Ramius, Hook, Johnny, and Picket all helped organize and prepare the caravans, along with a large detachment of three hundred soldiers under the leadership of Commander Frances, the first woman to ever hold a senior military command position. She was as tough and well respected as any man as a result of her grit and capability. Within her detachment was the first female squad of thirty women, which she had created, and she was planning to increase this number over time.
These women had also proven themselves in terms of physical stamina, running ability, and the use of weapons.
Women in particular made up for their smaller size and strength by being highly skilled in the use of bows, as well as the ability to throw knives and spears with deadly accuracy.
Frances had emphasized this as a strategy to help women gain an equal standing in the army. Most of those who were heading southeast toward the winter camp were already across the river, and there were still some barges transporting the last travelers coming across with their packs. A team of thirty “mules” and ten other military escorts was already moving out along the trail east along the river to get a head start.
At the same time, Marco and Zeus were organizing a force to head out and face the incoming threat. Based on the estimate of eighty or so men, along with their numerous dogs, Mr. Li suggested that they send at least two hundred soldiers just to be sure. Marco wanted to be even more certain and called for double this figure.
The plan was not to capture these men but, rather, to kill all the dogs and send the remaining men back without any supplies or weapons so that they would need to return to Saul’s village immediately.
Marco, Zeus, and Mr. Li watched from a military observation point on a hill at the east end of the village as the troops moved out, heavily armed with spears, bows, and knives.
While the men watched the troops, Commander Zach and his detachment kept a close eye on Mr. Li. Mules carried most of the provisions to allow the soldiers to travel light and stay mobile.
“Okay, leader, time for me to move out,” announced Zeus, who was going to follow just behind the troops as the field commander with his own detachment of men. Zeus was in his fifties but was nearly as fit as he had been in his twenties. He saluted Marco and nodded at Zach with an unspoken command to them to remain diligent regarding Mr. Li and the safety of Marco.
“Good luck, Zeus. Remind everyone of the life-anddeath nature of the situation. Do not hesitate to engage.”
“Understood.”
Zeus descended the trail to the main road to join his men. The four hundred soldiers were split into two groups, each taking a slightly different route but never being very far from the other. There was a protocol whereby runners would go between the groups and keep reports flowing so that they were never very isolated from one another.
After a long day of running, the two groups reconverged in a canyon. Shortly thereafter, they heard whistling calls from above them. It was the daily couriers coming from Manfred’s squad, and they were on the way to report on the movement of the minions. There was a return whistle, indicating that the couriers should come down from the high ridge and give their report.
When the two couriers finally dropped down to the road, Duncan, who was the lead commander, led them back toward Victory, against the flow of soldiers jogging east. They soon reached Zeus, who stopped and let the two men catch their breath.
“We have been tracking the minions. We now estimate about eighty and maybe forty dogs. We have stayed very high and far away to observe and avoid the dogs. You will run right into them tomorrow. They don’t make quick progress. They walk, and they don’t break camp until quite late in the morning,” reported the courier.
“How many are you?”
“With Manfred, we are about thirty. There are ten with Buckley still overlooking the minion camp.”
“Do you have a suggestion as to how to engage?” asked Zeus.
“Yes, Commander.” The courier seemed surprised to be entrusted to answer such a question. “Early in the morning, move out but only until noon. Then, go up high on both sides, and take the high ground.” The courier continued, “Use bows, especially on the dogs. Take out the dogs as they come for us.”
“Good job, soldier. Where did you learn military strategy like that?” asked Zeus.
“From you, Commander.”
All of them smiled. Zeus then ordered Duncan to pass the word along to the camp at the nearest clearing, get rest, and post observers up high. They would break camp at daylight and follow the canyon before elevating to higher ground and taking positions. Zeus and his men felt inspired by certain victory in another day.
When Saul realized that one of the escapees had eluded their pursuit, he had several guards executed publicly on the spot, following which he gathered all of his senior military people in his cabin. Megan had just arrived, this time early, hoping to overhear what had become of the tall men who were now nowhere to be seen in the pen.
Initially, she’d had a dreadful fear that they had been sent to the butcher. But at such an early hour, many people had been out and about, and she’d learned of the men’s escape.
Suddenly, she’d felt hopeful, and she’d hurried to Saul’s cabin to find out more. As soon as she entered, so did a stream of grizzly men who were frightening to even look at. Saul saw her enter but paid little attention. His color was bright red, as if he might explode at any moment.
When Megan heard Saul berate the men and even beat one of them with his large stick, which was already bloodstained from its constant use as a tool of punishment, she began shaking with fear as she hid in the back, sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall.
“One a doze lanky bastads even outrun da bloody dogs!” Saul went on. “You fat asses, fagettit. No way can you catch dat kinda freak. Makin’ me sick.”
He drew deeply from his sinuses and lungs and spat a projectile toward those who had gathered, sending them ducking to avoid what looked like a new lifeform. Megan suddenly sat up, hopeful, wondering which one of the men had escaped.
“We goin’ now wid all we got. Cuz if we don’ take deez clowns down now … You shit heads look at yer buddies.” Saul paused for effect. “Go on! Look at each udda, ya morons!” The men looked left and right, wondering what his point was. “You lookin’ at yo dinna, boys.” Everyone suddenly stopped looking.
“Now, heya it is. Ya don’ go weya we been goin’, cuz dat’s weya dey’s waitin’ fa ya. Head way ova deya.” He pointed northwest.
“Take da high road, and den come down wheya dey don’ ’spect it ta happen. Got me?” He glared, scanning the twenty terrified men who were crammed into his cabin. These men didn’t look as if they could be easily terrified.
“Now, Baggus gon’ get slaught’d in deya. Too bad. He fucked up, anyway. You boys lucky. Doze big bastads ain’t comin’ heya. They gon’ defen’ all da way. So, I sendin’ all a ya.
And all di dogs too. Go now! I dun wanna see no fight’n man heya in dis veellige when I come out, or dayz goin’ in the da pen.
When youz taken dat veellige, lemme know.” The men stood there, not sure whether he was through. “Get yo fat asses outa heya now!” He was through.
Saul seemed impulsive, but he was actually completely practical. He had just reduced his food supply problem by about two thirds. The soldiers would have to take care of their own needs. His strategy was intentional.
Even as Zeus and his men were hunkered down for the night, anticipating a clash with an inferior force, two thousand men and half that many dogs were already marching toward a gap around the mountains to the north.
Buckley and his detachment had not witnessed the escape, as it had happened in the middle of the night. But the next morning, when they saw the massive cloud of dust rising from what looked like the entire strength of the minions, the men were more than alarmed. Buckley decided to take one other soldier, to report the new development to the leadership, thus leaving only six of them at the lookout.
“I will send fresh eyes as soon as I can, boys. Keep a close watch, and if you see anything else big, another two of you take off to the village.”
Buckley grabbed his pack and water, and the two men immediately took off, heading for home.
Harper was exhausted and in pain. He was just finishing his descent to the canyon floor, after having run nearly all night up the mountains, over the pass, and down the other side. He wobbled as he ran off the trail a ways and into a sheltered area, where he collapsed. A few hours later, he awoke. He looked up and saw that the sun was still high in the sky. He knew it had been only a brief but welcome rest.
Voices. That’s what had stirred him from his sleep. His senses became alert. Chip! One of his best friends. Was it possible? Then, he heard Buckley and realized that it wasn’t a dream. He struggled to his feet and looked around.
“Hey! Buck! Chip! It’s Harper!” He suddenly felt very emotional. He had blocked out what had happened to Rusty in favor of running to save his own life. But now, the anguish washed over him suddenly.
“Harpo!”
He saw them just below on the trail, and he negotiated his way down the rocks and toward the men. They all embraced, and Harper held back tears.
“Rusty?” asked Buckley, looking up the hill, expecting to see him. Then, he looked back at Harper with concern. But Harper couldn’t speak at that moment. He could only move his head ominously from side to side.
Zeus and his men peeled off from the trail at midday as planned and started to climb to higher ground. It was a good situation. The canyon was narrow and long at this point, and the approaching men would be spread out. They took positions and tried to remain as concealed as possible.
Zeus and some others stayed below and surveyed the scene to see how well the men were concealed and positioned.
Using his runners, he relayed orders to certain positions indicating the need to make adjustments. All the men had bows and knew how to use them. Each also carried at least ten arrows, the dedicated archers with long bows, carried even more.
Within an hour, the sounds of squabbling dogs, as well as the noises made by men who were unconcerned about revealing themselves, carried down the canyon. Well before the minions were aware, the dogs suddenly erupted and started to climb. This had been anticipated, and as the first dogs came within range, arrows started to fly. The accuracy of the arrows was stunning, and dogs started to fall all along the hillside before the dull minions even took notice that something was happening.
The onslaught of the Victorian archers decimated the dogs until the hillsides were littered with slain animals. The minions, accustomed to sitting back while their dogs intimidated enemies into submission, barely made a move and simply watched the disaster unfold. They froze in their tracks and started to retreat up the path, not eager to face their enemy with such a disadvantage in position. But not accustomed to being challenged, the dogs kept coming, and they were all but wiped out, most by arrows but many with spears.
The Victorian forces started cascading down the slopes and charging up the path after the retreating minions. The minions were in full retreat at this point, although a few turned to challenge the oncoming soldiers and were slain immediately.
It was not customary for the men to attack so aggressively, but they were under strict orders to use maximum force. In the end, most of the dogs and several of the minions were dead. A few injured minions were being loaded on stretchers for a trip back to Victory, where they would receive treatment.
On Victory’s side, there were no fatalities—only minor injuries. When they finally stopped chasing the minions after several miles, the soldiers broke out in primal screams. This was partly because they were victorious, but it was mainly a way to blow off the tension of war.
Zeus ordered about fifty of the men to follow the minions to ensure that they returned all the way to their village.
The rest of the men headed back to the village to celebrate a little. Baggus was on his way to face Saul.
Although the migration south toward the winter camp was uneventful, everyone was shaken and tense. Ramius received no end of questions from his people about everything that he could not answer. But he still found answers that calmed fears and helped the people to focus on the tasks at hand. He estimated that it would take another four to five days to reach their destination, based on their pace. The younger people, comprising mostly teenage girls and some soldiers, ran ahead, eager to reach the winter grounds as early as possible.
To these younger ones, the journey an adventure—something exciting. The older people envied them and the fact that they did not know nor care what lay ahead. The older people also worried about their sons and grandsons.
Five days later, the last caravan was at the camp, where people were getting themselves established. It was quite early in the season, compared to their normal trip south, and it was hot. But there was enough in terms of water and food, and the people started to feel more comfortable under the capable military leadership of Commander Frances.
Ramius and his men were already looking ahead and determining the best way to get back to Eden as soon as possible. They knew that they could not abandon their exploratory efforts. But the security of Victory and its people came first.
“I must go back to the north camp,” Ramius told Ana.
“I know, darling,” responded Ana. “You go. We are alright. But you will go where there is the most danger. I am fearful.”
“I will not do anything heroic. We have too much ahead of us that needs doing. Aaah … I can’t wait to show you.”
Ramius dreamed of Eden. In fact, his goal was to somehow get back to Eden, alone. But this was completely unknown to anyone else and would remain so.
The couple kissed and embraced. Ana knew her husband well, and when he said he was going somewhere, his departure was invariably immediate. So, Ramius and his team, along with a number of mules, headed northward on the run.
“What now?” Marco questioned Mr. Li.
Harper and Buckley had already arrived and shared their stories. Marco wasn’t quite sure how to counter the invasion.
“Leave. Just go, and take everything with you. When they arrive, there will be nothing here for them. This will cause them to become desperate,” Li responded.
“They will see the river crossing, even if we destroy it.
They will still figure out how to cross. What if it leads them south?” Marco countered.
“If there is to be military engagement, it’s better to delay it for as long as possible to weaken them. They have a serious food problem. Eventually, they will turn on each other.”
“I need to think.” Marco turned and left in frustration.
It was the second time in a week that Baggus was standing in front of Saul, admitting failure. He begged Saul to allow him to take any remaining forces and join the campaign.
Saul was eerily calm this time; he was not pleased, but neither was he agitated. He seemed numb. This frightened Baggus more than any shouting or beating that he expected from Saul. He envisioned himself in the pen and then on his way to the butcher.
“No. Stay. You men gon’ be our reserve case we need ta fight ta da last man. Weez in a life-’n-death struggle. You get me?” Saul stared at Baggus, seeing right through him. “Go on!
Git outta heya. Keep da watch goin’ all da time … all day, all night. Go.” Saul waved his meaty arm, signaling for Baggus to move even faster than he desired, which was already pretty fast.
Baggus exited the big cabin. Outside, several of his close underlings waited, anticipating the worst. They were baffled when there was no tirade of yelling or hurling of pieces of furniture.
“C’mon!” Baggus snapped as he approached them. They all fell in behind him, wanting to get some distance from the cabin before saying a word.
“Lobo, you and yo guys run da watch. You can pull in any udda guys if you need mo. All day, all night. Got it?”
“Yep!” barked a grizzly, bearded character with a long snout and tattoos all over him.
“Rest a youz, go check every cabin ’n every tent. Gimme da full unnastandin’ o’ da food we gots. An’ da dogs.”
The other three henchmen grumbled some unintelligible but affirmative-sounding utterances, and then they split up. Baggus headed for his own tent across town to take a much-needed rest. When entered the tent, his wife and Angie were grinding some wild grain into a coarse flour. The empty sack on the table near them indicated that this was the last of it. Baggus looked at them, picked up the sack, and then dropped it back on the table with a big exhale.
“You get yo sistah ta git mo,” Baggus directed at Angie, referring to Megan. “Saul’s place got plenny. Dat’s da deal. I keepa you girls safe, an’ you git me da good stuff. I won’ have none a dat butcha meat over deya. And now, I gon’ an’ lost a good dog. Dey keeled po Benny, doze big freaks over deya. No way we can take ’em down. Deyz huge and fas’, and dey can cut you down, even from Saul’s place to heya. Weez all gon’ die dis time.”
Now a little teary, Baggus flopped down on his cot in exhaustion. His wife walked over and wrung out a cloth that she had taken from a water basin. She then started to wipe the dirt from her husband’s face, neck, and arms. Baggus was already snoring.
Lobo and his men continued the watch day after day and night after night. Nothing. Finally, a week later, they heard the faint sound of barking dogs. It was nighttime, and most of the soldiers on watch just west of the village were sleeping. But they suddenly rose, now alert. A couple of the men ran back toward the village to report the incoming activity. The rest of them gathered on the road and started walking toward the approaching sounds.
The group of watch guards and the posse of incoming minions each numbered about twenty. There were also a dozen or so dogs, who seemed happy to return to what they regarded as home. When all of them reached Saul’s cabin, he was outside waiting, hands on hips. He feared the worst. Was this all that remained of the army of thousands?
“Tell me!” he boomed, unable to wait another second to know what had happened.
All the men instantly took a knee. The incoming commander stepped closer to Saul before taking a knee. Baggus and a number of other commanders and soldiers also arrived just in time to hear the news.
“We took deya village!” the incoming commander said not with a spirit of celebration but with a positive tone.
All the other men erupted in a cheer. But Saul did not, nor did he even smile. He could sense from the tone that there was much more to the story.
“What?” Saul said sharply, looking at the man. The din of positivity attenuated rapidly.
“They wuz gone,” he said, wide-eyed and looking baffled. “Dey took dang neya everytin’. Da food, Da plants dey was growin’. Dey did’n burn down nuttin. But deya’s no people, no aneemals, no udda food. Nuttin’ ’cept dat da riva has some fish in deya. But we dunno how ta catch ’em.”
“Dat oriental sumbitch!” Saul blurted out. “I’m go babacue his skinny ass!” They all knew that he was talking about Mr. Li, although Baggus couldn’t see how Saul knew for sure that Li was behind it all. He had been sure that Li had been legitimately injured and, using quick thinking, had saved them from capture. But now he was starting to doubt this. Saul sat down hard on the ground and put his face in his hands as he started turning bright red. Suddenly, he glared up at the commander, looking maniacal.
“Is dat place betta dan heya?” He posed the question, now wide eyed and expectant.
“I t’ink it is. But one t’ing we gotta watch. Dey got lotsa wolves ova deya. Howlin’ all night an’ tryin’ ta come in. Gotta tie up da dogs o’ dem wolves dey’ll be eatin’ dogs all night.” The commander continued, “If we can figure out dem fish in da riva, it’s betta. It’s a nice place.”
Saul looked at him, considering. “A nice place,” Saul said, mocking the man’s words. “I know howda catch feesh,” he continued in a snidely superior way. “So easy. Dumbasses.” Saul paused again, looking at everyone. Everyone returned his gaze. Suddenly, he broke into a big, toothless smile. “Let’s boogie ova deya. Tomorrow! WE AHH OUTTA HEYAAA!” Saul shouted, arms raised as if in victory, and everyone gave a continuous cheer at the top of their lungs.
Megan, who was still inside the cabin and listening intently, felt the excitement. She smiled to herself. That place had to be better. How could it be worse? She ran out the back door to go tell Angie.
Marco was on the trail with the entire remaining population and all the useful belongings of his people as they headed toward the south camp. A team of soldiers under Manfred remained to observe undetected, and meanwhile, Buckley and his team remained to keep an eye on Saul’s camp.
A last detachment was tasked with moving all the rafts that could be used to cross the river, to a place many miles downriver. The detachment would later join everyone else at the winter camp in the south. There were couriers scheduled to run between all the groups to keep command information moving.
Marco was unhappy. He felt like a coward. Many of the men were baffled and confused by his decision, as they wanted to fight and eradicate Saul and his people. But Marco knew that even the best and bravest, who were so eager to sacrifice themselves for the nation, were sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, and fathers and mothers. If Li was correct and they could be weakened by hunger and the harsh winter, then by spring, it would be an easy task to clear out what was left and minimize the loss of life among the Victorian soldiers. It was hard to argue. At this point, Marco was convinced of Li’s sincerity, even if others were not.
Ramius and his men ran into a squad of military runners about halfway between the north and south camps. He expected this, but he was unprepared for what they told him.
The runners had a schedule to meet to alert the south about the pending arrival of everyone else, including nearly all the military personnel. So, they pressed on, leaving Ramius and his team to ponder and question what was happening.
Rather than retreat and wait for answers, they decided to press forward so that they would reach Marco as soon as possible and get the answers they sought.
Two days later, they saw the faster soldiers filtering past them. They knew many of the soldiers, and they shouted out salutations and gave hand slaps. As the mass of people thickened, it became harder to pass. They finally came upon Marco, who gave them a smile and a warm greeting. Allowing Marco to continue his course, Ramius walked with him back toward the south.
“What of the prisoners?” asked Ramius. “And this Mr.
Li?”
“We left them; I mean the prisoners. Mr. Li is somewhere behind. He is coming with us.”
This worried Ramius. “You think it’s wise to show him our camp’s whereabouts?”
“Mr. Li has been a great help, and I believe he has recommended a wise course of action, which I honestly would never have considered,” explained Marco. “I think he is a good man who wants to be free.”
“Only you can judge. But I suggest that he is watched closely. You would not want to wake up one morning and find him gone.”
“Don’t worry, Ramius. I have the same fear. He is watched by Zach, who would love an excuse to cut his throat.
He is waiting for Li to try something. I am more worried for Li than I am about anything else.”
Ramius nodded, satisfied with the response. “Marco, I would like your support in allowing me to observe with Manfred. I want to see these people for myself.”
Marco looked at Ramius, a bit surprised.
“Do me a favor and tell Ana that you asked me to go.”
Marco smiled broadly. “Don’t worry, brother. I have you covered.”
Ramius motioned to his guys, who had already overheard everything, and they started to head back in the other direction.
Marco called out as they parted. “Ramius! Keep me posted!”
“I will!” Ramius raised an arm and waved.
Marco arrived at the south camp to a warm welcome by a frightened and confused populace. The runners were already reporting that Buckley had observed the minions’ complete abandonment of their village, as well as their mass exodus to the west. Although Buckley and his observers could not see the details from their distant lookout, they were able to make out eight stocky minions struggling under the weight of the platform they carried, atop which were perched only Saul and Megan.
Saul showed very little open affection for Megan; yet, she was obviously his main source of comfort. Despite all the brutality he inflicted upon others, Saul was not as abusive to women, unlike his treatment of all the other subjects under his charge. Saul was too physically lazy to actually carry out the act of sex. What he really wanted was massages of various sorts and in various places.
Megan found it mostly tolerable, as it only occasionally resulted in situations that she found disgusting. Saul kept much more than his fair share of what little applejack or other spirits could be acquired or concocted, and he was partially inebriated from sunup to sundown. Megan always made sure to keep his cup filled and close by. It made him docile and even sweet on occasion. She pretended to sip a little with him, keeping the mood festive and light at all times.
It was an act, and she played the part so well, despite the pains in her gut and the bouts of deep depression she would endure, beginning the moment she left Saul’s gravitational field and collapsed in the arms of her older sister.
Brave little Megan … so beautiful, so charming. Angie admired and treasured her little sister, without an ounce of jealousy—only love and care. They had somehow engineered a precarious and fragile balance, avoiding the horrible, deadly paths of all the others they had ever known. Now, it was only the two of them drifting afloat on a sea of shit.
So, Mr. Li was right, noted Marco. But his concern was that Saul would want to know where they went. Will that lead them here eventually? Are we better off fighting them here, or were we better off there?
While Marco questioned himself, Ramius had almost precisely the same fears, but with one difference: he considered that the only two ways that people could travel were either across the river and south or along the river, past the falls, and eventually into Eden. He wisely concluded that the minions would have to be confronted somewhere eventually. A people as desperate as they were would never remain idle and starve.
A day of reckoning would arrive; the question was not only when but also where.
Ramius and his team joined Manfred, and the entire lookout team watched from high above and at a distance as the minions filtered into Victory’s north camp, hunting and picking through everything like ants. As the village filled up with a nonstop stream of arrivals, the Victorian observers could see the eight struggling minions bringing in the massive platform carrying Saul and a woman. They noted that Marco’s residence had already been identified, because when Saul arrived, he was led directly to the cave, whose interior was elaborately decorated and was clearly the place of the leader.
This made the men at the lookout point boil with anger, as they felt violated and unable to retaliate in any way. Ramius kept a focused watch on Saul, who stayed inside the cave while men frequently came and went. Ramius noted a group of men leaving, and he watched as they headed straight down to the river. After an hour or so, they returned to the cave, shortly after which Saul came barreling out of it, kicking one of the men while his arms flailed about. He then charged down to the river while the others followed.
Ramius realized that they were trying to fish. If they succeeded at fishing, this could support a portion of their needs, and this would be a setback. Furthermore, Ramius still anticipated that either the south camp or Eden—perhaps both—would eventually be compromised. Suddenly, he had an epiphany. He found Hook, who was also studying the scenes with fascination and frustration.
“Hook, get the others! We need to talk.” Hook walked off with only a nod. Within minutes, they convened away from the others.
“Guys, I need to leave. I want you guys to stay here and observe. See if they make a move either toward the south camp or Eden. I don’t see any other possibility. They won’t just sit here.”
“Where are you going?” asked Jonathan, puzzled.
“I am going back. I need to tell Marco and prepare him.
But please, you all stay here and be ready to warn others. If they cross the river, they will know to prepare to fight. But if they leave to the west, we will have to tell everyone what is at stake.”
“Ramius, I think we should all stick together,” Johnny stated.
“I agree,” added Hook.
“No! Not this time. I have my reasons. I’m sorry.
Please.” Ramius looked at each of them, appealing for their trust and support. They softened and shrugged.
“Have a feast. Don’t mind us, sitting up here gnawing on our lousy jerky and seeds,” complained Johnathan.
“I promise. I will eat the same until I see you guys again.” Ramius smiled, assuming they would never believe him.
“Yah right,” responded Hook.
“Okay, boys. I’ll miss you,” Ramius said in a light tone, but they all knew that he was being genuine. They had never been far apart from each other since they’d been boys. Ramius took off down the trail and headed for the south camp. But after some hours on the road headed south, he suddenly jumped off the road to the right and headed west up the slopes, where there were no trails nor familiar points of reference after a short while. But Ramius knew the sun, and he knew the stars as well. His sense of direction, along with reassurance from the sky above, were all he needed to chart his course. He wasn’t headed to south camp at all. He was headed back to Eden, alone.
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