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The
Folk Regroup:
By Markus Thyme:
Previous episodes are in The
Master’s Hand archive.
Four fliers put down next to
the peach grove near the south tunnel of the folk. Four platoons of marines
quickly moved out and one of them formed a perimeter on the rises surrounding
the grove. Another platoon began unloading the tools of war, bombs ammunition
and the like. There was no unnecessary sound. The marines worked steadily and
purposefully. Then they gathered around their commander and he gave curt
orders. Two platoons moved out, one from each flank of the position. They took
circular routes to the cave.
At the cave, one platoon
approached from each side of the entrance. Two marines on one corner of the
entrance quickly set up a powerful searchlight, which lit up the cave’s
interior. Two more ran forward and hurtled bombs into the tunnel, then
retreated. After the explosions several marines ran out firing automatic
weapons into the cave. Finally a full assault of some 80 Calanian marines
stormed the cave laying out a field of fire that would have killed anyone in
its path. There was no one in its path.
When
they got into the tunnel and ceased firing, they found only a mound of stones
at the entrance. There were no humans and no other artifacts. The platoon
leader, Major Kamil entered the tunnel and conferred with his two captains.
“Send
your men to search this place,” he ordered.
Marines
went though the entire labyrinthine. They checked every room, cavern, and tunnel.
They found very little. There was evidence of recent occupancy, but no
artifacts, no blankets, clothing, tools, or weapons. There was not even any
food or bones. There were fireplaces with burned out fires but no utensils.
The
marines reported back with very little information. They did find several other
exits from the complex, but no humans or artifacts anywhere.
“What is that mound of stones concealing?” demanded Kamil.
“We
shall find out,” answered the captain nearest him.
He
ordered several marines to remove the stones. When they had, they found the
bodies of nine marines and a marine captain laid out and covered with a
homespun blanket. They had their uniforms, but no weapons or other tools. Even
their timepieces were missing.
“Strange,”
mussed Kamil. “It seems they treated our comrades with some
respect.”
“Indeed,”
answered the captain. “They took the time to protect them from other
animals. Then they left, taking everything with them.”
“But,
to where?” pondered Kamil.
“They
had most of a day and night, sir. They could easily be a day’s march
away.”
“Indeed,
and in any direction.”
“Might
we do an air search, sir?”
“It
might be worth a try, though we know not what to look for.”
“A
path or trampled brush, signs of another cave.”
“Good
thinking, Captain.” said Kamil. “Take a pilot and two men. Search a
circular route within a day’s march of here. We cannot spend much time
here. We must honor our slain comrades and report back to the Regent. Whether
you find humans or not, return within two hours.”
“It
shall be done, sir.”
Near
the south entrance to the north tunnel stood Bruce the Elder and all the men of
both tunnels, armed and waiting. They listened and watched from the shadows of
the entrance. After abandoning the south tunnel, this is where they had
arrived. As the flyer had fled from the previous day’s encounter, Bruce
had come quickly out of his temporary shock.
“Mathew,”
he said, “we face a dilemma. I must needs plan. I would request you hear
me and reflect back to me.”
“Aye,
Elder Bruce.” I am always at your service.”
“Thank
you, Mathew. Now I thing we must move quickly. The Invaders will not accept
what happened here. Those we slew were not of the normal Invaders we have seen
of late. These were more like hunters, like the invaders of the old days who
ruined our world.”
“I
agree, Elder.”
“So,
they will return, most surely with more Invaders of the same ilk. These are
ones who would hunt us down and slay us to avenge their loss. We will not best
them again as we did this group. They will come prepared.”
“So
we must not be here when they return, Elder.”
“Aye,
Mathew, we must needs leave this place without delay.”
“There
is only one refuge near enough, Elder.”
“Aye,
Mathew, we must go to the North Tunnel.”
Bruce
called for the leaders of the several houses. They assembled around him at
once.
“I
believe we must needs leave this place,” He said. “We must quickly
abandon our homes here and move to the North Tunnel. I would ask each house to
move all belongings there. Women and children must carry, perhaps more than one
time. Nothing must be left behind.”
Al
of the leaders quickly agreed.
“What
of the slain invaders?” asked Robert of Willets.
“I
believe two things. We must take with us all of their tools and weapons. Should
we survive this peril, they will surely be of interest to the wise one at the
Ruins of Denver.”
Aye,
said Robert. That be a good plan.”
“I
further believe we must needs treat these slain ones with respect. We must
cover then with stone to protect them from the wild animals. I would ask for
several men to do that thing.”
Donna,
the mate of Bruce the younger stepped forward.
“That
be a task for women,” she said.
“That
be true,” said Robert.”
“Let
it be so, then,” said Bruce. “Will you lead the women.
Donna?”
“Aye,
Elder Bruce.”
“That
be good. There be one other thing,” said Bruce. “A runner should go
to the North Tunnel to tell what occurred and what we plan.”
A
young man stepped forward.
“I
will go,” he said. “I know the path.”
“Go then,” said Bruce and the
man ran off.
“Mayhap we could send a runner to
Bruce and Randolph,” suggested Edward the Elder of Ashville.
“There
be danger in that,” replied Bruce. “Though my son be there, I would
ask no on to take that risk.”
“I
will take that risk,” said a young man stepping forward. “I think
it not so great. The Invaders will be seeking us here, not in the
forest.”
“What
be your name?” asked Bruce.
“I
be John of the House of Ashville.”
“Mayhap
you be right, John,” said Bruce. “Go then if you would, but with
care.”
Aye,
Elder.”
John
turned and ran off. Like all of the young men of the folk, he could continue at
a light sprint for hours. He had been toughened by the rigorous living of he
folk.
The
Invaders were stripped of their weapons and tools. Their bodies were laid out
in a row and covered with a blanket. Then the women set to work, gathering
stones and building the mound. The children were not idle. They gathered up as
much as each could carry and set off toward the North Tunnel. Through the
remainder of the day and through the night, the folk of the south tunnel toiled
to move their homes. Many folk of the North Tunnel came to help. Many trips
were made, before all was moved. Two strong men walked with the Invader
prisoner to the North Tunnel. Finally, in the first light, a group of men went
slowly over the travel route, moving toward the North Tunnel. Their task was
simple in words, but difficult in doing. Each twig and blade of grass was
restored to it’s normal place. Each stone and branch had to be put aright.
It was a tedious effort, but when they reached the North Tunnel, there was no
sign of a path from one tunnel to the other.
When
all were gathered in the North Tunnel, Bruce the Elder spoke with the assembled
heads of all houses.
“There
be hills north of here with many holes, small caves and other hiding places. My
thoughts are the women and children should go to these places to await word of
what happens here. Mayhap, all children of 16 summers and less should go. If
the worst should come, those of 16 summers will become the heads of the houses.
Al other men, I believe, should remain here to await the Invaders.”
Bruce
looked around the tunnel with a wry smile.
“If
we are to die,” he said, “This be a good place for it.”
So
they sent the women and children to find hiding places north of the tunnel.
Then they waited. They heard the flyer pass overhead many times, but it never
came down. After high sun, they heard it more. By last light, Bruce breathed a
bit easier.
“We must needs send
runners to the hiding places. Tell them to stay and wait yet a night and a day.
Mayhap we are safe for a time.”
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