something different. At first I thought there may be a difference in the noble gases in the air there which prohibited the chemical reaction or slowed it down. But I've no way to test what the gaseous composition of the air is on Chaos. The difficulty in getting free sulphur, it not being common, is a part of the problem in making gunpowder. I did get hold of some and did a bit of testing. The mix of components is different, and all I could get was a nice flash of flame as it burned, not an explosion. I did notice when I made it with the nitrates sourced solely from Earthlings it flashed faster, but still no bang. I think the issue may be partly chemical.” I frown. He adds. “The locals have an issue with having sex with Cassandra women and call them cock burners. This is because of a difference in the body chemistry. We also know some of the local herbal mixes for medicines that heal the locals can be a mild poison for us and the Damsels. So there's a variance of some sort in their body chemistry. I wonder if that means there's a difference in the chemical formula of the nitrates they produce! That's why I tried making some with just my nitrates, but that didn't work, either. It may need a different component mix, or something else added. Also, the local foods may contain a mineral that changes the nitrate formula. I just don't know!”

I think on this for a while, and decide I'll have to ask Mac; but he may refuse to answer. Either answer sounds reasonable, so does the idea it may be a combination of both reasons. It may even be a totally different reason. I'm just glad I don't have to worry about gunpowder and guns. The portal wouldn't allow the gunpowder through, so any derived explosives should be blocked, too. No explosives means mining will be harder, but I think the overall effect on the life of the people of Chaos is better without having to worry about explosives, guns, and the destruction they cause in combat.

Steel and Swords

Due to our little attempt to make better steel while on Chaos I ask Sharon to find me an expert on the ancient ways of making steel. The meeting with her takes place after school on Friday, and Joe joins us for the lecture we get. After being introduced to Juanita Hans I explain my wish to know how the ancients used to make high quality steel.

She smiles and gives us a long lecture on it, but it's an interesting one. Our memories of using sand to improve steel are right, we just have to make sure we get the right sand that's high in carbons; these are usually dark grey or black. The Japanese who use this method a lot call the sand satetsu. Another way is to add charcoal during the smelting process. The higher the temperature while smelting - the better, and the slower the post smelting cooling has a good effect too. The tempering of the steel in the finished product also has an effect on the hardness of the finished steel. The tempering is affected by the metal's temperature, the temperature of the water used to temper it, and how long the cooling takes. Also beating and folding the steel while hot improves it. This helps to remove impurities and to even out the carbon content when the metal is folded and forge welded. This folding and beating is often done during both the making of the steel and later during the forming of the steel into a finished product.

Juanita explains many of the best swords are made by using two grades of steel. Both sets of steel are beaten, folded, and welded in the forge before and after being put together. During the forging the steel is broken into small bits and welded back together in the forge. When both sets of steel are finally ready they're heated up with the harder steel used for the outside when the edge is folded around a smaller bar of softer steel that's the core of the sword. Both are then heated to the point they'll weld together. The laminated steel has a hard edge for cutting, with an inner soft core that's better at absorbing the impact of a sword fight. The beating and shaping of the steel goes on through the whole process, but the folding ceases with the welding of the two steels together. By that stage both steels are made up of many thousands of layers of steel that's as pure as they can get it, and the carbon content is evenly spread through the sword. The result is a high quality steel sword of great resilience.

Minor Meetings

During the fortnight I've several other short meetings with various people Sharon arranges for me to see. I learn about other technologies useful for Chaos. I really like learning to do investment casting by making a wax shape and then a mould from it by pouring the casting material around the shape and waiting for it to set before melting the wax. The lesson on how to use milk and vinegar to make casein plastic is fun as well. So is learning how to make wire by pounding steel and then making it stronger and tougher by drawing it. Joe sits in all these extra classes and enjoys them too.

After one such class, he says, “Damn, why didn't I think of learning these skills before, and of taking them across to improve the lives of my people on Chaos!” This is a statement of contempt at himself, and not a question. I don't like how he says it.

“Yeah, Joe. Why didn't you spend several days straight researching the various technologies and who can teach them to you!” I say it with as much contempt in my voice as I can. He turns and stares at me. “I asked one of the best research assistants you'll ever find to look into the sort of technology that was used in the middle ages. She put several of her staff to work on the problem and found out a lot of stuff. Showed me the list, and then went and found me teachers for what I asked for.” He looks stunned. “In your copious spare time it would have taken you years to do just the research. So stop being stupid, and accept the help you can get from others.” He gives a wry smile of apology when he shrugs his shoulders. We both know there'll be more to learn later as Sharon and I learn about more technologies, but that's all we've time for at the moment. The other skills will have to wait for future trips.

Apprentice

After my first visit to Chaos I tell Lia, Kath, Debbie, and Sharon what it's all about. I'm still not sure if they believe me. I'm later asked by Sharon to speak with Bridget, one of my guards, about Chaos. It seems she's always reading about medieval times and talking about what it must have been like to live then. I call her in to discuss being a Companion and Hero Trainer. We've an interesting talk.

I wave her to a seat in my office while I close the door behind her. She looks a bit worried at first, but relaxes when she sees it's just her, Sharon, and I. Taking my own seat, I say, “Sharon tells me you know a lot about medieval things and living in those times!” She nods. “Tell me about the technology of those times, please?” She smiles and she spends about thirty minutes talking about things from the era.

When she starts to wander away from the technology itself to talk about the people, I ask, “Using only the level of technology available then, and not using gunpowder, what would you do to improve the lives of people living in those times and conditions?” She gives me a very penetrating look. She answers by listing all we've looked at so far. She also mentions a few things Sharon and I don't know about yet.

Bridget has an odd smile, when she asks, “Why the big interest in those times, Al? Even the few places living that way on Earth today have access to many things from a higher technology base.”

“Bridget, there's a big difference between access to something and being able to maintain it with your own capabilities. Having access to technology from another puts you under the control of the other, and they can demand anything they want for the item, and often have; which has resulted in quite a few wars during the twentieth century.”

She nods agreement, “But there's more to it than that for you, isn't there, Al?”

I nod, “How good are you with using medieval weapons? Swords, knives, bows, etc.”

She grins, “Good with a bow and knife, but never used a sword! We still use bows and knives in today's military.”

“I don't mean a composite bow, but a crossbow and the old style flat bow, the simple type you see kids playing with, and the longbow.”

She's surprised by this, “The crossbow is used by Special Forces and I know how to use that. I also have basic skills with a normal bow.”

Turning to Sharon, I tell her, “Have Rob take Bridget off the work roster for the next few weeks. I want her to spend the time learning to fight with a sword. Get one of the instructors from the fencing club to teach her how to use the sabre, that'll do to start with. Also see if you can find anyone else who may be interested in learning this stuff.” She nods and Bridget gives me a worried frown while she tries to work out where I'm headed. “Ask the lady who did my bamboo armour to make a set for Bridget, as well as some of the leather like clothes she made for me.” Sharon nods.

I look at Bridget, “I know you won't believe me until I take you there to see for yourself, but I know of a place where they live like they did in pre-gunpowder Europe. The weapons are swords, knives, and bows. I wish to train some people to go with me and help make some changes there to improve the lives of those living there. Are you interested in going there with me? Please remember, you can get killed by these old style weapons and modern medical help isn't available there.”

She gives me a very hard stare before answering, “Yes, I'd like to go and try living there for a while. I also know a few of the other guards who'd be interested, as well.” She goes on to name three other women and three of the male guards, and Sharon writes down their names.

We talk a lot about what's required to live there and what I aim to do there. I also mention the need to rescue people and eliminate some bad guys, but don't go into it at length - for now. About an hour later we finish up the meeting and Bridget goes off to do some studying and thinking about how to help me with this project.

Summarising

After Sharon and Bridget leave I sit there and think about what I'd like to achieve on Chaos, and how I'm going towards that end. Soon I'll have better technology to take across; most will help the people and some will improve my weapons. I'll also have some very useful horses and dogs to take across as well as some helpers. But for now it's still just me and some ideas. I must investigate where to establish a strong and safe base for my people to live in and for me to operate from.

Crossroads

The Saturday morning fourteen days after my last visit to do this I'm in the basement of Joe's house. I had the sapphire ring I was given resized a couple of sizes larger. Joe gives me an odd look when I slip it on my finger and it's loose. I smile at him, saying, “Joe, how much do you want to bet the Brotherhood have told their people to look for people with sapphire rings on their hands and kill them out of hand?” He's shocked when he gives me a slow nod while looking down at the ring on his left hand. “I've had this made to go on my middle toe. That way I'm wearing it where they can't see it. I suggest you do something similar.” He nods. “Sorry, I should have mentioned it earlier.”

The gateway is set up and I enter it, Joe will make his own entry a little later today. I smile when I walk into a nice vestibule. Merry has been busy setting up our personal space. The door opposite opens and Merry runs into my arms. We hug and kiss for a few minutes. Breaking the kiss, I look at the sign saying, 'Now on Duty: Mac, Jeeves.'

I continue to hug Merry while look towards the sign, saying, “Hello, Mac; hello, Jeeves.” Both respond with a greeting. “Mac, as a matter of idle interest, what's the name for a group of people from Chaos?”

“There isn't one, Al. Various ones have been suggested, but none have been universally liked or accepted.”

“Am I permitted to know why gunpowder doesn't work on Chaos?”

“No. If you knew why it didn't work you may find a way to make it work, and we're trying hard to keep explosives off Chaos.”

“OK. I can see that, and agree with it. Now it's time for Merry and I to get reacquainted.” I take her hand and we leave the room. We head for our bedroom for a pleasant time getting to know each other again.

A few hours later we return to the main room for a meal. We chat as we eat. I enquire about the database I'd asked to be made. Merry smiles, “Al, it's far from finished, but it's already very detailed and useful with lots of information. I've imported all I had before and concentrated on bringing the area the around the Brotherhood up to date with full data on everything. Mac has been a big help, too.” She tells me all about it.

When we finish I remember a couple of matters I need to talk to Mac about. “Mac, please issue a warning to all the Caretakers to speak with their Heroes about rings. We know the Earth troublemakers know all about the Hero rings. I suspect they're telling all their people to just kill anyone wearing a sapphire ring. So the Heroes need to wear their rings in a way that doesn't show.” Both Mac and Merry agree, and he sends an urgent message to all the Caretakers. “I also have to remember to bring back some of the rings we've confiscated from the Brotherhood leadership from Earth I've met on Chaos. They're very similar to ours, but have an extra crystal in them. I forgot to bring them back last trip. I've a couple in my bank lock box. I'll try to bring one back this time so you can analyse it, Mac.”

“I'd like that, Al, because I know of only the one type of portal ring.”

“Right, I'll do that for you. What I'd like to do is look at the map we have so far.” A large holographic map of Chaos appears in the room, taking up most of it. I notice some extensive white sections in the midst of the land masses. “Mac, what are those white areas on the land?”

“They're the mountain ranges. No one is interested in them and no one lives in them. So no effort to map them.” I stand there looking at how large some are in relation to the area around them, while I think.

“Mac, I bet you've a good series of satellites around Chaos! How long will it take you to get me the details of those white areas? Also, can you tell where mineral deposits and caves are?”

“The satellites can detect caves and mineral deposits if they aren't too deep. It shouldn't take long to fill in the white areas, but why?”

“I'm sure you've access to full terrain maps of Earth. Bring up those for the country called Switzerland and the area around it.”

I wait a few minutes while the white areas start changing to valleys and mountains. “OK, Al, I see what you mean. I gather you're looking for a nice hidden valley or set of valleys that can be easily secured so you can establish a strong base.”

“Correct, Mac. A series of valleys with a choke point entrance. It can be defended with much more ease than a city. I want a place for a few hundred people that can expand to a few thousand and still feed them from the crops grown in the valley or valleys. It'll need water, and it'd be nice if there are some sources for iron and forests for wood too.”

“OK, Al. I know what you want and will look for it. Now go away and do something else while I get a search started.”

“Right, Mac. Jeeves, do you organise all the meals for everyone?”

A different voice answers, “Yes, I do, Al. Why?”

“Well, I noticed we only get whatever we ask for. I wonder if you'd like to be a bit more proactive in interacting with the people.”

“Yes, I would. What do you have in mind?”

“If you do some research on Earth cookbooks and restaurants you'll see we tend to organise things in many ways. Places to eat by the meal time, the ethnic source of the food, the regional types of food in the area, and the categories of food. We often have menus broken up into things like soup, appetisers, main meals of meat, fish, desserts, etc.”

There's a noticeable delay. “I see what you mean.”

“Well, why don't you prepare a complete menu list of all you know how to cook with a written description and photo of each item. Have the menu so it can be searched based on types of food or types of meals. Also offer a Menu of the Day with a list of options changing each day. This way people can see what you can offer and try new tastes. But a Menu of the Day or Meal will give them a choice of several items and save them from having to think about what they want. I'm sure an expansion of food options would be welcome by many of the long term residents.” While I speak I head for my backpack of things I brought with me. Pulling out some papers I open them up and place them on the table. “These are some old family recipes. I'd like you to try making some Golden Syrup Pudding with White Sauce for me, please.”

“I'll give it a go for you. Those papers have been scanned and can be put away. To make something from a recipe like this I have to cook it like normal and then scan the finished food. It'll be a few hours before I can offer you any of those, but will do so with the first suitable meal after I cook and scan them.”

“Thanks, Jeeves.”

With that Merry and I sit down for a long chat before the nice lunch she orders. After we eat she heads off to check on suitable missions while I pull out one of the text books for the classes I have to catch up on, and read it. She tells me how the mission selection system is now easier since a young Hero came up with a way to sort and identify missions by a colour coding and priority system. It's based on the risks to Hero, the Damsel, adjusted to take in the Hero's skills and experience of the Caretaker making the search. I'm glad I'm not the only one out to make life easier and better for the Heroes and Caretakers.

The time flies by and I'm brought out of my studies by Merry telling me to come eat. Already she knows to just manage me while I'm about. We sit down to a nice meal of roast lamb with baked vegetables, we've Golden Syrup Pudding and White Sauce for dessert; it's perfect, too!

With a smile, I look up, saying, “Jeeves, thank you. It's prefect, just like my mother used to make it.”

I'm sure I can hear a grin in his voice, as he replies, “You're welcome. I did some more research and found details on some of the procedures involved in the cooking. A few of the residents have tried the pudding and like it. An interesting aspect is when I offer people a menu they always want to look at after asking if they can have anything not on it. I tell them they can have anything they've had before, but they always end up trying something from the menu; something they'd heard about and not tried. The long term residents love the new choices and are busy trying new foods. I expect to see a lot of happier people from now on. An interesting side effect is I told my counterparts on Cassandra of all this. They've started the same process, for similar results. We're now sharing details of meals between us, too. We must look at other Earth customs and see what else may be useful for us to experiment with.”

“That's all well and good. But have a good long look before you try something, as the way we do some things won't suit you. Check them out and test them in small groups before going full out.” We chat on food and other customs while we sip our after meal drinks.

After dinner we examine the updated map. Mac shows me a nice set of valleys with a hidden access through a cave behind some woods. The valleys are big enough for several thousand people to live in with their own food and water, all they need are houses and some animals. But the big news is when Mac says, “Al, thank you for getting me to do this system update. When I found this valley I gave it a very close check. There are the remains of some houses in them and crop fields that have been left untended for decades. This evidence of people living in those areas got me to have a close look at all the mountain areas we thought were inaccessible, and I've found hundreds of small community groups. Some appear to be in similar valleys, but the way out got blocked and they're now cut off. I'm organising to have the entrances cleared by localised quakes, the cause of the blocks. People are able to survive in some surprising climates and situations.”

“Yes, Mac, that's true. You should read up on Earth's history about people living in remote areas, like the Inuit tribes who live in the Arctic regions, and those who live near tops of very high mountains. People will live almost anywhere, and find a way to survive.”

Merry and I discuss the rescues. There are three of equal risk to all involved, and they're in the same area. The real danger is all three are obvious Hero traps and the Brotherhood has over a thousand troops in the area to support those at the traps. The majority of the troops are involved in patrols of the area in troops of fifty to a hundred each.

All the nearby towns with banks are controlled by the Brotherhood, and they've troops in towns a little further out as well. When I examine the map I find the rescue area is just inside the Brotherhood's control area with the set of valleys I'm interested in just a bit further inside their zone. The nearest safe entry point is fifteen days travel, almost as far away as Junction. So I figure the extra days travelling is worth it for the ability to get support and extra materials from Junction at the start of the mission. I also tack on some time to get organised in the valleys.

Merry and I study the three rescues in great detail. The one we select is the one closest to the edge of the Brotherhood zone of control. It's a large farm where they've two Damsels held captive in the farmhouse. The area around the farm is well patrolled and with alarms set up, too. It's going to make getting in hard, but not impossible; I hope. I'll need to see what the situation is on the ground before I decide how to enter. At my request Mac provides me with printed cloth maps of the rescue site, the valleys, and the surrounding area. They cover the other two rescue sites as well because they're between the target farm and the valleys. With the farm decided on as the rescue Merry enters my choice into the system. That leaves only one matter for me to resolve.

I look towards the nearest wall, “Excuse me, Mac, I've a favour I'd like to ask of you.”

“Yes, Al, what is it?”

“In my pack are papers on how to make quality glass and to grind it into lenses. I have them as I want to have some telescopes for future trips. On further consideration I don't think we want that technology loose on Chaos yet. I'm now thinking of leaving the papers here if I can get some ground lenses to take with me. But that'll require an answer from you as I don't know if the portal will allow the glass through.”

“Glass, itself, isn't banned. But some glass objects are. I'll just run some tests.” We wait for a few minutes, that's a very long time for a top AI like Mac. “Al, the automatic systems for the Earth to Crossroads portals seem to class lenses as safe objects and as weapons, depending upon the size and power. There are no clear parameters in the programs about them. Lenses capable of being used in weapons systems are now listed as weapons components and are banned. This bans the ones for large telescopes, too. Also, those powerful enough to be used in small laser type systems are now banned. But those small enough to be used as hand held telescopes, like most mariners use, are permitted. As are those smaller than that, because they can be eyesight correction lenses.” A group of six sets of lenses appears on the table. “Here's a set of lenses for six telescopes of the maximum size now permitted. They're good for telescopes with a tube length of half a metre when extended. You can make a tube with a wood frame with a cloth or leather cover.”

“Thanks, Mac. Can you provide some lenses to Joe and the other Heroes you trust to use these wisely, along with the same instructions, too, please?”

“Certainly. I'll offer them the lenses and tell them why. It's then up to them if they want them or not.”

“Fair enough. Now Merry and I need to do some intense briefing so I'll be ready to leave for Junction in the morning.” Mac laughs while we head to the bedroom for the briefing.

The next morning I dress in my basic Chaos clothes and have a filling breakfast. I pack my lenses in my maps and place them in my new backpack. After a kiss for good luck Merry sends me on my way to Chaos by pushing me towards the portal.

Chaos

I arrive in the bank and call for my lock box. I take care to select the weapons and gear I'll need for this mission on top of what I've got with me. I leave in it a couple of the extra items I brought, but won't need this time. I'm heavily loaded; two swords, six knives, bo shuriken, hat, hanbō, cape, back pack, first aid kit, money pouch, and the loaded mini-crossbow ready for use in my left hand. I've my armour on, and the rest set for easy access; I'm ready to face the world of Chaos

After closing the box I leave the room and go through to the main bank chamber. The teller in the cage nods when I pass through. Exiting the bank I start to take shallow breaths. No one in their right mind takes deep breaths in any town or city in Chaos; the stench is real bad, as the street also acts as the sewerage system.

Walking through the town I see and wave to a few people I know from my last trip. They wave back. The relaxed atmosphere of the town tells me the Brotherhood haven't had an impact here, despite extending their area of control since my last visit. I enjoy the nice walk out to Jay's Farm, and nearly get killed when I arrive.

Passing by the barn I'm knocked down by Jaycee as she rushes out to grab me. I recognise her in time to avoid neutralising her, which is why I'm off balance and she's able to knock me down. I guess she's glad I'm back. She looks to be a little older than when I left, then I remember about the time difference and wonder how much time has passed.

In a few minutes I'm sitting at the dinner table while the family starts lunch a little early. In the course of the conversation I learn it's been almost a year since my last visit. Jaycee, Jason, and Joseph are ready for another adventure, as well as the next two, Jane and Jack. David and Ami now live on the farm with David doing some work on various farms; I never do work out what it is he does. They've extended the farm into the forest behind them a bit more, but still have more than enough people to work what they have without the five eldest children. I'm told there's another fifteen older children from the surrounding farms who wish to see more of the world, too.

While we eat and chat I think about my long term plans. After the fine meal, I ask, “Can you guys round up all the older children who wish to see more of the world or go on an adventure? I wish to speak to them as a group, either this afternoon or tonight. I'd like one of their parents here as well.” The five teens nod, and dash off as soon as they can when the table is tidied up after the meal.

Jay and I go to his smithy to build up the fire in the forge. I want to melt some of the steel and try to purify it with the new techniques I've learned. I smile when I see my old moulds are still on hand. We build the fire up and I get out the bag of high carbon sand I brought along. I'm sure Mac knew what it was and what I want it for, but it's not a weapon in itself and I was allowed to bring it.

Opening the bag I show the dark sand to Jay, saying, “Sand like this is high in a component called carbon, it's good for making better steel.” I go on to explain the process as I add sand to the steel we're melting in the two crucibles. While we ready the moulds for use I often return to the steel to stir it, skim impurities off, and add more sand. By the time the kids return with a large crowd, later in the afternoon, I've the steel ready to pour a set of steel bo shuriken in my old moulds, and arrow heads in new moulds. Alice comes out and does her job of accurate pouring, not spilling a drop. We leave the moulds in the older forge to cool, after heating it and setting a low fire to keep it warm. I explain about the slow cooling giving better steel. I also have Alice pour steel into two long bar moulds I line with carbon sand. I sprinkle more sand on top of the steel bars as we put the poured moulds in the main forge.

Discussions

Jay drags a small cart out of the barn for me to stand on while I talk to the crowd of teens and adults. They gather close when they see I'm ready to talk. Raising my voice, I say, “I know most of you know me as the person who helped Lord Joe last year. I've been promoted and now do some of the same work that Lord Joe does in helping people. For some time to come my focus will be on stopping the Brotherhood from expanding and doing what I can to eliminate them. That task isn't going to be easy, nor will it be quick. It's also very dangerous because they're out to trap and kill Lord Joe and others like him. My job will be easier if I can get some quality help like Lord Joe and I had last time I was here. I'm told there are volunteers to help. I wish to make clear the dangers involved. Those who go with me can get hurt; I expect some to die and others to be seriously hurt, permanently hurt. This is a war, and they're never nice. I've got many other responsibilities and will launch attacks against the Brotherhood when I can. This is the first time I've been able to get back since my first visit, so don't expect to see me often. I wish to build a base of operations very close to where the Brotherhood are at the moment. There are grave dangers in this because the Brotherhood will attack and kill all they find there if they learn of it.” I stop for a sip of water while I check the crowd. I see concern and interest, but no fear. “I've found a place for my base. It used to be farmed, but isn't now. It has a very narrow access point that makes it easy to defend. I'll need people to establish and run this base. They'll build houses, raise crops, look after stock, and sometimes help me attack the Brotherhood. What those who help me get out of this is the satisfaction of helping me, the chance to see more of the world and go on an adventure, and the choice of land to farm in the valleys I've found. I'll organise the initial livestock when I can. Getting to the valleys will be very dangerous because we have to travel through lands well patrolled by the Brotherhood. I expect we'll have to fight them to get there. You're all here because you've said you may be interested or your children have said they're interested. Those who wish to take the risks should stay and talk with me. Those who don't, should leave. Thank you.” I give a small smile, and get down from the cart when they start to talk to each other.

A few adults speak to teens, nod, and leave. Most of the teens and some of the adults stay. As individuals or small groups they walk up and talk to me about what they can do and want to do. Some wish to go and set up new farms, being prepared to fight their way there and to fight to protect the farms; others wish to go on an adventure to fight the Brotherhood. I've Jay and Alice help me sort them out as to their skills and the weapons they have. Arrangements are made for them to go home to get clothes and weapons so they can come back and practice with us. After an hour and a half they're all gone and we can go back to our smithy work.

Back to Work

The bars are ready for working on, so I extract one and start to beat on it. About five hits into it I'm elbowed out of the way and Harry, the town's best blacksmith, takes over, and he says, “How do you want this done?” I explain to him the final shape I want, also how I want it beaten and folded back on itself for thousands of layers first. He's surprised by that, but sets to and beats the metal. I also explain the need to often place it back in the forge for forge welding. He nods at the instructions.

With Harry working on one sword outer layer I extract the other bar and lay it in the forge to keep it hot for Harry, telling him it gets the same process. I pour a softer steel into the two long bar moulds. These don't get as much steel because they need to be thinner rods. With that done I go to mixing sand and steel in the crucibles to improve the carbon content. Harry smiles when I explain what it is I'm doing and what it does. He likes the idea of stronger steel.

I'm just about to leave that for a while when Harry decides he's done enough to this bar for now and starts on the other one. I leave him to it while I go to get some wood and leather to make telescopes.

When I look at what wood is available for me to use I find lots of light wood boards to use. I soon find it's not easy to cut circles in boards with the local tools, but manage. It does make me change my mind on how to make the telescopes. I end up with two wood boxes 260 mm long that slide inside each other. The end pieces have circular holes cut in them and the lenses are attached to them by having an end piece on each side of it. Wood frames provide the rail for the next part to ride on and to hold the leather to block out excess light. I work on them for the rest of the day and into the night. Everyone watches me work at night, including Harry because he's staying here for a few days.

In the morning we check on the metalwork projects, and I do what's needed there before leaving Harry in charge as I get on with making the telescopes. The fifty-six people going with us turn up to practice their fighting skills. I often stop my work to provide advice and instruction. By mid-afternoon I've got the six telescopes ready and put them in my pack out of the way. I check on the metal work, and again leave Harry to it. After checking the way the moulds in the old forge are cooling I move them further from the heat. They're almost ready to take out. I explain the slow cooling process to Harry and how some smiths in my home city told me their secrets once I promised not to pass the secrets on near where they work, so there's no competition. I get another smile from him. I bet the quality and price of his metalwork goes up after this.

When we all stop for the evening meal I call Jay over and show him how to use a telescope. Naturally everyone else has to come and watch as well, so they all hear me explain how it works and what it does. A few don't believe me until they look through it and see things far away. I give one to Jay to use so he can see who's coming from further away.

The next morning is the final cooling of the new bo shuriken. I work with Harry on the new swords and try out the new longbow that's been made for me. I leave Harry to work on the steel bars. That afternoon I'm at the grinding wheel (which has been improved a lot) sharpening the new bo shuriken. I replace the bo shuriken of Jaycee and myself with the new hard steel ones, putting the old ones in for melting.

After we make some more mini-crossbows Jaycee, Jason, and Jay spend the day checking the ponies and getting them ready for the trip. I spend the evening telling Harry how to make the swords.

We've a large breakfast. This is my fourth day on Chaos and I need to be heading out today. The travel and camping gear was packed by the teens yesterday, so we need only put the packs and saddles on the ponies. By the time that's done all those going with us are on hand and ready to leave - many with family to see them off. We form up and ride off, headed south before we turn east. I plan to cross the river well to the south and head north-east towards our target.

Travelling

For six days we head south, meeting no one along the way. I hadn't noticed until the third day, but our group numbers sixty-six, twenty of them are only interested in setting up a new farm. Mid-morning of the seventh day we reach the road we have to take to head east. Stopped at the road is a column of King Sid's soldiers, an officer and thirty soldiers.

The officer, I'm not sure of his rank, asks, “Seen anyone of interest in your travels?”

Smiling, I pull out a wooden whistle and give a modulated blow on it. During the first day I established a routine of whistle blows with my scouts, and that was the call to return. While I wait I tell the man, “Not that we've seen. But my scouts will be back in a moment and they can tell you of anything they saw off the road. They only report to me about people that may be in a position to cause us trouble.” He nods, and we chat about things in general for a few minutes.

The scouts return, and the only point of interest is by Jack. He says, “I saw a camp off to the west of the road, about fifty paces back from the road. It'd been used in the last day or so, but was empty yesterday afternoon. The signs showed a group of about fifteen people used it on a regular basis and had been there until sometime yesterday. They left there headed south on the road.” The officer thanks him and starts talking to his senior troops while we get going. He gives us all a close inspection while we go by. Sixty odd people, most very fit teens, all heavily armed. He has to be worried about what we're up to.

We see no one the rest of that day, or the next. Our rear scouts report the army column following us, but well back. I expected that.

Mid-morning the second day after turning east Jaycee, our senior lead scout, races back to report. All the scouts work in pairs, just to be safe. If they've something urgent one stays to watch while the other reports back. At our current slow rate of travel we're about an hour from the town of Summer Ford. It's where we expect to cross the river. A force of the Brotherhood are in the town causing trouble.

Summer Ford Shoot Out

Jaycee says, “Lord Al, it looks like a hundred or so are in the town. They're gathering everyone together in the town market area.”

After a few questions and answers I give orders, “Jaycee, you take teams Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. Jason, take teams Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, and Hotel. Co-ordinate your operations, I want both forces to slip into the town and get set to hit the enemy from the north and south at the same time. Jack, ride back and tell that army officer what we've found and ask him to assist us, as we're attacking the Brotherhood and freeing the town of them. If he rides hard he should get there as it gets interesting. Joseph, you ride with me. Jane, take everyone else about fifty or sixty paces into the woods here, find a place you can defend yourselves and keep a good watch. Protect our people and supplies.”

I've been training them to fight in five person combat teams since we started. Now I'll see how well they work for real. They scatter to gather their people and move out. Forty-one to ride up the road and picket the ponies in the forest before entering the town, the scout watching the town is part of Alpha team. One back along the road while Joseph and I take a medium pace walk down the road to give the others time to get ready, and the rest time to fade into the forest while hiding their trails.

Joseph and I don't hurry, nor do we dawdle, but we do allow the others lots of time. So it's about thirty minutes later we near the edge of Summer Ford. I've got Joseph back behind me, because my armour is better than his. These ponies are trained to follow if we walk in front of them, so when the town is in sight we dismount and lead the horses in. This gives us more options for the coming fight. Our crossbows are loaded and hanging from the saddles in plain view; our bows are over our shoulders, ready to be slipped off and used, the quivers of arrows are strapped to our left legs and hidden by our long capes, as are our mini-crossbows. We're ready for combat when we walk into the town.

There's no one in sight for the first few houses. Passing the third one we take a curve into the main part of the town. We see fifty or sixty townspeople in a bunch in the middle of the market area while a large ring of Brotherhood troops surround them and an officer reads to them.

One of the soldiers sees us and points us out to the officer. He says something, and five soldiers head our way. I look around, but can't see any of our people. This is good; if I can see them the enemy can too.

The soldiers reach us and spread out in a line, the middle one, a bit older than the others, says, “Drop your weapons and join the crowd. This area now belongs to the Brotherhood.”

I look up at him, while I reply, “Is that the same Brotherhood of cock suckers who infest the forest near Bridgetown?” All sit back in surprise we don't just do as told because we're outnumbered. Before they can react I've my mini-crossbow out and shoot the talker in the face, a threat is an attack. I angle left and get the one beside him, and the next when he starts to reach for his crossbow. Joseph is no slacker, he has his mini-crossbow out and firing with me. He only has to shoot two, so he grabs the reins and pulls the ponies to the side while he takes both crossbows off the saddles while I finish the fifth here and move to the other side.

The officer and the troops are starting to respond to our little action as I move clear of the horses of the dead soldiers. Slipping my bow off my shoulder I drop to my right knee and bring my bow around. This bow is bigger than what the locals generally use, so it's easier to slip off than theirs are. My kneeling position places my quiver of arrows just in front of where I'm using the bow, which I'm holding at an angle. The left end is almost on the ground and it slants up to my right at forty-five degrees. Joseph is using his normal bow in a similar way, just like I taught him to do during the days since I arrived in Junction this time.

The officer is facing me and issuing orders when I take aim and put an arrow into his chest. He looks shocked the arrow has penetrated at this range. He drops the paper and falls over sideways. As if it's a signal forty two arrows fly in from the sides and forty-two soldiers cease all interest in the proceedings as their chests are penetrated by the arrows. Joseph and I are firing at the dozen troops heading our way. There were twenty who started this way, but a few fell with the first volley. The rest are looking around for their attackers. In the seconds it takes for my second and third arrows to reach their targets all the soldiers heading towards me are falling off their horses with arrows in their chests or backs and all the soldiers, except six others, are in the same situation.

The last six are riding hard for the far end of town when two teens step out of an alley and fire at them from behind. Only three soldiers live to splash their way out of the river on the far side and charge into the forest. I watch as Jaycee has a quick word with her team leaders, and vanishes. A moment later she reappears with one team on ponies, and they head off after the escapees. The townspeople are still milling around, stunned by the sudden turn of events. Jason directs the teams in the clean-up, some removing arrows from the fallen, others dragging them into a central point, and others gathering the horses together.

Just the way a good fight should go; short, sharp and devastating for the enemy. I gather the enemy horses near me and lead them to the team picketing the rest while Joseph leads our ponies over. About a minute later I'm examining the officer, and now understand his shock at being shot with an arrow. He has on armour, a two layered stiff leather coat. The arrows I use are the new ones with a steel bodkin head; this is a long triangular steel point designed to penetrate mail armour, so the leather was easy for it. His armour would have defeated the usual wooden pointed arrows used by most people here. He has nothing else of interest. I strip him of the armour because a patch over the puncture will enable one of my assistants to be better protected.

While I strip the officer a man limps over to me, he's had a severe beating. He stops, and says, “Thanks for the help. Who are you? And what do you know about these people?”

I look at him, and ask, “King's Representative?” He nods. “I'm Al and these are my friends. We're moving to set up home in some disused farms I know of.” I wave at the dead, “These people call themselves the Brotherhood. They're associated with the Slavers who started the big war a few years back. I've run into them before, up near Bridgetown and Junction. They're not nice! They kill, rape, murder, and enslave all who disagree with them; so we kill them on sight, now.” He nods again. “I expect an army force to arrive soon. We met them the other day. Since then they've been shadowing us to see what we're up to. I sent a man back to tell them what's happening. They're about an hour behind us and should be here soon.” Another nod, and he walks off.

Discussions

About half an hour later we're in the process of assessing the booty when the army column rides into town ready for combat. Seeing it's all over they spread out and keep an eye on us while the officer speaks to the King's Representative. I give them time for a private chat before going over to talk to them.

When I approach the officer asks, “You knew I'd follow, didn't you?”

“Yes, it was the smart thing to do with a well-armed force like ours. You didn't know us and were worried about our intentions. So you do the right thing and watch us. I don't want to be telling you your job, but I think you need to let your higher ups know what happened here and have them post a strong force in this area until the Brotherhood are dealt with. A few got away, so they'll be back with more. Even if my people chasing them get them, others will be along. Like the Slavers, they expand until they're stopped.”

He nods. “I agree. That's why I'm sending a small patrol back for more men and staying here until a relief column arrives. I think we may need to go after these people.”

“I couldn't agree more, which is what we're up to. I know of some disused farms inside the boundary of the area the Brotherhood controls at the moment. We're on our way there to set up a base of operations. Once it's secured we'll conduct raids against the Brotherhood until they're no more. We'll also secure the area to make sure our new farms are safe. I've fought the Brotherhood at Bridgetown and Junction, with Lord Joe. They aren't good fighters or soldiers. They're good at fighting civilians, but not effective against a trained militia. The biggest danger is their numbers. The force here was about a hundred, and that's a small unit for them.” The officer and the King's Representative are shocked by the force sizes. “This isn't a normal banditry group, but an organised army like the Slavers were.” Their faces are grim when they walk away.

About an hour later we've cleaned up the site, the dead are off to feed the pigs, and much of the booty is traded for food. The locals have little need for more horses, and we've no need for them, so I go looking for the officer.

Finding the army officer in the tavern having a drink, I sit down. He pours me a cup from his pitcher of watered wine; I say, “Thanks,” and take a sip. “I've got a problem which I think you'll like solving for me.” He raises his eyebrows as he turns to me. “We ride ponies because they get through the forest with less trouble. We've no need for the ninety odd horses we've won. If I leave the horses and their tack with you will you see the value is credited against the taxes of the farms at Junction.”

He smiles, “Yes, that I can do. We're always in need of more horses. This will save us having to chase down and buy some for a while.”

I finish my cup and leave. Jason sent back for the rest of our group and all are now ready to leave, we had lunch while cleaning up. Jaycee rides in with the three escapees. I have her leave them with the officer to sort out while we form up and ride out.

We're a happy lot when we ride out of Summer Ford; our first real fight as a unit and all did their jobs. We all now know we can depend on each other to do the right thing. Sure there were a few mistakes; there always are in a combat, especially with green troops. But those mistakes were all minor and they won't happen again. We've all got a lot more confidence in our ability to deal with the Brotherhood now.

A day east of Summer Ford we turn north and we start masking our trail by dragging brush behind the last of the ponies so the road won't look like a large group went by. Two days later we reach a wide stream crossing the road at an angle and head up it. We drag the brush well upstream and drop it to the side where it won't be found. This takes us deep into the forest without showing where we left the road.

After another two days we leave the stream to travel north-east for four days, again masking our trail. We reach and round the edge of a steep cliff to turn east, travelling along the cliff face until the rocks are replaced by dense scrub. That night I check my maps. The next morning I let everyone have a rest while I head out on foot. By lunchtime I've found the access point and worked out how to enter without making it obvious. I'm back to the camp by mid-afternoon.

Grassy Meadows

The next day is an easy trip to an entry point through the scrub. It's well concealed due to the bushes on the sides growing back across it. The original width is big enough for a wagon, but we're having to take care getting the ponies through the small gap that's left now. Down that path, turn near the rocks, and go behind the fallen rocks. A little further, go around a large rock, and into a cave. It's a little wider than a wagon at the entrance, and opens out to three wagons wide just inside it.

From the entrance you can see the three wagon lengths to the back of the cave. It's enough to take shelter in, but not much more. However, when you pass a large rock near the back there's a side cave to the east, being hidden in the shadow of the rock it's very easy to miss. The new cave is a little over a wagon wide and goes for several wagon lengths before curving deeper into the mountain. Just after the curve it starts to rise. Four more wagon lengths and it turns back east. As you straighten up from the turn you can see a dim light in the distance.

We don't bother with torches as it isn't totally dark. There's enough dim reflected light from both ends to allow most people to make their safe way along the trail. There's light from the entrance in the first cave for there. Taking a moment to adjust to the low level allows you to see what you're doing in the others until you reach the light from the end.

The ramp up opens out into the end of a gorge. We've high straight walls on three sides and a path wide enough for a wagon ahead of us. About twenty wagon lengths in the path widens out and becomes five wagons wide. After the same distance again the path doubles in width to form a plateau with some caves in one side and some steps going up the cliff. There's a lot of cut stone blocks lying around and some half built stone houses. Beyond the stone plateau is some lush grassland that stretches off into the distance. Moving to the side I stop to admire the view. Those following do the same. In a few minutes Jaycee is beside me. Today she's the tail scout making sure we leave no tracks to follow.

After a few minutes I turn to the group, saying, “Well, time to get to work. Jason, organise a few people to look after the animals and set up a temporary camp in the caves. Joseph, get some people onto getting the blocks ready for building. Jaycee, take three people and ride down to check what you can. Be back for the evening meal. Take food and drink with you.” I hand her a cloth copy of the map, “This is what you should find. Please confirm what you can in that time. We need to get busy! My schedule only allows me five days to get you set up here safe enough to keep out any intruders.” All those near me stare at the map I hand Jaycee, as maps are very rare on Chaos and this is probably the first most of them have seen. I'd been coaching Jaycee and Jason on map reading each night, so they know how to use it and what to look for.

The three scurry about getting things organised while I take a wood shovel and have a close look at the cut stones and the entrance area. It takes me only a moment to find where stone had been cut out of the left side, making a groove into it. A section on the right is a ramp into and behind a section of cliff. Looking at the cliff face I see what might be a shelf about five body lengths up it. A shallow looking trough across the gorge turns out to be a dirt filled groove across most of this end. I dig out a bit and find solid rock is only a couple of hand widths down.

Looking over the whole set up I give a slow nod. Someone was in the middle of building a solid stone wall, but never got it really started, let alone finished. A couple of work crews are standing around waiting for instructions. A few quick words and their crew leaders have them shovelling the dirt out of the trench. Once a section is cleared I measure the width with a piece of string. A short walk and a measurement of the blocks shows the wall should be two blocks deep. That allows them to be offset, and explains why some are only half-length blocks.

Lance is a trained stonemason and is in charge of the stone working team. He walks up, saying, “Looks to me like someone was building a citadel wall, but never finished it!” I nod. “I know how to finish this. Two rows of blocks with the joints offset and an access ramp behind them. The blocks go in the trench. A gate between that and the wall. Not sure how we can make a good gate in just a few days though!”

“You can't. But I know of a good temporary gate that'll do until you can finish the wall and do a proper gate.” He turns to look at me. “You won't get the wall done in five days, but you should get it up over the height of a man in that time, since you've got what you need ready to go. That should make you safe while I'm away, and you can continue with it while I'm gone. To fill the gateway you make a few special wood barriers from the stand of trees we can see down there. Two are secured to the rock face and poles stuck in the ground; even some rocks under them. The third is two ponies wide and is between the other two. It sits out and is dragged back into place to be tied down when people aren't coming or going, which will be most of the time.” He nods while he pictures the basics. “The barriers are very simple. Take three man-high logs, sharpen one end, tie them together like a six spoked wheel with the sharp ends on one side. Get a group of these and stand them about half a man's width apart. Place a log across the top of the joins and tie them together. Do this for the length of the log lying across the barrier. A wider barrier is made by putting two of these beside each other and putting another log across the join, tying it into place. Once the barrier is the right length you put it where you want it. If it's to be long term you secure it; if not, long ropes to the centre points at the ends allows you to drag it about. In this case a rope to one end of the middle barrier will allow you to pull it back into place and a long rod can be used to push it out to make a passage way. Once the barriers are in place you tie a lot of smaller versions of the spoke units in place between the main ones. This stops people from being able to climb over it. To make it higher you make one or two more and place them on top of the first one. If going three high it's best to put some uprights into the ground to secure them all to. Two high is enough to stop a horse jumping over them.” He smiles at the picture this builds. “Such defences can also be put in front of other defences to make it harder for the attackers to get at the walls with ladders, etc. When the final gate is ready these can be used to make the main wall safer or to aid the main gate defences.” He nods, and goes off to speak to the leaders of a couple of his sub-teams. A moment later one of the carpenters is asking me about the barriers. I draw a picture in the dirt (near the far wall and well away from where they're working) and talk about it in detail.

Leaving the experts to get on with the work I climb the ramp in the right side. It goes up to some well set up defensive works cut right into the rock face. It's about five body lengths (or ten metres) up from the gorge floor. This commands a good view of the whole area. I call Lance up to look at it. He arrives, and smiles a lot while we check it out.

A few minutes later, he says, “Once we get a holding barrier across the gorge a few archers up here will be able to hold the place all day. Look, the trench for the wall puts the gate just to our left, between here and the ramp up. Whoever was doing this knew what they were doing, and they were good, very good. I've never seen such clean cuts before.”

I give the cut edges a very close look; they're perfectly smooth, too smooth. I wonder if a certain AI has given me some help. I decide to not ask about it, at any time. Turning to Lance I nod agreement. Leaving him I go check on the temporary camp.

Jason has the older ladies setting up cooking areas while some of the younger women are setting up the sleeping areas. Two young men are picketing the ponies. He's sent most of his young men to help with the cutting of the trees for my cross between a Cheval de frise and a Czech hedgehog. They were aimed at horses and armoured vehicles while this is changed to deal with foot soldiers, but it's the same basic principle. Some of those helping with the tree cutting are bringing the off-cuts, etc. to the camp area for use in the fires. All are busy working when I go to check a smaller stairway I see cut into the stones near the caves.

The stairway leads up to a path which goes to a nice sheltered area where someone can keep an eye on the surrounding countryside. The position is very high, but you can't see anything useful with the naked eye. Pulling out a telescope I soon realise it's a great lookout post. I can now make out details of people moving on the roads in the distance as well as what's happening in some of the larger open camp areas of the forest and the watercourses. Yeah, someone has been doing extra work at some point, I just can't tell if it's recent or not.

The sheltered lookout has a rock roof and front wall. They protect it from the rain and most of the wind. It even has a nice shelf like area to the side that's better protected. You can store things like food, drink, a telescope, etc. there for the watcher to be comfortable on a long watch. I put one of the telescopes in the shelf area and leave the lookout post.

I arrive back downstairs in time to have a nice lunch prepared by the ladies in the camp area.

During the meal, Jason asks, “Al, what do they call this place?”

“I don't know what the previous inhabitants called it, but I call it Grassy Meadows,” while I wave at the view of the wide flat valley before us. “We can't see them from here, but there's a few other valleys like this that open off from it. A couple of rivers flow through them before they disappear into the ground at the rock faces.” Those sitting near us smile at the information there's more land. “I'd thought of many names, but they'd give our enemies clues on where to find us. Grassy Meadows gives them no idea of what this is like, none at all.”

Pulling out a map I open it to show them all the extent of the large valley complex, four wide flat ones and four narrower ones. I point out three valleys, “I'm reserving these two narrow ones and this wide one for myself.” Pointing to the largest narrow one, “This one is reserved to be a communal area for running and breeding horses as well as some forest logging to stop it from getting too overgrown.” They smile at the idea of one area to run all the horses, a little training and one simple fence means the horses are taken care of in a safe natural area. I touch a very long and thin valley with two streams in it, “This one is reserved for growing certain plants suited to a dim damp area, they'll be used by the community in many ways. But first I need to seed the valley and let the plants grow. I reserve it so I can control the growth and use of the plants. This other narrow one I've reserved is for a similar purpose with trees and herbs. Unless someone comes up with a better idea for its use this last narrow valley will be left as wild forest to be harvested by all as they need. It'll be controlled by the town council when we grow big enough to need one. That should ensure we've enough good wood for community projects, etc. for a long time to come.” There are many nods and smiles at this news. “My main valley will be open for now and be farmed on a share of the crop basis by those who wish to put in the extra work. They do all the work and get three fourths of the crop.” More smiles, as it gives them incentive to work harder. “The other three valleys are open for people to stake out reasonable sized farm claims. What a reasonable size is I'll leave for you all to agree on as you chat while you work. The only issue will be selling the extra crops harvested. We can't ship them out for a few years, due to the danger involved in doing so. But we've plenty of time to work things out.” They all nod, as it should take a couple of years for them to have crops for export.

Jaycee reports back on how lush the valleys are. There's the ruins of several farms, but no one is alive. The only skeletons they found had broken arrows in them, as if they were killed and the broken arrows weren't retrieved. No metal items or anything of value could be found. It seems the inhabitants had been killed by bandits or the like. The condition of the crops and ruins are as though no one's been here for many generations. Whatever happened here happened generations before the Slaver War. She smiles when she says, “Our biggest problem with crops this year will be in getting them all harvested! All the crop areas of the valleys are well set out and will be ready at harvest time. Good grain, too; wheat, barley, and corn. There's even a flooded area with some odd grain growing in it. It looks to have been deliberately set up and flooded.” She pulls out some grasses with grain attached.

I look at it, and smile, “I didn't think you had rice in this area!” They all stare at me. I point to Jaycee's hand, “This is rice. It's almost ready to harvest. In some areas you get two or three crops a year. It's high in protein, easy to store for a long time, and it's easy to grow in the wetter areas that are too wet for most other grains.”

One of the older farmers looks up, “Al, I've never heard of this rice or seen this plant. If it's good to eat, I'll take your word for it!”

I look around at them as I wonder if this was first being set up by a Hero as his base. “Rice is a food that can be cooked in many ways. As I said, it's high in protein and high in energy. I'll have to get a couple of experts to come along to show you how to grow it, harvest it, and to cook it. I already plan to bring many experts from my homeland to help with various things, which is why I've reserved some lands for me to give to them. I'll just add some more experts to the list.” Many nod. All are happy the farms will be easy to establish and get going, nor will they have to worry about starving during this coming winter.

After the meal I gather all the team leaders together to tell them about the lookout post and my leaving a telescope there. “Now don't go using a torch or a fire up on the mountain at all. The light or smoke will be seen from all over the place. But have someone up there keeping an eye out for danger. Later I'll take a few people up and teach them how.”

The next morning I take two young women to help me as I go to one narrow valley I wish to reserve. This has two deep streams in it that cut the floor into three strips of land. Soon after we enter the valley I stop and take a few bamboo shoots out of my pack. I show them how to pick a good spot and to plant the bamboo for best growth. After that I move down the valley and hand out shoots for them to plant in the places I point out for them to do so. Between the three of us we soon have the half a pack of bamboo shoots planted along the first third of the valley. I hope to get this valley full of bamboo over the next few visits.

After we stop for lunch we spend time in one of the other valleys. We plant some of the herbs and spices we brought from Junction along with those I brought from Earth. They should do well here. The girls note where we plant everything. They'll be able to show others where to come to harvest them later, and where to expand the planting. I move well up the valley to make the last plantings. I make sure they know this is to be kept a close secret. We plant the cinnamon before heading back for the evening meal. I want the cinnamon to remain untouched for a year so it has time to grow well. We're back in time for dinner.

The next day I take several people up to the lookout post and teach them how to be a good lookout. I explain the differences of what you look for between day and night watches. They all take time using the telescope and describing what they see. By lunchtime all know what to do here and can train others. I leave two on watch and take the others back down. From now on they'll rotate being up here a few hours at a time; one of the trained with one being trained, starting after lunch.

Everyone works hard each day. On the morning of the fifth day after our arrival I'm ready to leave. The place should be safe. There are wood barriers across this end of the gorge; the stone work has a few layers, and is above the height of a man on the outer layer; three bowmen man the existing fighting point with lots of arrows; and two watchers are at the lookout post. Joseph is in charge of the security forces at Grassy Meadows; Lance is bossing the construction; Anna, an older women, is in charge of the camp. The defences, except the permanent gate, should be done in a couple of weeks. The work teams will take turns exploring the valleys and choosing their farm sites.

Once Lance and Joseph are happy with the defences people will be released to start the harvests and place the grain etc. into storage inside the caves. They've their work to do and we've got ours. They should be right for the few weeks I need to effect the rescue. I'll return here to check things over before I head home with those wanting to return to Junction. Next trip I'll come through Junction and bring more settlers. Until then they'll live near the wall, to be on hand to defend the place, should it be found. There's more than enough grain and small animals in the valleys to live on if they're besieged by anyone.

I've twenty-one young men and women who want more adventure. Some of the original adventurers have changed their minds and are staying here to work at setting up farms. I think a few of these changes are due to some of the older young people becoming interested in each other. We form up into our new combat teams and move out through a gap opened in the barrier to let us out. It's closed and secured before we reach the access cave's entrance.

Rescue Work

On the way to the farm where the two Damsels are being held we check out the other two sites because we have to pass them. We take care to move through the forest while well back from the road. At the trap farm nearest the valley we find three people are camped nearby and watching the farm. I smile on getting a good look at their leader, especially the ring on his left hand. We watch them for a full day.

The next morning, just before dawn, I sneak into their camp and sit by the fire. I take care to move only when the one on guard is checking the other directions, and to be very slow in my movements. When the dawn filters through the forest canopy the guard puts more wood on the small fire in preparation for cooking the breakfast. The extra glow and the dawn allows him to see a bit more of the camp area. From the corner of his eye he spots me sitting there with my legs crossed and my hands in my lap. Startled, the guard says, “Fucking hell. How'd you get there?” That's without his heavy accent, which I can't copy.

His two companions come up out of their blankets with weapons in hand. Seeing no immediate threat they sheath their weapons and stare at me. I smile at them, saying, “No need to be alarmed, Hero. We've similar duties.” Their leader glances at my hands. “The Brotherhood are killing everyone they see with a sapphire ring, so I keep mine on a toe. I gather you weren't told before you left Crossroads.” I get a stare and a head shake in reply. There's over a thousand Brotherhood soldiers in the forest around here, part of a major trap zone set up to kill Heroes.”

“My Caretaker briefed me on extra troops in the area. But didn't mention that many.” Well, that's how I translate the sounds he makes.

“When you get back have her ask Mac to let her speak with Merry, she's my Caretaker.” Noticing his glance at my face, I say, “Don't make the mistake of confusing youthful looks with ability. I use that on my enemies all the time.” He grins. Hooking a thumb over my shoulder, I add, “I've got some people setting up a base back that way a bit. I'm off to hit the trap farm closest to the edge of the Brotherhood's zone. If you can wait until I'm coming back through we can travel to safety together after you make your rescue. Also, I'll be happy to loan you a few of my people to help you with the rescue.” I raise my hand and make a signal, which gets a stunned look from the other Hero. The other two are startled when the bushes around the camp sprout armed people. I've one team out on picket duty, leaving sixteen to cover my back.

“Your troops are good. You special forces, I know those signs from working with them before.”

“I know the signs from training with my personal security forces at home, they're all retired US Marines and US Special Forces. My Dad's Aussie SAS, retired. I'd guess you're from Northern Scotland and SAS or ex SAS!” The man nods. “I'm Al Adams, I live in Frederick, Maryland, USA at the moment. Feel free to give me a call or look me up when you can. I'll be a few weeks getting to my target and getting my ladies out. If you can hold off until then I'm sure some of my local helpers will be glad to watch your back for you when you make your rescue. I can't help you, but they're not so restricted. Then we can travel together to a safe bank. I'm going to Junction before Crossroads, but you can cut out anywhere along the way.”

“Sounds good to me. See you then.” I nod, and stand up. Turning, I walk back into the forest and move to where our ponies are.

Another week to the target farm, with one day spent checking the situation at the one between. We set up camp between the farm and one of the largest of the camps of the extra troops; it's the last place they'd expect us to be. Leaving Jaycee in charge I move through the trees and set up an observation post near the top of a tree close to the farm.

We take turns watching the movements at the farm for four days. As well as the Damsels they've a camp of detainees just inside the forest where they stick anyone they find trying to leave the area. I'd planned a hit and git, but I now want those detainees out of there, too.

The day we arrive a patrol of a hundred men ride out, it returns in the late afternoon of the third day. If that's their schedule we should hit them just after a patrol has left. The returned patrol will be flaked out for most of the next morning. We continue to watch and plan.

They've guards keeping watch twenty-four hours a day every day from inside every building. There are guards on the ground with more in the lofts of the barns. At night the loft has one guard who does the shift from after the evening meal until breakfast the next morning, which is just on dawn. There's another guard in the barn at the ground level as well. The guard changeover routine is very slack, nor does the officer of the guard check his men. They don't check them during the shift, either. A guard could fall asleep and only his relief would know. They send wagons to collect supplies from a nearby town the day before a patrol leaves. One interesting aspect is the interactions between the guards indicates they don't know each other, they seem to be a mix of units, but not assigned specific duties along unit lines; not a good way to do things. It's very unprofessional, but typical of what we've seen of the Brotherhood so far. They seem like a bunch of kids playing at being soldiers.

After some days of observation we work out a plan. We get set to do it, starting that night.

Entry

A couple of hours before sunrise I wake and go through the treetops to get as close as I can to the largest barn. This one has three levels with a guard in the loft and one on the ground floor; that puts a full level between the two. After finding a suitable tree with a branch higher than the open loft door I climb up to the branch and set my cape for gliding. I run along the branch as far as I can and launch myself at the building. It takes only seconds for me to glide across the ten metres between the tree on the edge of the forest and the loft door.

The guard is sitting on a chair close to my left side of the doorway. He's looking down watching the ground near the forest tree line and the fence a few metres this side of the trees. He doesn't see me until I'm on top of him. His head comes up, reacting to the dark shape moving at the edge of his vision. He has no time to yell as the knife in my left hand slashes across his throat. I'm so low I'm unable to pull my legs up and land on my feet, so I settle for gliding in a bit further and sliding along the hay lying on the floor - ouch; no damage, but a rough landing.

Getting up I move to the guard and strip him. Dragging him into the far corner of the barn I hide his body behind some old tools and things stored up here. Several minutes later I'm wearing his uniform over my gear and doing his job for the rest of this shift, after spreading a lot of hay about to hide the blood spilled when I killed him and he fell over.

As dawn is breaking my relief arrives and I hand over the post. A quick trip down the ladders and off to the kitchen for a simple meal of porridge and bread with a mug of watered wine. All the night guards are sitting down eating, and none question my right to do the same. That confirms my thoughts about the guards being of mixed units and not knowing each other. It's very simple for me to break off after the meal and go to the main house. No one challenges my right to do so.

We already know, from our observations, the Damsels are being kept in a room on the top floor of the main house. Inside the main house is the first spot where I see any movement control security other than the perimeter defences; they have people at the top of the stairs checking those going to the next two levels. I soon leave the building.

I spot a group of soldiers supervising some detainees taking food to their camp for their meals today. I join the group to get details on the security at the camp and in between. On our return trip the officer in charge resets traps for anyone on the trail. The uniform is enough to keep you safe once you get into the compound.

A visit to the shower area and my uniform is a lot cleaner, so am I. I'm worried about being spotted due to not having work. So a trip to the kitchen to do some KP (kitchen patrol) is my next task, the last place they expect someone to hide out is on a punishment detail. The next two hours are spent preparing vegetables for the midday meal and the evening meal. The food for the troops is done by a different set of cooks to the food for those at the house. The cooks and house staff have their own set of meals as well. The troops get a watery stew while the others get something a lot more substantial. Assured anything I do to the food won't harm anyone other than the troops I take an opportunity to pour concentrated magnesium hydroxide (a laxative) into the stew being made for both of today's major meals for the troops. That should keep their minds on other matters. Merry got it for me after I thought to ask; it's a common medicine and not a weapon, so no issues. When the next punishment detail arrives, and we're dismissed, I leave with them. At this point I find a nice spot to hide and take a nap for a few hours.

I wake up just before dusk, due to the sounds of the returning patrol riding in. I smile when I see so many troops moving to and from the latrine. Keeping out of their way I go to the side of the main building and move under the front porch. This building has three levels and the middle one has a verandah you can walk out on; it makes a covered porch for the ground level.

Under the porch, hidden in the shadows cast by the setting sun, I climb the corner of the building by using my high tech non-metal claws. In a moment I'm just under the verandah and listening to two officers talking above me. A moment later they turn and go inside when called for their meal. I move out and continue up the corner of the building in the dark of the new night. I'm soon beside the roof cavity air vent and prying the cover off. Another minute or so and I'm inside.

Just after I climb through the vent I find a baffle, followed by three more. The area is brighter after each one. Stopping to examine them I realise they're intended to stop any light from showing out through the vent. Once past the fourth baffle I can see light coming up through the ceiling of the floor below, enough to see the length of the building. It's a dim light, but more than enough to see what you're doing. There's a set of boards down the middle of the building and about halfway in from each side, cross boards in the middle of each room connect the rows. Someone set this up to spy on those below. I wonder who, and why.

Moving to the first room on the right I take care as I lie down on the boards and look through the small holes. None of the holes are large, nor can I see much from any one hole, but the overall effect of looking through a group of holes is a good view of the room and what's going on in it. I move along the planks checking what's in the rooms. The first six of the front rooms are bedrooms for officers, the clothes they leave lying around make that clear. They've doors to allow access to the hall while the middle of each group of three also has doors to give access to the room on each side. The seventh room is the width of the building with a partitioned bed area, it's the room of who's in charge. The rooms along the back of the house are the same as the front ones. The first three are officers' bedrooms while the three near the master bedroom have the hall doors barred and three soldiers in them. Two of them have three women in them too. The room nearest the master bedroom has a door to the master bedroom and houses three good looking locals in their late teens or early twenties. The third along has three Cassandra women in it, they've a subtle difference in looks. While moving along the boards I see each room has an odd shaped section with a handle in the middle of it that's located in the corner of the room nearest the hall and the main bedroom. It takes me a little while to realise they must be access panels of some sort because below them is the built-in cupboard.

After checking everything out I settle down on the boards over the master bedroom, getting comfortable while I tie myself into a position because it wouldn't do to roll through the ceiling during the night. My plans call for action tomorrow, not tonight.

The Rescue

The next morning I'm woken by the bustle of the patrol preparing. I sneak through the baffles to look out the vent on the side nearest the latrine, and smile at the heavy business it still has. The dose I put in the food yesterday should be worn off by now, or almost worn off. But it should leave almost all of them exhausted and tired; systems low from the frequent bowel movements, a mild dehydration, and tired through lack of sleep. Their responses should be off and slow, which is the aim of the drugging with a laxative. I snack on the dry food I've got while I wait for the patrol to get well away, they leave just after breakfast. As I wait I watch what goes on in the office / bedroom below me. There's not much happening, only the officer handling some paperwork.

Mid-morning an officer and three men enter the commander's office. The middle man has his hands tied. They sit him in a chair and tie him to it. The captain explains to the colonel the man is a spy, but he has a patrol to finish and is leaving him with the colonel to deal with. I smile, because I recognise the man tied-up. Last time I saw him he was in command of a Special Forces combat strike team, but wasn't with the team when I saw them in Japan. The captain leaves, but the two troops stay, at the order of the colonel.

After the captain's departure the colonel speaks to the soldiers, and it's soon clear all four are from Earth; two soldiers and a clansman as the officer. Shit, now the Ku Klux Klan are in on this with the Aryan Brotherhood. I don't like this. They talk to the prisoner for a while, then take turns getting their lunches, one at a time.

Clearance Time

Before lunch the colonel lights the fire in the office fireplace and puts some sharp steel rods in it. It's clear what he intends the after lunch entertainment to be. While they move about I make ready too. The biggest danger to my mission is the trio in the main bedroom below, so they must go first. This also has the bonus of saving the prisoner.

I wait near the hatch to that part of the room, since this one has two. My triple crossbow is in one hand and the other is on the hatch handle.

They do what I'm waiting for. The colonel goes to the fireplace to get a hot rod for his torture, his back is to the room. One of the soldiers has a hold of the prisoner to make sure he stays in his chair, and the third is leaning against the wall. I won't get a better chance than this, so I act.

Lifting the hatch I lean down so my head and right arm are through the hole. The crossbow comes on target and fires as the standing guard turns towards the motion. I target the other soldier and fire as he looks up at the slight sound of the first bolt going on its way to target. The first bolt strikes the throat of the soldier and the colonel turns, saying, “What was that?” I fire at him as he speaks and the second bolt pierces the forehead of the soldier holding the prisoner. The colonel is turning his head as the bolt enters his back just below his neck. All three are falling at the same time. The prisoner is stunned at the sudden change.

A quick turn, and I'm dropping onto the cupboard below the hatch. While I lower myself to the floor I wink at the prisoner, saying, “Semper Fi.” I know I've no right to say it, but it's the best thing I can say to let him know all is well.

He smiles when he says a quiet, “Oorah.”

I lock the door and cut the prisoner free. He rubs his wrists while I retrieve my bolts. I nod at the dead, “Strip 'em and arm yourself, Gabar One.” That surprises him. “I hope you don't mind my initial greeting, but I thought it'd make you feel at home. You know me as Smilodon.” He nods, smiles, and gets to work. I keep whispering while I reload my crossbow and check the room for valuables and information as he strips the dead. “All valuables and metals on the desk, please. I need the resources for other work here. I've still got my main mission to do, but you can help because I'm in the rescue phase.”

He nods, “I'm Gunnery Sergeant Michael Sanders. It's good to be working with you again, although you did have me wondering what was happening with the Japanese and Russian that night.”

“Sorry about that. Once we got in the strike mission became a rescue mission and we had to let some live. So I felt a little misdirection would help. This is a mixed recovery mission.” He nods while he works.

Between the two of us it only takes a few minutes to give the split room a thorough check and have a nice collection of weapons on the desk, alongside two large saddlebags of local money and some maps.

“Gunny, the next room has three female prisoners and three guards, then a room of three guards, and a third room with three women and three guards. We have to take the guards without alerting the rest of the compound. I can get the guards from in the roof, but you'll have to enter and strip them. I'll go up and give you a sign, then give me twenty seconds to get set, OK?” He smiles and nods, so I turn and climb back into the roof, replacing the hatch once I'm in the roof again.

I tap the ceiling above Mike and move to the next room. We time it well. I pop the hatch just as he opens the door. The guards turn to the door, giving me easy shots. All are falling before anyone except Mike knows what's going on. He puts a finger to his lips to indicate for the women to keep quiet. One opens her mouth, and another users her shoulder to shove her onto the bed, hard, saying, “Gag her, she's a spy.” Mike is quick to deal with her. A moment's work and he's handing me my bolts for the next room. I reload while he strips the dead.

The next room is even easier, the three soldiers are playing a dice game of some sort. So the two opposite me are dying before the third is aware there's a problem. A check shows the last room is an issue, these three guards are the most alert I've seen. Probably a select team.

I go back to the room with Mike and we've a quick talk. He returns to the first room and gets a normal crossbow. I'll take two and he'll take the third. The rest is an anticlimax, but it could have been very hairy for me. When I pop the hatch all three turn to it and raise their crossbows. Then they all turn to the door when Mike enters. I get my first shot off before they think to look back. When they turn to the sound of my shot Mike fires and I fire my second shot. All three down, no troubles. If I'd tried to take all three myself the third would've got me. So I'm very happy Mike turned up when he did, almost as happy as he is about my appearance in his life today. He told me he doesn't like being tortured. The Damsels are a bit surprised about two men rescuing them.

Rescued

I drop into the room, approach one woman, and start setting her free while I say, “We'll soon have you out of here, Lydia Councilwoman of Cassandra.” She smiles and I turn to the woman Mike's freeing. “I know you, too, Sandra Accountant of Cassandra, but not your friend.”

Lydia smiles, “That's Alice Cleaner, they brought her in eight days ago. The day after they told us Hero Al was on his way to his death in an attempt to save us. They were surprised our rescue was given to a new Hero as his first rescue, so are we. But we're glad you're here.”

“Yes, the Brotherhood don't realise I'm the Hallmark Hero.” Mike laughs while the ladies give us puzzled looks.

He says, “Hallmark is a greeting card company at home. Their slogan is 'When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best.' It implies there are none better.” The ladies smile when they get the joke.

I continue, “We still have a lot of danger to deal with. The area is saturated with enemy troops, but I've a good support team to help us. First we must cleanse this compound and release the detainees. That will take a while, so you need to stay hidden in this building until we have the area cleared.” They nod and I turn to Mike while untying Alice. “Gunny, we'll clear this building and the guards to the front gate. My people will be watching the gate. They understand Special Forces hand sign, so we can call them in and get to work on the rest.” He smiles when he nods. I doubt he's smiled so often on a mission before. He must love all these nice surprises.

We go back through the rooms stripping the dead of valuables and usable uniforms. We leave the female spy tied up. The women change into guard uniforms. Mike and I exit the colonel's office and deal with the four guards in the hallway. We're able to walk up to the first two and stab them in the throat while we shoot the other two with normal crossbows. Back to the room beside the colonel's office and check it, killing a sleeping officer. Too many enemies to worry about prisoners. Several minutes later the top floor is ours with three more dead officers lying in their rooms. We stack all the plunder on the desk.

Clean-up

The next level is a bit harder. To start with there are six guards in the hallway. Two a third of the way down each end, like there were above, plus two at the top of the stairs to the lower level. We sort out a plan and head down. Mike first. The stairs to this level are at one end of the building while the stairs to the next level are in the middle. When I reach the bottom of these stairs Mike is passing the next set of stairs. I time my walk to reach the two hallway guards as Mike passes the other two. Acting like he's forgotten something he turns around. I smile, and we both act. Left hands go sideways to smash the throats of the guards on our left as our right hands bring the crossbows up and shoot the guards at the stairs, chest shots. The last two guards are starting to react as we both turn and smash their throats. A dash to the stairs to drag the dying guards out of sight while we check no one's watching. All is well.

Mike watches the hall while I check each of the rooms, starting near the stairs to the top level. Back of the house first, then the front, and the verandah as well. Four more officers are eliminated in their rooms, two sleeping and two getting changed. We drag the bodies into one room and strip them. All the plunder for this level is piled in one spot.

Downstairs is easy, only two armed guards and four on kitchen patrol. The kitchen staff look up, and smile when we eliminate the guards. One says, “It's good to see these scum killed, but there are so many of them around here.”

“I know. But we'll kill those here and then leave for a better place. You may come with us, if you want to.” They nod. A few minutes to hide the dead and stack the plunder after we strip them. I'm getting worried because this is going far too easy, they're way too lax.

Leaving Mike to guard the house I head out into the yard. Walking like I belong and am on an errand I head to the main barn. I enter and walk up to the guard. He looks up and goes to speak just as I fling a knife into his throat, killing him. Up the ladders and I take a moment to deal with the one on the top floor. Back downstairs and I go over to the smaller barn. In only a few minutes I eliminate the guards there. I'm really worried about the ease of this clean-up.

Due to my concerns I change the plan and head for the smaller of the two barracks. This is the one where the off duty troops who weren't on the last patrol sleep. Being careful to minimise noise I enter, and find two men making their way to the door. Both have their heads down as they finish putting clothes on to go outside, the rest are still asleep or appear to be. The two in the aisle look up just as I fire my crossbow, I kill them both. I reload the crossbow as I move to the men nearest me. Moving as fast as I can I go from bed to bed snapping the necks of the sleeping men by grabbing their heads and giving them a sharp twist to break the second vertebra. It takes only a few seconds to do the man on one bed and turn to kill the next, but the move between the bed pairs takes a little longer. For several minutes there's no trouble while I work towards one end killing the soldiers; two on this side, across the aisle, two on the other side, move down two beds, and repeat. Most in the barracks are dead when the door opens and two men walk in. One is part turned as he shuts the door while his friend is facing me. I aim and fire by reflex, placing a crossbow bolt near the heart of each man. They're dead, no problems from them. However, the one at the door falls against it. The sudden shutting of the last hand width is very loud in the quiet room. The last twelve men start to stir in response to the sound. I slam my left hand down on the throat of the one nearest me as I draw and throw a bo shuriken at the man on the bed across the room. A quick repeat for the man in the other bed near me and the one opposite. I move into the aisle as I use both hands to throw bo shuriken at the rest of the waking soldiers. The soldier furthest from me has time to move and takes the shuriken in his shoulder instead of his throat. In a flash I lift my mini-crossbow and use the last bolt to pierce his chest.

Deciding to leave the clean-up until later I spend time to collect and clean my shuriken and bolts before leaving the barracks for the main gate. At least we need only worry about one barracks now. I could've used Mike in the barracks, but we need him where he is for now.

Nearing the main gate I hear several voices talking low, there's only supposed to be four guards here. I stop outside the door and listen to them talking. They don't say anything useful, but I can tell there's a lot more than should be there. Reversing my course I go back to the main house and get Mike.

A quick talk with the ladies and the staff there, and we leave them to defend themselves while Mike and I take two loaded crossbows each and head to the main barracks. On entering the room we see two thirds of the beds are empty and there's three men sitting at a table talking. I lift both normal crossbows and fire at once, just as Mike fires as well. As per our discussion on the way across I start on the right and he starts on the left. The result is the two outside men have a bolt in the heart each and the one in the middle gets two because we both cover him. He cuts left and I head right. We're fast while we move from bed to bed killing soldiers. Just as we finish two men walk in from outside. I throw a bo shuriken at my man as Mike throws a knife at his, both in the throat.

That leaves us only the dozen men at the detainee camp and the gate guards. Recovering the thrown weapons and bolts we clean and reload them all. I go to the detainee camp while Mike takes position to watch the guards at the gate. I disable all the traps as I go to the camp. The camp is a rectangular shape and the posts are one on each corner with another in the middle of the long sides. The path from the farm ends beside the post on the nearest long side. A dozen men set in two person positions of one facing in and one facing out. They're no trouble when taken from their 'safe and secure' sides. A lunge over the sandbags with a knife in each hand as I stab into their spine at the top of the shoulder blades, and neither guard is doing anything except dying. A moment to set them to look like they're doing their job and crawl along to the next set. Several minutes later they're all dead. I leave things as they are and head back. I smile because the detainees haven't noticed the change.

Meeting Mike at the gate guardhouse I hand him the two crossbows I didn't need to use and my mini-crossbow. We sort out a plan and move closer. Mike sets up near an open window while I head for the open door. He'll fire the crossbows through the window while I take out those nearest the door with knives and the like.

I walk in the door, and almost die of shock! There's over twenty men in there! When I enter all heads turn to me. Mike stands and fires, taking out the officer near the back first, followed by the sergeant near the officer and I stab the sergeant near me with a knife. Using a knife in each hand I wade into the pack; stabbing, slicing, and kicking as I move. To be still is to be killed. I keep moving as fast as I can in the crowd.

The room is soon filled with the sound of yelling men and the twang of the crossbows. I block thrusts of swords and knives while I slice arms and throats and stab chests. Minutes later I stand over the last falling guard while I look at the room. Mike comes in, reloading a crossbow while I start stripping the dead. A little later I move out into the road in front and make signs to my people down the road. While we work cleaning up I think on how they kept such a big force in the gate guardhouse without me seeing it. That could've been a fatal mistake, but it does explain why they think no one can sneak in, that and the many dangerous traps in the forest about them. The trap areas are so loaded and so deep I didn't try to get through them. The perimeter was good, but the camp is very vulnerable after a quiet perimeter breach.

Jaycee leads the rest of the team in and Jason takes over command of the gatehouse. Several of the men change into enemy uniforms and act as if they belong there while the rest get a wagon and start to haul the dead away to the barracks.

Getting Ready to Go

With all the enemy inside the farm dead we get out the horses on hand and saddle them for our use. We set them up to carry loads. All the metal objects on the farm are loaded up, as are the weapons. We stop for a meal part way through loading. When we're finished with all useful items loaded and all the dead in one barracks I take most of my team to the detainee camp. They split off and strip the dead guards as I speak to the detainees, who're surprised to find their guards are dead.

Standing on the sandbag enclosure near the path, I say, “All of the Brotherhood troops at the farm are dead. We've stripped it of all items useful to us and we'll be moving out in a little while. If any of you wish to come along and set up a farm elsewhere, you're welcome to join us. We've a safe place only a couple of weeks travel away, and that's where most of the gear will be going. After that I'll be leading a group to Junction, but that's a few more weeks of travelling. This entire area is filled with troops of the Brotherhood. We plan to avoid them if we can, and kill them if we can't. Please talk amongst yourselves and decide what you wish to do. We leave very soon.” They turn and talk as family groups while I talk with my people.

I know many of them will be angry when we move out because a lot of the gear from in the barns has been taken from the detainees. I don't have time to sort that now, and don't intend to do anything about it.

Several minutes later we're ready to go. I mount the sandbags again, “Attention, everyone. We're leaving now. If you wish to come with us just follow us down the path. We've cleared the path of traps, but the woods around here are full of traps, so be careful where you go. If you don't wish to travel with us just break off at the farm, but go in the other direction after we leave. If you join us stay where we place you in the column. We'll be moving all night to get clear of this place. We'll move into normal woods around dawn.” As I get down I see them all getting into line as family groups. Jaycee has some of our people ready to spread out along the line. If they all come with us that's about three hundred more people. We'll have to keep on the move with that lot.

I lead the way to the farm, to where the two hundred gear laden horses we're taking are lined up in a double row. Ropes run along the inside of the two lines of horses. The ponies are in front of them and not part of the line, except for the first three with the Damsels mounted on them. Jaycee directs the people to walk between the horses and take places along the ropes. Some small children are placed on horses with smaller loads. There's a lot of things left behind because they're too large for the horses to carry, but we've everything we can carry and all the food here, including some just butchered pigs.

I send Jason ahead with five men to check the road. Five men on ponies lead the column. I place Jaycee in charge of the column and we move out. Bushes tied behind the last two horses disturbs the trail and should make tracking us harder, I hope. I leave Mike to watch our backs by trailing us in the edge of the woods. I head to join Jason on point. There are no living people left behind us. While I was clearing the farm the two women with the female spy killed her, we put her with the other dead in the barracks. We let the animals loose before we leave. I wanted to take the pigs and chickens, but it's just too much trouble this time. It's about three hours after dark when the last of the column leaves the farm. It's been a very long day for me.

Valley Bound

We can't move fast, but we do move at a fair walk. We've several hours of darkness to get well clear of the farm, and we're using it to the best advantage we can. Three teams of two are scouting ahead, Jason to the left, me to the right, and Barry on the road. Between us we meet and kill a dozen teams of two or three soldiers keeping watch on the road. About an hour before dawn we come to a crossroads and join forces to deal with the ten men watching it. We travel east another half hour and turn off into a stream headed into the forest.

Just after dawn we've a quick simple breakfast as we continue along the stream bed. It meanders through the forest, so no one can just look up the stream and spot us as we walk through the water at a slow pace. Even so, we'll be moving from it about noon - where we found a rocky area on the way in. A few days through the forest while well back from the road, that should see us clear of the bulk of the enemy's troops.

Mid-afternoon we stop for a break. We're deep in the forest and take a rest while in line. More food is passed out and the animals are fed as well. It's been five hours since we left the stream. We've not heard any enemy movements, but they must know about the sentries we killed by now. We rest until dark and move out again. It's only three hours, but it helps a lot, especially for the detainees. For the next four days we travel all night and stop just before noon, we rest until dark and go again.

On the fifth day our path is bending back towards the east - west road which also bends a little to the north-east. Our forward scouts are now out further. A couple have listened to talk by the enemy troops moving along the road. The enemy knows of the hit on the farm, but they think we took out the sentries on our way in and have gone south since the farm. That's good news because they're focussing the search well away from us.

Our stop on the seventh day is beside a wide shallow river and only an hour from the road. We'll follow the river across the road and deep into the forest on the other side. To be safe I deploy two combat teams along the road, one in each direction: east and west. They take up their positions at dark and hold them until an hour after we finish crossing.

For two days we travel in the stony bed of the river while it winds through the forest. We leave it at a nice large rock plateau at dawn on the eleventh day of our trip. At this point I put Jaycee in charge of Mike and ten troops when I send them to go help the other Hero with his rescue. They go on ponies, with plenty of supplies and weapons. I wish I could go with them, but my priorities lie here.

For ten more days we make our slow way through the forest. We're almost at the entrance to the valley when Jaycee's detachment catches up with us. Three of them have light wounds and they've a lot more gear with them.

We camp for the day. I send Jason ahead to the valley to warn them of our arrival. At dark we start moving again. An hour later I start the curve to the entrance to the valley. By midnight we're headed west back to the valley entrance. Jason has the path held open for us. For the first time since we left the farm we split the column and move ahead in single file, a row of people or a row of horses at a time. It's just on dawn when the last of us move along the path and into the hidden entrance. Jason lets the bushes close behind me and the Damsels. We stopped to let the rest go ahead. Jaycee and our three best scouts move out on foot to check for any sign we may have left, and remove it.

Riding towards the main wall I smile at how secure it looks. Only the gate needs to be finished, and they'll be safe. Inside are some half built stone huts and extra walls. The weary travellers are being put to bed on makeshift beds in the caves, by the ladies, while the men are unloading the plunder. The horses are picketed on the plain close by.

Joseph, Lance, and Anna come up and start to brief me on what's happened while I was gone. I smile at them, saying, “You three are the leaders of this new community. As long as you're happy with what's going on, I'm happy. OK?” They're stunned, but nod agreement. I really don't want to get into running this place myself.

That night, after dinner, Jaycee tells us about her side trip.

Jaycee's Jaunt

When they leave the column Jaycee sends two pairs of scouts ahead to make sure the way is clear. Mounted and having a light load they move far faster than the column. Two days later they meet up with the other Hero. When they enter his camp, he says, “Ma name's Jock. I'm right glad ta see you. The guards are moving about a lot.”

Jaycee replies, “Hello, Lord Jock. Lord Al has completed his rescue. He killed over two hundred of their troops in taking the farm. After we stripped it of everything worth taking we loaded the dead in the main barracks. It should have been a couple of days before anyone visited the farm and found nothing there except death. It must've smelled a bit by then. We also released a few hundred prisoners they had. I'm sure they started a major search once the information got about. A few hundred people moving about, and they can't find any trace. We made it look like we went south, so most of the trap troops should be well down that way by now.” Jock smiles. “A warning. The gate guardhouse turned out to have over twenty troops in it, not the six it seemed to have, so we'd best take care when we go in.”

“Ah, good to know about the traps. The forest is full of 'em. We'll go in the gate at midnight. Can't think of a better way in.” She nods.

They settle down and rest until dark. After the sun sets they've a cold meal and put bags on the feet of the ponies to muffle the sound of the hoof beats. As they near the farm they find two sets of three guards watching the road, and eliminate them. Leaving Jock's Companion with the ponies a couple of hundred paces from the farm gate they move up on the guardhouse with their crossbows ready. It takes just a moment to storm the building. They kill the officer and twenty-two guards there, most are asleep when Jaycee leads her people into the building.

As they wait for the ponies to be brought up to them Jaycee sends her people out in pairs to deal with the guards in the barns and on patrol. They return just after the ponies arrive and are picketed behind the guardhouse. Jock's Companion stays with the ponies again as that's a task he's allowed to do by the rules. The locals aren't so restricted.

On the way to the main house they visit the barracks to tie ropes between the door handles of the inward opening doors and the horse hitching rails in front of the barracks. That should delay any response by the troops, if there's an alarm raised.

At the main house they climb the uprights of the verandah and spread out beside the seven combination windows and barn doors that open on to it. The top half of the door is like a sliding window and the bottom half is like a door. They can be opened together or as individual units, or the window can be opened part way. Some have the window as an open door and some have the window part up. In each case the person entering reaches in and slides back the bolt or bolts holding the door shut. On Jock's signal they all enter. These are bedrooms laid out the same way and the action is very much like Jaycee's entry.

Moving with quiet speed Jaycee pushes the door open and darts into the room. Her partner is a pace behind her. As arranged, she cuts to the left and he to the right. There's two people asleep in the room. A hand over the mouth, and a stab in the neck, piercing the throat and severing the spine. Within seconds they're dying. The pair move to the door, crossbows ready. Opening the door they step out. Jaycee first and facing the far end because this is an end room. Her triple mini-crossbow is in her hand and ready. The two guards at her end of the hall look up as she fires the first bolt, and the second is right behind it as she hears her partner's crossbow fire. She turns and fires her third bolt at the other guard at this end. All four shots are in the upper chest and are good. The only sounds made by the guards is a low shuffle when they slide down the wall they fall against. She recovers her bolts by pulling them out of the chests of the guards while they're still dying.

Some of the men stay in the hall to cover the doors of the rooms opposite while the rest head for the big room on one side. The layout here is similar to the other farm, but a bit different because the hall goes the length of the building.

Entering the large end room Jaycee sees it's an office and has two guards sitting in chairs. She and her partner fire their crossbows, killing the guards. They go into the room and to the door in the middle of the right hand wall.

They enter the room, to find a man in bed with a woman tied to the bed. The man is a very light sleeper, so the noise wakes him up. Jaycee strides across the room and delivers a blow Al taught her. He's partway into an upright position when her hand crushes his throat. He falls back to the bed, flopping about while he chokes to death. They move to the door into the next room while one of Jaycee's men releases the woman.

Jock opens the door and steps in, firing his crossbow with one hand while using his sword in the other. While he kills the two guards nearest the door Jaycee and one of her troops fire crossbow bolts into the chests of the two guards on the other side of the room. A smiling Jock releases the two Damsels tied to beds, naming them when he does. The ladies smile at being rescued.

They go back through the rooms, smiling at the bodies stripped by their men behind them. Back out through the hall and down the stairs, killing three guards protecting the front door from external attack. They go out the door and over to the barn. By the time they've horses out for Jock's party with a couple of pack horses ready the men sent for the ponies have them ready to go. A few more minutes and they're riding out the gate, happy to be leaving the farm behind them.

Escape

Jock's escape plan is quite simple, ride hard and fast for Bridgetown. He figures the majority of the Brotherhood troops are now to the south, so that way should be less trouble. Jaycee isn't happy with his plan, but goes along, thinking the Brotherhood will assume it's Al's escape, too.

Jaycee sends scout parties ahead of them. They find and eliminate four pairs of watchers before they reach the first main crossroad. This has a group of twenty men and an officer camped at it. They stop to discuss tactics. Jock asks, “Is it safe to go round?”

Before the scouts can answer, Jaycee says, “Doesn't matter! We don't have the time! They should be after us by now. We've the crossbows from the farm. Share them out, load them up, and let's ride through, killing all we can. They know we came this way, so we need distance and time now, not secrecy.” Jock thinks a moment, and nods.

Two minutes later the sleeping Brotherhood troops at the camp are woken up by the sound of horses riding hard and one of the two guards on duty screaming with a bolt in his belly. Jock and his men lead the way with the rest in three close columns, the Damsels in the middle and the local troops flanking them. They charge through the enemy camp with all the fighters shooting at anything that moves. The officer is hit by three bolts when he stands up, causing him to fall back down. They don't stop to evaluate the attack, just keep on riding hard. When the pursuit column arrives, nearly two hours behind the escaping rescue raiders, they find only three wounded men alive; two died from their wounds after the attack, the rest died in the attack.

The rescue force keeps going at a strong pace, reloading crossbows as they go. For some odd reason the next crossroad has no cover force, but the scouts do deal with four more sets of road watchers. They travel the rest of the night and into the dawn.

A little after having breakfast in the saddle another break for tactical talks is held just short of the bridge across the river to Bridgetown. The Brotherhood have a blocking force set up close to the bridge so they can stop people crossing it. Just past the other end of the bridge is a similar set of defences manned by King Sid's troops. There appears to be about a hundred or so of the Brotherhood troops at the camp beside the road. Jock swears at this because it's more than they can deal with.

Jaycee looks the situation over and glances at her troops, they all give her slow nods. She turns to Jock, “Take your ladies and your men, work as close to the barricade as you can within the forest. We'll attack and draw them off. When you judge it's the right time, ride for the barricade and go over it. With luck, King Sid's men will sally forth and give you cover as you cross the bridge. Get those ladies out of here and to safety. Just in case, please let Lord Al know what happened when you get back to your land.” Jock goes to speak, and realises there's not much to say. He reaches out to shake her hand, and he hands over the extra crossbows they have before turning and leading his small group into the edge of the forest, going in a little way and heading towards the blockade. Jaycee and her troops check all their weapons are ready.

Hard Hit

All are ready. Jaycee looks at her troops again, “OK, people, here's the plan. Keep on the move, as it's harder to hit a moving target. Jim, Alice, Mike have ropes ready as I want you to pull part of the barricade out of the way so Jock's people can get out. We ride hard at the guards on duty, take them out, open the way, and then attack the camp. As soon as Jock is through the barricade we head for the forest and get the hell out of here. We're Lord Al's Tigers, as we're fierce jungle fighters; just like the jungle cats he described to me, they're almost as dangerous as we are. When the camp troops respond to the attack I want us to shout war cries and that name. Let them know who they're dealing with.” They all smile because they're now part of an army of their own.

They form up in a 'V' formation across the road with Jaycee at their head. They do a final weapons check. All the weapons have short ropes to stop them falling to the ground if dropped. Each of them has the first of four crossbows in their right hands, all the crossbows are ready to fire. She gives them a last visual check, nods, raises her arm, and moves out at a walk. Just like Lord Al showed them; a few paces and they move to a trot; a few more paces and they turn the last curve before the enemy camp while they move up to a gallop.

The first to notice them is an officer near this end of the camp. He's not alarmed when he first looks up. That soon changes as Jaycee puts a bolt in his chest. She drops the fired crossbow and grabs another. Two more people at this end of the camp look up as they pass by, and the first two troops on that side shoot them. As they near the barricade the guards there turn around to see who they are. Twelve of the twenty guards are still turning as their upper bodies act as receivers for the bolts fired at them. One of the living guards shouts out, he has a moment to do so while the Tigers drop expended crossbows and pick-up loaded ones. Within seconds of the start of the attack all the troops at the barricade are dead. The designated troops move to the wooden barricade across the road and lean over to secure their ropes to it. The rest turn and move about to provide cover while firing at the enemy troops in their camp just back from the road. Most were eating or getting ready for the day, so they're still getting armed. The few already armed are being shot by the nine attackers not busy at the barricade.

Because the enemy troops in the camp are some metres away and disorganised, Jaycee take a moment to use the one crossbow, reloading for each shot; so do five of the others. She keeps throwing glances at the three moving the barricade. When they start to lean over to remove their ropes, she yells out, “Forget the ropes! Leave them!” They untie the ropes from their saddles and toss them on the barricade.

They turn towards the fight just as Jock's people burst out of the forest and charge for the opening they made. They pass through as the Tigers reform for their attack on the camp. Seeing them pass through and ride onto the bridge Jaycee smiles, raises her loaded crossbow, and shouts, “Tigers, charge.” And the twelve of them charge at the group of armed troops commanded by an officer leaving the camp to attack.

Both sides fire crossbow bolts at the other. Twelve of the forty or so Brotherhood troops fall as Jaycee hears a few thud home amongst her troops. They drop the crossbows and grab another, firing as the enemy reloads, she notices only ten drop this time. Jaycee shouts, “Wounded, to the forest, now!” She has no time to look around yet, as she fires the last of the borrowed crossbows and draws her sword. As per one of the combat tactics taught them by Lord Al they all swing hard right while they lash out with their swords in their left hands. The swords are held out at about the same height as that of a person standing on the ground. Some of the enemy see them coming and duck or step back, some don't and have their faces or throats sliced wide open. Jaycee, yells, “Tiger's, home!” With that command her whole force turns and gallops for the forest, where they can see their two wounded friends waiting for them. One of those retreating cries out as they near the forest.

Just before she enters the forest Jaycee glances down the road to Bridgetown. Lord Jock and his people are on the other side of the barricade protecting the town and he's talking to an officer of King Sid's Army. Mission accomplished, she smiles when she enters the forest.

The Tigers on the ponies can move through the forest as easily as people on foot, and much faster than people on larger horses or on foot. They soon lose the Brotherhood troops chasing them. They turn east and go hard for about half an hour. Turning back to the road they check it's clear, and cross over to the other side.

Jaycee leads them north, deep into the forest. She stops to check the wounded, nothing critical. A few hours later she recognises part of the forest, soon after that she finds one of the camp sites used on Lord Joe's trip here. They stop to rest the horses and treat the wounded properly. An hour later they're on their way again. From there on it's a case of being careful while they move fast through the forest on the way to join Al again.

Note: Later we learn the officer in charge of King Sid's forces at Bridgetown uses the opportunity presented by the weakened and distracted enemy force to attack. He eliminates all except a dozen or so Brotherhood troops. The survivors are in the forest chasing the Tigers. King Sid's men secure a strong defensive position on the east side of the river. This change of location means the Brotherhood now has to commit a much larger force to the bridge defences if they wish to confine King Sid's forces to the bridge and river area. An important strategic and tactical advantage for King Sid's Army.

Outbound

I decide to take a few days rest while I think about how to get home. While doing that I take the ladies for a few rides about the valleys. The whole area is beautiful. It's only been inhabited again for a few weeks, and already it's starting to look like well-tended farmland. Farmhouses aren't common yet, but the better fields are now well tended. I check out my plantings. They've not had long to do much, but are looking well. It looks like they've taken the transplantation real well.

During this time a lot of the people that had intended to go back to Junction approach me about staying on here. Some have found spouses amongst the detainees we released. All the detainees want to stay to work and live in the valleys as well. The community is already growing, and fast!

The valley defences are getting stronger each day. A few hundred extra workers really helps it along. The main wall is now a fortress with a side and rear wall added. A smaller fortress is under way for the base of the fighting wall built into the rock face. Once they're completed the wall will still be safe if the gate is breached. Lance is really making the place secure from attack from outside and inside. Joseph is training a lot of the younger detainees to be guards.

There's enough food harvested to see them through the rest of the year. However, the extra workers will enable them to harvest all the crops as well as get on with building houses for everyone.

Our lookouts report heavy troop movements along the road, all going west. The best estimates are around three or four thousand troops have moved west in just four days. The Brotherhood is really beefing up security in that area. I'll have to rethink my leaving strategy.

The Damsels are getting restless, but understand the need for a safe and secure trip out of the area. Only six of the people now wish to return to Junction, one of them is Jason. At dinner on the sixth night after our return I sit the six down and we've a long talk about how they should get back to Junction.

Jason opens the discussion, “Al, we know it's far too dangerous to go back right now. We've talked about this and think we should be safe to go about twenty or thirty days after you leave. Also, if we stay deep in the forest until we're down near Summer Ford we should get by most of their troops. The only issue we see is getting safely across to the other side of the river at Summer Ford or south of there. Heck, with just the six of us we can mess about in the forest for days looking for a place to cross, or even swim across if we wish to.”

After a lengthy discussion I agree with their plan. However, they're to count their departure delay days from when they return to Grassy Meadows after I get away with the ladies. They agree.

I call all the combat team leaders and valley team leaders over for a strategy discussion. Once they gather around I tell them, “It's clear we won't be going south or west to find a safe village with a bank to leave. I won't expose these ladies to that sort of risk. Since all the extra troops have passed west within a few days of receiving the word on our work, I figure they must be stripping the garrisons from a bit further east of us to beef up the borders. I'm sure the Brotherhood's centre of operations isn't near here.”

Mike interrupts, “Al, their main centre's about twenty days hard ride east of here. I know, because I was escaping from there to the west when they caught me again and took me to that farm.”

“Good. So all those troops have to be from the local garrisons. That means they're now understaffed. So we should be able to head east and find a bank to leave from without too much trouble. I'm thinking we'll take a force of thirty people as extra security until we reach a suitable town. Once at the town only the ladies, Mike, and I go in dressed as soldiers and enter the bank. Once we enter the bank the rest can make their way back here. The intent is to travel deep in the forest and keep away from the Brotherhood, but have a force large enough to deal with anything we encounter that's small enough to be of concern to us. A big force will stay on the road and we shouldn't meet it, but smaller forces may be searching the forests for us. We'll travel on ponies. Anyone got any ideas to add or questions to ask?”

They all think on this for some time before they agree it's the best solution. The only change being the suggestion we don't use either of the two closest banks, to further confuse the enemy as to where we are. With that we break up the meeting. It'll be a few days while some of the ladies tailor the captured uniforms to fit us well, especially the Damsels. I spend the next few days teaching Mike how to use a sword well, as he's got no idea of how to, just a few things he's picked up from films and watching others - most of which are wrong.

That night I've a long talk with the leaders of this new community. I start with, “Lance, Joseph, Anna please make sure the people are well distributed through the valleys. We don't want a bank in these valleys until well after we've dealt with the Brotherhood, any set of permanent buildings shouldn't house more than about fifty people. OK?” They nod, they realise the risks a bank can provide, as well as the benefits. “As for raids against the Brotherhood, conduct them when you feel safe to do so, but travel a few days away before doing so, and try to hit in the one direction.” I kneel and draw on the ground in front of them, “If you travel out from here in many directions they can work out roughly where you are by the fact you have to be near the centre of the area involved. By making all the attacks to the west they look for you further west or south. Where you can, shake them up by making the unit attacked vanish completely, dispose of their dead where they can't be found. That'll make them wonder about it, did they die or did they run away? Get the idea?” They nod. “Above all, keep safe.”

Three days later we're ready to leave. I smile as I lead our force out. I wanted to take about twenty or thirty people, but Jaycee insists on forty troops under her command, Mike, the three Damsels, and myself make it forty-five of us on ponies with five pack ponies of supplies. As we pass through the gateway I review all the security provisions. Jason, Jaycee, Lance, and the lookout post have a telescope each, with one left back at Junction and I've one in my backpack. They're well distributed amongst my troops. The fortress area for the ramp by the gateway is finished at ten metres. The main wall is ten metres high in front and the side with six metres and growing at the back. The barricade is now three levels high on the sides and a two level gateway wide enough for two ponies. Also a single level unit in front of the wall. I can't think of anything more I can do to make it secure that won't take a lot of time.

Trip Trap

Taking care to keep deep in the forest and using watercourses where we can, we travel east for three days and bypass the two nearest towns. This time I let Jaycee and Jason command the force and I concentrate on the close protection of the Damsels. They do a very good job of seeing the scouts are out as far as we need and the path is safe.

On the morning of the fourth day we're in the forest beside where a stream crosses the road, getting ready to cross once we get a report back from the scouts. The road to the east is clear for a few hours, but a force of fifty or sixty Brotherhood soldiers with five prisoners is coming from the west. Brian, the scout making the report, says, “One of the prisoners is a Damsel. They've a squad of five men out about fifty paces in front of the force checking the forest on each side, but no other scouts.”

I wait to see what Jaycee does. She glances at Jason, and he nods to her. She waves the team leaders over, “Right, we're taking this lot out. I want all the guards killed. We'll use Plan Bravo Three. Jim, take your team about sixty paces up the road and deal with the forward scouts. Paul, take your team, the Damsels, and the ponies back into the forest. Stay with them and protect them. The rest of you climb the trees on the side away from the road and set up along both sides of the road and stream. Be ready to fire before they get here, I don't want them alerted by any last moment movement. When the Damsel reaches the stream we open fire. Team leaders, you know your people, set them to their best advantage. Now get organised.” People scatter as they get ready.

No wasted motion, no rushing about, simple fast moves to do what's needed as they prepare. Within a minute the ponies are vanishing back down the stream as people climb trees. Within two minutes there's no sounds or movements as all are in place. Mike and I are in the two trees nearest the stream. We're all ready to fire our crossbows. We wait.

About fifteen minutes later the enemy force comes into sight. The advance group have their horses at a slow walk while looking at the forest on either side and the road in front of them. It's clear they know what they're doing and are looking for signs of recent movement. But they won't see ours as it's all washed away by now. None look up.

The scouts pass by. The main force comes closer. Jaycee's troops have targets as per the plan she set out while Mike and I are taking targets of opportunity. The Brotherhood force nears the stream. There's a senior officer, two junior officers, fifty-five troops, three female prisoners, a Damsel, and a male prisoner. The senior officer is with the prisoners in the middle of the column and five guards around them. A junior officer heads the lead force and the trail force, each has twenty-five men.

The left leg of the horse the Damsel is riding splashes down in the stream, and a ragged volley of crossbow bolts flies at the column from the trees. Thirty-three crossbow bolts strike their targets, fifteen at the front, fifteen at the rear, the senior officer, the guard nearest the Damsel, and the male prisoner are all hit. The prisoner and the officers are hit in the throat, the rest are hit in the chest. The surviving officer yells for his men to return fire. The advance force turns. Jim and his team step onto the road and shoot the scout force. I raise my mini-crossbow and shoot three of the guards with the prisoners as Jaycee uses hers to shoot the last officer and two more soldiers. The guards still alive mill around while they try to work out where the enemy is. But they take too long. Our troops have reloaded their crossbows and they shoot the last of the enemy. The four living prisoners stare about them at the carnage.

I drop down from my tree and approach the Damsel, I smile, saying, “Have no fear, My Lady. Only a few days to Crossroads, now.” She's surprised and happy while the rest of my people leave their trees and start the clean-up. Mike walks over to the dead male prisoner and lifts his hands. The shackles on them drop off. Mike says, “I don't like traitors.” He turns to me. “This was supposed to be my partner, but he turned me in to the enemy.”

Ten minutes later all the dead are tied to horses after being stripped of everything useful. Paul, the Damsels, and the ponies join us and we head off down the stream. One of the scouts knows of a place where we can dump the dead and they're unlikely to be found. Within about an hour of being told of the danger the road is clear of all sign and we're in the forest on the other side. Two hours later we're leaving the stream to dump the dead in a nearby gully. Two days after that we're nearing the town of Marley so we can visit the bank.

Marley

We stop short of the town and watch what goes on for a day. There's not many of the Brotherhood about town and the townspeople aren't too happy with their lot in life. We leave Paul and his team with the ponies and horses about fifty paces from the edge of town. Jaycee has two teams spread out behind us and the rest spread out in the forest on this edge of the town. Mike, the Damsels, and I move through the forest to be as close as we can get to the bank. We wait until people are going home for their meal at lunchtime.

I walk out of the forest and up to the bank. I enter. The only guard is the one the bank has in each branch. I look the place over, and leave. Back to the corner and I wave at Mike. In a moment he's leading what looks to be three soldiers and a female prisoner. They walk to the bank while I check out the street. Nothing is out of place. They walk into the bank and Mike opens an account with the local money I gave him a few days earlier. He rents a lock box. I approach the counter to deposit the bags of local money we've collected. I put some in the joint account I have that the teens have access to and can use, the rest goes into my own account.

A few minutes later all six of us are in a room while Mike and I drop gear in our lock boxes. I take out one of the rings I collected on the last trip and put it in my pocket. Mike closes his box and I close mine. In a moment we're all at Crossroads and I'm being put through the medical system. The actual exit is very anticlimactic after all the other events.

Crossroads Again

A smiling Merry greets us, and glances at me when she sees Mike. None of us are injured, but she insists I go into the health machine, I call it the Tank or The Box - depending upon my mood. This very advanced health device gives me a very thorough check-out and deals with any micro-organisms I may have picked up, as well as anything else. It seems I'm no sooner in the Tank than I'm out again and it's Lydia's turn while Merry and I have a reunion meeting.

A lot of time later we're on the bed talking when a chime sounds. Merry says, “Restoratives, pleases, Jeeves,” and two of the restorative drinks appear on the table beside the bed. I accept my drink and have it while Merry goes to get Lydia.

She's halfway to the door, when I call out, “Merry, please hand Mac the ring that was in my pocket, and have someone speak to Mike about being a Hero. I think he'd be a good one, with a little training.”

I can hear the smile in her voice, when she replies, “Mac's already got that ring, and it worries him. I'll get a supervisor to speak to Mike. You just stay there and get ready for Lydia.” I follow her orders.

For the next few weeks most of my time is spent with Lydia giving her the expected reward for the risks she took on Chaos. The few times I'm up and about while she's still resting I'm busy reading the text books for my new subjects. I don't see Mike or the other rescued ladies at any time. About four weeks after we return to Crossroads Lydia walks out and announces she's with child. There's a few minutes of happy celebration before she has to go. Hot on Lydia's heels Merry shows in Sandra for her reward, and the cycle starts again.

Another four weeks for Sandra, followed by four for Alice, and four weeks for Deirdre, the Damsel we rescued on the road while leaving. During this time Mac is unavailable because he's very busy supervising research of the ring the Brotherhood are using, and conducting an archive search for anything to do with the different type of ring and other portals. This whole matter has him worried about data shortfalls or removals.

Mike is off talking to a supervisor about what's involved in being a Hero. I finish reading three of my text books, the teachers will be very surprised about how quick I read them.

The only point of extra interest, to me, during this period is when Merry tells me Jock's Caretaker's spoke with her about the rings as she didn't get the warning announcement. This starts another investigation, one into the Caretaker communications system because she should have got the warning before he left for Chaos, but she didn't. Checks find about a third of the Caretakers didn't receive the official warning, but learned of the danger through the Caretaker gossip network. Mac is involved in this as well, and it adds to his worries about the integrity of his systems and databases.

Merry is happy to report the special map and database is growing very fast, because other Caretakers are helping her with it; they all see it as being a very useful tool to their Heroes. The quality and level of information is growing on an hourly basis. Mac does have the access to the system restricted to Caretakers involved in the project, and they're checked out by him before being allowed on the project. Much of it's existing public information, so that's made accessible to the rest of the Crossroads staff - most of it as statistical and text reports. This is to stop quality maps of Chaos being made available to the enemy via their spies.

A few weeks after we return to Crossroads Mike is back with us and he spends a lot of time with Merry practising his sword work, knife throwing, and use of the bow and crossbow.

Sixteen weeks after our return Merry hustles Mike and I into the portal for return to Earth the moment Deirdre tells us she's pregnant. It's a good thing Merry is half expecting it about now and has all of my books in my pack ready to go back. Thus I've got it in my hand when I'm pushed through the portal to Earth.

Home

Joe is very surprised to see me turn up with an extra in tow. After I introduce them to each other I start to change. Joe enters the portal. At one of our training sessions we agreed to protect the portal while the other is away. I'm soon back in my normal clothes.

I call John on my cell phone, and ask, “How long will it take you to get to my home, John? I'm out, but will be back in about half an hour.”

“If it's urgent I can fly and be there about then. Otherwise, about an hour. Or tomorrow if not urgent.”

“I don't think this is urgent enough for you to fly, but I don't think it should wait until tomorrow, either. I'll see you in about an hour. I've found something you lost and may want back.”

“Oh, I wasn't aware I'd lost anything.”

“You may not realise it, but a Gabar of yours got lost or stolen.”

“I've got one out on loan. But I don't see how you could've found it.”

“Well, this one was being mistreated by a black market handler. So I took it off him. I'm sure it's one of yours.”

“I'll see you in an hour, and we can sort it out then.” We say our goodbyes and hang up.

I pull out a text book and start reading as I wave Mike to sit down and make himself comfortable. “Get settled, we've got fifteen minutes before Joe comes back and we can leave.” He nods and lies down on the lounge. In just a moment he's asleep. It's very quiet while we wait. Fifteen minutes later a very happy looking Joe walks out of the portal.

When we pack up, Joe says, “It's a good thing you got out that warning on the rings. I was in an inn in a town on my way to a rescue on the edge of the Brotherhood's area when a group of men walked in. They went around having a close look at everyone's hands. After they passed me they started a fight with a guy wearing gloves, because he wouldn't take them off. I later found out he'd lost a finger and wears the gloves to hide the fact. But it was a lovely fight and my helpers enjoyed killing the Brotherhood guys.” In a moment all is packed up, put away, and we head up the stairs so Joe can loan Mike a tracksuit to wear.

Twenty minutes later we're passing through the security at home. Mike is very impressed at how good it is. When we get out at the main house he stops to look it over. When he does my head of security, Major Dasler (yes, I promoted him) asks, “Hiring a new team leader, Boss?”

I ask, “You know Mike?” Gunny Sanders turns and smiles at Rob.

“Yes, we've done a few odd jobs together.”

“He got lost and I found him wandering around. So I'm seeing if I can recruit him for a special project I've not told you everything about, yet.”

“Well, that explains why the gate just rang to tell me that man you don't know and never see is on his way up the drive, again.”

“Show him to my study when he arrives, please.” Laughing, we go inside while I speak to Mike as I lead the way, “I keep my security organised along military lines, and Rob is my head of security with the rank of Major. He wasn't happy about being made an officer, but loves the job perks.” Mike laughs hard at that, because he understands how Rob feels about being an officer.

Visitor

A few minutes later I've Mike sitting in a high backed chair facing the window while I greet John. I'd told Mike to stay in the chair until I say his name. “Hello, John. You made damn good time, how come?”

“Helicopter to the fort and car from there. I figured to get this done quick. Got a few things due to break a little later.”

“Well, let me know if I can help or if my people can help. But what I want to speak with you about is a lost bird I found on Chaos, Mike.”

John is surprised when Mike stands up and turns around. John nods to him, sayings, “Gunny.” He turns to me, “Last I knew, Gunny Sanders was very busy looking into something for me over in Oregon and followed it to Virginia. Now you say you met him at that other place!” I nod and I wave for Mike to take over.

“Hello, Sir. Things got a bit messy since my last report. I met up with Sergeant Brooks, as ordered. We made contact with some people and they took us to a warehouse in Virginia Beach. We were shown into the back of a van we couldn't see out of and went for a four hour drive. We got out in another warehouse. I don't know where because the drive included a lot of corners and some circling around. They had us strip and change into button up denims. They had us enter a short passage, one at a time, and we ended up in a room full of men with crossbows and swords. We left that building and crossed a yard with men training with swords. As we neared an open gate some men came out of another building. I recognised two from a prior mission involving the Klan and Sergeant Brooks yelled out, 'Uncle Max.' He seemed happy to meet him. At that point he turned and pointed at me. I took off and dashed out the gate, bowling a few over as I went. I grabbed a couple of knives as I did. I was on the run for about three weeks when they caught me again. I'd almost reached the edge of their sphere of influence. I was taken to a command centre and waiting to be interrogated by a Klan leader I knew when our friend here popped his head through a door in the ceiling and killed my captors. Things have been interesting since then. He tells me you know about this place, Chaos. Also, a woman wants me to sign up as a Hero for them. That's it, in a nutshell, Sir.”

John stands there while he takes that all in. “Thanks, Gunny.” He steps past me and picks up my phone, holding it up; I nod. He punches in a number and waits for them to answer. Once they do it's a fast stream of orders to pull certain people in because their network has been compromised. He also passes along some other orders and, if I understand them right, he just ordered several people be executed as soon as possible. He turns back, “Brooks was privy to a lot of information on our people looking into the Aryan Brotherhood. If he's switched sides they're all at risk. So I've ordered them pulled back in and started to cover their tracks.” He gives a slow head shake and looks up. “Gunny, I know that's not the job you were sent out on, but you've brought back some very important information; so it's not a loss. I'm very glad to have you back. How do you feel about taking up this other work? I'll see you get some training if you want to do it.”

“Sir, I'd like to do it. It's just the sort of thing I joined up for, saving people in trouble. It's just not how I envisioned it before.”

“Another romantic. Right, I'll put you in touch with my fencing instructor. Al and I can also tell you a bit about what it's like.” Gunny is surprised at that bit. He turns to me. “Thanks, Al, for getting Mike back. He's one of our best and he's just given me enough information to sort out a few problems we'd trouble with. Well, we best be getting back.”

When he turns to leave Mike adds, “During the withdrawal stage we met Sergeant Brooks, Sir. He met with a fatal accident when we did.”

John nods, “Well, we don't have to worry about him, now! I'll list him as having been killed by the Aryan Brotherhood while looking into their activities. That'll allow his widow to get on with life. Thanks for cleaning that up.”

A few minutes later I'm watching them drive down the road.

Life Goes On

For the next two weeks life goes on as it did in the previous two weeks. I spend time with my ladies, time practising the skills I need to get better at for my future here on Earth and on Chaos. School takes up a lot of time, especially catching up on the subjects I'm late joining. Also dealing with business matters. My writing the current Lyn Evans books has slowed down, but I'm already a few ahead and we still visit Kayla each week. If it wasn't for Lia, Sharon, and the rest of my support crews I don't know how I'd get by or get it all done.

Sharon has Mr Little talking to my new managers from New Mexico about their needs and what's wanted in the new facilities. I doubt I'll get to see anything on them until they're finished, and that's the way I like it. The special projects are all progressing well too.

If I didn't see a lot of the training I do as a form of entertainment and also enjoy the studies, I'd probably be stressing out over the work load I've got. Most days involve between twelve to fourteen hours of work and study. But I do enjoy it, and my ladies love seeing me so happy and busy. That helps with their welfare as well.

Another bright note is the Japanese garden, it's moving ahead at a slow and steady pace. The quarter already done is very beautiful and very relaxing. The girls did give me a big surprise with it. In one spot there's a nice grassy area set aside for my martial arts training and practice. I find it very invigorating to train there.

As busy as my life is, I've trouble waiting the two weeks for my next visit to Chaos!

Dragon Dilemma

Ready

About an hour after Saturday's breakfast I'm ready for my next trip to Chaos. I'm a bit nervous as there's been so many changes in the last two weeks. The five new portals are ready and set up in the vault area Small and Little built in my 'Work' section of the main house. All the workers are confused by the set of vaults. They're six high security rooms like walk in bank vaults. Each is three metres on a side with one entrance secured by a vault door. Only one is set up with shelves for the secure storage of valuables. They open off a fifteen metre by ten metre room just like them, but with two vault doors; one opens to my office and the other is an external exit which only opens from the inside. All the doors need codes to open them, for entry and exit. All rooms and doors are monitored from a security centre. Five have portals in them. Both Joe and I will use my new portals as they provide good security against external trouble from the Brotherhood and their friends.

Sharon found a Chinese couple in their late twenties who want to get away from modern life. Lin grew up on a farm in a remote province of China. Zhu grew up working in his father's construction business in the same province. They were relocated as government adult forced labour. A few years later they ended up as domestic servants in Hong Kong after its return to China. When the family they worked for left China they took their servants with them in order to delay the report of their unapproved departure. After arriving in the US, almost two years earlier, they got married. She knows all about growing and harvesting rice while he knows all about using bamboo for making furniture and construction. Both know how to cook rice in a wide range of recipes.

Bridget found two staff members who want to opt out of modern life. Warren grew up on a horse ranch and knows how to breed and train horses. Carla is a student of history with an interest on the use of horses in the military and cavalry tactics. They also want to get married.

Frank sent up two older stallions (Gaza and Nek) with four mares (Beersheba, Megiddo, Rafa, and Romani) as initial breeding stock for me to take to Chaos. Having a good trainer and a tactician I want good horses too. The horses' names let me know Frank has a romantic streak in him because they're all named after places where the Australian Light Horse fought in the First World War, many of them rode Walers.

I inform the four transferees of the dangers, and they still want to go. They've been training in the basics of Chaos style warfare. Bridget isn't ready for Chaos yet, but Kira wants to see what it's like. Her sword skills are much improved. I'd like to take Tora, but an oriental as my sidekick will stand out too much and increase the dangers of detection by the enemy, as she's very visible. I can keep the Chinese couple in the background and out of sight until I get them to Grassy Meadows.

All the gear is checked for unapproved materials and is ready. The horses have their tack and full saddlebags, including bamboo armour horse blankets. All travellers have basic clothing with bamboo armour and backpacks of gear. I've a new set of armour, as I've been putting on some muscle. My set on Chaos can be given to someone else. I'm taking a lot of plants, wooden mallets, quality hemp rope, denim cloth, high carbon sand, plastic dish-ware, and six machined wooden tubes for the telescopes - each of them is three tubes that slide inside each other to make a smaller package to carry. All will be very useful to me on Chaos.

I make a last check of everyone waiting in the main vault area, because there's not enough room in the portal vault. We form up in a continuous chain of contact, each of us has an arm over the neck of the horse we're leading and those behind have a good hold on the tail of the horse in front with their hand resting on that horse's rump. Sharon will lock the vault behind us. I nod to her and approach the portal, since I can't think of anything else I should do before we get started.

Crossroads

Arriving in the earth portal room of my quarters at Crossroads I find Merry holding open a new door to a stable. With a large grin I lead my horse, Gaza, through the door. I wonder how they knew I'd need a stable. Looking back I see Kira with the next horse and Warren behind her with his mare halfway through the portal. A few minutes later all the horses are comfortable. Their tack and packs are on tables set on the other side of the stable. Merry leads us through another door and into the main lounge of my Hero's suite.

Entering the lounge I smile while I watch the display change to show Mac is present as well as Jeeves. Merry is quick to organise drinks and snacks while I introduce everyone to her; Lin, Zhu, Kira, Warren, and Carla. I explain everyone's role and skills when I introduce them. Very soon we're all chatting while we have a drink and eat a snack.

A little later Merry and I leave. The others stay to study a program about Chaos society and its rules while we get reacquainted. We rejoin them again a few hours later for a late lunch. We take a long time over lunch. Merry and I answer questions about Chaos while we expand on what they've seen in the program. Following lunch Merry takes them into the training room to evaluate their skills with sword, knife, bow, and crossbow while I have a private talk with Mac, at his request.

I'm more than a bit worried when I enter what I call the Data Centre. I call it that because it has several computer consoles in it.

A Special Request

I sit down at the centre computer console of five units and lounge in the chair. Mac says, “Al, I've got a very difficult rescue I'd like you to look at and consider for me. All the other Heroes have examined this task and refused it because they can't see a way to effect a rescue!” This has me sitting up straight as fast as a whip. “Sid Jones was most upset at having to refuse it, so were Malcolm Chandler, Cameron Richards, and a dozen other top Heroes. It breaks them up to refuse, but they can't see any way of making a rescue work.”

“Damn! What makes it so difficult? With all their experience, what makes you think I can do this?”

“Al, I'm not sure you can, but you've a few skills they don't, due to your ninja training. Also, while they all think 'outside the box,' you think outside the packing room containing the box. It's my hope you can see or think of something that no one else has.” Stunned, I simply ask him to continue. “We've had a Damsel captured by a Dragon every now and then, but in the last six weeks there have been seven Damsels taken prisoner by the same group of Dragons. The danger to them isn't critical yet. If no one can effect a rescue they will die in about eight weeks. The Dragons take people as a source of fresh food for their young for when the young hatch out of their eggs. That's eight weeks away.”

“OK, I can see the concern. As we're talking eight weeks of Chaos time it'll be ancient history by my next trip. What's so difficult with it?”

“The main problem, Al, is Dragons are a protected species. Any plan calling for the killing or harming of Dragons is vetoed by the safety overrides and the Hero isn't allowed to go on the mission. Add in the physical size and capabilities of Dragons, and you can see why the others see it as a fancy way to commit suicide. I checked the records, and there's no record of a Hero ever saving a Damsel from a Dragon!”

I slump back in the chair while I digest this. Something about this does not feel right to me. I've no idea why, but it just feels off kilter. I look up as Mac puts a picture of a Dragon on the computer screen in front of me. I gasp as I stare at an image of a huge green scaly monster. It's a weird cross between an elephant and a crocodile with two sets of wing pairs. A list of figures at the side of the image shows an average adult is nine metres long from nose to tail. It can lift its front half off the ground up to three and a half metres. It's three metres wide with a wingspan of ten metres and a weight of forty-six hundred kilograms.

My first thought upon looking at the data is, 'That can't be true. The figures don't fly.' I'm in shock as I stare at the monstrous image, and can understand why the others feel the task is beyond their abilities. How do you deal with a monster like that without killing it? I plan to stay silent while I think on this, but I hear myself say, “It can't fly!”

Mac replies, “All our record reports say it does fly.”

Having voiced what my subconscious is telling me I realise it's right, and declare, “Mac, that bloody thing can't fly!! It's not physically possible for it to. Something is not right here.” Mac starts to speak. I cut him off, “Mac, activate a program on aerodynamics. Work out the wing size needed to provide the lift for that weight on Chaos. Then tell me what you think. Without a rocket up its arse, it can't get in the air!”

A few minutes silence, then, “Al, you're right. It would need ten times the stated wing area to get enough lift. Also, I doubt the muscles and wings would be strong enough. Why didn't I see that before?”

“Don't worry, Mac. You have to assume all the data entered has been checked and verified. Otherwise you'd spend all your time checking fine details that have already been checked. I probably wouldn't have noticed, except I've recently been learning how to use a hang-glider. I had to calculate lift and load capabilities to ensure I didn't overload the wing I wanted to use. Even then it was my subconscious that did the figures and said it wouldn't work with that size wingspan.”

Sighing, I lean in to have a closer look at the photo. “Mac, can you do a scan of this image to see if the pixel size and amount of data per pixel is the same across the whole image?”

“Yes, I can.” A slight pause. “The amount of data per pixel varies a lot. What does that mean? I've not seen that before.”

“Aha. Things are a bit clearer now, Mac. On Earth we have a term 'Photoshopped,' this is derived from a software program used to adjust and repair images. If you alter an image to add something that doesn't belong in it it's been photoshopped. This photo's been altered. Check your databases for information and procedures relating to computer forensics and image manipulation. Then see if you can work out what's been changed and change them back. Hand that over to another AI to deal with if you can, as it'll take some time to give it a close look.” I smile as Mac acknowledges my orders. “OK, let's see if we can find the truth about this Dragon. Move that image to the left hand screen and place all you know about Dragons on the screen beside it.” The image is moved and the screen on my left, between the picture and the central screen now shows the very little information about Dragons they have. The basics we have, the image, the date it was declared protected, but nothing on habitats or habits. This lack just adds to my suspicions.

“Al, I can't believe we have so little data on this animal. All my other files on protected animals have a lot of data on their eating and mating habits, and maps of where they live. But almost nothing is here.”

“Mac, do you have an idea of how long ago you think people started messing with the databases? If so, double that and search for an old archive of back up data from that time. Access the old data and check it against what you've got now. Your current databases should have more, but they should also include all that old data. Then check the updates.”

“Al, we do have a date we believe is correct. To go back as far you ask we'll have go back about four levels of technology. It'll cost a lot to recreate the systems needed to read and transfer the data. I'm not sure I can get that approved by those in charge of the funds.”

“Mac, would that be dearer or cheaper than having to go back to the source data and recreating all your databases?”

“Point taken. The Administrators aren't happy, but they're doing it.”

“Good, let's see if we can get a better handle on these Dragons. I gather there is such an animal on Chaos!” This is an angry statement.

“Yes. It's not like either of the Dragons of Earth folklore, but it fits close enough and it's on Chaos. That's confirmed. I'm surprised I don't have a live recording of them. I've checked my systems and found there are two satellites not recording images in their areas. The Damsels are located in one of these areas. I've lodged a repair order for the satellites and moved a spare to get me some live recordings of the rescue area.”

“OK, that gets more data for later. In the meantime, let's see what we can find. I want you to create a list of every type of living thing on Chaos. Once that's done you can filter out the following: plants that don't pull up roots and move; water creatures that can't breathe the air; anything less than a dog in size; any known domesticated animal that's seen in a town, farm, or city every day; anything that has only two limbs other than wings, unless the wings have hands on them; and anything that's a herbivore for all of its life. That should cut out a lot of the chaff. We can look for the wheat in what's left.”

“You don't want much, do you!! Go practice with your sword. This will take some time to get sorted.” I spend the rest of the afternoon in sword fights with the others. The evening meal is a nice set of selections from the menu Jeeves provides.

As we finish the meal, Mac says, “Al, it's taken some time and work, but I've got that list sorted for you. There's five hundred and twenty-seven items on it. I've listed them from the biggest to the smallest. The list is on the centre computer console for you to view. I scanned it and couldn't spot anything useful to our search. What are you looking for?”

“Thanks, Mac. I don't know exactly what I'm looking for. I'm looking for any suspicious gaps in the data. It's one of those weird searches where you don't look for something, but you look for what doesn't fit or seems to be wrong. Once I've found it I then have to check and verify it. I'll probably find several possibles before we find the real one. OK, let's get on with the detective work.” I really don't know what I'm looking for. As I said, I'm looking for what doesn't fit, for anything that seems off kilter to me. Thus Merry can't help me search. She does sit by me though, providing drinks and snacks as I need them.

It takes a couple of minutes for me to call and scan the file on each animal. So when I break for the night, about four hours later, I've only reviewed one hundred and twelve files. Of those I've asked for a check of information on two, and got confirmation they aren't what I'm after. Off to bed for a good night's sleep. Plenty more work in the morning.

Research Reward

The morning is like last night, and the afternoon is more of the same. I enjoy the short meal breaks discussing Chaos life with the others, but then it's back to the computer screen. It's almost time for me to break for dinner when my subconscious sends me back to reread the last file again. This file is on a long and thin bird that's two and three quarter metres long, half a metre wide, has two feet, two hands, two wings (with a total wingspan of five metres), and weigh fifty kilograms. The photo is poor quality, the habitat data says the birds live in damp closed valleys. One of the areas marked is very near where the Damsels are being held. The animal is listed as unintelligent and it's called a Kukul.

I sit there staring at it. I wonder about the name. It rings a bell, but why?

Grinning, I turn to Merry, and ask, “Merry, please run a search on all your databases for Kukul. Also run a search on Earth databases for the same word, look for any close match. I know I've seen that name, or something very similar, before today.” She nods and starts work on the next computer console while I mark that entry and move on to the next animal in the list.

A few minutes later, Merry says, “Al, I got a close hit in our database of a race called the Kukulka. They're a winged thin humanoid race covered with feathers, with an Intelligence Quota a little lower than that of humans. An average adult is between two and half to three metres tall, about half a metre wide, with a wingspan of four and a half to five metres. It has two hands with opposed thumbs, two feet, and two wings. They're fast on the ground, slow to climb in flight, but very fast and agile in a dive. They fly only short distances and don't travel far from their home grounds. They live in caves along the sides of river banks or damp valleys. They prefer places they can seal from invasion. One person described them as a feathered serpent type of humanoid.”

Bingo! That's it! The 'feathered serpent' did it. Some time back I was reading about the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. The article said he was like the older Mayan god Kukulkan, which means Feathered Serpent in their language. The Mayans portrayed Kukulkan as a cross between a man and a feathered serpent. I now wonder if a member of this race had ever visited earth.

With a huge grin, I turn to Merry, “Get me all you can about them and their behaviours. I especially want to know where they live on Chaos, what they eat, and how far they can fly.” Turning to Mac, I ask, “Mac, the place where the Damsels are being held, is it a sealed valley? And what's the area around it like? I'll need a way to translate speech between me and the Kukulka, can you do something about that?”

Naturally Mac had kept an ear on us, and says, “You seem very sure that what we call Dragons on Chaos are the Kukulka! Why?”

“An intelligent race, that's why they're protected. Bloat the image, turn the feathers into scales, and you get a sort of match. The entry on the Kukul as an animal is so close to that for the race that it's not funny. Key points have been changed enough to stop an exact match, but I'm sure this is the answer. I need to find out why they're taking people, and how to stop it from happening again. This is now a diplomatic mission to negotiate a rescue and to stop the kidnappings.”

“That all sounds good. I'll double check everything and see how we do. I'll ask for permission for you to get a universal translator implant. The downside of that is it will be a permanent implant. It cannot be removed without severe damage to the brain.”

I'm not sure what that will involve, but if it saves several lives, it's worth the trouble. “OK. Organise that when you can, if they approve.”

I'm too wound up to do any more research. I'm off for a personal discussion with Merry before dinner while the computers gather the data I requested.

Special Interests

After dinner that evening I take time to call a team meeting, and ask Mac to be involved too. Mac and Merry wonder what's up, but most of my people are expecting something like this. We sit sipping on hot teas, chocolates, and coffees, and I ask, “Mac, what's the penalty imposed when a Companion breaks the rules?” It's clear the question has caught Merry and Mac off guard.

Mac replies, “Al, I'm not sure why you ask, but there are two levels of punishment for a Hero and three for a Companion. Two of them are the same. Do something on Chaos that's really bad and you get stranded there. The portals won't allow you back through. You can still use the banks and do all the other things locals can do, but that's it. Do something not quite so bad and you may get back here from Chaos. You may also get sent home, but you will not be allowed back to Crossroads or Chaos. Those are the two penalties that apply to both. There's a level of penalty for a Companion that's between them. The Companion can do something that will stop them from being a Hero, but they can continue as a Companion. The rules are quite clear, but not so plainly stated. Why do you ask?”

“Kira is going as my Companion, the rest are going to Chaos to stay. They wish to opt out of Earth's modern life and live on Chaos. I just want to make sure they know where they stand. I'd hate to see them get hurt because they felt they had to keep to all of the Companion's Rules if just setting them aside allows them to stay there.”

“I see. That makes sense. If they initiate any action or respond before they should as a Companion ought to they'll be barred from returning from Chaos. If they're on Chaos and don't return with you, they'll just stay there until a Hero brings them back. So there's no punishment for anyone intending to stay on Chaos. I must let the other Heroes know of this, as I'm sure some are having similar thoughts about associates.

“That would be a good idea, because I'm sure a few will know people who are interested in withdrawing from modern life on Earth.” We discuss the matter for a little longer, and break up for the night.

Rescue Plans

The next morning is spent in training the others in Chaos combat skills while I mull over what I learned about the Kukulka last night and before breakfast this morning. After reading all that's available about them I feel it should be possible to negotiate a truce and a handover of the Damsels.

The main problem arises from a reduction in their local natural food resources. I'll need to secure an area near them I can seed with food animals. I'll also have to find a way of keeping the locals away from the seeded area. The biggest problem will be caused by the point the Kukulka is listed as a stubborn race. My backup plan is to climb the mountains, enter their valley, and steal the Damsels back. Kira's training and skills as a climber and gymnast will be useful in such a task, as will the good hemp ropes I've brought along for use at Grassy Meadows. I may need them for this, too.

After lunch Merry, Kira, and I sit in the data Centre to discuss the rescue with Mac. We go over what we know of the Kukulka, their valley home, and the surrounding area. Their valley is much further down the same mountain range as Grassy Meadows and just inside the western edge of the range. Grassy Meadows is well outside the hunting range of the Kukulka, but it won't hurt to get on friendly terms with them. The closest point of approach is a small open plateau a little way up the mountain. It's level with the southern end of their valley and only a few days ride south of Summer Ford. There's a small human settlement about half a day's walk further south of the road's closest point to the plateau. The area between the road and the mountains is light forest.

Mac has live recordings of the valley now. It's clear we've the right location as the recordings show some Damsels working in the valley. Their overseers are Kukulka. This is a major concern for the Crossroads Administrators as they can't find any record of the Kukulka being on the planet. This causes them to put very high priority on finding and converting an old backup of the databases. They thought they'd cleaned up the databases in the wake of the staff clean-up after the Shiloh and Jimmy MacDonald Affairs, but we keep finding cases of interference, and they want to put this issue behind them as finally fixed.

Kira and I study the cloth maps of the area Mac provides to us. We also study the blown up maps shown on the computers and the Map Project's three dimensional display. The 3D projection is very useful, as we can move into it and look at something from below or above or from in front of it. All this study helps us to plot a safe pathway to climb up the mountain on the outside and get down into the valley.

We'll have to worry about being spotted by the Kukulka while we climb, but figure we can avoid that by moving at night. The climbing will be harder and with a higher risk level, but safer from observation. The Kukulka are only active during the day. Their eyesight isn't good, because their home planet is much brighter. They stay inside at night, as they're at risk to night predators; nor do they fly at dawn or dusk.

It's a good thing we've got some weeks to get organised, as I'll have to make some special gear while at Junction. The negotiations with the Kukulka will take quite some time as well. I won't leave Junction until I'm ready to deal with the Kukulka, the local humans, and climbing the mountain. Those three things are going to take a lot of preparation.

We spend another two days going over our plans and training in Chaos style fighting while waiting for an answer about me getting a universal translator. Merry is not happy with it. It's an organic implant into the brain itself. Her main worry is I may be the one in ten thousand whose body rejects it and they die because they can't get it out. I never do understand the insertion method, despite having it explained to me several times. The interesting thing is it will also work on Earth, as there are Earth based communications and database links. Merry has another concern, the universal translator has been known to have odd effects on a few people who've had it installed. The effects aren't uniform and the ones affected rarely talk about what happened. However, about a tenth of those few who are affected soon go mad and kill themselves.

Due to these low probability problems we discuss the matter a lot, while we wait for a decision from the Administrators. The downside is I can't see how we can negotiate a truce or the release of the Damsels without it, nor can the others. Kira offers to have it installed instead, but the decision from on high is they'll let me, and only me, have it.

I end up spending three days recovering from its painful insertion. Then four more days learning how to use it and getting familiar with it.

For the first six days after it's insertion I've a major headache, it goes away on the seventh day. They tell me it's due to my system having to adjust to the unit being where it is, and the headaches are normal. I'm told it'll look like a small brain tumour in any x-ray or brain scan, and I'm warned not to let them probe it at all.

The translator is always on. It'll automatically translate everything said near me and allow me to answer in that language. Lin and Zhu are very surprised when I start speaking their local dialect of Chinese with them when they use that instead of English. At first I'm a lot more surprised than they are. The hardest part about using the translator is learning how to activate it in another language before the other person speaks to me in that language. On hearing a language it'll activate and work in that language. However, I need to know a few words of a language before I can initiate the translator to use it to talk first. Thus I have to learn a few simple phrases in the Kukulka language, and it's not easy. It makes learning Klingon or German or Russian seem simple.

Planning and training move along, and we're soon ready to head to Chaos. Kira and I are confident we'll get this done, but are concerned as to how we'll get through it. There are so many variables outside of our control we have to worry about. The day to leave on the rescue arrives, and we all dress for Chaos. We get the horses packed and ready. I notice the horses look fitter and in a better condition than when we arrived, so I wonder if they've been given a physical of some sort. The stable area has a new doorway going into the Chaos portal room, so we soon set up as we did to come to Crossroads. When we're ready we pass through the portal.

Chaos

I smile as I enter the bank vault. For some reason it's grown in size and there's room for us all. I lead my horse, Gaza, to the side to give them more room as they arrive, and wait for the rest to join me. The portal vanishes as the last mare exits the portal. I stick my finger in the hole and my box arrives. It takes just a moment to go through the box. I arm Kira, Warren, Carla, and myself with the many weapons stored there. I also take out my other Chaos clothes and strap them to Gaza's saddle. I give Zhu and Lin a knife each. I don't have enough extra swords for them, so I give Zhu my bow and the quiver of arrows too.

I shut the box and open the vault's door. Then the most amazing thing happens! Six people are in the bank. Not one of them blinks an eye about six people and six horses walking out of the vault. The way they react you'd think they see that sort of thing every day. When we step outside the bank I hear the expected comments about the smell.

Turning a bit, I smile, and say, “You didn't believe me about how bad it was, did you?” Kira, Warren, and Carla admit they didn't, while Zhu and Lin smile. I figure it smells like their original home villages.

All looks calm, so we mount up and head down the street at a walk. I wave to Brian when he passes us on his way down the street. About half an hour later we're turning into Jay's farm. We get a warm greeting from the whole family. We've just enough time to water and feed the horses before we go in for lunch.

Getting Ready

After a delicious lunch it's time to get the smithy going. I head off to start the forge. I put in bits of steel and some high carbon sand to melt while I set about making several moulds for the items I need. Jay comes along and helps me get both the forge fires going. While they heat up I get some wood and start carving the shapes I want to make. I'll use the carved items to make the moulds I need by pushing the wood shapes into containers of semi-set plaster. I'm not sure what they use for plaster in the moulds here, but it's like a cross between Plaster of Paris and gypsum powder. There's a lot of work in making the carvings, moulds, and gear I want; but they'll be well worth the effort.

Wagons

The current wagons are heavy with the wheels made from solid wood, like two sets of boards joined together and laid across each other. The wagons are from one and a half to two metres wide with a length of three to five metres. One thing that annoyed me with the wagons we used before was the way they'd always squeak. This was due to the wood hub rubbing on the wood shaft despite any amount of grease you put on them. I want wagons that don't make as much noise, so I'm making bearings. Knowing how hard it is to make round balls by hand I'm making roller bearings for the wheel hubs by carving a wooden one to make the moulds. I trim a stick to the desired thickness and sand it into a perfect cylinder. I make the inner and outer walls with side lips to hold the rollers in place. Once happy with the way the wood ones fit and work I press them into the plaster to make the moulds for the steel ones for the wagons I want. I make moulds for forty wheel hubs.

The local wagon maker is unhappy with me when I ask him to make wagons to my specifications. He's not interested, and keeps saying, “I know how to make wagons already. I make the best in the area.”

I ask Harry and Jay about a good carpenter who can be taught new ways, and both send to me the same man. He loans me his two eldest sons who are his journeyman carpenters. They have the carpentry skills I want, but not the design skills; which I'll teach them. Ian and Ralf will be the market leaders in wagons when I finish teaching them how to make spoked wheels with steel bearings and the small wagons I want.

The designs of what I want built are amongst the papers I brought with me from Frederick. They were passed by Mac as they're a variant of existing Chaos technology. The wagons are a cross between an artillery battery wagon and limber. The width of them is six hundred millimetres with a length of a metre or two metres. The shorter ones will be two wheeled and the longer ones will have four wheels. The wheels are just under a metre high, not the usual one and three-quarter metres. The shafts rise up to a harness that lays on the horse with a saddle. The storage box sides are half a metre high. Where the common wagons are restricted to road travel these are small enough to go anywhere the horse pulling them can go. It's a very useful way for a cavalry unit to carry supplies. They'll also make getting certain types of goods to Grassy Meadows easier. The addition of greased steel roller bearings will mean they're almost silent and will go faster.

After showing Ian and Ralf the plans and how to read them I give them designs for full sized wagons and carts. I say, “Ralf, Ian, I want a number of the smaller carts made to take with me in a few weeks. Once you've mastered the skills needed to make them you can look at making the bigger ones after I leave, OK?” Both smile while they nod. They'd been worried about having enough work due to their three younger brothers being apprentice carpenters. But this new line of work will give them plenty of work now, and well into the future as well. I add, “I also want two or three carpenters to move to Grassy Meadows to set up shop there.” That evening the two young men head home. The next day they turn up with their three brothers. Now I've got all five of them working on the wagons.

When I ask about the larger crew, Ralf replies, “Last night we'd a family talk on all this. We're all ready to be promoted, but haven't bothered with the formal stuff. Dad's doing the papers for the guild today so Ian and I'll be Master Carpenters while Pat, Troy, and Rob will be Journeymen Carpenters. All will be approved by the time you're ready to go. Ian, Pat, and Troy will go with you to set up a new business at Grassy Meadows. The rest of us will stay here. That's why we all need to learn this new work. Also, it gets it done a lot faster.” I smile, as I now have another special skill set for the new settlement.

Soon after that Harry turns up with two young men, saying, “Lord Al, I figure you'll need a smith to set up at your new place. George and Sam are ready to set out on their own. Will you take them with you?”

I smile, and nod, “Good! That saves me having to ask you to find me someone. I hope they’ve got all the tools they need!” The three nod.

“They already know everything I know, so it's time for us all to learn something new from you.” I laugh, and lead the way to the smithy. I explain the various projects I need done over the coming weeks.

I've the moulds and metal ready for the bearings, so Alice comes out to show the young men how to pour as well as she does. We put the poured moulds into the second forge for a slow cool. They take time to see how they should work by watching me set up the wooden ones.

I gather both sets of specialists together and explain about putting steel rims on wagon wheels. It's to make them stronger, lighter, and to last longer. They all get the idea. I leave them to discuss it before Harry and his crew start on making the rims for all the wheels.

Climbing Gear

With the wagons being made I turn to making the climbing gear I may need. It's not possible to make the full range of climbing gear Kira and I are used to as Chaos technology isn't up to it. However, the paths we've selected to climb the cliff faces don't require the use of the more complex gear such as the spring-loaded camming devices that open up inside a crack. We need basic solid metal figure eight descenders for rappelling, some hexes, some maillons for climbing, and small pulleys.

A hex is a six sided metal tube that tapers to one side with rope running through a hole in the top and bottom sides. They're used to provide support by being pushed into cracks until they become wedged there. They perform the same function as a piton, but don't require the trouble and noise of being hammered into rock, just a crack in the rock.

A maillon is like a carabiner with threaded sleeve gate cover instead of a pivoting or spring loaded one. I carve triangular maillon parts and hope we can make the threading work right when they're made. Harry assures me he knows how to cut threads into metal, so I trust him to get that right because I've no experience with it.

Other Gear

Harry does manage to surprise me by handing me three finished katanas. After completing the two I made on my last visit he decided to make a third to see if he could do one by himself. All three are well made and sharp, but not as sharp as I want. When I mention this Kira smiles, grabs a sharpening stone, and a stool. From then on she's busy sharpening swords when she's not doing something else, and I often join her at the work. She likes the idea of having a good katana here.

After preparing more metal we also pour more bo shuriken for Kira to use. I ask Alice to make her a set of holders for them. Another job on the agenda is several more of the mini-crossbows for my team, and some for use by the farm personnel. Although there isn't much metal involved, all the steel does have to be melted and the carbon sand added. The waste is skimmed off and the higher quality steel is poured into the old moulds. It's a lot of work, but most of it is a case of waiting for it to melt or cool. Having the carpenters on hand makes it easier to construct the wooden parts for the crossbows. I also make another fifty bodkin arrow heads to deal with any enemy armour.

Cavalry

On the first few days, while I'm busy with the forge, Warren is out looking at the local horses. On the third day he asks about being able to buy some as a lot of them would make good mounts for the cavalry I want to create. I leave it up to Warren and David to organise things and to tell me how much they need from the bank when ready to buy them.

Jay, David, and Brian bring a group of sixty people to see me on the fourth morning. All are interested in fighting the Brotherhood and have heard I'm successful in winning against them. Since King Sid's Army is simply holding their borders safe they see the need to organise a force to take the war to the Brotherhood and want to join me because I appear to be the only one attempting to deal with them.

Gathering them all around I have Warren and Carla join me. I say, “These two people are developing a fighting force for me. Warren is in charge of selecting, training, and caring of the horses. Carla is in charge of training troops on how to control their horses and to use them in combat. She's my teacher in cavalry combat tactics. If you can stand to be bossed by them, then I want you in my cavalry.”

The group cheers. They speak together about training and speak to Jay about where to live while training. I leave them to get organised while I deal with getting us ready to travel.

Stock

I know I'll need stock to trade with the Kukulka, so I ask David and Jay to organise for some people to go ahead of us to see what stock can be arranged for me to buy before I reach Two Sheaf, the town nearest the rescue area. They organise a few people to go check things and make deals for me. I'll pay for and collect the stock as we travel.

Other Matters

Zhu and Lin have a good time helping Alice prepare meals and getting trail food ready so we'll have stuff to eat while on the move. I don't want to stop for meals during the day, only breakfast and dinner as hot meals while in camp.

I've allowed eighteen days to get ready to leave, so we have to get on and get it done. There's a lot to do in that time if we're to be ready to go on the day I plan to move out.

I swap the farm's telescope lenses from the old box to one of the new ones I brought with me. Then I hand it to Jay, complete with the nice leather carry case made for it. He's very happy with the new look of the telescope and case. I do the same for mine, because that makes it easier and safer to carry.

Three more of Jay's kids wish to travel with us - Jasmine, Jade, and Jake. Jade joins the cavalry while the other two team up with people their age who are headed to Two Sheaf. I suspect the two will soon be married and living on new farms, mainly because Alice says she thinks that's what they want.

Side Issue

On the eighth day I notice Brian leading a very fit man around the farm. They look at everything that's going on. I trust Brian, so I'm not worried about them learning about the new things. Though I'm curious about what Brian is up to and who the man is.

They stop to watch the sixty-five trooper strong cavalry unit training in the field behind the barn. Carla has them do some very interesting close combat manoeuvres. Each is armed with a longbow, a sword, a simple curved arm shield the size of a large dinner plate, and a set of triple layer boiled leather armour with a padded leather helmet.

The horses and gear are expensive, and the local community loves the cash payments I make for them. Eight four wheel wagons and four two wheel wagons are finished, tested, and ready, as planned. We load them with our food and camp gear. Five more of the four wheel wagons are being made for the carrying of the smithy and the carpentry gear. They'll be finished today. That's more wagons than I intended, but I've now got a much bigger crew travelling with me than I'd intended, too.

I've over eighty people I'm taking to Grassy Meadows, and another twenty odd who are going to Two Sheaf. In order to ensure the Kukulka are safe in the long term I have to establish a group of farms run by people I trust. The farms will be located between the Kukulka and the current locals. A number of people wanting to set up new farms of their own are joining us and will do that job for me. They'll be bringing a few normal wagons with their gear as well.

Brian and the stranger approach me, and Brian asks, “How many now, Al?”

“I've got a hundred and four confirmed for the trip. Another five are still thinking about it, but only eighty-two of us are going to Grassy Meadows. The rest will set up new farms near Two Sheaf and organise themselves there. Of the group for the Meadows sixty-five are cavalry.”

The stranger asks, “That's quite a lot of people you're taking away from here. How does King Sid feel about it?”

I grin as I think I know who he is now. “I've not spoken to King Sid. I wouldn't know him if he bought me a drink in town. But all these people need to move on and set up new places, as their families are getting crowded out. By going with me they get the extra materials and help I'll provide, while setting up as a group of friends. I think King Sid would approve. Also, we're moving into an area where he has concerns about enemy raiders. We'll be setting up an armed buffer zone on the other side of the border. That'll help protect his people. My cavalry will be very busy eliminating the Brotherhood. Once we get them pushed back King Sid can recall the troops he has protecting this border.” The man nods, and Brian grins. “I do hope to set up as Lord of that area. I've been asked to do that by a few of the people living there, since King Sid doesn't seem to want to push this border any further. I'll set up and make the area safe, then see how he feels about it. I'm not too worried if I'm Lord there or not. I want to establish a good governance of the area and see the people are safe from the Brotherhood and other bandits.”

“Worthy goals, very worthy goals. I wish you luck in them. I think you're right about how King Sid will regard the situation. You've some interesting new ways of doing things here. Would you mind if I send some people to come and learn them?”

“No, I've no problem with that. Just be sure to pay the teachers for the training. They put a lot of time and effort into learning the correct way to do these things, so they should get paid for passing it on.”

He smiles, and nods as he and Brian move away to have a close look at one of the two wheel wagons. I grin while I watch the man I believe is King Sid Jones, Hero, walk around checking out the improvements I'm making to his people's way of life. I'm sure he'll be a lot happier when this border is made safe from the Brotherhood, because it'll allow him to concentrate on other issues of greater importance.

In the late afternoon, just when they get ready to leave, I walk over, and say, “If you should run into King Sid, tell him I'm off to make a deal with the dragons and all should be safe before I'm finished.” He looks stunned, at first, then he nods and smiles. They turn and ride off.

On the Road

It's mid-morning on the nineteenth day since arrival. We form up to leave the farm. I lead the front cavalry force of fifty-two troopers. We ride in a column of threes with a new senior lieutenant on my right and Kira on my left. Right behind the lead cavalry is Warren with a group of horses, twenty-four horses are in four strings of a rider leading five pack horses on a rope line. Another seventeen horses have riders and are pulling the cavalry wagons. The next group is the farmers for Two Sheaf on their wagons and horses, followed by the people for Grassy Meadows. Carla leads the trail force of twelve more cavalry troopers and their lieutenant. All up there's now one hundred and seventeen of us in the column.

Once we're all moving along the road south I move us up to a nice trot so we can make good time towards Two Sheaf. The plan is to travel all day, eating lunch in the saddle each day until we get there.

On the second day we come across the stranger with several men, they're going south at a slow pace. They speed up to keep pace with us until we reach Summer Ford. Arriving at lunchtime we break for a half day's rest so everyone can have a good bath and a meal cooked by others. We also restock some of the perishable foods we've eaten.

Training Tells

The next morning we form up and are about to leave when a large mounted force of the Brotherhood ride up the road to the ford. Only our lead elements are visible from the ford, as we'd set up a camp for our wagons and animals on the west edge of town; most of us stayed there last night. King Sid's troops have barricades set up at the water's edge. The off duty men rush to join the duty shift manning the barriers.

I smile while I watch many of the townspeople setting up to provide combat support from their buildings. A few quick words, and Warren takes command of our farmers as they move out to help. Carla moves up to me and we have a quick discussion on the tactics we want to use here. We soon agree on a plan that allows her to make the best use of some of the training she's given her troops. I leave her to command the cavalry as Kira and I move out to confront the enemy troops.

The two of us ride up to where the officer in charge of the town's defences is talking with Brian's friend, we still haven't been introduced. Kira and I dismount beside them, taking our weapons with us. Pointing to the gap between the last and second last building, I say “Gaza, Rafa, wait beside the building until called.” Both horses give a nod and move over to the gap. The men around us stare when the horses walk into the space, turn around, and stand still. I look at their stunned faces, saying, “Very well trained and intelligent cavalry horses from generations of breeding for smart stock horses. They're known as Walers.”

After taking a moment to survey the defences I turn to the man, and say, “I suspect you're a senior person in King Sid's Army come to check me out. As such, you'll be in charge here. Kira and I will go forward and ask them to surrender. I suspect they'll laugh and do something like try to kill me. At that point my troops will engage them. I would like you to be ready to open the barricades when my people need to charge, and would appreciate any help you can give from here with your bowmen. I intend to engage them on the other side of the river.”

The officer in charge of the town's detachment shakes his head, and says, “There's got to be three or four hundred of them and you'll take them on with only your troop of sixty or so!! Are you crazy?”

I grin, and reply, “Like them, you've no idea of what you're dealing with. I've trained for close quarters combat since I was about four years old, Kira has too. Carla, my cavalry leader, is also very well trained and experienced. All the rest are well skilled for the tasks they'll be doing. Those fools over there think numbers are important, while I focus on quality. But I'll add to the situation by scaring them first.”

While I hand Kira my second quiver of arrows, I shout, “David, bring me the colours.” One of the troopers, he's our designated colour bearer, trots down the road to hand me the guidon I'd designed. The pole bottom has a reinforced spike and stands about two and a half metres high with a pennant of four hundred millimetres high and five hundred long. The guidon is a green field with a yellow and black tiger in the centre with unit designators above and below. '1st Cav' on top, and 'A Troop' on the bottom; the colours of A Troop of the 1st Company of Tigers Cavalry. He takes the pole out of the special boot and hands it down to me. As I take it he pulls off the cover to display the colours.

I smile at him, “Thank you, David.” I turn to the others, “Let's get this show on the road.” I carry the standard in my right hand when we approach the barricade. Kira and I reach it, and a small gap opens to let us walk through; they set it up to allow for a parley, so a gateway is in the defences.

While we cross the river Kira and I watch the Brotherhood troops form up on the road and roadside on the other side of the river. The officers are having them form into ranks for a charge, they're about thirty-five metres back from the river's edge. Their commander and the troops with him are watching us as we cross the river. As we leave the water Kira moves to the right side and stands beside a small boulder set to mark the side of the road, and I continue to approach them.

Stopping about twenty metres short of their line I move to the side of the road opposite to Kira and stick our standard in the softer ground beside the road. Pushing it down hard I make sure it's well seated. The breeze has kept the guidon displayed where they can see it. I move a half step back onto the road and slip my bow off my shoulder to the ground beside me. I stand there, ready to talk to their representative.

Their commander rides up with a small group until we're about ten metres apart. He stops. I decide to take control. I call out, “I, Al, Lord of this area, call upon you men to disarm and surrender to my troops.” I wave my left hand to the side. I hear horses moving behind. As per our plan, when I signal Carla trots the troop around the bend to spread out at the barricade. I enjoy the Brotherhood's shock as they look at them.

I'm sure the Brotherhood's spies told them how many of King Sid's men are defending the town and they came prepared to deal with them. But to have an extra sixty-five cavalry suddenly appear out of nowhere is sure to disturb them. I call out, “A Troop, First Company, Tigers Cavalry are ready to do combat with you here, on my land. Disarm and surrender, or die.” I notice a few look a bit sick when I get to the word Tigers. I do think Jaycee has been a bit active against them.

Their commander makes a signal as his horse moves to the side. A soldier behind him has an armed crossbow and he has a clear shot at me. I stand still until he fires, then turn my upper body as my right hand flies up to knock the shaft aside and to the ground. My left hand rises with my mini-crossbow ready to fire. As I hit the bolt I fire at their commander and the two senior sergeants with him. All watching are stunned when I slap the bolt to the ground, and they're slow to react.

The three I shoot are falling off their horses, with the mini-bolts in their foreheads. I drop to one knee and grab my bow. I raise my bow as a flight of arrows from my cavalry passes over me. They were ready with armed bows down beside their legs. In seconds they raise, aim, and fire. As per our plan, Carla is directing fire against the enemy's left flank while Kira works on the right and I start on the centre. They'll move inward as their targets thin out. The sudden loss of their leader, coupled with my deflecting the bolt, has the rest of the Brotherhood officers scrambling for ideas and orders. Two flights of our arrows hit them before they start to react. Our enemies raise their bows to fire.

Their left flank is destroyed and the rest are in disorder. Kira and I are targeting officers and sergeants. The rest are awaiting orders, as they've been trained not to do anything without orders. My troops have fired four flights, and our support has fired three flights, before our enemies are able to fire a single ineffective flight in our direction. Over half of the enemy are already dead and a significant number of the rest are wounded. I raise the ante by dropping my bow, standing, and drawing both my swords. I charge the enemy while I yell, “T igers !”

When I near the enemy centre I hear Carla blow 'The Charge' on her whistle, followed by the pounding of horses' hooves.

As I'm on the ground it's hard for them to aim their bows down at me. The smart ones drop their bows and draw their swords. The really smart ones drop their weapons and place their hands on their heads as they surrender. I'm only a few ranks into the enemy force when I hear the clash of swords as the rest of my cavalry arrive. As per their orders they charge through the force, slashing as they go. When they reach the enemy rear they turn around. I hear Carla blow 'Cease fire.'

I stop and step back. Looking around, I see lots of riderless horses with their ex-riders lying on the ground and about a hundred men are on horseback with their hands on their heads. Carla takes charge as my troops move back through checking the enemy troops are disarmed and herding them over to Summer Ford. I turn back and check the faces of those I stabbed, looking for one I'd stabbed earlier. I clean my swords and put them away while I walk back checking faces.

Reaching one man without a rank insignia I kneel beside the dying man. I pull out some of his hair. He stares as I do. Shaking my head, I say, “General Johnson will be glad to inform your wife of your death on duty, Corporal Hales.” His eyes go very wide when I put the bit of hair and scalp in my pocket. I want it for DNA verification later. Before I stand I reach over and snap his neck to make sure he dies. I don't like people who betray their word and the trust placed in them. I now have only eight more of John's missing men to account for. Sadly, we don't know if they're all traitors or not, but this one we now know was.

With a slow and steady pace I walk back to my bow and pick it up. David rides up and recovers the standard. I give him a slight smile as I pull out my whistle and blow the special calls for Gaza and Rafa. I look up when they trot across the river. Rafa stops beside Kira and Gaza comes to me. We mount up and ride back into town.

Clean-up

It takes just a moment to trot back into town. Stopping just inside the barrier I dismount and get out my first aid kit. We've a few people with arrow wounds; seven of King Sid's soldiers, five of my cavalry, two of my new farmers, and two of the townspeople. Very few considering the force we were facing. By taking the fight to them and getting in the first few real blows we really limited the damage they did to us.

For most of the people it's a simple case of remove the arrow, sew it up, cover with honey, and let them go. One of King Sid's men has a very serious wound, we're not sure if it's in his lung or just close to it. Either way, he's lost most of the use of his left shoulder for the rest of his life. We'll need to do some more damage to get the arrow out. For this one Warren takes the lead as he's had some medical training in the military. Kira and I back him up as he cuts the shoulder open to get the arrow out without tearing everything apart. The man is lucky as the arrow missed the lung by a few millimetres. But there's still a lot of muscle and tissue damage to repair as we sew him up and bandage the wound. He'll be no good for anything at all for some months, then permanently disabled. The shoulder muscles are never going to be the same again.

While we clean-up after the surgery the local King's Representative comes over to speak to me because I'd sent for him. I look up, and ask, “Can you do indenture papers for all the prisoners? Five years should do. None of their officers or sergeants survived. These are common folk that got caught up in the Brotherhood's system.” He nods. “Good. I'll have my lot choose half a dozen to go with us. You can organise for the rest to work for King Sid or the locals with any benefits going to pay for the cost of keeping the troops here.” He smiles, as I'm sure the locals will make good use of the eighty or ninety prisoners I'll leave here. He leaves to get that done, and I wave Brian's friend over.

The man arrives, and I say, “Warren will pick the best of those horses for us to take with us. But I doubt we'll take more than a quarter of them. Can you take the rest of them and their tack, and see they go to King Sid as compensation for the cost of protecting his border from these people.” He nods before leaving to organise it.

Warren listened while I spoke, and now says, “I doubt we'll want one in ten of those horses.”

“Warren, we'll be taking all the weapons. We'll need some pack horses for them. Also, some of the farmers could do with extra horses. So you get the best twenty or twenty-five percent and hand the rest over. OK?” He nods, and he finishes packing up the medical gear.

We spend the rest of the day cleaning and packing up after the short encounter. Most of the enemy dead end up being fed to the local hogs. There's not enough time left to get far today, so we set up camp again and stay another night.

Tactics Talk

That evening I'm eating in the local tavern. Brian's friend and a few of the army officers join me. While we eat and drink Brian's friend, says, “I can't believe how effective you were, and how ineffective they were. But you seemed to expect it. Why?”

I smile as I look at him. Several times I've tried to find out his name, but he hasn't volunteered it and the others won't say. I'd heard Sid was very friendly, so this constant avoidance of names makes me wonder who he is. It doesn't really matter, though. He's a line of communication to Sid, so I'll use him.

With a grin, I reply, “It's all a matter of training differences and making their training work against them. The Brotherhood is very big on having their leaders in control of the lower levels. The lower levels are taught to do nothing without orders. Also, their troops are little more than half trained militia. They're taught a few basic combat tactics and that's it. Get them out of their areas of training and they're lost. My lot are trained to think for themselves and to fight as they think fit within the general plan provided by the officers. That way if the officers or the plan falls apart my people will still respond how they think they should. While the Brotherhood troops will stop and wait for orders. The officers and sergeants will wait only a little time for orders, then they'll issue some if they don't get them. But that little wait can be used to disrupt their units before they react. You can break down their chain of command and their organisation a little to make them flounder. Add to that the fact their spies have been here and listed what troops and defences you have. They would have planned and practised their attack on the town's defences before they were sent here. By moving out to meet them I introduced an unknown into their plan. I let them start the fight, but only when my people were ready to respond at once. Then I shocked them and took out their top leaders. That stopped them from being able to think things through and adjust to the fight. While they were still trying to comprehend that my troops hit their flank hard while Kira and I took out their remaining officers and sergeants. As you saw, it took them some minutes to get organised due to the battle plan having been changed at the last moment. Then we did the last thing they expected, we attacked a much larger force. The remaining troops had no fight left in them by then. In short, we screwed up their plans, took out the leaders, and hit their weak points with our strongest forces. Skill and quality over mindless quantity. We won. Hell, we took more prisoners than we had troops.”

They shake their heads, and their leader says, “Well, it sure worked! They just fell apart. From what you say about their level of training they shouldn't be a force to worry about.”

“I wouldn't say that. Each week their troops have more and more time for training. Their level of training and skills will go up. In many situations their sheer weight of numbers can be overwhelming. As time goes by they will become more and more of a danger. Our best bet is to keep doing what we're doing: keep them off balance and keep them sending troops out without full training. When we fight them we have to make sure we dictate the ground where we fight and the conditions of the battle. We want them to fight our battle and not theirs.” He frowns a bit whiles he thinks about it. I add, “Look, the defences here are along the edge of the river. They're all set up to keep them out of the town. The way they were preparing it looked like they intended to charge and accept high losses while hitting you with overwhelming force. They intended to push past the barriers. Once they did that the whole town was open to them and your troops are trapped between their forces in the town and the ones still in the river. You can change the battlefield to your advantage so that doesn't work. You can set up hidden barriers that their spies can't see, so when they charge you can fall back into the town itself. You'll force them to charge down the main street due to blockages between the buildings. Then you rain arrows down on them from the upper levels of secured buildings. You can inflict heavy casualties while they can't reach you in an effective way. By using a series of defences you keep falling back to while you inflict casualties on them you'll chew a much larger force to pieces when they keep coming. They have to keep coming if they want to take the town. That plan would defeat their idea of riding you down at the edge of town. It lets you chew them up real bad. You change the battlefield from what they want to what allows you to do the best against them.”

The local army commander smiles as he pictures what I'm saying. I'm sure tomorrow will see some changes in the town's defences. He says, “We can also add some extras by stringing ropes across the street and taking a few down that way. I see what you suggest is not to hold the edge of town at all costs, but to hurt them when they charge, then pull back to minimise my own losses. I keep inflicting casualties on them while we fall back through a series of prepared fighting points and we hit their flanks at the same time.”

I nod, “Exactly so. That'll inflict heavy casualties until they use a force that's big enough for a suitable group to escape and report what you do. Until they learn of its use they'll keep falling for it. Another thing you could do is to find a group that's good at hiding in trees and using bows. Have them hide in the trees on the other side and pick them off as they get set. If the bowmen hide well enough they could get a lot of people while the enemy has no idea of where your people are shooting from. The regular losses to unknown bowmen will rattle them a great deal.”

They all smile at the idea. I think I've got them thinking about new and different ways of fighting this enemy. We all call it a night very early, but not before having a longer talk on tactics.

When I head for my bedroll I take time to go to all of my people. I congratulate them on their good work today, especially the troopers. When I get into my bedroll I'm soon asleep.

Two Sheaf

Most of the gear is still packed from yesterday. So we've a quick breakfast, cross the river, and go on our way to Two Sheaf. Three days later we arrive at an area just north of Two Sheaf where I wish to build new farms. The land to the east of the road is light forest from the road to the mountain cliffs. This is unclaimed land and we're about to claim it by clearing it. Using axes we cut down the first of the trees to mark the northern limit of the farm area we'll be creating. As we move down the road we cut down a tree for the border between each of the farms.

We're not moving as fast as we were when we left Junction. We'd started buying and collecting livestock just before Summer Ford, and we've been adding to it quite a bit since then. Cows, pigs, hens, quail, deer, sheep, and goats have been added to our herd of horses. The dogs the farmers brought from Junction are a real help in control of the stock and keeping them moving.

At mid-afternoon we reach the end of the forest and come to the last farm on the east side of the road before the small town of Two Sheaf. I know the farm is for sale. One of the representatives David sent out gave me the details of it with a suggested price. I hope to buy it and use it as our base to get things started. Kira and I ride ahead to the farm.

We ride up to the main house and dismount. A woman walks out of the house and two men approach from the barn. I nod at the men, and say, “Good day.” Turning to the woman, I ask, “Missus Joan Mailing?” She nods, “I hear you want to sell your farm! Is that so?”

Doing the Deal

She glances at the two men, they don't look happy about my asking about the farm. She nods towards the house, saying, “Come in. Let's talk over a cold drink.” She turns to the two men, “If you've finished doing what you're doing, you can leave now.” The two men glare at me, then turn and walk down the approach road. We enter the house and she leads us through to the kitchen. In a moment we're seated with glasses of cold lemonade to drink. The house is neat and clean, just like the yard and fields we saw while approaching the farm. It's clear the place is looked after and a good going concern.

While she takes her seat, I say, “Before we get started, I've a group of stock and people coming down the road, we need an overnight camp spot regardless of if we come to an agreement or not. Can we camp on your farm for tonight, please?” She nods. I turn to Kira, she nods and gets up to go tell them. We soon hear her ride off at a gallop.

Missus Mailing smiles, and says, “I'm right glad you came along. In two more days I'd have lost this farm with nothing to show for a life of work.” I frown as I didn't know this. “My man died a year ago and I've been trying to sell the farm since. There's a local rule; if you can't work a farm yourself or with family, then you got a year to sell it. If you can't, then anyone who doesn't have a farm and can work it can take it over. Those two men are brothers, one has a farm and the other don't. They both live on the farm the older one has, but they only do enough to get by. They don't work it right. If they worked it right they'd need three or four adults to handle the load, but they only do half days, at best.”

“Sorry to hear you've been troubled. But I'm glad I got here in time. How much do you want?”

“Well, a couple of people I trust appraised the farm as being worth thirty shells, but I'll sell for twenty-five shells and the right to stay on as housekeeper for keep. I was born here, lived here, and like to die here.”

“That's sounds a fair deal. I had a man through here a few weeks back and that's in the range he gave me as the farm being worth. When my people arrive and are settled we'll go into town and I'll arrange the transfer of the money. I hope you've no objection to a bank account or cash as payment!” She grins, and nods. I love this place, the deals are so easy to organise once an agreement is reached.

“I should warn you, those two men, the Branson brothers, they're not going to like this and they may cause you trouble.”

“Well, I'll worry about that if it happens. People causing me trouble have a tendency to end up dead.” She raises her eyebrows at that, and smiles. I get the idea those two aren't well liked in the area and few will miss them if anything happens to them.

It takes a while for the whole caravan to move down, through the entrance, and out into a recently harvested field. The stock is put into another field that's for grazing. Leaving Warren and Carla in charge of the group, I head for town with Kira and Mrs Mailing. Our first stop is the town mayor's house to have him draw up a paper on the sale. Then the four of us go to the bank so the mayor can witness the transfer. The bank pays me the money from my account, which I hand to Joan. She puts it in a new account in her name. She's very happy to have a bank account of her own now, something no one in her family has had before. The mayor leaves us and we head to the inn to celebrate the sale.

A Sniff of Trouble

In the town's only inn, the Two Sheaf Inn, I order and pay for a pitcher of good wine and I get three mugs for us to celebrate the sale. Handing over the pitcher and mugs, the inn owner states, “I hear you may be selling your farm, after all, Joan!”

She grins, hooks a thumb at me, and replies, “This young man paid me twenty-five shells for the farm. He agrees I can stay living there until I die. The money's already in my new account in the bank. So there's no point in anyone trying to steal it from me. I'd appreciate it if you let people know I sold up and put the money in the bank.”

He nods, “Good for you. The Branson boys weren't too happy when they came in for a drink. They said someone was talking to you about it. I'll make sure they know you sold out and banked the money.”

“Thanks, Lief. That should limit their trouble against me. They were really pushing to get my farm. They ran off three likely buyers and discouraged a few others that were looking, before now.”

Just then the door opens and five men walk in wearing the uniform of the Brotherhood. One has a despatch case over his shoulder. They front the bar and order two pitchers of wine. Lief holds out his hand for payment. The leader slaps it aside, saying, “I'm an officer of the Brotherhood, the government of this area. We don't need to pay for services while on government business.” Lief steps back and reaches for his club.

I nod at Kira and she moves to the side, taking Joan with her.

With a big smile I move away from the ladies, and say in a loud voice, “The Brotherhood is not a government. It's a bunch of thieving murderers and liars. They steal everything they can lay their hands on. They have no say or control over this area. All the land east of the river is the domain of Lord Al. His troops, the Tigers, keep order. They pay fair price for what they get, and so should all travellers. So pay the man or leave. Wearing the uniform of bandits like the Brotherhood is enough reason for you to be killed without any notice, anyway.”

The five men step back and stare at me. When they reach for their swords one asks, “Who are you?”

I smile, and say, “Most people call me Lord Al, my Tigers call me Sir, and the Brotherhood calls me death incarnate, as I've killed hundreds of them already. My Tigers have killed many hundreds more.”

We all draw our swords and they attack. By my moving to the side they can't all get at me at once, and the two nearest soon regret being in that position. I swing my left sword to sweep both theirs aside with mine as my right hand flashes up to slice their throats open. Two down and we're just getting started. As they fall I step to the side, turn, and lean forward to slide the katana in my right hand into the next man's groin. He screams and drops his sword as his hands go to his ruined privates and sliced open leg. Three down, dying on the floor. The others are stunned, but are smart enough to back up. With a smile, I leap over the bodies and spin in the air. Landing on the other side my right-hand sword sweeps theirs to the side and my left-hand sword slides into the chest of the left-hand man. As I pull my sword back the last man turns and races for the door. In a flash I'm on him and open his back up from his neck to his hip, slicing his spine in half, too. He falls to the floor and I finish him off with a stab to the neck, severing his spine. Five down in less than a minute. If any of these people ever really learn how to fight with a sword I wouldn't have it so easy. Most are just uniformed bullies that scare people into submission. They can't fight well at all.

Joan turns to Kira, asking, “Why didn't you help him?”

She smiles, “There was only five of them. And he signalled me to see you were kept safe while he'd handle it alone. We've a way of talking with hand and body signs. And our training together means we know what to do in certain situations that are common in a fight.”

Kira helps me to strip the dead of all that's worthwhile. I make a point of getting the weapons, money pouches, and the despatch case. Flicking a quad onto the bar, I say, “That's for whoever gets this garbage out of here and cleans up the floor for me.” Two young men sitting near the door nod at me. They dart forward and grab two of the dead men, dragging them to the back door.

Lief slides the quad to his side of the bar, saying, “Mark and John have taken the job. I'll hold this until they're done.” I and a few others nod at his statement of watching the money for them. He looks at me, and says, “I gather you're the Lord Al who's claiming Lordship!”

“Yes. I've been fighting the Brotherhood for over a year now. I'm pushing them back to the east where they started. King Sid's land runs up to the river and he doesn't wish to extend his lands this way. A few of those living up near Bridgetown and those at Grassy Meadows have asked me to take Lordship and establish a regional government so we can support a standing army to fight off the Brotherhood. I've agreed to do that for now. Once we've destroyed the Brotherhood I'll review the situation. I won't establish any taxes until such time as the land is safe and secure. Then I'll establish suitable representatives in each town to see to the protection of the people. Until then, I claim governorship.”

“A bit young for that, aren't you?”

I grin, “Some would say that. But I've been training for this since I could hardly walk and am Lord over a large kingdom in another land. But you have to admit I'm capable.” I wave at the last of the dead on the floor, the two young men have taken four of the five out. “I intend to set up good locals to rule in my stead because I've duties elsewhere. My rule will be a lot like King Sid's since we've similar responsibilities.”

Lief nods, “Yes. I see what you mean about capabilities.”

“My Tigers have been operating in my absence and will continue to do so. Each day the Brotherhood grows weaker and my people grow stronger. I've brought a group of people along to set up new farms along the east side of the road just north of town. They're here to work their farms, but to also fight the Brotherhood who travel this road. They will provide protection to the forest area behind the farms. I'll be seeding those forests with livestock for use in a special project. Thus, all except a few people appointed by me will be banned from entering that forest area. After today anyone caught hunting in that area will be liable for summary execution by me or my agents. Please spread that word. It'll be easy to identify the forest concerned as we'll signpost it and have farms along the road and up to the cliffs on each end. The forest will be enclosed by farms we'll create and own. I'm sure you'll appreciate the extra trade the new people will provide you.” All the shopkeepers in the inn smile at the idea of more clients to do business with and for.

Dragon Discussion

One of the other farmers, says, “Has anyone told you that forest is the hunting grounds of dragons?”

“Yes, I know. That's why I'm sealing it off. People have been in there and hunting the forest animals. Thus there isn't enough food for the dragons, so they've been kidnapping people for meals. I intend to stop that by negotiating with them to leave us alone, and I'll stock the forest for them to hunt in. That way we can all exist in safety.”

“How will you deal with dumb animals like those dragons?”

“They aren't dumb animals. They've a culture and a language of their own. I know their language and will speak with them. We see them as animals and they see us as the same. I intend to change that. I'll establish some respect and make an arrangement between us. Anyone who's been hunting dragons can stop right now. I'll kill any who do. I'll also kill any dragon who breaks the peace, once I make the deal.”

“Well, I hope you can make it work. I'm fed up with losing stock that wandered into the forest.”

“That shouldn't happen now. Your stock will have to cross the new farms to get near the forest. So will anyone else who goes looking for my stock in the forest. We'll soon have fences up and no one will be allowed to go into the forest, it should soon be a dead issue.”

Another farmer chimes in, “Maybe. But them Branson brothers are always boasting about killing dragons. They won't like this.”

“They don't need to like it. They just need to obey it.” That gets a few laughs from around the room. This makes me think those two aren't known for obeying rules and the like.

A little after that we leave the inn and return to the farm, which I'm now told is called 'Town Limits.' I think it's appropriate, because its town side is the edge of town and the start of the local farming area.

Organising the Farms

We're back at Town Limits in time to help prepare dinner. It doesn't take long because we have it down to a routine now. The camp is set up in the corner of the field nearest the house. My wagons are put away inside the barn and the farmers' wagons are nearby. Many sleep in or under their wagons while my carts are too small for that. All the stock are either in the barn, in the attached corral, or grazing in the field behind the barn.

While we eat today's stew we talk about the farms and how we'll go about making them. The first thing to do in the morning is to set out in as many work crews as we can. We'll start cutting down trees on each of the marked areas. This is to establish our bona fides and to stop anyone else from hopping in now that we've announced our intentions. We'll also extend this farm back the remaining few hundred metres to the rock cliff. All the harvest crops are in except one, and that's due to be harvested in a couple of weeks. Which means we can use most of the fields to store the cut trees on for the moment. That'll make the on-site work easier, and the horses will make dragging them away very simple.

Each of the farmers setting up new farms will lead a crew of four others to start the tree cutting, that's seventy-five people tied up in the fifteen new farms we've marked. Jasmine will be working with Joan to see about getting the farm houses here ready for full occupancy. Jake will lead a team of four others to cut the trees extending this farm. He and Jasmine will be running this farm for me. They don't know it yet, but I'll be giving it to them and their prospective spouses as a wedding gift. The expanded farm will be big enough to need two families to run it. Warren and Carla will be in charge of two roving patrols of an officer and ten troops each that will see to the security of the workers. The rest will stay here to look after the stock and this farm for now. The plan is to get up, have breakfast, and be going before dawn.

The next morning no one's happy to be awake in the dark, but we're soon ready and heading out with some hot roast beef sandwiches to eat for breakfast. Joan and Jasmine were up earlier to make the sandwiches from the fresh bread and the roast beef they'd cooked during the night. Their work is very much appreciated by those eating the sandwiches!

A couple of wagons belonging to Town Limits are used to deliver the people to their work sites. The first task is to mark the outer line of trees to show they've started. The sound of axes cutting wood can be heard as soon as the sun rises high enough for them to see what they're doing and can work with safety.

It's a good thing we started early. All the trees are marked and the first few are fallen when the Branson brothers lead a couple of other disreputable looking types along the road. All are carrying axes on their shoulders. I smile when I see them look up the road. All they can see, for as far as they can see, is people chopping trees on the east side of the road. They turn and look at the wood behind the farm. Jake's team is busy on the side of the wood, marking and cutting the trees for the farm's extension. But he hasn't marked the wood along the back of the farm yet. I'm sure the Branson's have spotted this oversight, because they speak to their friends and enter the farm.

Turning to Daisy, one of the women staying on the farm today, I ask, “Please get a few men and have them start marking the trees along the back of the farm right now.” She glances at the four men, nods, and moves off when I head down to intercept the men. Nearing the men, I call out, “You men, you're trespassing on my land. Get back on the road and off my property now.”

One of the Branson brothers replies, “We're just headed to the forest to do some work.”

“Not over my land, you're not. Turn around and leave, right now!”

They walk up to me, and the other brother says, “And what are you going to do if we don't?” All four are hefting their axes as if they're about to use them as weapons in a fight, the weight is in their hands and not on their shoulders.

I'm about to speak when an arrow thuds into the ground in front of them. Jasmine yells out, “I'll put an arrow in the gut of each arse hole who doesn't turn around and leave right now!”

We all turn to see her and a few of the ladies standing near the barn with bows ready for action. The men grumble as they turn and leave.

I'm glad to see the ladies are more than ready to protect what's about to become their new homes. I'm also happy to see our early start was justified and we've managed to stop this attempt on our claims. We now have a clear idea on who we expect to make trouble in the future. We'll keep a close eye on them to know what they're up to.

Jasmine and Kira take hot meat sandwiches and some cool water to the work crews so they can minimise the time taken out for lunch.

During the afternoon I visit the Two Sheaf Inn and speak to Lief, I learn the inn is the source of the town's name. I've one of the wagons with me and he's happy to sell me five barrels of wine to take back for my people to drink with their meals. I've got to return the barrels when empty, but that's expected. I also learn the other two with the Branson brothers were likely their two cousins of the same name. That gives me four troublemakers called Branson to deal with, two sets of brothers.

During the afternoon one of the patrols splits into two man sets to drag fallen trees back to the farm. They keep off the road by dragging the trees along the side where they've been cut. The pile of trees in the field near the forest is growing very fast. They're not trimming the trees on site, so a few of the people staying at Town Limits are working on them. They're cutting off the branches and stacking the wood near the barn as firewood. The leaves and waste branches not good enough to be used as firewood or tinder are being placed in piles to be burnt later. The ash will be ploughed into the ground afterwards. They'll leave that until near the end, to minimise the ash dust floating about the place while they work.

The work crews keep on cutting until dark. They're happy to return to a meal of hot stew with good wine to wash it down. The next few days are more of the same. By the end of the week we've enough of the forest cleared to establish a definite zone of our open farmland around the part of the forest I want segregated. This will make it easy for us to limit and control access to the reserved forest.

A week after we start I leave Carla watching the Bransons. I take Kira and two others with me while I put up the signs on the trees that'll mark the edge of the forest once the farms are cleared. Kira had been in charge of the few people making them during the first week. The task takes us three days to secure the signs to almost every other tree along the edge of the now protected forest.

We've more than enough people working at Town Limits for the moment, so I direct a work crew to start dropping the trees along the inside edge of the farms to make an open area between the farms and the forest area. The signs mark a clear line they need to take. I set the signs a safe distance beyond how far the dragons usually fly from the mountains. The farms should be safe from the dragons' activities.

The crew making the break area are followed by the carpenters who are cutting up the fallen trees to make split log fences. They've a crew with them to help with that and to put up the fence line as they go. The cut off branches are brought back to Town Limits as firewood. They use a couple of my cavalry wagons for that task. Once the fence is in place we can let the 'forest seed stock' loose in the forest.

On the first day of the third week I leave Warren and Carla in charge. I take five troopers and some of the stock into the forest while I try to contact the dragons. We have fun herding a dozen bullocks and a few sheep through the forest.

Dragon Discussions

We travel through the remaining area of the forest herding the sheep and bullocks. Near the town's edge of the protected forest area is a split in the cliff. It leads up a slope that goes to a plateau part way up the mountain. We head up that. We reach the plateau at lunch time.

Where the slope opens up onto the plateau the entry is only about thirty metres wide. The rest of the cliff edge has a four or five metre rock wall. I look out over the plateau and see a stream cutting through this space in the mountains. It vanishes into the rock face to our right about thirty metres in. It's probably the stream that flows out from under the mountain cliff and across Town Limits to the town. On the far side of the stream is a sparse forest area with open grasslands between the stream and the cliffs to our left. I like the look of the area.

Nodding at my helpers we keep a watchful eye on the sky while we herd our stock onto the plateau and over to the nearest section of forest. Once in the forest a few metres we tether our horses and most of the stock there, well inside the forest. I lead one of the bullocks out into the middle of the open area and tether it there. I sit down with my back to a large boulder about ten metres from the bullock. Kira and the men are all sitting in the forest in an outwards looking circle with their backs to the same tree. None of us want to have a dragon sneak up on us and have us for lunch instead of the bullock. Kira will warn me if she sees any danger behind me.

We open our lunches and eat. We came prepared for a long wait with enough food for four days, if need be. A lot later, in the early afternoon, I see a growing dot in the sky. I watch as one of the Kukulka circles the area while it looks over the bullock and me.

First Meeting

I see it look at me and eye the distance between me and the bullock a few times. It's obvious it wonders if the bullock is there as part of a trap to kill it. Knowing they have good hearing, I call out to it in Kukulka, “Good afternoon. How are you?” My calling out in its language has a startling effect, and it turns away while it gains height to think on this.

The Kukulka flies away. About an hour later it returns with a second member of its species. I don't know how I can tell, but I'm sure I'm now looking at both a male and a female. Not sure which is which, but there are some minor differences in their appearances. They both circle above me and the bullock.

Again I call out in their language, “Good afternoon. How are you? I wish to speak with someone of authority within your community. I've brought this food animal as a show of my good faith and to repay you for taking my message to your people. Please feel free to kill and eat it.” They circle some more.

One lands between me and the bullock, faces me, and says, “How is it you know our language? We thought your type were just animals.”

“Both my people and your people think the other is just an animal good only for food because they cannot speak to each other. But I'm from another area where we know of the Kukulka and I was able to learn some of your language from a people who live on the planet we call Cassandra. Your people have been taking my people and also some visitors from Cassandra who don't know your language as food for your young. I've learned your language to come here and talk with you to negotiate an agreement where we would leave each other to live in peace. To that end, I also brought some animals to restock this plateau and the forest below with animals for you to eat. But you must leave some to breed so there'll be food for the next generations. My people are in the process of establishing farms around the forest below so others like us cannot enter the forest and hunt the animals we're setting aside to breed as your feed stock.”

This one thinks on this, and turns to the other, saying, “I smell no taint, eat your fill.” The other Kukulka drops to the ground near the bullock and kills it with a bite to the neck. In seconds it's busy ripping the bullock apart and eating it. “I see you and your friends are staying seated and well away. Why is this?”

“I thought you might think this was a trap to kill you, but I need to be close to speak to you. So we sit in a way that doesn't threaten you. Thus, I hoped you'll feel safe and take time to talk.”

“The only reason I landed was you were seated with no killing tools to hand and you spoke to me. Why are the others with you?”

“I brought a few more food animals and they helped me to bring them here. I brought several. I wasn't sure how many Kukulka I would need to talk to before I could speak with your leaders. I need to speak with them to reach an agreement on behalf of your community as a whole.”

“Wait here. I'm one of our senior council. I'll take your message to the council after I feed. I'll return with our leaders.”

“I know you use energy to come here, which is why I brought food to replace that energy. How many of these feed animals should I set out for those who will come back?”

“Four more animals such as these should be enough.”

“Thank you. I'll stay seated until after you've eaten and left. Then I'll go bring out more of the feed animals and tether them near here.” The Kukulka nods, and walks over to the bullock. The animal is only a quarter eaten when it goes over, but the two of them finish it off. Soon there's nothing left except bones, they even eat the skin. A moment after finishing their meal they take to the air and fly off to the east.

With a big grin I go over and get my helpers to assist me with taking five bullocks near to where the last one was eaten. We tether them out across the grass. The others return to their positions and sit down again.

I look up, and in the far distance I can still see the dot of one of the Kukulka watching us. I know they can see what we're doing because they have good distance vision when there's enough light. They can see very well; except at night, dusk, and dawn. Their home planet is a great deal brighter than Chaos is. With there being no moon here it makes things harder for them when the sun isn't well up in the sky.

Facing towards the distant watcher I bow, and wave at the tethered stock before returning to my position where I sit down to wait.

It's another hour or so before I see more dots arriving from the south-east. They join the watcher, then they all head this way. In a few minutes there are eight Kukulka circling as they look at me and the stock. I smile, and call out, “Welcome. Please come and talk with me. I have these food animals here to replenish your energy, so enjoy them.”

The one that was first to talk to me before lands and checks the animals over. It kills and starts to eat one. Its mate joins it, soon the others are all having a meal. Most have half an animal each, in pairs, but four that look a lot thinner than the rest share the fifth animal. It doesn't take long for them to finish off the stock in the open.

As they finish eating they move to a point where they can watch me and also watch those in the forest. I ask, “If any of you are still hungry I've a few more animals in the forest yonder. I can bring them out to you if you wish.” A couple of them nod, so I stand and walk to the forest. A moment later I'm herding all of the stock out. I move them across the open area and don't bother to tether them. Some of the Kukulka move towards them. In a moment another bullock and four sheep are being consumed by the six new visitors. I return to my rock as they eat. The other stock wander off about the area as they eat grass.

Second Meeting

When they've all eaten their fill the Kukulka go to the stream and take turns to have a drink while the rest watch us. Then they return to form a group facing me. One, an older looking one, says, “I'm told you wish to make an agreement with us. What is it?”

I smile, and I say, “If you don't mind, I'll stay sitting here. You won't feel threatened and I'll feel safer from attack with my back to this boulder.” They all make a strange mouth movement, I think it's their form of a grin - I hope it's their form of a grin and not a grimace. “Your people and mine have lived on this planet for many generations without coming into contact until my people expanded across the land into this area. Then it was delayed for a while as the two hunting areas did not overlap at first. In recent times my people have been hunting the same forest area as you and the food sources have been all but wiped out. As neither side knew the other were an intelligent people they viewed the other as a dangerous animal and sought to kill them off by hunting the other for food as well. I come from another place. There I learned your language from some specialists who deal with your race on other planets. I'm here to put an end to this killing of each other's people. I'm establishing a set of farms around the section of forest you traditionally hunt in below these mountains. This glen is part of that reserved area. A fence is being put up around the forest and signs are already up. My people, except for a few authorised to check on things, are banned from the forest and this glen. My people on those farms will stop others from crossing their farms to reach the forest. I'm putting stocks of various animals in the forest; bullocks, goats, sheep, pigs, and deer - to name a few. This is so you will have animals to eat. My people won't be hunting them, nor will they hunt your people. I'll leave orders for my people on the farms to push extra stock into the forest from time to time, too. What I want from you is to have your people stop hunting my people. I want you to manage the stock in the forest so they are allowed to breed and give you food animals for years to come. I also want to exchange some food animals for the people of mine you have as prisoners at the moment.” I stop for a breather and a drink of water.

I continue, “I know some of my people and some your people will not want to obey the requirements of this agreement, if we can agree. So I also want you to do what is needed to enforce the terms of the agreement on your people. I'll do the same to my people.” Just then I have a thought, and add, “One more thing. Sometimes my people do things that are so wrong they're sentenced to death. If you agree, my representatives will bring such people up to this glen. They'll leave them lying in the glen, tied up. You can then take them home as food for your young or just have them for lunch. Some of my people don't fear death, but they will fear being your dinner!” They all make a strange noise, and I hope it's how they laugh.

The older Kukulka says, “I like your way of thinking. My people do not always obey our rules. So I'm glad you accept there may be some like that. Where we find them taking your people for eating later we'll release the person and take them to one of the farms on the edge of the forest. If ours have killed yours already we'll take ours to one of the farms and hurt them so they can't fight as your people kill them. The rest of what you propose is acceptable. We need to reach an agreement on the price of current captives to be handed over, and for me to discuss it with my people.”

“Good. How about a bullock, that's the larger food animal you've eaten today, and a sheep, that's the smaller one, for each captive of my people brought to me. Once all the captives are free I'll drive the seed stock into the forest. Thus the main terms come into being when the captives are free. How many captives do you have, so I'll know how many animals to bring for the exchange?”

“That's acceptable. There are fourteen captives in our valley. I think my people will agree to this when we discuss it tonight. Can you be here with the animals tomorrow?”

“Yes, I can be here about mid-morning tomorrow with fourteen of each animal. When I seed the forest with animals most of them will be breeding stock, but I'll herd a number of animals, including many that cannot breed, up into this glen. You'll have some you can eat straight away. Some of the breeding stock may be with them too.”

He nods, and I nod in response. A moment later the Kukulka are in the air flying away. I stand and walk back to my group in the forest. We leave the few remaining animals to wander around the glen. I expect they'll be eaten by this time tomorrow. I don't mind giving them away because they now become gifts of good will.

On the walk back to Town Limits I tell the others of what's been agreed. Fourteen captives. But I know of only seven Damsels with the dragons, the rest must be locals. It matters not who they are, I'll buy them out of bondage.

Dinner that night is a happy affair after I tell the rest of my people the terms of the agreement. They're happy they won't have to worry about the dragons causing trouble, and readily agree to my rate of taxation of one in twenty of the stock increase being chased into the forest each year. It makes it easier for them to pay me the taxes that are due, and it shows I trust them.

The Exchange

The next morning we're up early and getting ready for the exchange. I've several troopers organise twenty bullocks and twenty sheep with fifteen horses. Twelve of them pulling the four wheeled cavalry wagons after we unload them in the barn and put a load of blankets in them, along with food and water. I want to be ready to cart the people out if they can't walk that far. Twenty of us head off to the exchange.

Mid-morning we arrive at the glen. To show my good faith I herd the bullocks and sheep over to the other side of the boulder. I leave my people and the horses in the forest. When I walk out to take up my usual position beside the boulder I spot a watcher in the distant sky. At the boulder I take a seat and await events.

About half an hour later, judging by my internal clock, I spot four of the Kukulka flying this way. They land and approach me.

The older one from yesterday stops and tells me his name, which is very poetic and very long. I shorten it in my mind to Morning Breeze, as their names use a process that's a cross between the Japanese and the American Indians. Breeze continues, saying, “What is your name?”

“I have many names. But the people around here call me Lord Al.”

“We have a problem, Lord Al. My people have agreed to stop taking your people for food. We've agreed to all the other matters you said. But one of my people, Fast Dive, refuses to hand over the female she has taken after her mate was killed. How does this affect the agreement?”

“The rest will bring their captives safely here and exchange them for the food animals, as we discussed?”

“Yes. They await word to bring them here safe and sound.”

“Then I see this as you and your people agreeing with me and mine on the terms we discussed last night. The agreement is accepted and in place. With regards to Fast Dive, she's acting as an individual outside the agreement. I won't press you to force her to bring me her captive. I will ask you do not punish me for violating the sanctity of your valley when I go into it and take the captive away from Fast Dive. All else will be as agreed.”

“Good. I do not think you can safely approach our valley and get the captive, but accept you have to try. If you are caught doing this I will see to it you are brought back here. But only twice will I give you safe return. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes. We have an agreement. I don't think I will need to accept your offer of safe return, but am glad it's there if I make a mistake. I have more of my people with horses and wagons to take the captives away once they're brought here. Your people can bring the captive to me then select what they want from the animals beyond this boulder. I brought more than was needed in case your people found some of the animals unacceptable. Once the exchange is over I'll leave the rest here for you to decide on what happens to them, as I'll give them to your community as a whole.”

“Good. We have some elderly who can't hunt well. We will take the left over animals to them.” He turns to another Kukulka, and orders, “Go get the people with the captives. Once they've selected their stock we will eat from those left and take the rest back for the aged and sick.” The one addressed takes to the air and is soon gone from sight.

The rest of the Kukulka relax on the ground near me, with one watching the forest where my people are. Several minutes later a large group of Kukulka are flying towards us, and they're carry something.

A few minutes more and thirteen people are deposited beside my boulder as twenty-six Kukulka select stock. The couples choose, kill, and eat a bullock before selecting a sheep to take away. It takes them a while to do this. When they leave Morning Breeze takes the others over to kill and eat a few bullocks, then take the remaining sheep away. A couple of bullocks are still alive. They'll send others back for them.

While that's happening I check over the released captives. Most of them need some minor medical attention, but can wait until we get them back to the farm. They're very happy to be free of the Kukulka.

Checking them over I find I've seven Damsels, but am missing one of those on my list. It seems they found an eighth while I was in transit. I also have six local Chaos people, four of them are teen-aged girls.

When the Kukulka leave my people bring the wagons and horses over. It takes only a few minutes to get the released captives all settled down to ride in the wagons. Most are still in shock from the flight here. I don't trust them to stay on a horse. The four girls are related and wish to stay together, but they have to be split into two pairs with each pair sharing a wagon. When we form up to leave some more Kukulka arrive and head for the stock. We watch them while we head out.

Crossing the glen I walk by each wagon and have a short word with each of the released captives, reassuring them as to their freedom and their future. They respond well to my assurances. The biggest responses come from the Damsels when I address six of them by name and tell them we'll be on our way back to Crossroads when my work here on Chaos is finished. They're very surprised to see such a young Hero.

When I reach the Damsel I don't know (she was the first delivered to me), I say, “I'm sorry, M'lady, I know you're from Cassandra, any fool can see that, but I don't know your name because you weren't on the list I was given of Damsels captured by the dragons.” Her eyes go wide when she realises I'm the Hero come to save her from durance vile.

She gives a small smile, and replies, “I'm Nina Programmer. Thank you for rescuing me. I do have to admit that the rescue is not anywhere as dramatic as what I envisioned. Being exchanged for a sheep and a cow is sort of anti-climactic.”

Grinning, I respond, “Better an exchange of food stock than have you become the first meal for their young when they hatch. Anyway, that's my view. I still have to do a much more dramatic rescue. One of the Kukulka hasn't exchanged Mary Violinist, so I have to go and steal her back. That will take some days. It'll allow you time to recover.”

“Please, don't get hurt while you get Mary back.” I smile and nod.

We take our time going back through the forest, and get back in the late afternoon. Joan and all the other ladies at the farm are soon busy getting all the released captives comfortable in beds in the farm houses. I figure a couple of days of rest should see most of them recovered, but I've Warren and Carla watch them for any emerging mental issues.

That night, while we're eating dinner, I'm told the two men who'd been sent to the south by David have arrived here. Along with six other men and a lot of stock they want to be paid for. They're in the inn for tonight. Warren promised Lief I'd pay for their keep when I see him in the morning.

The Next Day

After another early breakfast I'm off to the inn to pay Lief and meet with the men. I arrive in time to sit with them while they eat breakfast. I pay Lief while they eat.

After their breakfast we go to the bank and I get out the money to pay them. At my suggestion they open accounts and deposit the bulk of the money, so it'll be safe on their trip home. They can get it out from their local bank. Outside of the bank the sellers head home. I head to the farm, since they took the stock there yesterday when they arrived.

We get there in time to see the last of the farmers cutting out the best stock to be kept by them on the farms. The provision of good breeding stock was one of the incentives I offered them to come and set up here.

By late morning all is ready. We have an early lunch and set off, herding just over a thousand head of stock into the forest and up to the glen. I'm not worried about the stock that gets lost in the forest, as the whole forest area is now surrounded by a sturdy fence. The main water supply is the stream in the glen, while a smaller one runs through the forest, flowing north before it curves back to flow across the new farms. I figure most of the stock will eventually move up to the glen area, as it's quieter. At the moment I'm concentrating on getting the bullocks, pigs, and sheep up to the glen. We get there in the late afternoon, with most of the stock. We've lost many of the deer and others on the way. After chasing the stock into the glen we head back to the farm.

Rescue Raid

As the group of us pass near the forest on the way out Kira and I slip into the forest to wait for nightfall. While I was busy with the men and the stock she was busy packing all we'd need to mount the rescue of Mary. We move well back into the forest and hide in a large bush.

During the remaining hours of daylight we hear the odd squeal of one of the stock animals being killed as the Kukulka visit for food. The afternoon moves on and night begins to fall. We wait until well into the evening before we move out. When we reach the edge of the forest the sun is still high enough for us to see across the glen. One lone Kukulka is feeding on a pig it's killed. It often looks up and around the glen. I'm not worried, as I know their eyesight isn't that good in this dim light. Still, we wait behind a tree in the forest until well after it's finished its meal and left. As we emerge from the forest we check the sky. There's not a thing in sight, so we head across the glen to the far western edge.

In minutes we're at the starting point for our climb and getting our gear ready. The first part will be easy; there are plenty of handholds as we go up about twenty metres to a shelf. We use that to move around the cliff. That's where the hard climb starts. There are fewer handholds and the rock is more vertical than in the glen. Once we get around the corner there are places where I must use the hexes to create acceptable handholds. I make a point of using more than is needed so it'll be easy for Kira to collect them as she follows behind me. We won't be coming back this way and we don't have all that much gear to start with, so we take it all with us. I place the holds and she collects them as we climb.

A few hours of hard work sees us up the cliff another hundred metres and into the crevice where we'll be doing most of the climbing. This will be easier because we can use the opposing walls for assistance while we climb. Our rate of ascent increases a lot at this point.

We're ahead of our planned schedule when I reach the ledge that's our target for tonight. We could reach the top tonight, but we wouldn't have enough time to get to a safe hideout tonight. We stop early, we'll go on tomorrow night. We set hexes to secure ropes to keep us on the ledge and set a rock coloured canvas over us. We eat and go to sleep.

Some hours later I wake up to the sound of two Kukulka having a discussion. When Kira stirs I place my finger against her lips so she knows not to talk. The Kukulka are only a few meters above us. One's saying, “I'm sure I can smell some of those animals we can't eat now, as they aren't animals. But I can't see any. This is where the smell is the strongest. Can you see anything?”

The sound of small rocks being kicked, wings flapping, and I see the canvas bow in a little, as if in a breeze. Both Kira and I reach out to hold the canvas in place. A few minutes silence, and another says, “I can smell something odd, too. But can't see anything except rock. Maybe there is a strong draft pulling the odour into the crack in the rock and concentrating it as it rises up to here. After all, they are working on the land below while they clear the trees from the area beside the reserved forest. I'm not at all surprised we smell something with so many of them hard at work down there below us.”

“You could be right, but I think it's stronger than something that far away would create. I think I'll stay watch near here today and see what develops.” More sounds of them moving around. We settle back down and take turns getting some sleep, one sleeping while the other watches to make sure our cover isn't disturbed.

Second Night

Kira wakes me as the sun sets. We eat while we wait, I'm not going to move until I know the Kukulka have gone home for the night for sure. No point getting caught when a few minutes waiting will see us safe. About an hour later, when it's almost full dark, I hear an odd sound and some rocks rattle as something moves on the surface above us. After several minutes I hear wings flapping. Looking out around the edge of the canvas I can't see a thing. So we go about unwrapping ourselves and putting all the gear back into our packs. About five minutes later we're ready to finish the climb. Another ten minutes sees us standing on the rocky plateau that makes up the top of the cliff here. We take care as we make our slow way across the rough ground. Each step is placed to ensure we don't knock any rocks about. We don't want them to know we've been here, so we don't disturb the ground at all.

Chaos has no moon. Though the starlight is a lot brighter than on Earth on a moonless night it's still not much light to let us examine the ground. So it's a long slow process of checking the ground and moving forward one step at a time. It's almost dawn as we near the far edge and the place where we plan to hole up for the day. We crawl into a small hole created by large boulders resting against each other. Reaching the back of this cave we settle down, set our canvass to cover us, have a light meal, and go to sleep. I've no concerns about the Kukulka here. The entrance is way too small for them to get in. Most humans would have trouble getting in, and the rocks are far too heavy for them to shift without mechanical aid.

About mid-morning I wake up to the sounds of scratching on the rock. I concentrate on listening, and can just hear a Kukulka say, “Now I can smell those animals here. It's like they're in these rocks. But I can't see how they could be.”

Another replies, “If they're there, they have to be very small. The biggest entrance I can see here is about the size of my hand. At the far end of this pile is a bigger entrance, but it's only big enough to get my head in and I can't see anything except rock in there.”

“Well, whatever it is, it's the same thing I smelled yesterday at the edge of the cliff. I think it may be moving only at night, whatever it is. I know those animals don't like moving at night, but they can, a little.”

“Have you looked over the markers? I have, and not one has been moved. If they came over that ground last night they did it without touching the ground or moving anything. So they must have flown. We have no reason to fear anything that can fly, as they're all too small.”

“OK, so it can't hurt us. But I still want to know what the hell it is. I hate mysteries!”

“Look, if it's so small it can hide in there, and it can cover the ground without disturbing the marker stones, and only moves at night, then it doesn't matter what it is. It can't hurt us, so it's no danger. Forget it.”

There's a bit more grumbling and arguing as they move away.

Third Night

We wait until well after dark before crawling out. I take time to look very hard for any waiting Kukulka, but see none. We move over to the cliff edge and the drop into the Valley of the Kukulka. We look down into it. It's a lush place with a couple of shallow streams wandering along the floor of the valley. Most of the ground looks like marsh or fen. We take care when we move over to the tree we'll use to get down. It takes just a few minutes to toss the ropes over the branches and around the trunk, tying them to a maillon which we use to secure the rope I'll be climbing down on. Kira is staying up here to remove this set up and to set it up on another night so I can get out. We wish to leave no evidence of where or how we got in, none at all. Our way out is along a different line; we can't think of how to get down without leaving some evidence, so we don't want it near where we came in.

All is ready, so I give Kira a hug and thread the rope through my descender before I secure the rope to the maillon. So we won't have any rope hanging down the cliff I've got it in a shoulder bag and set to run free as I rappel down the cliff. Kira will wait here until I give the signal for her to pull the rope up, after I get down. I'll be stopping to check a few things on the way down, so the rope has to be available until I'm where I want to spend tomorrow.

About half way down is a cave, but it's very small and shallow, so I keep going to the next one. The one thing the Crossroads 3D external views couldn't give us was the details of the insides of caves. Thus we have to check them out as we go.

The next cave is about a third of the way up from the bottom and is quite deep. So I'll stay in it tomorrow. I need to find out which cave Mary is in before I can go any further. For the next few days Kira will come to the cliff and drop a light line down so I can send signals by tugging on it. We only have a few things she can do to help me, so they have tug counts, all five of them. Leaving the rope at the entrance I tie the remaining rope to the hanging line and enter the cave. After giving the cave a quick check I go back to the rope and give Kira the signal to pull it up. A moment later it vanishes up the cliff.

Now comes the hard part. I have to trust Kira to get the rope back, the gear off the tree, and pack it away without leaving any traces. She'll make her way back to the cave we stayed at last night and spend the day there. A few hours after dark tomorrow she'll return and drop the signal line, and we'll go from there, depending on what's needed after I spend tonight and tomorrow finding out what I can.

Moving into the cave and around a curve back from the entrance I set out some tinder. I use a flint to light a small fire, from which I light a candle I brought. I'm very interested in checking out this cave because I can smell smoke, but two different types of wood are burning; this implies two or more fires. Shielding the candle as much as I dare I make my way through the cave. This one has many which branch off of it.

While I wander through the cave complex of several narrow tunnels I notice a lot of fissures in the floor and the walls. When I pass very close to one of the wall fissures I smell the smoke. I go back to my fire and start again, seeing how many of these fissure have smoke. Most of them do, as do the several holes in the floor, they range from being only a hand's width wide to being big enough for me to climb through.

One tunnel is quite long and wanders through the cliff to the south. This one has a number of holes in the floor. When I go by each one I look down them. Most turn after a few metres, but a couple go straight down and I can see fires at the bottom. This cave complex must be the outlet ventilation for most of the Kukulka caves in this section.

After a while I go back to my little fire, put my candle to the side, curl up, and go to sleep. These slow burn candles will last for hours.

Day Four

I've only had a few hours of sleep, but my internal clock wakes me up in time to be back by the fissures and holes to listen to the Kukulka while they get organised for the day. In many I can't hear a thing, while some of them carry their words quite well. I wait just long enough to work out if they may have Mary or not. I'm working my way towards the end of the long tunnel when I stop beside the second largest hole to listen and see what I can learn. After a moment I hear a Kukulka say, “Useless female. I'll be glad when my young eat you.”

This hole isn't one of those that goes straight down, but what I can see of it is wide enough for me to pass for as far as I can see. I decide to try and climb down it as far as I can, to find out what I can of the cave.

Using my candle, which I started burning from the almost finished one when I got up, I examine the walls for cracks where I can insert hexes. It takes me about half an hour to set all the hexes I have. I string them to a central maillon with tight ropes to hold them all in place. It looks horrible, but the spider web of ropes will take about four times my weight, so I trust it to be safe for me to climb down.

As much as I'd like to climb down head first, so I can see what I'm getting myself into, I dare not do that. I'll never get back out if I have to climb while upside down. Setting another rope to run free from my bag, I run it through my descender and tie it to the maillon. Taking a deep breath I step out over the hole and start to lower myself down into it. I take care not to knock and dislodge rocks off the sides.

The hole goes down and to the side at an angle to the south. After several metres the angle changes direction, so I'm now a few metres south west of where I started. Looking down I can see what looks like the hole ending in the roof of a cave. When I near that point I pull my legs up, so they won't be seen.

I hang there thinking about how I can find out what's in the cave without making myself a target first. As I do I hear a Kukulka speak to another, it goes on about how useless the food for the young is and how it has to go out to eat. The two voices talk on a few subjects as they move away. Another couple of minutes and I can't hear them. Taking a risk, I lower myself until I'm low enough to look around the cave.

To one side, almost below the hole, is a fire with a number of eggs around it. Off to the other side of me is a fenced area about three metres high. Mary Violinist is inside it. The gate is secured on this side with a complex knot. She's lying down and watching the cave mouth. With a grin, I lower myself a little bit more and start the rope swinging. As it swings I lower myself some more, making the swing arc longer.

Rescue

It takes a few minutes' work as I swing like a pendulum and extend the rope. But I soon reach a point where my swing takes me over the fenced area. As it does I let the rope run free and drop to the ground a little behind Mary. The sound of my landing makes her jump. She turns around, and her eyes almost pop out of her head. She opens her mouth to speak. I'm fast to clamp a hand over her mouth as I shake my head.

She nods. I release her and she turns a little to look at the rope running up into the hole. I pull some more rope and maillons out of my bag. I wrap her up in a web of rope with maillons at several strategic points. I do the same for myself and tie us into the webs. I run another rope through her maillons to mine, pulling them tight to bring her up very close to me. I start to climb up the fence by pulling on my climbing rope while my legs keep us both off of the fence. In a few minutes we're high enough to swing off the fence and down to the floor of the main cave.

I land us and undo the rope connecting us. While I do this I get an odd feeling of being uncomfortable and cold. I also feel a pull towards the Kukulka eggs. Waving for Mary to wait below the hole I go over to the fire and add more wood to it. I also take a moment to turn the eggs over and move them a bit. The feeling of cold goes away. The idea I was feeling the cold and discomfort the young Kukulka were feeling in their eggs worries me. Shrugging, I go back to Mary.

A few more minutes and I have the maillons on my web rig tied to maillons on Mary's rig with about two and a half metres between us. After checking the ropes are tied tight and will provide an even pull I grab the climbing rope. I start a slow hand over hand climb up the rope, with the rope feeding back into my bag while I climb it.

The first couple of metres are easy, but when Mary's extra weight comes on the strain on my arms is hard. I've got very little choice in this, I have to get on and do what's needed. Where I normally climb a rope in sections a half metre at a time, I'm now making only a hundred millimetres or so per reach because I can't lift both of us more than that without risking too much strain on the arm holding the weight.

It's a long slow climb to go back the thirty to thirty-five metres I dropped down from my cave. The first five or six metres are the most worrying for me, as we're both hanging there in the air and easy to see by any of the Kukulka who walk into the cave. I almost sigh with relief when I realise I'm high enough for Mary to be hidden in the hole too.

After what seems like hours of constant climbing, with a few breaks along the way, my head comes up above the floor of my cave. It's at this point I realise I've made a mistake. I'm in my cave, right up against the maillon, but Mary is still below the level of the floor and unable to climb the rope or reach the cave floor to help get herself out of the hole. I hang there, for a moment, catching my breath.

I do the only thing I can think of. I tie myself off to the maillon and reach down for the ropes holding Mary to me. Bit by bit I pull her up towards me and the cave. When she gets high enough to see it's another cave she places her hands on the cave floor and levers herself up. In a moment I let the rope down again when she climbs out of the hole and to the side. She turns to face me, grabs the ropes joining us, and tugs towards her. I reach up to undo the knot holding me in place and feed out some rope so she can pull me to the side. Once we're both clear of the hole, by a metre or more, we both sit down in exhaustion.

Post Rescue Work

I don't know how long I sleep after collapsing beside the hole, but I wake when Mary shakes me. She's worried, because she can hear Fast Dive screaming in the cave below us. I could only have been asleep for a few minutes to an hour or so if Fast Dive has just got back and noticed Mary is gone. I grin at the long string of abusive words Fast Dives says, some don't even translate. With a grin I undo the rope between us. With Mary resting against the cave wall I light another candle from the one I left burning, since it's almost out. I spend the next half hour undoing all the work I did to set up my web of hexes and ropes for the climb. Once I have them all undone I wrap them up in their cloth and put them back in their pocket in my bag. I coil all the ropes and put them away as well. Then it's a simple case of grab the candle and lead Mary away from the hole towards the front of the cave, where I left the pack with the food and water. I'm thirsty, so she must be too.

When we reach the pack I get out the flask of water and hand it over. Mary smiles and takes a drink while I get some trail rations out for us to eat. I exchange the food for the water flask and take a drink.

I sit down and put the flask on the cave floor, saying, “It's OK to talk now as long as you keep it low, Mary Violinist.”

Her head comes up and she stares at me, asking, “You're a Hero?” I nod. “A bit young for such a dangerous job as this one, aren't you?”

I smile at her, “Old enough to get the job done. You're the last of the Damsels the dragons hold. I got the other seven free a few days back by negotiating with the dragons. The one with you was a bit stubborn, so I had to come and steal you away. My name's, Al.”

“Thank you, Al. I hope we can get away, because they can fly.”

“Tonight we'll climb out as soon as it's dark. They're blind at night. We should rest until then.” She nods, and we both settle down to sleep. When I fall asleep I can still hear Fast Dive screaming in the distance.

Fourth Night

Just before dusk I wake up and start getting us ready for tonight's work. My arms are sore as hell, but I've got to do what's needed, no matter how much it hurts. I'll have time to recover once we're safe.

There's still some light when I sneak a peek out the mouth of the cave to see what's going on. Fast Dive is in front of her cave screaming at all and sundry about the theft of her food animal. A little distance from her is Morning Breeze looking like he's trying hard not to laugh, if I'm reading his expression right. Most of the rest of the Kukulka are keeping out of Fast Dive's way. After a few more minutes Morning Breeze has a word with Fast Dive and she flies away. A little later she returns with a sheep and takes it into her cave.

When dark descends I get Mary and myself ready to leave the cave. I pack the bag and tie it to her back. I ready a rope to secure us together, and wait. While we wait I explain the rest of the escape plan to her.

About two hours after full dark the signal cord passes in front of the cave, I grab it and signal to Kira I've got it. After waiting a moment I send the signal for her to lower the main climbing rope. About ten minutes later it passes the front of the cave and I grab it. I wait for Kira to tie it off because she knows, from my tug, it's long enough.

While I wait I tighten the rope between Mary and me, tying it so tight she's held close to my back. She puts one arm around my chest and the other arm over my shoulder to hold on and stop herself from swaying too much.

A test tug on the rope, and I climb out the entrance of the cave on my way back up the cliff. I'm glad the entrance is just big enough for us to go out together as I didn't like the idea of doing another climb like we did earlier today. With Mary's weight on my back and shoulders it's a lot easier for me to climb. Each reach is still only about one hundred to one hundred and fifty millimetres, but the weight is easier to take.

It seems an endless night as I go hand over hand up the cliff. I try not to register the passing time as I climb. I'm very glad when I reach the top and Kira helps me the last little bit over the top of the cliff. I keep hold of the rope as I take care while moving away from the edge.

Once a couple of metres away I let go of the rope and Kira starts to pack up the gear. I whisper, “Mary, wrap your legs around my waist and don't touch the ground. They have marker stones set out, so we have to avoid moving any of them.” I feel her nod her head while her legs come up and around me.

Taking slow care I start off towards the cave we'll be hiding in. Kira takes several minutes to secure the gear and follow us, but I'm so slow and careful, due to the extra weight, she soon catches us.

The first rays of sunlight are rising in the east as I lower Mary to the ground at our hideout cave. A few minutes later the rope is undone and Kira is leading the way into the cave. We soon reach the end and make ourselves comfortable. With the canvas hiding us we have a drink, a bite to eat, and go to sleep. Tonight will be another hard night.

Fifth Night

The day passes without any issues. We all wake at different times, have another drink, a snack, and sleep some more. About an hour after dark we exit our cave and get ready to go. Again Mary climbs on my back and I carry her over the ground.

We're about halfway to our exit point, when Mary says, “I need to go to the toilet.”

“Sorry, you have to hold it for now. We can't stop or leave any sign until we reach the far cliff.” She's not happy, but does as told.

A couple of hours after starting out we reach our exit point and Kira starts setting up the rope for our descent while I put Mary down. I move a few metres to the side and relieve myself over the side of the cliff. Then I tie Mary to me and stand back from the edge. She squats over the side and relieves herself. After Mary I hold Kira's hand and she relieves herself, too. If the Kukulka find and identify the wastes they'll wonder how they come to be on the side of the cliff or at the bottom, depending on where they do end up after the drop.

This time we drop both ends of the rope down the cliff and tie a knot in them at head height. I secure Mary to my back again, and back out over the cliff. I go fast, but not very fast, when I rappel down the cliff with Mary strapped to my back. Most of the time it's a simple case of limiting the speed with which I let the rope slide through my descender and my hands while I do a controlled drop down the cliff. I slow down when I near the base. About ten minutes after starting I'm stepping back from the cliff and undoing the rope holding Mary. Once she's free I return to the rope and give it a strong wave like jerk.

A moment later the rope rises and falls twice in a rhythm. I know Kira has my message and is getting ready to descend. I hold the rope and wait for the signal jerk while she removes the knot from the rope above. A moment later I get the signal and step back from the cliff a couple of metres. As I hold the rope I feel the rhythmic vibration as Kira rappels down how I wanted to, she's using the Australian rappel to make a fast descent by running down the cliff face first.

A moment later I can see Kira's dark mass virtually flying down the cliff. She slows down and soon reaches the bottom. While she undoes her harness I take one rope and start pulling it down, hard and fast. The other one goes up just as fast.

In a moment Kira and I are working in a fast rhythm while we take turns pulling on the rope. We don't want to have to leave it there. So we used one long enough to work doubled up and just ran it over some extra bark and cloth on a branch of a tree near the cliff edge. Now we're pulling one side of the rope so the other will go up and over the branch. We keep it up until we feel no resistance against us as we pull. We stop pulling and step back. The rope is still coming down at a fast rate, so we step back some more. A little later the free end of the rope comes into sight while the rope piles up on the ground at the base of the cliff. The cloth from the tree branch has fallen down nearby as well. We pick them up and pack them away in our bags.

I take the time to undo all the ropes on Mary and myself so we can pack them all up and out of the way. We have some more water and a bite to eat while I do this.

When we're ready we head off towards the glen's entrance. We go through a small open area and into the forest. About half an hour later we exit the forest and cross the last of the open glen to walk down the entrance slope. Mary is a bit skittish during this time, as we often hear or see animals moving about in the dark; but I'm not worried as I know all the animals here are domesticated stock that are used to humans.

Recovery

The dawn is breaking as we leave the slope and head into the main forest area. We reach Town Limits in time to get our breakfast as the rest are finishing theirs. After the food Mary has a hot bath in the lone bath tub, followed by Kira, and I go last. The ladies seeing to the farm are kind enough to provide each of us with a new bath of hot water.

I find the bath so needed for my sore muscles I get them to reheat it for me. However, I do decide it's time to get out when I wake up in cold water just in time for lunch.

Work Review

I can hardly move when I make my way to the table for lunch. I get a few snide remarks about being old at my age, until Mary tells them all about my having to carry her weight as we climbed and walked until we reached the glen. I get more sympathy then, because they can now understand how sore I must feel from all that work.

While we eat Warren, Carla, and Jake give me updates on the farms. All the farmers have picked names for the farms, each has the word forest in it, and the farm at the northern edge of the reserve is Forest Limits; some other names are Forest Front North, Forest Front South, Forest Central, Forest Friend. They must have put a lot of thought into it to come up with fifteen different names with forest in them.

The farms have been cleared of the trees and the stumps pulled out. The trees have been trimmed and readied for use as fences and for building strong houses. The carpenters have been showing people how best to make the houses and the fences. All the farm boundary fences are up. I knew the ones beside the forest were done, but the crew I'd set to work kept working to do all the front fences in one go. They worked down the road and then made the fences between the farms. They'll let the farmers put in the interior fences where they want, later. Each farm now has a basic house, if you call four strong walls and a roof that. The outside walls are made from split logs, so is the roof. The farmers can make the interior walls and floors when they have more time. But each farm now has a basic place to sleep out of the weather. The firewood from the felled trees has been divided between all sixteen farms; Town Limits and the fifteen new ones, so have the remaining split logs.

The initial stock allocation has been moved to each farm. The seeds I brought have been divided between the farms and the farmers have moved from Town Limits to their own farms. They're all ready to take on the responsibility to look after themselves from now on.

Damn that's a lot of work they've done in just a few weeks. I stop to think how long it's been, and realise we've been here just on four weeks. I couldn't be any prouder of what they've accomplished if they were my own children. I'll have to go visiting and let them know that.

The only problem is they have the four Branson men locked up in a barn because they were all caught poaching in the forest at night two nights ago. The eldest son was found near the forest holding their five horses. He wasn't happy to be up late at night doing it, either.

Public Hearing

After lunch I go into Two Sheaf and speak with the mayor, he agrees with me. I've the right to execute them because they were well aware of the orders to keep out or be killed. Now it's a matter of having a public trial and sentencing them.

Early afternoon we gather outside the Two Sheaf Inn in what passes for the town's public square. Most of the local people are on hand to see what's happening. I stand on the back of the wagon I use to bring the prisoners into town, saying, “As you all know, some weeks back I announced I was creating a special forest reserve and no one was to go into it without my permission. I also said I'd kill anyone found in there, or found trespassing on the farms around the reserved forest, or if they were hunting dragons. A few nights ago the four Branson men were caught hunting in the forest. My people caught them and held them prisoner until I got back because I was away for a few days. Now I'm back it's time for a public trial.” I stop and look around at them all, I see a lot of people thinking on this. Turning to the accused, I continue, “Jim, John, Peter, Paul Branson; you've been accused of hunting in a private preserve not yours, what do you have to say?”

Jim Branson spits at me, and replies, “That's always been public forest before. You got no right to stop us hunting in it.”

I smile, as I respond, “When I arrived there were no animals in that forest, none at all. Anyone here can tell you that. Now there's a lot of animals there. My animals. Animals I bought and paid for. Animals with my mark. I put them in there to breed. So I have a very good right to say you can't go in there and steal my stock. Wherever they are, whatever I'm doing with them, they're my stock and you've no right to kill or steal them. Do you dispute any of that?”

“I still say it's public forest and we can go there.”

“Despite the fact you have to trespass on other farms to reach it, the deer you shot was mine. There's no way you couldn't have expected to be hunting any animal in that forest except mine. So you had to have gone in there to poach my stock.” They all glare at me. I turn to the crowd of locals. “I said I'd have anyone who did this killed. I intend to have these men killed. Does anyone here think I do not have the right to do this?”

Many in the crowd shout back, “They knew what they were doing by stealing your stock. Kill 'em.” I give a slow nod to the crowd. I want the locals supporting me in keeping the forest a reserved land, and this involves them all in doing that.

Looking down at the four accused, I say, “For the killing of my stock I sentence you to die. I know some others may think it's worth the risk of dying to get at my stock, as you thought so. But I don't think too many will like the risks after I pronounce your sentence.” All of the people now stare at me. “You will be stripped naked, hands and feet tied, then taken up to the glen where I meet the dragons! There I'll give you to the dragons for them to kill you while they enjoy making you their lunch!” All four go white. One rolls and leans over the wagon-side to throw up. A few of the local look shocked, a few look happy. I look at the crowd, “Do any of you think it worth the risk to poach in the reserved forest now?” I get a sea of heads shaking 'no.'

A wave to Jake at the front of the wagon, and we're off to deliver the sentence as he gets the team of horses moving back to Town Limits.

Punishment

At the farm we take them one at a time, strip them, tie them up, and put them into one of the two wheel cavalry wagons. I don't care if they're not comfortable. In only a few minutes six of us are on our way to the glen. I have to go because I'm the only one who can speak the dragon language. Jake goes so I can introduce him to Morning Breeze.

An hour later we're pulling up in the middle of the glen. A couple of Kukulka are eating a bullock further down the glen. They look up, and watch as we stop to offload the prisoners. Jake and I sit down at the boulder while the rest lead the horses and wagons off to the forest edge near the slope down. The two Kukulka finish their meal and fly away about ten minutes later.

About thirty minutes after we arrive Morning Breeze flies in with two other Kukulka. He lands, and I call out, “Good afternoon, Morning Breeze. I've four wrong doers sentenced to death, I thought you may appreciate having them as a snack. They were trying to steal the stock placed in the forest for your people. And these are the only locals who have made claims to have killed some of your people.”

He smiles at first (well, I think it's their smile), then loses the smile when I mention the deaths of his people. But he smiles again when he realises he now has these people to do with as he wishes.

Morning Breeze replies, “Al, I thank you for this gift. Who is this with you, and why?”

Waving at Jake, I respond, “This is Jake. I have many other places I must go. I can't stay here all the time. Jake will manage one of the farms and will be my personal representative here. When we have someone who is sentenced to death Jake will bring them here during the day and lay them out like this. If he is not here to hand them over, please take them back to the farm nearest the village to the south. That's where Jake will be living. Jake is the only person authorised to deliver someone to you for you to have.” I turn to Jake and tell him the same thing, ending with, “This particular dragon is known as Morning Breeze.” However, I pronounce Breeze's name in Kukulka and ask Jake to repeat it. He does, and Breeze smiles when he says Jake's name.

They both take turns naming each other while they practise the odd sounds. Both are happy to have the other say their name correctly.

Breeze turns to one of his assistants, and gives them orders to get Fast Dive and three others. When he turns back to me, I ask, “Morning Breeze, if we have some of our people who are already dead. Will you be able to use them as food as well?”

“Yes, if they have not been dead more than a day or so. Why?”

“We have bad people who rob or kill others, we call them bandits. We also have wars with large groups of bandits. Sometimes we have battles with many of them. I thought any we kill near here may be of use to you as food if you accept them. Otherwise we'll dispose of them another way.”

“If you can have them brought to this glen before dark of the day after you kill them they will still be acceptable food. After that they may not be. We will welcome any you bring. Your people are regarded as a delicacy by our people. Which is why some weren't happy to not be able to hunt you now.”

“Good. I don't know how many or how often, but there will be some bandits brought to you. When that happens Jake will bring them. In the future Jake will bring others up to introduce them to you and they will also be allowed to bring you our people for your dinner tables.”

“Good. I'll look forward to meeting them.”

Fast Dive and a few other Kukulka arrive. They're very happy when told they may choose the sentenced men as food. I step forward to kick Jim and John Branson, saying, “Fast Dive, one or both of these killed your mate! I just thought you may like to know that.”

She walks over to Jim and places a foot on him, saying, “I'll enjoy the sight of watching my new born young eat this one as their first meal.” She looks over at me, “You are Al?” I nod. “Did you steal back the woman I had?”

I nod, “Yes. I must thank you for the lesson in how to swear. Until I heard you screaming and yelling when you saw she was gone I had no idea your language had so many words and phrases of abuse. I thank you for the education.”

All the Kukulka turn and stare at me. Morning Breeze asks, “You were close enough to hear her swear?”

I smile and nod. With a grin, I repeat the first part of what she said.

She stares at me, “That's exactly what I said. You were close enough to hear me and we did not see, smell, or hear you. I did not think any of your people could do that!”

“Most can't. But I, and a few others, have had lots of training in how to move about without being seen or heard. Oh, Fast Dive, those greens outside your cave, they may grow better if you drained that area a bit more. While I think of it, you should pay more attention to your eggs. Your young were cold and uncomfortable, so I built up the fire a bit and moved them to make them happy while I was there.”

“You could speak with them in the shell?”

“No. But they were so unhappy they radiated their feelings and I could feel them. So I did what I thought might help, and moved them until they felt happy.”

“I see.” She turns to another, “See, I told you someone had moved the eggs, and they had!” She turns back to me. “Thank you for caring for my young. I'm not happy with the new rules about not hunting your people. But since some of you are honourable, I'll obey the rules.”

Morning Breeze smiles at this change of attitude by Fast Dive. He says a few words, and the four sentenced men are collected by four of the Kukulka and taken away by them. The men scream when they're lifted into the air. Morning Breeze looks at Jake and I, saying, “Thank you for the gifts.” A moment later he and the others leave. Jake and I do the same by walking over to where the horses are.

While we make our way back to Town Limits I brief Jake on the terms of my agreement with Morning Breeze and how he's to introduce a few others to Morning Breeze. He smiles at the level of trust I'm showing in him for him to manage my affairs in my absence.

We're leaving the forest, when Jake asks, “What are you going to do about the Branson farms and their families. You now own the farms.” Damn! I didn't want that problem of widows and children.

Resolving Farms

We tend to the horses and put them away before going inside for an early dinner. While we eat, I ask, “Joan, what do you know about the wives and kids of the Branson men?”

She looks up, and replies, “All four wives are much younger than the men. They were sold to the men by their families. They come from a place way to the south where they can do that. The men didn't let the women come into town much. They're nice ladies and shouldn't have any trouble getting new husbands. But they don't know much about working a farm. The kids are young. Ten year old Tom is the eldest.”

I think on that. Tom is the one who was holding the horses and I still have to deal with him. “Thanks, Joan. The ladies are now widows. I'm thinking of leaving them the farms. But if they don't know how to work them they'll need people to work for them. Any suggestions?”

She grins, “Lief's nephews, Mark and John, and the Hadley twins would be ideal young men to work those farms because they don't have any regular work. All of them know all there is to know about farming and both sets of brothers are used to working together in harmony. A bonus is they're the right ages for the widows, too.”

Smiling, I look up at her, “Doing a little matchmaking, are you?” She grins, and nods. “OK, I'll see what I can do after I've eaten.” It's a bit odd how soon dinner is ready and served to us after that comment. Just before we spoke I'd been assured it was another hour away.

As we finish I look at Jake, asking, “Jake, when are you and Melody getting married?” He chokes on his stew and Melody blushes very red. Jasmine laughs at their reactions, and then copies Melody, when I add, “I also want the date for your marriage to Fred.” Young Fred is at the end of the table until he falls off his seat when I speak to Jasmine.

It's a few minutes before any can speak, and Jake says, “I know we shouldn't be surprised people are expecting us to get married. But I need to get set up before I can offer Melody any future, Fred is in the same situation.”

“I do wish you four would get organised so I can simplify my assets around here.” Everyone looks at me. “I know nothing about farming and I've no desire to learn how to farm or to own any farms. So as soon as you four get organised and set a date to get married, the sooner I can hand you the title to Town Limits as a wedding gift and cease having to worry about looking after it. Please take pity on me and set a date soon.” The four young people are stunned, and the rest are surprised. Joan laughs so hard she falls off her chair. Then pandemonium breaks out when the two couples start talking while the rest are cheering and clapping for the young people's good luck.

Leaving the happy four to talk I take Joan and Kira to hitch up a wagon. Several minutes later we're seated on the wagon with the five Branson horses tied to the back and Tom Branson sitting in the tray.

We stop at the Two Sheaf Inn and I go inside. I should only be a minute or two, so the ladies wait outside. Lief is behind the counter, as always, with Mark and John nursing a pitcher of watered wine in their usual corner. I walk over to the young men, and say, “Give that pitcher to your uncle to look after. I've got a possible job for you two.” They look at each other, shrug, down the contents of their mugs and take them to their uncle, along with their part pitcher of watered wine. As they turn from the bar, I ask, “I hope you know where I can find the Hadley twins, I need them too.” Mark grins and looks over to another corner of the inn. I turn, and see a pair of identical twins about the same age as Mark getting up from a table. A moment later I lead the four of them outside. I point at the wagon, “Get in.” They do, and we go.

When we pass the last house in the town, Mark asks, “What's the job? And why is it a possible job?”

I reply, “The job is the farms the Branson brothers used to run. I hear they each need three or four adults to work them properly. I'm also told the Branson widows don't know farming. So they need to employ a couple of strong young men who know all about farming. Joan tells me you four meet that bill. So I'm taking you out there to talk to them about working for them as farm hands. I figured I may as well do that while I resolve the issue of who now owns the farms and tell them.”

One of the twins says, “They could be very nice productive farms. They used to be real good. But those Branson brothers never looked after them. The four of us can make them very good farms again.”

About fifteen minutes later we pull up outside the farmhouse of Jim and John Branson, Jim was Tom's father. When we pull up four ladies walk out of the door and stand on the verandah watching us. Tom jumps down and races to his mother. She hugs him to her.

I walk up, and say, “I'd guess you're Tom's mother!” She nods. “I'm taking no action against Tom because he was only doing as his father told him to. He didn't want to do it, anyway.”

She half smiles, “Thank you. I was worried about what was going to happen to him. Now I only have to worry about what's happening to us as a group.”

“That's good, as that's what we're here to talk about. The women eye the four young men as we get off the wagon and they show us inside.

The first woman says, “I'm Julie, the oldest, so I tend to speak for us. We're cousins from much further south.” She leads us into the kitchen and waves for us to take seats at the table.

We sit down, and I say, “Let's clear the air on a few things. First, you four are widows. I gather you know that already!” The four nod. “I'm told you know nothing about farming!” Four head nods. “Well, that's a problem which these young men can solve.” They turn and look at the four young men. “I do not regard these farms as mine. I see them as being the joint property of four widows, each pair owning a farm. They inherited them from their husbands when the men died.” Everyone sits up a bit straighter and the four ladies turn to look at Joan. They smile when Joan smiles and nods. “So you have a place to live that can keep you. But you don't know how to work it. These young men know all about farming, but need to find work because they're not needed on their families' farms. As I see it this is an ideal situation. You ladies can employ these young men to work the farms for you. I suggest they get paid on the basis of a share of what is grown on the farm.”

A smiling Julie, replies, “That seems fair. Their pay depends on how hard and how well they work. There will be no immediate outlay as the farm does provide enough to live off, at the moment.” She turns to the young men, “Is that OK with the four of you?” All four nod. “Good. Tomorrow, when we're all a bit more alert, we can discuss a rate and confirm it with the mayor. Be on hand, with your gear to live here, just after breakfast tomorrow.”

I look at the young men, “Tom has five horses that belong here to be put away. Why don't you help him with that?” They nod, and the five get up. Tom gets a lantern from beside the door, lights it, and leads the four young men out.

I wait a moment, and nod at Joan.

She grins, turns to the ladies, and says, “Julie, those are all good, hard-working boys. They'll all make some young lady a fine husband one day. But they're all very shy and not used to dealing with girls or ladies. So if you decide they'll make a good husband for a young widow, it'll be up to you ladies to decide who ends up with who, and to actively chase them. You're going to have to run them down and hog tie them to get them to your bed, or married.” The four ladies blush quite red. “I suggest you spend some time getting to know them before you make up your minds one way or the other. I just felt you should know how things stand with them.”

Julie nods, “Thanks for telling us, Joan. We'll think about it. The Branson brothers have kind of soured us on married life.”

“Julie, those boys are nothing like the Bransons. Also, they're just ripe to be trained by a woman who knows what she wants a husband to be like. You can teach them to be just what you want. I can't think of anyone who'd be better for you ladies than them boys.” They nod, and move on to discussing many other things. Joan spends several minutes telling them about market days, who's best to shop from for what, etc. It's all stuff the ladies should know about the town, but don't because they had very limited interaction there before now.

The ladies are winding down when the young men come back. We take our leave and I drive the four young men back to the inn before heading back to the farm. They're happy to have proper jobs to work.

At the farm Jake and Fred come out to help me unhitch the horses and put them to bed for the night. I'm still so sore and tired from the last few days I happily let them do most of the work. While we do this they tell me they want me to witness their marriage by the mayor tomorrow. The ladies want to do it straight away, and they're both smart enough not to argue with them.

Next Day

After breakfast a couple of dozen of my group join us when we go into town to see the mayor. He's surprised by the large group, but smiles and understands when Jasmine and Melody explain they want him to marry them right now, with us all as witnesses. The wedding is very short and simple, typical of the way they do thing on Chaos. After the wedding I have him witness me giving the two young couples Town Limits as a wedding present. He notes everything down in his official records. He also notes down my decision on the Branson farms and who their current owners are.

When we finish Mayor Dane, says, “I'm glad the farms will all have owners who live on and work them. Those with absentee owners tend not to be worked as well as those with resident owners.”

I reply, “I agree, Mayor. That's why I made a point of giving them to deserving people. Some of my people think I'm strange, as I've given away so many farms in the past. But I can't work them, I don't want to work them, so I give them to those who do.” He smiles as I leave.

After that it's back to Town Limits for a celebration lunch and a long hot bath for me. The next few days are rest and recovery for me. By the time I'm ready to go all the farmers are well settled on their new farms and Joan is happy to be looking after the two young couples as their housekeeper and cook. The town of Two Sheaf seems to be a lot happier now, with all the extra people living and working in the area.

Moving On

It's time to move on and get some work done elsewhere. The horses and wagons are readied for the trip to Grassy Meadows. Warren and Carla get that sorted while I have an interesting discussion with the eight Damsels in my care. None are happy with the idea of not going direct to Crossroads.

I resolve the discussion with a final diatribe. I'm angry when I face the ladies, saying, “Look, I know you're angry and not happy with my decision. But you have to accept it because it's my decision and no one goes to Crossroads until I'm ready. The only reason I could get any of you safe from the dragons was because all these people trust me and were happy to come here and help me set things up so I could get you all out safely. You should know every other top Hero was asked to rescue you, and none of them could think of a way to do it. I was only able to think of a plan that would work because I knew I had these people to call on. I now owe it to them, and others, to see to it the base I have here is prepared and ready to handle the problem brought to this planet by the system that brought you here. If you help us we'll get this all done and get us out of here quicker. Causing trouble will only cause more delays. I came here to help you, and these people helped me help you. Now I have to help these people and their families. And I will!” They grumble some more, but do help us get ready to travel.

There's ninety-one of us going to Grassy Meadows, all of us on good quality horses; seventeen of them pulling cavalry wagons, and two pack horses loaded with weapons and gear. My four two wheel wagons have our food supplies and cooking gear, five four wheel wagons have the tools of the carpenters and the blacksmiths, while my eight four wheel ones are loaded with livestock. We've five in-pig sows, a boar, a few dozen hens, four roosters, two rams, twelve ewes, and the last wagon is loaded with feed for all the stock.

By mid-morning we're ready to move out. As we mount up we take some hot roast sandwiches and cold water for an early lunch in the saddle. As before, I lead the front cavalry force of fifty-two troopers in a triple column with their senior lieutenant on my right and Kira on my left. Warren leads the non-combat group with the Damsels and the pack horses. The extra workers ride the horses in this group. Only the two pack horses don't have a person riding them. Carla leads the trail force of twelve cavalry troopers with the junior lieutenant.

I look over the travel group, smile, turn and wave to the group come to see us leave. Just about everyone in town is there - the new farmers, Joan, the Branson widows with their families, Lief with his family, the mayor with his family, and most of the shopkeepers with their families.

With a nod to the watchers I canter to the front of the column, stop, raise an arm, and signal for the troop to move off. We start at a slow walk. By the time we reach the road we're moving at a fast walk, exit the farm, and turn north. A couple of minutes later I check we're all on the road, and signal for people to eat. We eat while we move forward at a fast walk, and get used to being in the saddle on the move again. About half an hour later I check all have finished eating and signal an increase in speed. Just as we've trained, we move up to a nice ground covering canter, one that doesn't wear the horses out. We're off and moving like a fast cavalry column should be going down the road.

By the time we slow down to camp for the night it's dusk and we've reached the camp site at the junction of the road to Summer Ford. In an afternoon we've covered the same distance that took us two and half days with the farm wagons and the stock on the way down. Both Carla and I are pleased with our speed of travel and distance covered.

We camp for the night with guards posted around the camp. Carla, Warren, Kira, and I take turns as Officer of the Guard checking sentries at odd times during the night. The night passes in quiet.

In the morning we're up at dawn having a hot breakfast. The cooks hand out the trail rations for our lunch when we collect our breakfasts. It doesn't take long for us to eat, pack, and be ready to move out again.

That sets the tone for the trip to Grassy Meadows. We meet no one on the road. The whole force has no trouble maintaining the canter for the whole time we're on the road. It's almost dusk of the fourth day out of Two Sheaf when we turn off the road to go into the stream in single file. Kira falls out to cover our tracks after the last horse passes by.

An hour later we move out of the stream and into the forest to make camp for the night. Another easy night and up early in the morning.

The travel through the forest is slower than on the road, because we have to go slower to make sure we minimise the trail we leave. But it's still a lot faster than I've moved a group through the forest before.

It's almost dusk on our fifth day out of Town Limits when I turn the force into the hidden approach to Grassy Meadows. When we emerge from the caves we're confronted by an armed and ready group of defenders. I smile at knowing they'd noticed people approaching them. The defences are a lot stronger as well.

I stop the column just out of the cave entrance and ride forward by myself. Stopping in front of the main wall I remove the bush hat I'm wearing, and yell out, “Lance, Joseph, Jaycee, where are you?”

A stunned voice replies, “Lord Al, is that you?”

With a grin, I shout, “Yes, Joseph, it's me. And I've brought a bunch of very useful people with me. We've been in the saddle all day and need to set up camp for the night. Are we doing it out here or in there?”

“How can you prove it's really you?”

I know just how to do this, and call out, “Jade get up here and tell your brother off.”

Jade pulls out of her place in the column to canter up to beside me, and shouts out, “Joseph, you let us in to set up camp or I'll tell Dad who it was that broke his favourite bow.”

There's silence for a moment, followed by, “Open the gate, Dave. They're the real thing.” He does sound upset to have that item known. I laugh when I lead the way through the single gate they open for us. We're soon inside the walls and eating while we get ready for the night.

Grassy Meadows

The next morning I'm just finishing breakfast when Lance, Joseph, Jaycee, and a dozen others I recognise as the various leaders here walk up to talk to me. I introduce them to those sitting with me, which is a large group. Together we've a group of about thirty sitting down having a drink while we chat about many things.

I send Kira to get several things for me from one of the wagons. She's soon back with them. Taking out my telescope I hand it to Joseph, saying, “Have someone take this up to the lookout and exchange it for the one up there, please.” He turns, motions another over, and passes it on with the same orders. They leave at a fast walk.

I address the group as a whole, “In the wagons we've a number of pigs, chickens, and sheep. These are mine, but are to be breeding stock to get herds going here. So assign them to someone to look after them. Share them around when the young are old enough to be farmed out.” I get a few nods. Pointing at Lin and Zhu, I tell them, “Lin and Zhu are specialists in the care and use of rice and bamboo. Please listen to what they have to say and do as they tell you about the care and use of those plants. Bamboo is a very useful wood.” More happy nods. “Some of you will recognise Ian, Pat, and Troy. They're now fully qualified and have all the tools they need, so they're our settlement's carpenters. Please help them to set up in an appropriate place. The same for George and Sam because they're our blacksmiths and all have all the tools they need. These specialists should improve the living here.”

After taking a break for a long drink, I continue, “Warren is here to breed quality cavalry horses for me. He'll also train them. Carla is here to train troopers how to ride those horses when fighting the enemy. It's different to normal riding. They'll need helpers, and if you're being trained by them listen carefully to them. Both are experienced fighters and been in many battles. They're also to teach people combat tactics.”

Looking at one of the young women who'd helped me with the plantings on the last visit, I tell her, “I've some more plants for you to plant. I'll also want you to help Zhu with planting more bamboo and to show him where the current plantings are. I hope you're harvesting some of the herbs and spices by now.”

Nancy smiles, “Yes, Al, we're all enjoying some of the spices from the first planting. We've also expanded the plantings.”

“Good. I've some good ropes in the gear I brought, so they can be used as required. They're for community use. Now, how have things been going?”

Lance is first, saying, “The crops have all been good and we're all well fed. Plus we've a lot stored in the caves for trade, when we can. It's a good thing there are so many different grains growing here or we'd be sick of them by now.”

I laugh, while I reply, “Amongst the extra stuff for planting are some vegetables and fruit tree seedlings. They should add some variety when enough of them are growing.”

He continues, “Everyone has a well-made house now. But I'm sure we'll have plenty of work for our carpenters. We're in big need of a blacksmith, so it's good that's been addressed. We've also built you a nice house for when you stay here. Jaycee insisted it should have a dozen bedrooms, so it does, and each has a bed. So you should be comfortable there tonight. Jaycee also insisted we build some barracks for troops. We thought we had too many, but now I see we'll need more. The main defences are finished and we're very secure. I doubt anyone could take this place, now.”

“Good, because that was needed before we moved to stage two of development. I was hoping you'd be ready for it.”

Lance nods at Jaycee, and she says, “We've been doing as you said and only raiding the Brotherhood forces to the west or south of here. We've ambushed several columns on the roads and taken out a number of small outposts. We had to let some columns go by because they were too large for us to attack. But we've used hit and run tactics against a few of their larger forces. In each case we did as you said and started on the officers. I have seen quite a few of the soldiers run off into the woods when no sergeant or officer was near them. When we can we kill all in a patrol and hide the bodies well. I've lost count of the number of their dead, but when we can't kill them all we make sure they know we're called the Tigers. We've been so successful attacking them they're building a major base at the junction of the Southern Road with the Bridgetown Road. It looks like they've got one or two thousand troops based there. They ride out in patrols of a hundred to two hundred strong, or bigger. So we can only snipe at them.”

“Interesting. I must look at that. As of this moment you're formally the Tigers Infantry. You operate as mounted infantry. You ride ponies to get to the combat area then fight on foot. One of the things you'll need to work with Carla about is how to integrate your infantry with the cavalry so you can be effective in combined operations. I hope you've been training people to take over leading the infantry force?” She nods. “Good, I want to expand the force and split it up into more units.” I go through the items Kira brought me and pull out five bags about as long and as wide as my arm. I hand them to her, “These are what we call 'unit colours.' They identify the unit. These five are for the infantry, Carla has the five for the cavalry. These ones have the pole in sections that join together so they're very easy to carry through the forest on the ponies.” She opens one, and smiles when she sees the bright coloured guidon we've made for her infantry. The only difference between these and the cavalry ones is they have 1st Inft instead of 1st Cav. I've only done up colours for five troops of each. All are from A company of their force. I want to have ten troops of sixty-five troopers in each company. So it'll be a while before I get to B company. I don't have troop numbers on these. When we get that far we can have them carry troop pennants.

We sit around for an hour talking about what's happened since my last visit. I'm very happy they're all in good spirits and feel safe here. I learn they've made several trips back to Junction for more things and to take some grain etc. back. But not much because it had to be what they could carry out on pony back. While we talk I upgrade the rest of the telescopes and hand them back, so all are now in the smaller cases.

Expansion Plans

When we're warned lunch isn't that far away I decide it's time to talk about the next parts of the development. Taking out a knife I draw a rough map of the area on the ground. There's only two major roads in the local area, the one to Bridgetown and the one that goes south, a few major farm areas, four small towns, the mountains and a few streams. I place my knife on the town that's two to the east, Barley, saying, “Barley is going to be the initial border town between us and the Brotherhood. I want to eliminate all of their forces and bases west of Barley. I also want to destroy any force they send west of Marley (the next town east of Barley). I want them to learn they've lost control of this area. As we have more cavalry and infantry troops available we'll move further east, taking out their forces and bases until they're no more.”

They all gulp, and Jaycee says, “That's a pretty tall order, Al. We've only got your sixty or so cavalry and my ninety infantry. They've got a few thousand.”

“I never said it would be easy. But we won't be facing them in a straight on fight where they have any advantages. I do expect we will have losses through wounds and death as we can't fight a war without losing some people. But we can take them out. On the way here we met a force of five hundred troops at Summer Ford. We killed most of them and took over a hundred prisoners. I expect to do something similar here. In combat we'll concentrate on officers and sergeants first. That destroys their control. After the battle we'll take prisoners and excess gear to Bridgetown or Summer Ford to hand them over to King Sid's people. The captured officers and sergeants will be killed. Captured troops will be placed on a five year indenture bond and put to work. That way we don't have to worry about controlling them and King Sid gets reimbursed for some of the costs of dealing with this mob. Oh, any senior prisoners or recent dead near Two Sheaf go to Jake to deal with.”

I stop for a sip, and continue, “Carla and Warren will help develop combat tactics. I'll help deal with the forces at Bridgetown and this new fort before I go. Now back to expansion. I want a small village built at the base of the cliff. It's to have a secure area where people can fall back to if attacked. I'll let you lot talk about it and decide if the entrance to the access cave is within the defensive area or not. There are advantages and disadvantages for both options.”

Lance interrupts, “What are they, Al?”

I give him a quick glance because I didn't want to be interrupted, but now have to deal with this. “If the cave entrance is within the defensive area, then should that fall you can retreat back into the cave and back here. The down side is that you can't have anyone in that village who is not from here. If the defensive area doesn't cover the cave the attacking troops should split and you have less to deal with down there. You can also have strangers in the village as they'll withdraw into the defensive area, but not back to here. I'd suggest a defensive area that's got water and food stores so it can stand a siege, but not the cave entrance. That way they have less reason to go all out to destroy it. They should leave it aside. It also means you can build a smaller facility. The bulk of the village will be outside this and vulnerable, but you can't have it all.” I stop for another drink. “Now, as I was saying, I want you to cut trees and make a good road running from the village to the corner of the mountains, and then as straight as possible to the junction with the road to Summer Ford. That should then become a junction for the road here, the Southern Road, and the Summer Ford road. Build an inn there and start a small village. If you do it right people will think the road to here is just a track to get around the back of the inn. A road from the village below to the junction of the Southern Road and the Bridgetown Road, again an inn and small village with the track to the road here not being blatant. Two more roads need to go from here, one straight out to the Bridgetown Road, and another in a line to come out at the bend just beyond Marley. In each case, once the road is finished put up an inn and encourage the start of a village. Clear land for farms if you have to. Now you can do a lot of the initial work for the road by clearing the trees and stopping a couple of hundred metres short of the existing roads. That'll give you some high speed roads to get about.”

Carla grins, “Hell, with them mostly made but stopping short they won't know they're there and we can move between places very fast. They'll have no idea how quick we can move through the forest.”

I give her a glare, “Exactly.” I turn to Warren, “How long before you interrupt me?” He grins and shakes his head. “Right. The cut trees will give you a lot of wood to work with up here. The roads, even when they stop short, will make it a lot easier for you to get stuff to and from the markets to the south and west. What I envision is we'll end up with a nice new community carved out of the forest below us: fifteen or so farms, an inn, several shops etc. The same is what I see as the long term result at each of the new junctions. But the initial roads are needed for fast troop transports. In ten or twenty years I see the town below as being a major centre for the trading of the crops from here. The shops and bank will be down there and you'll keep this area as a secure farmland. This place is to be my core citadel and that town below will be the centre of commerce for the area. With the other new towns being offshoot operations. By then most traffic from the south to the east will be cutting through here because it's shorter. So keep all that in mind as you plan the town below. This is your chance to plan and build a town as you think it should be done. But get those trees cut and the roads made most of the way so you can race troops through there. The way you're set up here now I've got no concerns about your ability to hold off the whole Brotherhood army should they come calling.”

They all smile at my closing comment, and Joseph says, “OK, I think we all understand where you're headed and what you want. We now need to plan it and do it. Let's go eat.” The meeting breaks up as we head off for food. People move away in small groups discussing what I'd said. They should do this well now they know what the aim is.

After lunch I spend a lot of time with people discussing various aspects of what I want in the valleys and in the forest. All the feedback is positive, so I think this will go well. That night Kira and the Damsels all insist I sleep in my new house and have some comfort. I do as told.

The next few days go fast as we prepare for the military campaign.

Clean-up Campaign

A few days are spent on discussions of tactics and on joint training. Not much for joint work yet, but we do make sure everyone knows and understands our whistle communication system. When Carla, Jaycee, and I are all happy with the level of training for the tactics to be used on this set of raids we get organised to go raiding.

Just after breakfast on the eighth day after arriving we mount up and head out. This trip we've seventy-five in the cavalry force; the sixty-five person troop, an extra officer under training, Carla, Kira, six camp staff, and myself. The six camp staff, three cooks and three helpers are riding the six horses with the wagons; the four small ones and two of the larger ones. They'll be feeding the whole force. The wagons have extra arrows, swords, medical supplies, food, and the cooking gear. The infantry have ninety-one on ponies; Jaycee with two forces of forty-five troops, each commanded by an officer she's trained. One hundred and sixty combat troops, all experienced in battle, with a number of skilled commanders. I don't expect a cake walk, but I don't expect too much trouble from most of the forces we're likely to encounter.

We look good lined up in rows of two ready to ride out, the cavalry leading the way, simply because I want to go first and I'm riding Gaza. The camp crew are at the tail of the cavalry and before the infantry. The gates open and we ride out at a normal walk. Down through the cave and into the forest. When we enter the main forest twelve infantry scouts move out in six pairs. They'll scout ahead and watch the flanks.

When we reach the Bridgetown Road Carla drops back to the trail position with an officer and twelve men. We move up to a canter as we go down the road. Jaycee checks our back trail as we move through the forest and her reports are very good as she has real trouble working out anyone's moved through the area. It shows our training on the way here, and the earlier practice, is paying off. We shouldn't be leaving any tell-tale signs for the Brotherhood to follow when we leave the roads.

First Contact?

We're most of the way to the junction with the Southern Road when Jaycee joins me, and says, “A little further ahead there's a long bend in the road. Just after that is a major farm that grows a lot of grain and breeds lots of pigs. The Brotherhood usually have a fair sized force stationed there, because it's the only farm big enough to support them. The owners don't like it, but can't do anything about it.”

I grin, “You think Plan Delta Seven may do the trick?”

“We've left them be because the force is usually around three to five hundred. But with this lot, yes, let's try it.” She swings to the side and drops back to inform her people while Kira takes the word back to the rest of the cavalry. The word will be passed to officers and sergeants, and they'll pass it to the troops.

We slow down and let the infantry infiltrate into the forest to make their way to the farm and prepare to attack on foot while the cavalry will ride in through the gate. After waiting the agreed time we're just moving out when two of the infantry scouts ride around the bend. They join us and tell us the Brotherhood troops have moved out and are now part of the force at the new fort. Oh well, it was a good try, we'll just leave them to deal with at the fort. We head for the farm.

The farmer's very glad not to have the Brotherhood troops stationed on his farm, but unhappy they insist he provides them with food supplies at no cost. He tells me, “They still demand we feed them for free. From what they said when they left I should expect a patrol with wagons to come and collect a lot of my grain and stock sometime in the next few days. I wish they'd never showed up around here.”

I smile as I look down from Gaza. There's no point in dismounting because we'll be leaving in a minute or so. I say, “Well, we're doing our best to get rid of them for you. What you see here is the beginning of our army, the Tigers. We've been conducting offensive patrols against them for some time now, and we're about to start a new campaign to eliminate all the Brotherhood forces west of Barley. Once we do that you'll be a lot safer, but until then they may send patrols through. We hope to keep any patrols they send too busy to worry about farmers.”

He smiles, “I heard a few of their officers talking about patrols not returning, and others being attacked by a group calling themselves the Tigers. Already they don't like the name. I wish you well against them.”

We make our goodbyes and the troops form up to move out. With the information about the expected patrol Jaycee puts out a couple of more scouts to range further ahead of us.

Ambush

It's late in the afternoon and we're thinking about where to camp for tonight when the scouts return to tell of a large patrol headed our way. We're not that far from the new fort, which is why the long discussion on where to camp. We figure on camping for a few days while we check out the fort and its forces. This is very late for a patrol to be leaving the fort today.

Jaycee says, “I think they intend to camp tonight at that farm, load up in the morning, and return tomorrow afternoon.” That makes sense.

We let Jaycee's senior officer and the senior cavalry lieutenant decide on the plan of attack. They've been well trained and it's time to let them take the lead in real life. They plan to ambush the patrol here and then spend part of the night moving through the forest to camp on the other side of the Southern Road. They decide not to let the enemy know we have cavalry and both forces will deploy in the forest as bowmen.

Jaycee, Carla, and I like their plan. I make one change. I'll change into a Brotherhood uniform I brought along and be with the force that engages the troops nearest the fort. I'll dismount a trooper and take his place. I can join the few who escape and use them for cover to enter the fort. I'll be in a good place to gather information on its layout and the forces there. It takes only a few minutes for me to change. The hard part is replacing my new bamboo armour with some of the four layer leather armour and leaving behind my second sword.

There are no mass produced swords on Chaos, each is a unique item because they're hand made. The sword makers do make the majority of their blades the same, but the hilts etc. are all different. So my sword won't stand out, but having two the exact same will. In an odd way, the three katanas Kira and I have are very unique, simply because a great effort had been made to make them exactly the same.

We're soon in place and have to wait several more minutes for the patrol to reach us. The scout was well ahead and the patrol is moving at a walk.

The patrol rides into the trap zone. I stop counting at one hundred, and that appears to be less than a quarter of the forces. They're riding three abreast with eight wagons and three men on each wagon seat. No wonder they're moving so slow. I doubt they're used to travelling in such large forces. We wait for the tail to reach us. When it does the sergeant of this section blows the command 'Engage' on his whistle. Even as it echoes along the road a wall of arrows leaves each side of the forest to meet the troops on the road. A second wall is on its way before the whistles stop blowing.

The trail force of about fifty men are in front of me and to my right when I dart out of the forest to grab a dying trooper in the middle row. Pulling him from his horse I remove the cloak he's wearing and check the rest of his uniform matches mine. It does, so I slip his cloak on and mount his horse. I look up, and see pandemonium in the ranks.

As per the plan all the sergeants are down, as are all but a couple of the most junior officers. Most of the troops are lying on the road and some are leaning over their horses, nearly all with arrows in them.

I lay along the neck of my horse and dash forward. Grabbing the bridle of the horse leading the last of the wagons I pull the horse around in a circle. One of those on the wagon is dead and another is wounded. The third is ducked down low, but is using the reins to urge the horses to turn. Once they're started on the turn I head for the next wagon to do the same with it. I leave the other wagons because they're stopped with no one alive on them, and the Tigers may need them to take away the loot.

Seeing the last two wagons turning to go back the way they came is all the one remaining junior officer needs to decide it's time to retreat. He shouts out the order to retreat while he turns his horse. Those still on horseback, and able to do so, turn their horses. The combat seems to take hours, but couldn't have been for more than a minute or two. I don't think I saw more than one or two of the Brotherhood lift their bows, and the few that did soon looked like pincushions.

Riding beside the second wagon I turned I'm soon passed by thirty or forty troopers galloping out of the trap area. All the horses are going as fast as they can, and I'm glad I'm not on the wagons. The men on the wagons are bounced around a real lot while they charge down the road. About fifteen minutes later we're charging in the gate at the fort.

Loot and Go

Jaycee and Carla watch as Al leads the retreat. They wait for the few who do get away to get down the road a hundred metres or so, and blow 'Cease Fire' on the whistles. A moment later they issue commands for the troops to move in to finish off the enemy and to strip them of anything useful. Some of them move to catch the horses and tie their reins onto lead lines so they can be taken away.

They work fast because they know they've but a few minutes before another force will come down the road to attack them, and they want to be long gone by then. They had wanted to take some of the wagons and the plan took that into account, but Jaycee now decides not to take any. The horses are unhitched and added to the lines of other horses.

The troops work fast as they strip the dead of valuables, weapons, and usable clothes. As each person gathers enough gear to warrant it they take them to a captured horse and strap it on as a pack for the horse to carry. They take about twenty minutes to be ready to go, and the last of them are leaving the scene very soon after that.

People move off during this time, the horse lines are twenty each and as one line turns into a line of pack horses the trooper leading it moves off into the forest, heading south. As the clean-up goes on a long line of people are leading horses off to the south. The cavalry are the first to leave, most of them leading horses.

Carla and Jaycee are the last two to leave and they shake their heads while they take in the scene they're leaving behind them. Eight horses were badly wounded and had to be put down, the six wagons sit there, and the road is littered with the bodies of over four hundred dead soldiers. At Grassy Meadows they developed the plan for this style attack and knew it would work against larger forces. But they'd no idea how well. In a couple of minutes they destroyed a force over three times the size of theirs and killed all but a few they allowed to escape. Turning their horses they enter the forest. Like the rest, they'll head south until they hit the stream, then head downstream to the road and meet the rest of the force in an open area on the other side of the road.

Clean-up

On entering the fort the junior lieutenant who's now in charge of what's left of the patrol stops to tell the Duty Officer what happened. The Duty Officer has a hard time taking in the tale of ambush and total destruction the junior officer tells him. But the few troops with him all look to be in shock and frightened. He takes the man to the commander so he can tell his tale direct. Several minutes later orders are issued and a force of a thousand men rides out to investigate the scene.

The senior colonel in charge of the force is stunned by what he sees, when he reaches the site about twenty minutes after leaving the fort. A force this large is wiped out on their doorstep. The idea their enemy would attack such a large force is worrying, especially when it's done in such an effective way and this close to the fort. He's very worried.

Trained scouts get down and examine the woods around the site. They find lots of evidence of enemy troops having moved about just inside the edge of the forest, and the spots where the ponies and horses were tethered. They don't find any trail of the force leaving the area, and that worries them. They report their findings to the colonel while he watches his men clean-up by loading the dead onto the wagons and has some of the men harness their horses to the wagons.

About an hour later with no trail to follow, no enemy in sight, and eight wagons loaded high with dead troops, the colonel reforms his force and heads back to the fort. He'll let the general decide what to do with the dead.

The general's decision is burial in a mass grave to be dug in a nearby clearing the next day.

New Friends

The few survivors of the ambush head for the stables, dismount, and tend to the horses; removing the tack, giving them water, and combing them. I take my time because I don't want to be caught putting my horse away where another horse belongs. Then I remember something Warren once told me about good horses being quick to learn which is their stall, and this horse seems to be a good and smart one. So I take a risk and let the horse go after I finish combing him down.

I grin as I watch him head into a stall and start to eat the hay there. He passed a stall with more hay than the one he's in, so I'm sure that's his regular stall. Picking up the saddle and other tack I take it over and place it on the rail at the stall entrance, just as the other stalls with horses have their tack placed. Going to the end of the stable I get some fresh hay and place it in the hay-rack. Noticing there's a trough there, I go to where the hay is kept and look for the grain. Grabbing a small bucket by the barrel of grain I fill it and take it to my horse. After I put the bucket back I get what's obviously a water bucket and get fresh water for the water bucket in the stall.

While I'm pouring the water another soldier walks in. He stops for a moment to watch me look after the horse. When I turn to take the bucket back, he asks, “What are you doing looking after Dodger?”

“I figure he's my horse now. We got ambushed. When the guy in front of me got hit and fell off my horse, Rounder, reared up and dumped me on my arse. In doing so he took a couple of arrows meant for me, so I forgave him for dumping me.” The soldier smiles at my being so forgiving. “The air was full of arrows and it didn't seem like a good place to hang around. The fastest way out was on a horse, so I looked for the best looking horse near me without a rider. Dodger was the best choice. I mounted up and got out of there. With Rounder dead and Dodger's owner dead, I figured we just swapped mounts. So now I'm looking after my new horse. Unless someone objects.”

“If Max is dead I doubt anyone will object. How many horses or men did you lose?”

“Just about the whole patrol. There was over five hundred of us in the patrol. Only a hand full got out, I don't know how many as I didn't stop to count. My whole platoon got it. I was the only one alive when I mounted Dodger. No riderless horses joined us, so I think the attackers got all the horses. We'll have a lot of empty stalls and beds tonight.”

He's about to speak when a large number of men race in and saddle up their horses. We both walk to the stable entrance and look over at the other stables, there's activity going on in quite a few of them as men saddle horses and get ready to leave. It looks like a large force is headed out to check on the ambush site.

I turn to my new friend, “I doubt they'll find anything other than bodies. A lot of time's passed since the attack and I doubt the attackers are just standing around having a chat. I'm sure they got what they want and are long gone by now.” Well, I certainly hope they are.

“You're probably right. But they got to check.”

“Yeah, I know. But I'm glad I'm not with them. I was there, and glad I'm out in one piece.”

“Your whole platoon is gone, you said.”

“Yeah. Hell, I had a good look at everyone returning and I didn't recognise a single face, none at all. I know all the sergeants are gone. They got it in the first wave of arrows, as did most of the officers. I'm surprised we had any left because I saw so many turned into pin cushions. Maybe they didn't see him. When I mounted Dodger all around me were dead. Apart from a few guys on the wagons the only living were well up near the middle of the column. I think they hit both ends and started to work towards the centre.”

A new voice joins us, “That's what it looked like to me.”

We turn, and there stands the corporal from the second wagon I got turned around. He holds out his hand, and we shake, “Neil Davis, you saved my life, and my brother's. Thanks.”

I reply, “Lyn Evans. Glad to have been a help to you.”

“Lyn, isn't that a girl's name?”

“I've had more than enough of that growing up and with my last bunch. So drop it. Blame my mother, she liked the name and when the midwife said she couldn't have any more kids I got it. I got no brothers and four older sisters. No one noticed anything until I was almost full grown. All of the locals thought I was another girl, just a stronger one. My sisters were real tomboys and never wore a dress, neither did I.”

“OK. I get the message. No jokes on the name. With your lot gone you could have cut out! Why didn't you?”

“How? The forests were jammed with the ambushers. The only way out was the road. Couldn't go ahead without dying. So I had to come back this way. No way I could get back past here without being caught. So it made sense to come back here. If I came back alone I'd have been in big trouble. So I made a point of getting the last two wagons turned so I'd have company and other witnesses. The next two wagons had only dead on them and I'd have not lived long enough to make the one in front of them. So it was just us. Then that young lieutenant saw us and had the sense to order everyone left out of it. Even so, I think a lot more died before they could get turned around and run.”

“Sounds like you thought things out during that mess!”

“I wouldn't say I thought them out, so much, as immediately saw how to get out in one piece and stay that way for now.”

“Your unit's gone! What do you plan to do now?”

“Well, I had planned on not saying anything for a few days while I recovered. Then I was going to check out who needed people and just start working with a mob I liked the look of. I figured after a few days with them they'd just accept I was a new transfer. If I said anything to anyone I'd get no rest and be put to work with anyone. So I was going to make the choice this time.”

Both the men laugh. The one that asked me about Dodger holds his hand out, saying, “Lance Smith, glad to meet you, Lyn.” We shake hands. We sit down on some stools and talk about life in general for a while. None of us feel like doing anything and we all feel we can goof off until the patrol returns. Then help them with caring for the horses.

When it's time to eat we go to the mess hall together and eat with the rest of Neil's unit. He makes a point of getting me involved with the conversation and talking to everyone that's left alive in it. I do think he's on a recruitment campaign, just as I am.

During this time I find out which barracks the dead troops had been using and go to one that has none of the returned troops going to. Most of them went into the one barrack and the two beside it are empty of troops with gear in them. Inside I light the lanterns and set about checking out the gear, looking for a set of uniforms that fits me well. As I do this I make up a bundle of the dead man's gear and place it on the bed. I'm about a third of the way through the barracks before I find a suitable donor and mark that as my bed. I finish bundling everything up before I bed down for the night.

Second Day

In the morning I join Neil for breakfast and ask if there's a wagon that's rarely used. He tells me about one that has a few issues and is the last to be taken out. It hasn't been used since they arrived. So I ask, “It wouldn't be a problem if I borrow it for a while?” He agrees.

After breakfast we go look at the wagon and he shows me where some tools are when I ask. It takes an hour to fix the few issues, poor maintenance issues. All the wheels have to come off, a bit of work on the axles to get them round again, grease them up and put the wheels back on; just a bit closer to the wagon-bed due to the work on the axles. The replacement of a few dowel nails that aren't a tight fit, and a few other minor issues. The wagon is good to go. Neil stays and watches me at work, helping when I need it.

With the wagon ready I get two horses used by the waggoners and move it over to the barracks I'm in. When I go inside and start bringing out the bundles of gear Neil helps again. We're soon finished.

The next barracks has no one alive in it so I lead Neil in and start bundling and removing the gear there. We get that one finished and break for lunch.

Sitting down at lunch, Neil asks, “Who ordered you to do that?”

I reply, “No one.” I turn and look at him, “They need the barracks cleared out for whoever they send to replace them. If the gear's left there it will end up with the replacements. I figure I can collect it all and get some bonus hazard pay later, as I sell it off. Technically it belongs to those who killed them. The officers will only take the gear, sell it, and keep the money for themselves. Well, I'm getting in first.”

After lunch the rest of Neil's unit helps to bundle and remove the gear of the deceased from the barracks. The extra help allows us to get it all done by the end of the day. The wagon is full so we throw a canvas over the large pile and tie it down well before putting it away at the back of the wagon area. We don't want anyone stealing our loot.

The day has been well spent. I've a large wagon of useful plunder and got the full information on the layout of this fort. It's the biggest of this style I've ever seen: it's about a kilometre on a side with stables built against three walls and the back half of the centre is covered in barracks buildings and mess halls, etc. The front half is an open square for formations and training and the front wall has no buildings against it except the guard house at the gate. It does have a roofed area along the inside where horses and people can wait in the shade.

That night I bundle my gear up and move into the barracks with Neil and his people, they've a lot of empty beds too.

Third Day

At breakfast I ask Neil about another wagon I can borrow. He gives me an odd look, but after breakfast is done he takes me to another wagon that needs to be worked on. I spend a couple of hours making this one ready to go. Then harness two horses to it.

Again Neil and some of his people join me when I move the wagon.

I stop in front of one of the empty stables and back the wagon in. As I get down, Neil asks, “What are you doing now?”

I grin at him, “Same thing, getting gear before it goes off.”

Walking over to where the barrels of grain are I start rolling them over to the wagon. With a huge smile the rest of the men help me load the wagon with all the grain and hay in the stable. We spend the whole day like a work detail hard at work, and have three wagons full of grain and hay that we park beside our other wagon after we cover each of them with canvas and tie it down well.

As we eat dinner that night, I ask Neil, “If you had the chance to get out of this chicken shit outfit alive, would you take it?”

He looks around the table at his friends, smiles, and replies, “I sure would. So will the rest. What have you got going?”

“I figure we can load up a few more wagons with gear without any questions being asked. Then we just drive them out the gate.”

“The gate guard will just let us through, right!”

“When the time comes, they will. I've a way to convince them to.” They want to know more, but I refuse to answer at this time.

Fourth Day

After breakfast we spend the morning loading up three wagons with food supplies we figure they won't notice missing from the stores for a while. We also load two more with other useful gear.

As we're putting the covered wagons in line in the wagon park I see a group ride in, and swear. I'm not ready to leave, but have no choice now. I have to act on what I see; three of the General's missing men, two traitors and one beaten up prisoner.

I turn to Neil, and ask, “Neil, do you trust me?”

He looks at me, glances at the group riding in, and says, “Yes.”

“Thanks. Get these wagons ready, horses harnessed and ready to go. Get your personal gear and place it under the seat. Have the others do the same and to stand by ready to drive the wagons out when I say to. All hell is about to break loose and we need to get out while it does.”

He nods, “OK, Lyn.” He moves off and speaks to the others. They all head to their barracks. I watch, and none of them go near anyone else.

I head over to where Lance is, and say, “Lance, do us all a favour, please. Saddle Dodger and your Rambler. Tie them up near the door. Saddle all the rest and set them up on strings of twenty horses each.”

He asks, “What's up, Lyn?”

“Hell is about to arrive and we're going to use it to get out of here. Have your gear on Rambler, I'll bring mine over for Dodger before I go and help hold the door open long enough for us to get out.” He nods, and turns to do as I ask.

I head to the barracks and meet Neil walking out with two bundles, his gear and mine. I thank him and take it to load on Dodger.

From the stables on the western side of the gate I watch the group of new arrivals while they tie their horses to rails in the sheltered area by the gate. When they have their backs to me I make some hand signs with my left hand. From this angle I can see the forest outside and can be seen from it. When I make the final signal I see a bush moves up and down. With a smile, I head to my next duty task.

Now all I have to do is follow three US special operations military men into a building I've never entered and kill two of them while releasing the third. All without getting myself killed. I watch as they finish getting the prisoner off his mount and head towards the main administration building.

Getting Out

My 'set the seeds for destruction and get out' trip has turned into an assassination and rescue mission. I walk to the administration building and fall in line behind the group with the prisoner when they're about halfway there. Taking care not to startle the five men with the prisoner, I make like I'm part of their group while we walk to the building.

Just before we reach the building I move around in front of them and open the door, just like a good little junior helping his seniors. The four guards at the door assume I'm with them and they assume I'm with the fort's force. When the prisoner passes by he gets a good look at me and his eyes go wide as he remembers me from Kadena. Closing the door behind them I follow the group through the building and up the stairs. When we reach the door to the base commander's office I repeat the concierge act. I follow them in, shutting the door behind them.

One of the traitors with the prisoner turns his head a little while he watches me. When I close the door he turns further, and asks, “What's your game?”

I grin at him, saying, “Murder and mayhem.” I throw a bo shuriken into the middle of his Adam's Apple. I'm quick to do the same for the other traitor, the commanding officer, and the other guards facing me. As I do this I slip my knife out and use it to renovate the heart of one of the local guards escorting the group. Stepping behind the prisoner, I say, “Semper fi, Timms,” while I finish off the other guards in the room.

Racing around the desk I hear Corporal Timms, say a soft, “Oorah.”

Pulling the general back from the desk I see the hate in his eyes. The bo shuriken in the throat and through his spine means he's dying, but he's not there yet. Grabbing his hands I look for the ring he must have. A general here in this critical spot, he has to be high enough up their order. Damn, no ring. I pat his pockets, no ring. Tearing his shirt open I see it and a key on a chain around his neck. Using my knife I cut the soft gold chain and pull the ring off, letting the key fall to the floor. He glares at me while I slip the ring into my pocket.

I look down at him, saying, “I don't know who you are, but you're with either the Aryan Brotherhood or the Ku Klux Klan. Either means you die. Without this to return you to your friends they won't know what happened to you and they lose another resource to bring people in with. You probably know me as Hero Al. Have an unpleasant death.” His eyes flare when I tell him who I am. It matters not what he wants, he's like the other seven of his people in the room, as they're all dying.

Moving to the door I lock it, and turn to untie Timms. Once he's loose I wave at the wash stand against the wall. He goes over and starts to clean-up while I place a coat on the desk and pile all the suitable plunder on it.

Walking around the desk I remember the key and bend down to pick it up. When I straighten up I look around the office, but see nothing the key will fit. There are some cupboards near another desk in the corner where an aide sat until I dumped him on the floor. Going over to the cupboards I open them up, and find a set of shelves with a good strong box on the bottom shelf - a large strong box.

Making sure not to make much noise I pull the heavy strong box out and use the key to unlock it. Most locks on Chaos are made from hardwood, this one is steel. Opening the box I find four saddle bags full of money. Well, the Brotherhood doesn't need it and we do. So I take them out and place them beside the desk.

With all the loot gathered I recover my shuriken. I clean and return them to their holders. As I do this Timms strips the shirt and coat off the aide to replace his bloody ones. The dead aide is the closest fit for him. While he finishes that task I pull locks of hair from the two dead traitors, also from the general and his aide. I lay them out and make a sketch of their faces before I give them a check for unusual marks etc. The aide has an odd tattoo which I also sketch and note it's position.

Opening the window in the back wall of the office I look out to see what's there. There's an alleyway between this building and the back of another building. I think it's a mess hall. The drop to the ground is four metres, so I think we'll exit this way. We move all the plunder over to the window and create a makeshift rope from some uniform coats.

While I tie coats arms together Timms climbs out the window and lowers himself to the ground. Hanging from the window sill he drops the remaining space. I tie the end of one coat arm around the middle of a set of saddlebags and lower it out the window on the five coat rope I made. He grabs the bags when they're low enough and eases them to the ground before undoing our impromptu rope. I pull it up and ready another set of bags to go. In a few minutes all our loot is on the ground.

Stripping some clothes off the dead I pile them and some papers in the corner of the room furthest from the window. After pouring the oil from the two lanterns in the room on the pile I set fire to some papers on the top of the pile and run for the window. When I'm half out the window I close it as much as I can and lower myself down the back of the building. A few minutes later sees Timms and I staggering while we carry our heavy load over to the wagons.

It takes us a few minutes to put them under the seat of the wagon Neil is driving. I look at him, and say, “Watch that lot for me, please!” I look around at the drivers, and speak louder, “Take your coats off and put them on inside out.” They take their coats off while Timms and I head towards the front gate.

I nod at the four guards in the gateway when Timms and I enter the gatehouse. The Duty Officer looks up as I give a modulated blow on the whistle I put in my mouth as we walk in. The men in the gatehouse come to their feet as Timms knocks the officer out and the guards in the gateway drop with arrows in their chests. I look at the ten troops, and say, “If you want to live, drop your weapons, put your hands on your heads, and walk out the gate. Walk straight down the Southern Road.”

We all hear the sound of horses hoofs as a large group of troops ride in. When men start shouting about invaders the troops drop their weapons, place their hands on their heads, walk out the door, turn, and head out the gate. Because they're unarmed and have their hands on their heads my troops let them go.

Timms and I take off our coats and put them on inside out as we head back out the door. I wave at the Tigers as we run for the stables.

Passing Neil and the men at the wagons, I yell out, “Head out now. They won't harm you.” He nods and starts his wagon moving, the rest follow. I'm glad they trust me to be telling them the truth. As they move into the lane between the buildings the troops raising hell with the people in the buildings glance at them and leave them be, as per my earlier orders to ignore those with their coats inside out.

At the stables, I yell, “Lance, take your coat off and put it back on inside out. They'll leave you alone if you do.” He nods from half way down the stable as he starts to take his coat off. “Timms, grab a lead line and take these horses out to the parade ground, one of the cavalry troop will lead them out.” He nods, and follows me as I do just that.

Taking the lead line from a string of horses I run out of the building with a line of twenty horses behind me. At the parade grounds I see the Tigers moving around while they shoot arrows at anyone they see that's a threat. When I reach them the trooper nearest me turns, takes the lead, and canters out the gate. I turn and go for another string as Timms hands over his string and Lance waits to do the same.

It takes a few minutes for us to empty that stable. While Lance leads Timms to the next stable he readied I start a fire amongst the loose hay in this one and follow them, leading Dodger and Rambler out.

Looking around while I lead my first string out of the next stable I notice the fort is total pandemonium. The troops on the wall walkways are all Tigers infantry, the cavalry are milling around in the parade ground, and all are shooting at anyone who looks like shooting at them. I smile as I see a group of cooks without weapons but coats turned inside out loading cookware and food supplies onto four wagons with harnessed horses. Six of my Tigers are helping wounded from the infirmary into a wagon there ready to go, and a lot of riderless horses are being chased out of the stables on the other side of the fort. The real interesting item is the number of unarmed people with their hands on their heads making their way from the troop barracks to the gateway. I try to ignore the number of bodies on the ground, but notice they're heaviest near the officers' and sergeants' quarters.

About twenty minutes after the attack started all the stables are empty and on fire, along with the mess halls, as is the administration building. Fires have been started against the officers' and sergeants' quarters, but the building haven't taken yet. Going to where I'd tethered Dodger away from the fires I mount up and leave.

I'm not needed here, so I leave the fight to those I've trained. They need to be able to do this without me telling them what to do, and they need to know they can do it without me telling them what to do. That's why I've kept out of the actual fighting on this one.

I smile when I look down the Southern Road, starting about a half a kilometre down the road is a long line of prisoners, wagons, and horses. Riding up to where Neil is sitting on his wagon looking back at the fort, I nod, and ask, “Are you still glad I came into your life?”

He grins, “Yes. I wanted out of that lot and I knew my friends did, too. But I'd no idea how many others did until I spread a rumour we could surrender if attacked. Now look what I've done.” We both look at the couple of thousand soldiers who surrendered instead of fighting. He glances at me, “When I saw you dash from the forest to mount one of our horses I figured the fort would be attacked and wondered what you intended to do. I'm very glad I didn't turn you in as I'd probably be back there if I had.”

“You'll understand when I say you can't stay around here to work.” He nods. “The bulk of the prisoners will be put on a five year indenture in King Sid's domain. You and those who've helped me will be released to go about your lives. You can choose between setting up around Two Sheaf or somewhere in King Sid's domain. I don't want you back here while we still have to deal with the Brotherhood, mainly because they'll kill you if they see you.”

“Sounds good enough. We're alive and out of that mob. So I doubt anyone will complain.”

Just then the officer in charge of the cavalry rides up with Jaycee, and says, “Unless you've an objection I'll withdraw the cavalry now and let the infantry harass those in the buildings until they burn down. I want to send most of the troop down the road to keep an eye out for and deal with anyone coming to investigate the fire.”

I nod, when I reply, “Your command and your battle, Captain. Do as you see fit.” At my nod he starts to turn away, and turns back at the mention of his new rank. “See Carla about the rank badges, she's been waiting to give them to you. Look after my cavalry well, for me.”

He grins, and he nods, “Yes, Sir.” He vanishes in a cloud of dust.

I turn to Jaycee, “Well, Colonel, are your two ready to be promoted to captain and be asked to recruit to fill the ranks?”

She smiles, at her promotion, “Yes, Sir, they are.”

“Then go tell them of their promotion and the need to recruit both troops up to their full strength of sixty-five men and officers. Oh, and tell Carla she has to stop swearing because she's now a general and they aren't allowed to swear in my army.”

She snaps a brisk, “Yes, Sir,” and rides off in a cloud of dust.

Neil looks at me; I say “My full first name is Allyn, both Al and Lyn are used as short forms of it. Most call me Al. Around here they usually call me Lord Al.” He grins, and laughs hard. I move off to help treat the few wounded we have. There's nothing major, due to good armour.

We settle down to watch the end of this battle and the fort. For the rest of the day the Tigers keep the remaining Brotherhood people in the buildings while they set fires along all of the sides. It takes a while for some of them to get going with a strong fire, although some burn real well. The fires and action continue into the night, so troops take turns to eat and have a rest. The interesting thing is we have thousands of troops being watched over by about twenty people. When it gets near time to eat the cooks amongst the prisoners get permission to gather firewood and set up camp cooking to feed everyone. I can't be sure, but it looks like none of the prisoners try to escape. They eat and settle down to sleep, making do as best they can on the road and roadside.

In the morning the cooks prepare breakfast while Carla, Jaycee and I check out the remains of the fort with the three new captains. The fires are almost burnt out. Those in them died when the buildings collapsed into the fires sometime during the early hours of this morning.

We walk around the remains of the fort to look at what's left. Some of the troops are already raking through the piles of ashes, looking for any metal objects that are recoverable. I stop, and call out, “Don't risk getting burnt. We can let them cool off and collect them on the way back from Bridgetown.” Most nod and move back from the hot ashes.

Someone took the trouble to count the prisoners, three thousand, seven hundred, and eighty-three. Damn, that's a lot of prisoners of war, or should we call them deserters. I think I'll call them deserters.

Once we're satisfied there's no danger left here, and the fort is done, we head towards Bridgetown. Once the force there is dealt with that clears this end of the territory of enemy bases. I nod to Jaycee, she turns and gives orders to her captains.

By mid-morning we're moving out. The infantry are escorting the prisoner column with the wagons while the cavalry rides ahead to deal with the Brotherhood troops near Bridgetown. The cavalry will stay with the column until the last day, to provide extra security.

I leave Gaza with the column as I don't want to risk him getting hurt. Riding Dodger I join the captain at the head of the column. Most of the infantry are acting as a trail force to protect the column from an attack at the rear. We move out in good order and set a nice pace.

Due to the size of the column, and the large number of horses we've got, Jaycee transfers all the prisoners on foot onto saddled horses so we can move faster. We stay at a fast walk, which is still faster than on foot.

As we move, two men selected and trained by Warren go through all the extra horses. They select the best two hundred, marking them with a cloth on their harness. These are swapped out from being ridden to be saddled as pack horses loaded with the gear for Grassy Meadows.

Bridgetown Boogie

Late in the afternoon we set up camp early and prepare for the battle we expect the next morning. It's taken us most of two days to reach Bridgetown. The night is quiet as the cavalry prepare for battle while the infantry take guard duty all night.

The next morning we have an early breakfast. The cavalry mount up and move out while the rest are still breaking camp. We soon reach a canter as we ride off. An hour later we reach the camp of the troops that are facing King Sid's troops near the Bridgetown Bridge.

The bridge defences are only a few metres this side of the bridge, just far enough into the territory to keep others off the bridge. The total defensive area is only about ten metres in diameter, but it means the barricade that's a further ten metres this side of it is a large semicircle. The old one across the end of the bridge was only a few metres wide, this one is a few hundred metres long. We near the barricade and camp.

At the nod from the captain I pull off to the side and let the troops pass by. I've no place in this battle, so I wait to follow them in. I watch as they canter into the encampment.

With no warning they start shooting the officers, sergeants, and all others who raise weapons. A junior lieutenant leads a dozen men at the enemy troops manning the barricade against King's Sid's men. The first targets are the officers and sergeants again. Once they're dealt with men call on the troops to surrender.

As I enter the camp I see one man, one I recognise, grinning as he raises his bow to shoot again. There are two arrows stuck in his shirt, he must have good armour on underneath the shirt. I raise my own bow as I pull an arrow with a sharp bodkin arrowhead from the quiver on the neck of my horse. I take aim and let loose just as the man shoots.

Both arrows arrive at the same time. One of my men is hit and folds over the wound as the smile on bowman vanishes when my arrow penetrates his chest after punching through his armour. He's shocked. I draw another bodkin arrow and shoot again, aiming a little lower.

I ride over, get off Dodger and walk up to the wounded bowman, saying, “You chose the wrong side to fight for, Sergeant. The General will be happy to tell your family of your death in combat. Pity they'll have no body for the funeral.” I reach down and pull out a lock of his hair and scalp before I start to strip him of weapons.

As I remove the arrows in his chest and stomach, he asks, “Do I know you? You must be from Earth, but I don't recognise you!”

“We've met once before. But neither of us were there. However, at the time I was wearing a balaclava as we got ready for a raid. You know me as Smilodon. I work as a special contractor for the General.”

“I knew it would take someone special to take me out. Taken down by the best I've met, I can't complain.” He grins as I grab his head and give it a twist to finish him off. The arrow wounds should be fatal, but I'm not taking any chances with a special forces operative. I smile when I get his clothes off, he has a set of chain-mail on as armour. No wonder the other arrows didn't harm him. Jaycee will appreciate having this available.

By the time I'm finished with Sergeant Davies the fighting is over. Of the five hundred troops here just over three hundred surrender. The troops are lining them up and cleaning up the site when an officer walks over from the bridge defences.

He approaches me, and says, “The captain over there said you're the one I need to speak to about what's going to happen now.”

I smile, when I reply, “Well, the first thing is I need to get the local King's Representative busy doing five year indenture papers for these men. One of my men will select some of the horses for us to keep, along with their tack, and we'll take all the metal. The rest of the gear is for you to take charge of on behalf of King Sid, to help defray the costs of keeping you here. We also have a large group of other people for you to find work for, along with a pile of gear and horses, too. We've cleared out all the Brotherhood forces this side of the Southern Road and will be going to clear them out as far as Barley when we finish here.”

“I hear they have a big fort with a few thousand men up near the junction with the Southern Road. Can you handle them OK?”

“Already have. That's where we got the other people and gear. That fort is a pile of ashes now.” He's stunned. “My Tigers are good fighters. None can stand before them, certainly not the Brotherhood.”

Arrangements

Captain Rider of King Sid's Army takes me over to speak with the local King's Representative. We have some discussion as to what to do with everything, as they don't have much use for all that many people.

The final agreement is the prisoners from here will be indentured for five years. The rest will be indentured for one year, given a horse, gear, food, and guided to King Sid's Citadel where they'll find some work for them. The five year men will travel with them and the officer will try to find work for them along the way. The rest of the gear and horses will be taken back to the Citadel for use by the King's agents.

I smile, because I know it'll take them some months to move such a large group to the Citadel. But it will mean the men are spread out and more likely to integrate quicker. It also takes some of the valuables back to the government's centre. The King's Representative hires six locals to help him prepare the indenture papers.

By the time the rest of the column arrives the camp site is cleaned up and the prisoners from here are in Bridgetown being processed. So we set up camp at the old Brotherhood camp site. I'll not bring those men over until after the first lot have their papers done.

The Next Few Days

The next morning Carla, Jaycee, and I take the saddlebags into the bank to deposit the money. New joint accounts are opened with Carla and Jaycee in which I deposit the contents of one saddlebag load each. Most of the rest is placed in my main account and I give Captain Rider about a quarter of a bag load of cash for the government. He's happy to have it so he can pay his troops some money because their pay is well overdue.

It takes a week to process the papers for everyone. I'm surprised they get them all done that fast. Most of the metal gear is loaded onto packs on the horses we're taking back to Grassy Meadows and two wagons are loaded up with suitable gear for Neil and the other men who helped at the fort. Each man is given a horse, sword, knife, and some money. Food and feed is loaded on their wagons too. I'm letting them go as free men to start new lives.

When all is ready I stand before them, and say, “You men helped before the fighting encouraged you to. So I'm letting you go free. You have all the gear you need to travel a fair distance and get started again. I don't care where you go, you can please yourselves about that, except do not stop this side of Junction if you go that way, don't stop this side of the Summer Ford if you go that way, and don't stop before Two Sheaf if you go south. Go beyond those places and do as you wish. I wish you all well.” They all smile and start to talk about destinations. I leave them to it.

Eight days after we arrived at Bridgetown twenty of King Sid's men are escorting just over four thousand indentured men to the citadel. The food and cooking gear in the wagons makes it easier for them to get organised and go. The free men are travelling with them to see what things are like that way. They'll fall out where they like the area.

We watch them move out as we clean-up the camp site and prepare to move out ourselves. We've two wounded in the four wheel wagons and five dead in the other two. Leading two hundred and fifty horses with large packs, we head east.

Because of the large column we'll turn south on the Southern Road and enter the forest through one of the streams so we don't leave a trail off the road. We take our time when we ride home.

Eight days later we ride into Grassy Meadows and everyone takes a few days of rest. The dead are buried with full honours the day after we get back to Grassy Meadows. I set things up for the care and welfare of the families of all those killed or wounded.

Planning

On the second day after our arrival we have a planning meeting of all the leaders. I start the discussion by going over what we covered in the last planning meeting, and then head off into new territory.

Looking around the circle, I say, “Warren, your job is to select, breed, and train the horses. Second to that you're to help Carla and Jaycee with the training of the troops. You have knowledge, skills, and experience to be a big help with that. I don't want the Walers to go out on any raid until after we have a good stock of them here. Keep the better ones for breeding and let the rest go on raids. You should get some good half breeds by crossing them with some of the best of the local horses.” He nods, and smiles at my recognition of what he's been telling me - which I hadn't seen until I was working with Dodger.

I turn to Carla, “You should concentrate on staying here and training people. However, there are likely to be times when changes in the way the enemy operates, or you're introducing new tactics, when you'll need to go into the field to see how things are. Take care, your main job is to be the general who co-ordinates the overall war and training troops.”

She responds, “Yes, Sir. I'll also be exposed when I go out to look at recruits. But I'll keep out of the way. I know I'm needed more for my knowledge and training skills. Thank you for your trust.”

I smile at her, and look at Jaycee, “Your situation is very similar now. You need to concentrate on training, especially officers and scouts. But there is likely to be more situations where you'll be needed in the field to oversee larger operations involving two or more units. Train the captains to work together well, and reduce the need for you to be in the field.” She nods. I look around the group as a whole, “Carla and Jaycee have access to some money in the bank, so if you need to buy anything, have them organise the cash for you. You know what I hope to see happen here and you all have the skills and knowledge to see it's done. So organise it as soon as you can, but first plan it well.”

Lance smiles and nods, asking, “You don't want to approve the plans for the new towns?”

“No. As long as they meet the requirements I laid out before I'll be happy with whatever you do. I won't be living in them, so those who will should be involved in their planning and construction. Now, as for the Brotherhood. Carla, Jaycee, you need to plan on regular patrols on the roads between Two Sheaf, Summer Ford, Bridgetown, and Barley. You also need to organise raids against the Brotherhood troops east of Barley and keep an eye on their places within a few days ride to the east too. You need to build our forces to three full troops of infantry and three of cavalry before you take on Marley. You'll need five full troops of each to move the campaign any further east. That's troops in full operation. You'll also need others in training to replace those wounded or in need of a rest. Make sure people rest between operations. Take care in selecting recruits, because we don't want any enemy spies.” They all nod. “Good. The type of commando raids you were conducting while I was away can be conducted against any Brotherhood forces anywhere. Hit them as far east as you feel safe in doing so, but make sure you have a safe way out before you do. The idea is to keep them stirred up and on the hop. Keep the pressure on. Don't let them have a breather, but keep safe and protecting our people is the top priority.”

Carla replies, “I know what you want, Al. I'll reinforce it in planning meetings and training. We'll hurt them, and hurt them bad.”

“Good. In a few more days I'll be leaving again and be gone many months. So it's up to you, as a group and as individuals, to lead these people and direct their efforts. With us controlling all this side of Barley you'll be able to take excess grain for sale to the west and south. Make sure to have them guarded when you do.” Having a thought, I add, “I want you to maintain a good patrol of a dozen or so along the Southern Road to Two Sheaf at all times. The Brotherhood are sending couriers to someone down south, we want to stop that and take out all the couriers they send. Messing up their communications will hurt them.”

The discussion breaks down into a lot of question on fine points, most of which I redirect back to them to resolve as a group. I need them to work as a leadership group without me because I won't always be here. We get to bed late that night.

Barley Bound

A week after our return from Bridgetown it's time to get going again and to deliver a message to the Brotherhood. This time we'll take the Damsels with us and we'll depart from Barley when we finish with the Brotherhood force there. We prepare for the full list of activities, and Captain Dane leads the column out the gate.

A small group of infantry leads the way, throwing out pairs of scouts ahead of us, followed by the cavalry, while I lead the Damsels, Kira, Timms, and the camp crew with the wagon, with the rest of the infantry behind us. Jaycee rides with me so she can oversee the whole column and let the captains do their jobs. All I want to leave behind is being left here, except what I'll put in the bank box.

We head out at a fast walk, going south west. Reaching the second stream we turn west and head to the Southern Road. Reaching the road we turn and go north. Now that we're on a good road the pace moves up to a good canter to make better time.

Although you wouldn't think it at first glance, the area does have a fair number of farms in it. They're spread out with a lot of forest between most of them. Traffic was only ever light, but it became almost non-existent under the Brotherhood. We're happy to see a few of the locals moving about now. Just proves the rumour mill still works.

We wave at all we pass on the road or on the farms as we ride. We do sort of contrast to the Brotherhood. They wear uniforms very much like the ones the US Confederacy wore during the War Between the States, while we have mixed outfits that blend into the forest. We also have coats and blankets for the horses that blend in too. It helps to have all three units flying their colours as we ride. There can be no doubt in anyone's mind about who we are and why we're riding in force.

When we reach the junction of the Bridgetown Road and Southern Road we can see things have changed since we were last here. Much of the outer wall and some of the building walls survived the fire. But they've not survived the people scavenging the wood.

When we left you could tell it was the remains of a fort. Now it's an open area with some piles of ashes and holes where support posts have been pulled out. We give it a good look when we pass by.

Jaycee says, “I think I'll look for a group who want to set up a nice farm and inn here. The land's cleared, they just have to plough it and build the needed buildings. It'll save time and ensure we have control of this junction.”

I respond after I think about how quick the locals acted, “Good idea. You may want to check if any of the locals are getting a bit crowded and want to help their kids expand. That would get you some good brownie points with the existing locals.”

“Yes. There's a farm a little further up that could do with some of the older children moving out. They'll be handy to help them get set up right, as well. I think we'll stop there tonight and I can talk to them.” I nod while I think about the reactions we're seeing from the local.

When we stop and make camp at night, I say to Jaycee, “When you get back you may want to talk to the rest of the community leaders about selling some of our excess weapons to the locals. Give them the gear to defend themselves against small groups of the Brotherhood and to help you out against them, too.”

“Good idea, Al. But I think we do need to talk about it first.”

She goes off to speak with the farmer. He has a few kids who are old enough to be out on their own, and so does the next farm along. When she returns she has a huge smile. I'm soon told why. “They want to take over the area to set up a farm, an inn, and a trading shop. They're worried we'd object. Being given our blessing, I'm sure they'll be off to get started in the morning. Once things are set up a few of the kids will be well placed to get married and start their own families. So they're keen to get going.” We all laugh. But I like it, because it shows the area is on the way to recovery and it will recover from the scourge that had been here.

We settle down for a good night's sleep, with guards well out.

The next morning we're on our way again. Barley is a several days ride along the road from the junction, but we're travelling faster than most people ride along the road. Thus it'll only be a few days ride for us. While we go we pass a lot of farms, a number of little hamlets built around an inn or an inn and a shop, plus the town of Corn.

You have to wonder about the imagination of these people, most of the places have such exciting names. OK, so you don't like sarcasm. I do wonder how many town names get used more than once. Corn has an inn, three shops, a bank, a stable, a blacksmith, a carpenter, about thirty houses, a stream, and a dozen farms surrounding it. There had been a detachment of Brotherhood troops here, but they're gone.

When we stop to water the horses Jaycee goes to speak to one of the locals. They return, and the blacksmith tells us, “Two days ago a small group of troops rode in. They looked like hell. They said they'd been part of a force of fifty troops escorting a messenger from down south. They got hit on the Southern Road and they count themselves lucky to get away. They said they went to the fort at the junction with this road and found it gone. Not a stick standing. There was evidence of a fight, a fire, and lots of skeletons. They asked one of the farmers up there what happened and he said the Tigers attacked the fort and wiped out the force inside it. The lieutenant in charge of the local detachment decided it was more important to see the men got to higher command and left, escorting them back to their main base. Usually when they go out on patrol they leave some gear and a few men here. This time they left nothing. In short, they're scared and they ran away.”

I grin, and say, “That's good news. We're on our way to Barley to kick them out of there and tell them to stay away. This area is free of them and we'll soon set up regular patrols to see it stays that way.” He leaves, happy with the change and eager to tell the others.

After a short stop we head out again. I'm eager to see what the situation is in Barley. It's standing detachment is about five hundred troops, so I expect things to be different there. We should know when we get there tomorrow afternoon.

Barley

The approach to Barley is through the forest. There's a big curve about half a kilometre from the town, then a two kilometre straight line into and through the town with about another kilometre the other side of the town. Farms line both sides of the road for this stretch, except for the shops and houses lining the half kilometre stretch in the town. The Brotherhood have set up in the first farm on the west side off the town, so they're closest to us.

We're riding along at a nice even canter about a kilometre from the town of Barley when the scouts report back to Captain Dane. He sends them back along the line to deliver orders. The Brotherhood are in the middle of moving out. He intends to attack them. As we continue to ride the troops prepare for combat and the infantry behind us move up past us while the cavalry move to the front of the column. When the orders are passed on to us I smile, it's just what I'd do in this situation.

As we approach the curve the whole column moves up to a gallop in response to hand signals. The head of the column gallops around the curve and out of sight, the rest of us follow. When we reach the curve and round it we see the column with colours flying and bows at the ready. They bear down on Brotherhood troops who are only just now looking up at the sound of the galloping horses. The cavalry are only a hundred metres from them. 'The Charge' is whistled and the cavalry speeds up while they loose their first flight of arrows at the enemy.

Twenty wagons are spread out on the road through the town with men loading all sorts of things in them. It looks like they're looting the town before they leave. Another five are in the entrance road of the farm. All have part loads and horses are harnessed. Men are scurrying all over with gear in their hands, not one has a weapon close to hand. About a dozen men are sitting on horses near the gate watching the loading. It's an organised frenzy one second, the next second it's pure pandemonium and panic as they react to the attack when the first flight of arrows is fired at them. Men drop their loads and reach for weapons while others run for weapons and or horses. The only smart action is taken by seven of the men at the gate. They turn and gallop out the gate, heading east as fast as their horses can carry them.

The arrows arrive and all the drivers on the wagons catch a few each and slide off the wagons, dying. All but one of the men still on the horses slide off with arrows in their chests. The officers on the ground, most are near the wagons they're supervising the loading of, also sprout arrows. Then the cavalry are charging along the road in front of the farm shooting at the troops around the wagons.

As the cavalry pass the farm and enemy troops there the infantry have an open shot. They send a flight of arrows at the panicked enemy. I watch the remaining officers and sergeants become statistics as the infantry slows down and splits into two groups, one into the field beside the farm and the other along the road. They continue to fire arrows as they move in on two sides of the enemy at the farm.

Half the enemy force is down with arrow laden chests before a few arrows are fired back at us. The hurried shots miss. I shake my head as many of the still living troops grab up swords to deal with men firing arrows from about a hundred metres away. It's clear their response is a trained reflex and not a reasoned thought. It's a slaughter while the men fire flight after flight of arrows at designated targets.

I look up the road; the cavalry have reached the far end of town, riding down and killing the Brotherhood troops trying to run away. As they turn and come back I can see five of the Brotherhood on horses lead two riderless horses down the road out of town. Even from this distance I can see the fear on their faces. The road is lined with dead enemy troops, and more are joining the dead with each passing second.

Two minutes after the attack started it's over. Not a single one of the Brotherhood troops in Barley is upright. Dismounted men and women are moving through the enemy troops to check they're dead and set the valuables out for collection. I nudge Dodger forward.

As per our orders I stayed with the camp crew, the Damsels, Kira, and Timms, waiting about halfway between the curve and the enemy force. It's hard to sit and watch when your troops go into a combat like that and not be involved. But it's the best thing to do here, so I do as ordered by our force commander.

Moving up I say a short prayer of thanks for the idiots in charge of the training of the Brotherhood's troops. If they ever get around to training them like they should, or even just keep them in the training camps until fully trained, we'd have some real issues with fighting them. As it is we often win the fight because it's like today. Surprise stuns them, we take out the leadership and the rest run around like idiots while we pick them off as if they're training targets, or they fall back on the only training they have - which is to grab a sword. That's why I concentrate on training with the bow. I want my people to thin them out well before getting in too close. We know, from our previous encounters, the Brotherhood train their men to fight with a sword on the ground and on horseback, but only while the horses are standing still or just moving a little. So our cavalry are trained to fight like that, but also trained in how to fight while charging past an enemy column. I dread the day the Tigers have to face a Brotherhood force that's had proper training and is experienced. That's why I brought Carla along to teach them how to fight and win when that happens. She also has to teach them when to pull out and fight another day. Until then our best bet is to keep them busy sending out half trained troops.

Clean-up

Jaycee rides up to me when I pass the wagons, saying, “Al, they were looting the town. I want to tell the townspeople to get their gear back and to take anything else they want from the wagons. Is that OK?”

I smile, I nod, and reply, “Go for it. Just make sure our people get the weapons before you tell them that. They can also have their pick of the horses captured. See if you can get a lot of the dead fed to the hogs as soon as possible, too. That should make things a lot easier to move around. I'm sure I can trust you and Carla to look after everything here. Tell the locals about our area of control. Keep up raids against the enemy. I want them to know they can't step foot this side of Marley and live. I think I'll head to the bank and get these ladies out of your hair.” She nods, and moves off to see to things as we ride to the bank. Just after Jaycee passes a group of troops a dozen break off and head after us. They accompany us to the bank and take our horses as we get off. We enter the bank and go to the vault. Kira and I put our gear in the box and shut the lid. Then we're off to Crossroads; very anti-climactic.

Seaside Citadel

Ten weeks after the Tigers enter Barley and take it a group of twenty men are gathered in the planning room of The Seaside Citadel sitting on the edge of the plateau that overlooks the twenty kilometre wide and six kilometre deep low coastal plain that provides the bulk of the usable ports on this coast of the continent where Grassy Meadows is located. The men have a major problem, and they're here to discuss it.

The one in charge stands, and says, “Just to make sure we all know where we are I'll recap the situation. I'm sure we all know it, but I want it fresh in our minds before we get started on planning.” He looks around the other men's faces as they nod. “When we joined this group we were given authority to establish control over half this continent. It looked good on the map, but we find about ten percent of our area is mountains with nothing usable in them and we can't get into them. Another twenty percent is to the north. The wide fens between here and there are proving hard to get through and use five percent. John, how many have we lost building the raised road across the fens?”

Another doesn't even look up, when he replies, “So far we've lost about twenty thousand locals and eighty-seven of our imported men building the road. Those scavengers down in the fens are deadly. They see our camps as their version of meals on wheels. At the start we only lost a few men as they wandered away from the work area. Now we're losing groups of twenty to thirty men. The scavengers are migrating to our work areas and the roadway because they find it easier to get fed by eating our people. The original plan had been to build a raised road about two metres above the fens, we now know those animals can jump higher than that. So the road is now set at five metres above the fen surface and about five metres wide. It has to be that wide so it'll be stable at that height. We also have to put a lot of wide baked clay pipes in to allow the water etc. to pass through under the road or it just washes away in the next rain. We're about a tenth of the way across the fens. Then we'll know what things are like in our land to the north. I can't give you any response on how long or how many people this will take to get done.” The others groan. The road is way behind schedule and is taking up a lot of resources they need for other projects.

The leader takes over again. “Of the remaining sixty-five percent, most of it is to the west of here. At present we control fifteen percent of our designated territory. The bulk of our land takes in a large portion of what's currently called King Sid's domain. We expected to have some trouble with Sid Jones, the Hero who lays claim to that area, but we've not even started to butt heads with him. His land starts at the river beside Bridgetown. We'd just started to get our troops over the river and into that area when we slowed down to consolidate and set up the traps for the Heroes, as asked. That blew up in our faces. Not only did the Heroes save the Damsels, but we lost over a thousand of our better trained local troops and three of our senior imports in the army. They were in command of the traps. King Sid has set troops to stop us at the river, and that makes getting into his area very difficult.” He stops and takes a sip of his drink. “Now a new Hero has entered the fray, and he's targeted us directly. All we can find out is his name's Al and his family has a long record of providing great Heroes. Our spies report he's said we're going to be destroyed here and at home and he's named us as the Aryan Brotherhood. Since he's been active we've also run into a lot of trouble back on Earth. A lot of it's official, so we don't know if it's him or he has organised some pull back there. All we know is we're being hit on both planets. Another action related to his appearance is the loss of several of our spies on Crossroads and the loss of most of our links into their systems. Some people credit the latest adjustment to the AI, it did have a major change in how it worked at the same time this Al appeared. Others credit Al with the improved security. We don't know for sure. The big issue now is this Hero Al and his local forces. He's got himself a trained militia and they're either huge or very effective. For several months they attacked small patrols and harassed other forces. We had some losses, but nothing big. His latest visit has made a major change in their tactics and their aims. We know he arrived on planet to conduct a rescue down near Two Sheaf. Spies through there tell how there's major changes down that way. But uniformed forces passing through get attacked and wiped out. It's estimated a force would need to be a thousand men or more to get through Two Sheaf. For several weeks no changes. Then he's busy up around Corn. The new fort at the junction of the Southern Road and the Bridgetown Road is destroyed and all it in killed. The force at Bridgetown is destroyed. The force we sent to Summer Ford is believed destroyed, we've heard nothing from it since it left Marley.” He stops for another drink.

He looks over the group of Brotherhood leaders, and continues, “We have lost about seven thousand men since Al arrived on planet this trip. His last trip cost us around a thousand. He's eliminated all our troops west of Marley and whenever anyone sticks their nose east of Marley he cuts it off for them. Hell, the last five spies left the town and turned up dead in the town square the next morning. In short, we can't expand west until we can do so in a way that we can deal with this Al and his Tigers. It would seem we'd need a force of about twenty thousand to do that.” That gets a lot of attention. To raise that many soldiers for one offensive campaign, right now, will mean they'll have to strip the other areas bare of troops. That could lead to control issues. “Al seems to be taking a break in pushing us out. I suspect he's out recruiting troops for garrison duty before he moves again. We also have some other major losses. General Maxwell Haley is reported dead. His body hasn't turned up back at the portal, but he was in the fort the day it was attacked. I think he's been killed, but only after his ring was removed. Just like happened with the Bond brothers. That's four rings we've lost, and we don't have an unlimited supply of them. That area also had four of the imported special operations people working with our people. They were along to be observers and report back if things went bad, so we'd get some idea of how they're killing our troops. The men have missed their last two reporting cycles and are believed to be dead. If they were alive they'd have reported back by now. That, more than anything else I've said, frightens me. This Hero's troops can kill Earth trained special operations troops, and one of them had on chain-mail he'd bought.” He takes another drink, glad they can get good scotch through the portal.

He looks around the room again, and says, “In short, at the moment we're trapped in this small section of the land promised. We've control issues and major recruitment issues, due to the large losses with our expansion west and north. We can't expand south until after we get west, and can't expand east. We're short on trained troops and we're having to use half trained troops while losing specialists. Now let's brainstorm and see if we can come up with a plan to get us out of this pickle we're in.” The discussion starts in earnest, and goes on for days.

Crossroads

I shut the lid and we're off to Crossroads. Very anti-climactic again. I love it as I don't want to risk the eight Damsels if I don't have to. A moment later the eleven of us are at Crossroads and I'm being hustled into the medical chamber. When I get out Nina Programmer is put in while Merry and I get reacquainted. The rest of the Damsels, Kira, and Timms take their turns in the chamber while I spend time with Nina. We make love as I provide her reward for the risks she took on Chaos.

The first week on Crossroads with a Damsel is always the same: making love, restoratives, meals, and making love - with very little sleep. After a week they seem to settle down a bit and I get time for a regular sleep as well as a little time to do other things, but not much.

On the twenty-sixth day after our return I get an odd feeling about Nina. It strengthens on the next day and is very strong on the day after. I get up and go to the table to think on this odd feeling. I'm sitting there drinking a cup of hot chocolate when Nina walks in, and says, “I'm with child.” Merry and Kira scream with delight. It's at that point I realise the odd feeling I had was my recognising the just conceived child. It must be something to do with the translator implant causing a change. It's also at that point I realise I've not seen the other Damsels or Timms since I arrived, and I wonder where they are.

Nina gives me a hug and a kiss, and leaves to go home. A moment later Janice Civil Planner walks in a door, races over, and drags me off to the bedroom. Here we go again, and I've another six to deal with yet!

The next four weeks are very much a repeat of the twenty-eight days with Nina, as are the following six months with the other Damsels. By the end of eight months of this I'm feeling a bit jaded. I fulfil my duties to the ladies and they all leave very happy with our time together.

During the last month I suspect Mac slipped some sleeping tablets into Mary's food because we get to spend a bit more time together to talk about a few things of mutual interest.

Rings

One discussion is on the rings I've taken from the Brotherhood. Mac opens the talk with, “Al, I've studied the rings and find they're very different to the ones we have for the Heroes. They're older technology with a built-in radio transmitter. Both transmit several signals, most are the same and are needed to work the portal they're linked with while they also have a unique signal as well. I suspect that's to identify the specific ring. The confusing part is they're a technology from a time much earlier than the Hero portals. Searching on the frequencies they use I can locate the portal on Earth and the one on Chaos when they're in use. I'm getting closer to localising them as I can only detect them while in use, which is a very short period of time. I have found twenty rings on Chaos, on the east coast of your base's continent. One on Earth near Washington, D.C. Two in the bank system, I think they're in your lock box. The good news is I've investigated the technology related to these and they only work with paired portals. Destroy a portal at either end and they cease working. Damage the ring and they cease working. Also they are not compatible with the system the Heroes use. However, anyone with one of each could use both systems.”

We discuss these points for a few minutes, and I ask, “Any idea why they made only twenty-five rings for that portal set?”

“Not really, but a suspicion. They're using a specific section of radio frequencies, much of it on the mutual signals. The technology used has to have a minimum gap between signals or they interfere with each other. By the time they have twenty-five unique signals they're into the next band group. So it's likely they have twenty-five rings per band set and have a number of band sets with their own paired portals.”

Damn, that sounds right and it's not nice. But it does put a limit on the number of rings per portal pair. I ask, “Any idea of how many pairs they may have?”

“Yes. To stay within the technology they show and what will work with the portals, they can't have more than ten portal pairs, each with a maximum of twenty-five rings.”

“So we just need to find the ten portal pairs and destroy them. The rings are useless. Or we destroy the twenty-five rings and the portals are useless.”

“Wrong, Al. If you destroy the rings someone can make new rings to work on those frequencies. However, if the sapphire is removed the ring still transmits the radio signal through the other crystal, but won't activate the portal. Which is why I've removed the sapphires from the two rings I have, and suggest you do the same. As we don't know who is behind this we can't assume they don't have the technology to make more rings, and we need to ensure they can't use the system again.”

“The frightening thing is this system they're using exists and you had no idea it existed. What else don't you know about the system?”

“Believe me, Al, the whole administration is digging hard to find out why we don't have these records and why they were set up. Which brings us to the other matters: the Kukulka and the databases.”

Kukulka

“We can find no record of the Kukulka ever being on the planet. We did find one of a record of them visiting Earth a few thousand of your years ago. So your idea about the cause of those legends is probably right. We've sent a request to the Kukulka Central Government to see if they can find anything in their records about a colony out here. But no one's got any expectations of an answer any time soon.”

“Mac, have you found all their sites on Chaos yet?”

“Yes. There are three in the mountains, two are near the coast.”

“Right. Bring up the map of that area. Draw a circle around the three sites that equates to the distance they can fly. See if they intersect at any point.” We're sitting at the computers while we talk, so the middle screen is soon showing a picture of that. The circles don't touch, but almost do. “Enlarge the circles by fifteen percent and shade the intersections of two circles in orange and of three in red.” The image changes, and it shows a few orange spots with a red spot right in the middle of the mountains that's equidistant from the three settlements. I smile because it does look like a deliberate spreading of the people. “Can you give the red area a very detailed scan for any metal objects?”

“Yes. Why?”

”When I was in the Valley of the Kukulka I saw some metal objects, but didn't see a forge or anything similar. It could have been in a cave and out of my sight. The objects looked to be more like alloys than steel or iron or copper. I'm wondering if they're a long lasting alloy that's been handed down over generations.”

“Al, do you have any idea how annoying it is to me to have such a young human be right so often. I've located a large amount of metal alloy near the centre of the red area. It could be a wrecked spaceship. Now I have to let the Administrators know so they can investigate it.”

“Once you do, drop in on Morning Breeze and tell him of the find. Have him join you as you tell the other settlements. It's their heritage so they should be involved. But only after you confirm it i s a Kukulka wreck. They'll be happy to know their heritage.”

“The Senior Administrator agrees with you. It'll be some days before they get someone on site who can check it. It requires a specialist to be brought in and sent to the planet.”

Databases

“Mac, how's things going with the databases?”

“It's taken a lot of time and effort, but we do have an old copy that's been updated to modern technology and compared to our systems.”

“Well, did you find much?”

“Enough to scare the hell out of much of the Administration. The checks made before had found about ten percent of the data had been altered in some way. Some with a few changed files, like the Dragon one, but most of it being cut links. We fixed those and you had us finding more. We now find about thirty-five percent of our databases as they were a year ago have been interfered with by three different groups. We think there are three groups due to the types of changes made, the types of data changed, and the time frames involved. Why any of the groups did what they did is still unknown, but some of the data we're finding is frightening. I'm supervising four AIs doing the work. There's a lot of information we're not putting in the databases or making known to the people in the system. It's being placed on hard storage in a secure location and it's accessible only by me.”

“Mac, what's so bad it scares you like that?”

“The safest I can mention is a complete analysis of the chemical environment of Chaos with the details of why explosives won't work and what can be done to make them work”

“Hell. You're right. We do not want to risk the bad guys knowing such data even exists, let alone get access to it. I don't want to know about any more of that stuff.”

“I don't blame you, Al. I do know, and wish I didn't. But the rest of the stuff is being checked against the system. The differences are noted and checked out. All the data that's different is being verified from scratch and updated as well.”

“I bet that's resulted in a number of new research projects and some commercial opportunities, too.”

“Yes, it has. How did you know?”

“We have a quote, don't know by who, that says 'Research always pays off, but you just never know when.' And any review of a large amount of data is sure to identify some spin off work. Also, the work going on to verify and update stuff is sure to find things that were once too hard, but are now possible.”

“Yes, all that's happening. In fact, some of the commercial spin-offs are so good the whole project has already paid for itself. We look like making a profit out of it. The Administrators are happy about that, as it'll help offset some of the costs involved with these issues of the spies etc. It's clear someone high in the Administration went to a lot of trouble to see some information was removed from the system at one time. That makes us wonder who and why they did it.”

“Well, flag all the sensitive information that's being corrected and limit access to it. Also flag all the information that's being fixed and note who makes any future changes.”

“We're doing that now with all data. We've found a few more agents like that. We're leaving them alone while we try to find who's behind them.”

“Good luck. I don't envy you that task. Next time I'm on my way through remind me about the other rings and I'll bring them in for you to disable. I don't relish the idea of going through their portals, as I'm sure they have them set to kill unknowns coming through.”

“The portals can't be set like that!”

“Maybe not the hardware, but a bunch of guards with quick trigger fingers watching them can be.”

“Oh, yeah. They'd do that, wouldn't they!”

“If I ever find one of their portals I'll destroy it and end their game.”

“Good idea, Al.”

A couple of days later Mary announces being with child, resulting in Kira, Timms, and I being sent home in a hurry, with our packs.

Earth

The three of us arrive in the vault chamber of the portal we left from, and I look up at the camera when I give the password for today. A moment later the vault door opens and I greet Sharon. She looks at Timms and raises her eyebrows, I shrug in reply. I know she'll be after the full story, but later when we're relaxing

We walk through to the central vault and on into my office. In just a moment we're sitting down in my office having a drink after having closed the vaults and the concealed doorway from my office.

Grinning at Timms I place a call to John. This is getting a bit old by now, I keep finding his lost men he has investigating these people. As I make the call I watch Timms to see how he reacts when he hears John on the speaker-phone. Timms was on the raid against the drug cartel and was on the C5 Galaxy Basil saved back before Christmas, so we met briefly at Kadena and he knows my face, but only as the rich kid who owned the plane that saved his life. Now he'll be surprised I know his boss real well.

The phone rings, it's answered, and I say, “G'day, John. Will you stop losing your people. I'm getting kind of tired of finding them all the time. Maybe you should just put me in charge of this group and the op! That may save us all a lot of trouble.”

Timms is shocked when he hears his boss, General Johnson, reply, “You're probably right, but the higher ups won't like it. Who now?”

“Well, I brought Corporal Timms back in one piece and got you a hair sample from Hales, Davies, Wilson, Dickson, and two other guys that I can declare dead and never to be seen again.”

Timms butts in, with, “Maxwell Haley and Peter Wells are dead, I saw Al take them out. Again, no body to be found.”

John sounds a little distracted, as he replies, “Well, Haley and Wells being gone is good for us and bad for them. I'd have sworn Davies and Dickson were loyal, wasn't so sure about Hales and Wilson as they have kin in the Klan. I've been trying to get them back in since we found out the Klan is involved in this too. But couldn't contact them. Now I know why. Now I've only got two men amongst the missing; Laws and Bill reported in today, they've been on the run for a while. Send me those hair samples when you send Timms down to Washington. I'd like to put a closure on those files and let their families get on with life.”

“OK. I'll have one of my people drive him down after we have a drink and a feed, so you'll see him this afternoon.” I'm about to hang up and think of something else. “Did you hear about the Dragon issue and how it's grown?” Timms and Sharon look lost on this item.

“Yeah. But couldn't see a way to deal with it.”

“Well, it's happily resolved. You may want to ask about it on your next visit. The main problem was a data corruption issue. That's being fixed now, too.”

“Both those items are good to hear.”

“Yes. You may also want to ask for a word with Mac and request he put you and your Caretaker on the special map access list. You'll find that a very useful resource as well. I've got my secure access area set up here now. So if you or anyone else wishes to take a trip without any worries about someone surprising you when you get back, just let me know and we'll fit you in the schedule at your convenience. I've got five doors set up, each in their own secure vault.”

“OK, will do. Now go away and let me get some work done.”

“See you around, John.”

As I hit the disconnect button I look at Timms, and say, “I'm sure you recognised that voice. I'll let him tell you about that place we just came back from. If you decide to operate there again as a free agent let him or me know. I can help you with training for work there, and a few other resources.” Turning to Sharon, I say, “Organise a car and driver to take Corporal Timms into Washington.” She nods and she goes to the phone on her desk to call through for a car and driver.

Timms grins, and says, “I do hope you don't intend to make saving my life a regular habit! I'd hate to be in that sort of situation that often.”

I grin, and I reply, “The time in the plane doesn't really count, as I had no idea of who was involved until the next morning. But it was a fair return for when your unit helped me out some time before that.” I get a sharp look for that comment. “Sorry, I can't say any more as neither of us were there at the time. And we both have the official records to show we were elsewhere, too.” He laughs, because he knows how that goes. But I can see him wondering when and where we may have crossed paths prior to us meeting at the Kadena Air Force Base.

Timms, Kira, Sharon, and I sit around talking about what went on on Chaos while we eat a light lunch. About twenty minutes later I get a call and escort Timms to the front door. He's soon in a secure car on his way to Washington, taking the hair and scalp samples with him.

Allies

Wondering how important Maxwell Haley and Peter Wells are in the local Aryan Brotherhood organisation I make a conference call to Tadao and Tsukasa. When they answer, I ask, “Are Maxwell Haley or Peter Wells important players in the local Aryan Brotherhood?”

Tsukasa replies, “Wells is one of their key local coordinators and Haley is a significant player in their national planning and operations. Why do you wish to know about them? Both are well protected.”

“Not protected enough. I had some interaction with them this week and didn't like how they behaved. Both are now with their ancestors. I suspect the Brotherhood leadership are aware they're dead, but they have no bodies to show anyone they're dead. So it may be a little while before they can get them replaced in any other organisations they're a part of. For the next couple of weeks you should be able to make use of this minor disruption to make it a major one. Like I did with the Bond brothers. Since they can't say how they're dead or how they know they're dead they have to organise some fake deaths for them and get them declared dead without any body to show. The authorities will be very hard on them and will delay any official decision unless they can show a body. That they can't do because they've been destroyed.”

I can hear the smile in Tadao's voice, as he says, “We were pressured into a corner about a certain contract. Maxwell has to sign it this week at the courthouse or the whole deal is off. With their company then out of the running we'll be offered the work. I think my friend Tsukasa has a similar situation in Washington. So do many others. A national service being done by local suppliers is what it's about. Maxwell had some pull to get preference as his company is all US owned. But it's not the lowest or best bid. With him not finalising it this week the money managers will void his bid and a lot of others will get the work.”

“That is good news. I'm willing to bet they intended to use that work to mask some of their other activities. But with no contract they can't do that. That makes me so glad I dealt with them when I did.”

We spend the next half hour discussing how things are going on a number of business ventures and the street issue in Washington. I get some good news on that.

Tsukasa says, “Since you gave permission for us to be aggressive in response to them they've lost a lot of their local muscle and have been pulling back to a few areas where they have a lot of local support. Even other local groups they've been in conflict with have been aggressive in their responses to the Aryan Brotherhood. In fact, some of the Hispanic groups have been a lot more violent than we have. The result has been both sides have made significant reductions in the other sides' forces. We've been able to take advantage of that and have expanded a lot.”

“Good. Just be careful how you go about it. No innocent bystanders are to be hurt. That's my main concern.”

“Ours too. That's why I felt we had to move in on the Hispanics. The number of bystanders getting hurt in their attacks was high. So I had both groups tracked and attacked when they attacked each other. They never realised a third party was hitting them both. With them out of the picture in some areas things are a lot safer for the general public. We can't have people killing our clients.”

“Good thinking, my friend, good thinking. I'll leave the details up to you gentlemen because you have it under control. If I manage to deal with any others in their leadership I'll let you know so you can make use of the vacuum created.” We talk a little more and hang up.

Sharon, Kira, and I discuss how things went on this trip and what we should do for the next trip. We end up with a list of things to look into. It's hard to say what we should and shouldn't do, because I won't know where I'll end up arriving on Chaos for sure. That depends on the rescue and where it's at. Like this time, I had to take all that gear and all those people via Two Sheaf before going to Grassy Meadows. So what I take has to be able to handle that sort of delay in transit.

We break up to deal with life here in Frederick. People to speak to about buildings, horses, dogs, feeding and training puppies, schooling, and all the rest of the mundane life matters. Life goes on, and so do we. It's time to put Chaos and Crossroads aside for another fortnight.

I smile as I look at the next thing on my agenda; time in the Japanese garden with my daughters and their puppies. We all relax together and bond as a group. What a lovely way to relax after a visit to Chaos.

Cavalry Wagon Notes

The wagons are six hundred millimetres wide with a wheel radius of just under half a metre to stay lower to the ground. The storage unit is half a metre high with a canvas cover tied down over the load to keep it dry and safe. The load is tied down within the wagon too. The spoke wheel design makes them much lighter than the usual local wagons using solid wood wheels. The addition of steel rims allows them to ride over rough terrain and last much longer. The addition of steel bearings and sleeves makes for a smooth and quiet ride. The shafts curve up to rest on the horse’s rump with a leather strap in between, it ties to the back of the horse's saddle. There's a quick release system to allow the horse and rider freedom in combat. Being not as wide as a horse, short and light, they can go anywhere a horse can, except a deep river. Horses pulling one can keep up with a horse and rider at high speed.

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Four Wheeled Wagon

This large wagon is two metres long and used for heavy loads.

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Two Wheeled Wagon

This short wagon is one metre long and is the most common one used by a unit conducting an aggressive campaign against the enemy. This is because it's lighter and puts very little strain on the horse.

Recipes from First Rescue.

Golden Syrup Pudding

Ingredients
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ tablespoons butter
1 cup plain flour
1 cup self-raising flour
1 pinch salt
2 cups milk
3 tablespoons of Golden Syrup

mix dry ingredients;
add eggs and milk, mix to a consistency like porridge;
add Golden Syrup and mix thoroughly.

Place in boiler, bring to boil then simmer for 1 ¾ to 2 ¼ hours as needed.

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White Sauce

Ingredients
1 heaped dessert spoon of butter
2 dessert spoons of plain flour
1 pinch of salt
2 dessert spoons of sugar
500 ml milk

melt butter and add flour, salt and sugar;
add milk, bring to boil, stir continuously for a few minutes.

serve hot ladled over and hot pudding, also nice by itself.

Note: A Dessert spoon is 10 millilitres and a tea spoon is 5 millilitres.