Darterra Sagas Book III Wilderness of Mirrors Act V

 Darterra Sagas

Book III Wilderness of Mirrors

Act V

Timing is Everything

Road North

Yorkshire Province

    The trek North to look at the hidden valley was on the move. Sally had taken up with Naomi like a lost friend. The two walked side by side talking and laughing as they kept pace with the wagons. Luca was showing his mixed emotions on this as he drive the last wagon in the line. He liked seeing Sally smiling and happy. He was not thrilled that she has taken up so quickly with one of the people from the wagons they were not with. Even less so that the one she had clung to was a female slave. This was made worse when he had tried to exert authority over the slave Naomi during a break when Sally was distracted.

          Naomi had not liked it, but she was a slave and the boy Luca was not. So, the order from a free person was still an order to be obeyed so she has knelt as told to. From the wrists shackles and chain in his hand it was clear that he planned to tether her on a neck chain to his wagon and likely cuff her wrists behind her back. Rafe and Tyrell had been watching and other that it was not his place to decided that the slave should be chained to the back of the wagon for the journey. He had done nothing really wrong other than bordering on being immature. Naomi was under the command of any of the men in the camp. Rafe had been ready to ask what he was planning when the little brown haired dynamo rounded the corner of the wagon as he was about to lock her wrists behind her back after telling her to strip out of her allowed clothing first.

          “Luca Santini! Just what do you think you are doing!” the child snarled at him with her tiny fist planted on her hips and eyes ablaze.

          “I am just securing this slave to the wagon before we start off again. Why don’t you climb on the wagon seat, and I will be there in a couple minutes.” He smiled dismissing her.

          “I am not going to ride on the wagon with you. And you are not going to chain her to the wagon and pull her along.” Sally informed him.

          “Mistress,” Naomi started but stopped when Sally held up a hand telling her to stop. Something that surprised those directly involved and amused those who had stopped to watch what was playing out.

          “Now, Sally,” Luca started.

          “Don’t you “now, Sally’ me, Luca! We may have been roaming together since you found me. And yes I have appreciated your looking out for me all that time. But , you are not the boss of me and get to order me around.”  The tiny brown haired dynamo stated matter a factly. “And yes while Naomi is a slave, she is not your slave. She belongs to Mr. McNally who assigned her to take care of and see to my needs. So that means she answers to her Master and me before you!” Then turning to the kneeling slave, “Come on Naomi, it’s almost time to move out again.”

          Naomi had fight to suppress a smile as she reached out to take the girl’s offered hand as she rose to her feet. Those that had been watching all turned away so that they didn’t add to the stunned surprise of the young man at being dressed down by a little girl.

          “I like that girl.” Tyrell declared hiding a smile behind his hand.

          “I do too.” Agreed Rafe, then paused, “I think I might need to make an adjustment though.”

          “Oh?”

          “Naomi is the closest think we have to a doctor. It’s not been an issue yet. But as our little band gets bigger, how well will people take to being told what to do by a female slave? I am not sure how liberated the culture is on this world.”

          “Yes, I can see your point.” Tyrell answered after thinking about it. “In the more remote areas, people will usually take whatever medical aid they can get. But there are still those that draw a very hard line when it comes to slaves. There are not very many, but there are a few female doctors. They are very well respected, however should they become slaves, then all they are allowed to do is help and assist. At most, say on a large scale operation, they would be allowed to tend the medical needs of the other slaves. And then only to the extent they are allowed to.”

          “That is was pretty close to the conclusions that I was coming to with what I know of the social stations and role of this world. Women might rise and hold high stations, but once they are reduced to slave they are nothing more.” Tyrell nodding that was accurate. Taking a deep breath, “This will be opening a whole new can of worms. And will need to be done soon.”

          “Why is that?”

          “It will have to be done soon. Vargas and Orbach know the value of a first glass medic. They also have been patched back up by her so should not have a problem if she is freed and no longer a slave. My headache will be with the other two slaves that I own. Leta might not be a problem, she seems to like her slave girl life at the moment. Marla may be the one that will want to be freed as well.”

          “That might be or it might not be from the cries and moans coming from young Davis’s bedroll at night.” Blackstone snorted. “But there is also another thing that separates the lovely healer from the other two. She is the only undocumented slave in our camp. I have papers on Piper, there are papers taken with the rest of the tax patrol’s things on the three new slaves. And Leta and Marla were documented and sold at a public slave auction. Besides the fact that other two are papered slaves and you have the final say in the matter. There is nothing that say on this world the girl is a slave.”

          “That is a very interesting point,” Rafe nodded and smiled. At that moment, Orbach came into view riding at a gallop. “That doesn’t look good.”

          Davis having seen the rider as well, had already joined them by the time Orbach reached the three senior members of the caravan. Leta had joined them and taken the reins of the horse, leading it to the side to be cooled off and watered. Not that she was a security risk, but they waited for the slave to move off before talking about what had caused him to push his mount so hard.

          “So, what gives?” Rafe asked.

          “Moving parallel on the other side of the ridge line is a Corporation wagon with a two trooper escort. They are sticking to the road and moving west towards Chidorm.” Orbach answered. The information caused Blackstone and Davis to instinctively to look to the North causing McNally give them a questioning look.

          “We are about three klicks South of the road they are on.”  Davis pulled a map out of the saddle bag of his horse which was close by. Opening it, he points to the place where they roughly were, then to the place where roughly the wagon and escort were. “Depending on the pace, it’s not inconceivable that we will spot them or they will spot us when we cross the road.” Orbach nodding his agreement.

          “Then, simple, we just stay in place here. We post a look out who will let us know when it is safe to move out again.” Tyrell interjected. The others nodded while Rafe considered the situation more.

          “Any clue as to what the wagon is hauling?” Davis asked. “Lone wagon and small escort, it can’t be anything of great value.” He said aloud.

          “I couldn’t get close enough to see. But I did wait till they were out of sight and rode down. Whatever it is they are transporting, it’s heavy. The wheels left deep ruts.”

          “Interesting,” Tyrell said nodding. “Could be something that we might find of use.”

          “Yes it could be,” Kyle agreed, “But it could also be something for the Garrison Commander in Chidorm that might not be worth the risk.”

          “Lieutenant, I have a hunch. Remember a couple of months back we heard something about relay stations being set up in this providence. Places for patrols to stop to remount and reprovision. It could be a resupply for one of those or the supplies to build one.”

          “Either way it would be good for us.” Rafe sighed, “Too bad, the last thing we want is to do anything that will draw attention to this region right now. We are too close to this hidden valley of Vargas.”

          “One more thing, I can’t be sure, Lieutenant. But I think that one of the escort troopers was Herbie Jackson.”

          “Who is Herbie Jackson?” Rafe asked. Not sure if this was good or bad news.

          “Trooper Herbert Jackson was a corporal assigned to our unit. He ran afoul of your friend, Lt Van Horn, and got himself busted and transferred here.” Davis explained.

          “Do you think he might be sympathetic to our cause?” Rafe asked.

          “He might be. He had no love for Van Horn and thought highly of Lt. Davis here.” Orbach answered first.

          “Kyle, what do you think we of us having the wagons stay here. You and I put on the best of the uniforms and intercept this wagon and it’s escort. We take Orbach with us to observe from cover in case it goes bad.”

          “That sounds like a sound plan.” Tyrell agreed.

          “Kyle find us some uniforms, I have something else to take care of.” Looking towards the last wagon. “Naomi, come over here.”

          “Yes, Master,” the girl hurrying over to join him.

          “Naomi, I have spoken of this with Tyrell and we agree.” Rafe fished a set of keys from his pocket, inserted one of them into the lock on her collar. “You are more useful to our party as a free medic than as a slave girl.” He removed the now open collar from her. “You are the only woman in this camp that does not have slave papers on her.” Then seeing her objection forming he added, “On this planet. We are going to be stopped here for at least an hour or more. Take that time to make you something less slavish to wear and arm yourself. I am putting you in charge of Sally. There will be more we have to talk about. But Kyle and myself have a wagon to catch.”

          When McNally and Davis departed the rest area dressed a Corporation Security Officers. Leta, having overheard what had happened with Naomi, she decided that this was as good as time as any to clear the air between them given that up till this point she had been over the newly freed medic. Moving over to where Naomi sat in the shade of one of the wagons sewing on a large piece of leather.

          “May I speak freely?” Leta asked in a voice just loud enough for the two of them to hear.

          “Don’t you mean, may I speak freely, Mistress?” Naomi replied to the red haired slave. But she was smiling when she said it to show she was jesting with her and not correcting her.

          “Oh, it’s going to be like that is it.” Leta snorted planting her hands on her barely clad hips. But she was smiling too. “I heard what was said and what Master did before riding out. For the record, I know that you are now superior to me in that you are free and I am just a slave. I just wanted to say for the record, you will have no issues with me. And I will do my best to make sure that you have none with the others.”

          “You really think that I might have problems?” laughed the olive complected medic.

          “No, I don’t unless Marla gets her loincloth in a twist.” Leta laughed. “The two of us and Piper always worked well together and got along with no issues. As for the new girls, they are locals and they have grown up knowing that slaves do not give even freed slaves any problems.”

          “Leta, you have always been decent to me. Even when you were placed over me in the pecking order. I sort of understand Master McNally’s reasoning for doing what he did when we got here. And I understand most of the reasoning why he freed me now.”

          “I have known Master for a long time. Long enough to know that he has a reason for anything and everything that he does. I think at first the collars stayed on because he saw it as a way of protecting all of us on this crazy planet. I am still in a collar because it marks me as his. And I won’t lie I don’t mind especially after he has literally bought my ass from slavers twice now. I owe him and don’t mind belonging to him.” Casting a look over to Marla as she feeds the horses with one of the Quincy sisters. “She is still a slave because she has no special skill like you. She also is or rather was a young and impulsive junior officer. Keeping her as a slave prevents her from suddenly deciding she outranked him in our old life and should be in charge.” They both laughed at that.

          “Not to mention her newfound religion.” Naomi laughed again, then seeing the slightly puzzled look on Leta’s face. “Oh yes you might not have heard her cries to the Lord and Heavens above every night since the two of you were returned from Chidorm because you were screaming out your own confessions.” That cause both of them to laugh harder as the young junior officer was quick to beg to be chained where the handsome former corporation officer slept every night since they returned.

 

Chidorm Road, 2 klicks North of McNally caravan

Yorkshire Province

 

          Rafe and Kyle had reached the road in plenty of time to watch the slow approaching wagon with its escort. Kyle studied the group with his set of field glasses.

          “That is Herbie Jackson alright. The other trooper is Gus Flanigan. Another decent man. I don’t know the driver.” He told Rafe.

          “So worst case scenario we shoot it out without them and hopefully go back with their wagon. Best case scenario, we go back with them and the wagon.” Rafe shrugged.

          “Pretty much.”

          “You realize that this is an all or nothing deal don’t you?” Rafe added matter of factly.

          “Meaning that,” the younger man started.

          “Meaning that sooner or later they are going to figure out that we have their playbook. They will come after us with everything available to them. We are not set up for that and still too few. So, we can’t let anyone go back and tell them that you are alive and responsible for these attacks.”

          “I am not really comfortable with that, Rafe.” Davis said flatly.

          “Neither am if it came be helped. But as a General named Sherman from my worlds 19^th century once said, War’s Hell.” Sighed McNally. “But the manning table that I have worked out in my mind has us a one Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 1 Warrant, 1 Sargent, and one trooper. That’s another reason why, beside I won’t lie enjoying the arrangement as it is with Leta, that I didn’t free Leta and Marla when I freed Naomi. Naomi being the only medic we have I could justify freeing her. But the other two were officers before their reduction to slaves and would expect to be recommissioned as Lieutenants.”

          “That would tend to make us rather top happy wouldn’t it.” Kyle agreed. Besides he was rather pleased and preferred the relationship that he had with Marla the slave girl who would be far easier to control than Marla the equal ranking officer. He had seen enough of her rashness and impulsiveness of the young beauty to have realized that.

          “Besides, Leta and Piper can oversee the three new slaves as well as anymore we get.” Rafe had not talked this over with Tyrell yet but was sure that he wouldn’t object. Continuing the conversation nonchalantly as they watched the wagon approaching closer.

          “What are your plans for Marla?” Kyle inquired curiously.

          “Oh, I hadn’t thought about her beyond not needing someone who barely understands tactics trying to give orders. Won’t be my problem soon anyway.” Rafe stated watching the riders and wagon.

          “Why is that?”

          “Because I and gifting her to you. Marla’s your problem not mine.” Rafe said lifting his left hand empty to signal the riders and wagon to stop. Before his stuttering young friend could respond the wagon and riders stopped roughly ten meters away.

          “Will you look at this, Gus. As I live and breathe if it ain’t that fine young officer from the Fortier Territory, Lieutenant Kyle Davis.” Said the one who had been pointed out as Trooper Herbert Jackson called across the wagon’s team to the other rider. Meaning that the stocky man who’s jacket was adorned with the stripes of a Sargent, was August Flanigan.

          “Lieutenant Davis, you look pretty good for a dead man.” Flanigan said wearily. McNally noted that the non-commissioned officer’s hand was not on his sidearm but close to it. That holster was unsnapped was not lost of McNally either.

          “I would have been too,” Davis replied quickly, “If I had not gotten away from those bandits and ran into Captain McNally and his people.” It was partly true.

          “And chased them all the way out here into another Province without reporting into anyone?” Flanigan leaned back in his saddle a little. His hand now resting on the grip of his pistol. Rafe was watching all three of the men for the slightest hint of aggression.  With Orbach hidden behind them the numbers were even. That didn’t mean that he wanted to risk a shoot out if at all possible.

          “I be sure that this fine young officer has a good explanation now, August.” Jackson offered. Then to Davis, “Wasn’t that pompous gentleman named Van Horn with your party, Lieutenant?”

 

          “I know that there was no love lost between you and Mr. Van Horn, Trooper Jackson. You might find solace in that you were not with us when Lt. Van Horn managed through his arrogance and incompetence virtually got the whole patrol wiped out.” That cause all three men look to one another. Officers of the service did not speak ill of other Officers in the presences of non-commissioned officers and trooper. Davis’s reputation was a good one. Scuttlebutt had him well on his way to being promoted to Captain soon as a billet was available.

          “That is a rather serious accusation, Mr. Davis.” Flanigan said evenly.

          “Hold on a moment, Kyle.” McNally spoke up then called to the woods, “Orbach, come on out where everyone can see you.” That caused all three of the men his was facing to shift uneasily. When Orbach stepped from the cover of the foliage. Then to the men, “Gentleman, my name is Raphel McNally. Where I am from I am a senior non-commissioned officer with Union of Spacefaring Worlds. I crashed here in the craft Davis here and his people were sent here to investigate. I don’t expect you to believe me, but the Cristo Corporations has been feeding the people of Darterra a line of shit for many years. Van Horn was not from Darterra and a blood relative of the leaders of the Board of Directors of the Cristo Corporation. He was sent here as a punishment and to get him out of the way.”

          “I knew that son of a bitch was nothing but trouble!” Jackson blurted out slapping his thigh.

          “Jackson! Stay Focused!” barked Flanigan. McNally nodding his approval. Flanigan ran a tight outfit.

          “Van Horn was worse than a son of a bitch.” Davis admitted. “Over half the men were searching McNally’s ship with Captain Shan standing just outside the ship’s hatch when Van Horn triggered a booby-trap on his way out of the ship. He was arrogant, entitled, and not half as smart as he thought he was. He was forced on Captain Shan for political considerations. Thos considerations cost over ten men and a two good officers including the Captain their lives.”

          “I knew Captain Shan. He was a damn fine man and good officer.” Flanigan sighed. Jackson and the other name nodded their agreement.

          “Lt. Davis and the survivors of the patrol reached the ranch where my people and myself were taking shelter. If it were not for Van Horn’s stupidity, I am sure that Davis would have departed the ranch with no confrontation. But Van Horn provoked one that left only three men and the Lieutenant alive from the patrol. Now there are only two troopers left, I had to kill a man named Brannon who stole two slaves and some of our supplied when he deserted.”

          “Patrick Brannon?” the teamster asked speaking for the first time. Davis nodded to confirm. “That you had to kill the bastard is no great surprise. He was a disagreeable sort that cause trouble wherever he went. Oh, he could seem very trusting and likable for a short time, but sooner or later his true colors would shine. I heard he got himself transferred to the garrison in the Fortier Territory.”

          “Aye, I’ve crossed paths with the blackguard before as well. Can’t say that I am sorry to hear that he got himself killed.” Agreed Jackson.

          “You have the look and sound of being a hard man, Mr. McNally.” Observed Flanigan. “Hard men that I’ve know tend to not have issues with getting bloody.”

          “I have been accused of it a time or two.” Nodded Rafe. This Flanigan was an old soldier if he ever saw one. Which made it hard to predict how this was going to turn out. Because at this point it could go either way. “Where I come from, my rank is Master Gunner. Sort of a Bastard Warrant officer for lack of a better term.” The two old soldiers sized one another up once more.

          “Interesting,” Flanigan nodded. “So why is a dead Lieutenant and an off world bastard doing out here in the middle of nowhere sitting and blocking the road we are on?” His fingers had curled about the grip of the pistol now. “It can’t be that you just wanted to go for a ride. I heard tale that a tax patrol for ambushed and robbed to the South of here. Could it be that you are here to get bloody.”

          “Not if I have to.” McNally replied. “See I came out here for this wagon of yours. Now I hope to convince you that you should join up with Davis and me. That the easy way of thing. The hard way tends to as you put it, bloody. My last standing orders were to make a delivery of some special cargo and snoop into some possible dirty dealings of the Cristo Corporation. My ship was sabotaged and someone tried to kill me, a couple people I care about, and the others in my care. I tend to take that personal.

          “Now, I find this world that I am marooned on is ran by the very people that I was sent to investigate and tried to kill me. If they learn that I am alive and here they are going to send some poor bastards like you gentlemen to do their dirty work to try and finish the job. Davis here with Orbach and Vargas decided after Van Horn nearly got them killed twice that they would rather work with me being a pain in the Cristo brass side than work for them. I am here to make you three the same offer.”

 

Then mood was tense as the tension filled the air around the group. In the blink of an eye, it could turn into a blood bath with one wrong move. All it would take is a twitch or flinch causing one of them to think the other was preparing to draw and be the match dropped on an open keg of gun powder.

“One thing that I have never cared for is ultimatums. An this sure sounds and feels like one.” Flanigan stared back.

“Understandable, I don’t care for them, myself. I find myself in the same situation believe it or not. Options are extremely limited so it’s either I do this, or that happens. My people in a place where they are short on supplies and just going into the nearest town is not an option. Then I have a Cristo supply wagon on the road that we have to cross. Either I take the wagon or my people go without. You see my problem.” Rafe explained. “Davis has told me a little about Mr. Jackson here. Not as much about the good Sargent and nothing about your teamster. But I will not lie, we could use you all.”

“I took an oath, Mr. McNally. And I don’t know about you, but I take that very seriously.” Flanigan finally spoke up.

“I take my oath and word deadly serious. But the question is did you take an oath to serve and protect the people. Or did you take it to serve a corrupt Corporation that will sell you out and deem you expendable when it suits their purpose. I am not saying that all the people that work for the Cristos are bad but the ones running things are. And it is those people who I have a fight with.”

          “Gus, the man has a point. We all openly questioned some of the decisions and orders that were coming down from the top. What happened, we all three got assigned this delivery detail while on the way out to some God forsaken location on the map where nothing is at.” Jackson looking over to Flanigan. The Teamster nodding in agreement as he spit tobacco juices over the side of the wagon. Jackson, turning to Davis and McNally, “You’re not wrong but you’re going to be sorely disappointed at what we are hauling.”

          “We took an oath,” Flanigan started.

          “To watch out for and protect the people!” the Teamster finished. “All we are doing is being some appointed jokers muscle and tax collectors. I joined up cause I needed a job and this was better that getting paid next to nothing going down in the mines as an Overseer or guard. Now I say if they want what is in this rattle trap they can have it. Ain’t worth dying or killing for.”

          “Shamas is not wrong. We all three have made waves for the brass by questioning things too much. Now we are being sent out here on an assignment that was intended to get us out of the way. And with the trouble out here maybe for good.” Jackson agreed. “Personally, I am about fed up with the whole lot of them. An was just waiting for me contract to run out to be done with them.”

          Davis and McNally simply sat in their saddles waiting and listening as the three men hashed things out. Judging from the sounds and tones of the conversation none of the three men had any love for the Corporation. With any luck they might be able to pull this off with firing a shot or any bloodshed. Flanigan would be the hardest one to convince but it seemed like he was leaning their way as well.

          “There is not coming back from what you two are talking about.” Flanigan said.

          “Like any of us had any future with the bastards in the first place. Hell, Gus, they busted you for not jumping to their drummer like they thought you should when you knew it was not right. I say screw the bloody sons of gutter whores!” The teamster called Shamas spat. Flanigan could clearly be seen struggling with the decision that lay before him. He had a sense of honor and duty. He had sworn an oath to the Cristo Corporation believing that they were not perfect but looking out for the good of the people of this world. What he learned over time that had been reenforced again and again was that they were not. But he had given his word, and soldiering was all that he knew.

          “Back in our wagons, is a slave called Leta. She wasn’t always a slave.” McNally began. “Her name had been Terra Stone, and she was a bright and resourceful intelligence officer. She was carrying out her duty assignment and found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was illegally removed from a detention facility taking the place of a slave that the slavers could not collect. Her superiors who were on the payroll of the corporation was going to just right her off because she had insulted Van Horn who was well connected.” Rafe wasn’t sure if that was exactly turn, but the facts fit the story he was telling. “After all her dedicated service just let her live out the rest of her life as a slave. I bucked the system and went in and got her and another back. I was told that I was to deliver her and the other female for an undercover assignment as slave girls. Our ship was sabotaged. The Cristo people will use and kill anyone to suit their plans. I can not promise that you will like what we are setting up. But what I can promise is the chance to be soldiers, and what we feel is the right thing. If it is not for you, then I will give you a horse, supplies, and enough gold to get you started over wherever you choose.” This drew a glance from Davis due to their earlier conversation. But he reasoned that like himself, Rafe figured that the chances of persuading all three into joining their cause. Flanigan took a long look at the other two men with him. Shaking his head he swore under his breath once more.

          “I will not lie, I am not comfortable with any of this. But I am not going to risk my life or the lives of the men in my charge for the two slaves and supplies that we are carrying. As Herb said I don’t see how the supplies will be of much use to you.” The Sargeant finally said.

          “Jackson mentioned that before.” Davis nodded. “What are you carrying?”

          “We have two slaves that are being delivered to someone in Chidorm. Then we were to reprovision and move on a location North-Northwest in the middle of nowhere to build a outpost which we are to work out of monitoring the area until someone comes to relieve one or all of us. We have just enough rations to get us to Chidorm with a couple days to spare. Everything else we have in the wagon is tools and supplies to build that outpost.” Hearing this Davis and McNally exchanged glances and both smiled broadly.

          “Sargeant, while more rations would be of a great help. Those tools and building supplies will come in handier that you think.” Chuckled Rafe. “The slaves are not to work and comfort the three of you at the outpost?”

          “No, these two are private stock from the personal harem of some Corporation high muckidy muck back in New London or Edinburgh. He shipped these two by airship and rail to Yorkshire Province Headquarters in Brighton. It seems that some self-important peacock bastard in Chidorm complained that he was insulted and cheated out of two prime slaves by someone supposedly impersonating Corporation officials. And these two are being sent to sooth his ruffled feathers.”

          “Excuse, me” Davis said as he coughed and laughed.

          “This peacock bastard as you call him.” McNally smiling and laughing as well to the puzzlement of the other three. “His name wouldn’t be the Honorable Drisco Salvador would it?”

          “How did you know? I take it that you have crossed paths with this so-called gentleman.” Flanigan asked.

          “You could say that. He wanted to buy the two slaves that Brannon stole and we outbid him.” Davis answered.

          “You might say that he didn’t take it too well. Especially since we didn’t show him the awe and respect he felt that we should.” Rafe added. Then looking to Orbach, “Ride back and tell Blackstone to bring up the wagons. We will meet him two klicks North of here.”

          Orbach nodding and slipped off to where his horse was concealed. The rest of the men dismounted their horses as they walked around to the back of the wagon.

          “I will keep you and Jackson together in the same squad for now if that’s not a problem.” McNally said to Flanigan as they reached the back of the wagon and Jackson started to lower the tailgate. “I don’t know if you will be assigned to Lt. Davis or Blackstone yet. Likely Davis, Tyrell is a good man but not a military man so I will probably have him take Vargas and Orbach since they know one another already.”

 

 

          Jackson lowered the gate of the wagon and pulled back the canvas covering to let the light in. Inside were two naked chained slave girls. Both girls were beautiful in their own way and wore their hair shorter then the slaves back in camp. Theirs fell just about to their collars. Since the cuts were the same Rafe reasoned that was the preference of their previous owner or done for shipping. The younger one of the two had strong oriental features and coloring and was descendant from someone from Earth’s Asian countries.

          The other slave was older, with blondish or light brown hair. If he had to guess, she was likely in her mid-thirties and must have turned some heads when she was younger.  Both girls held a chained wrist up to shield their eyes from the light and blinked. Neither shrank back nor attempted to cover themselves which said they had been well trained and conditioned. Possibly had both been slaves for a long time.

          “I can see why whoever selected them to make up for the slaves that old Drisco lost to us. Just imagine his explosion if he finds out that he just lost these two to us as well,” Rafe laughing as he looked to Kyle Davis, causing him to laugh as well. The laughter brought smiles to the faces of Flanigan and Jackson, who didn’t know all the details but never passed up the chance to enjoy learning that one of theirs had gotten the chance to take a dump in the rice bowl of some self-righteous and self-important jackass.

          “Excuse me, Master.” The older slave started to ask, “May I ask a question?”

          “You may, girl.” Rafe answered her.

          “Did I hear you correctly a moment ago, that Tyrell Blackstone is with you?” she asked softly still shielding her eyes. This cause McNally and Davis to sober up instantly knowing their friends past.

          “Yes, you did. Why do you ask? Do you know Tyrell Blackstone?” Rafe responded and inquired of her.

          “Yes, Master, Master Blackstone used to be my brother-in-law.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

Darterra Sagas Book III Wilderness of Mirrors Act IV

 

Darterra Sagas

Book III Wilderness of Mirrors

Act IV

Discovering Sherwood

 

 

 

Near Quincy Farm

Yorkshire Province

          The Rafe and Kyle left the Quincy Farm with the two former Qunicy sisters, Cassandra and Fiona, in tow as slaves. Both girls with tears in their eyes stumbling along as they look back at their family and home. It was much harder the first time they had been led away as slaves from their home and loved one. That time they were naked and freshly enslaved, prodded on by the hands of the one called Richards. Both girls had chills at the way he looked at them. The Sergeant had told Richards that they were to be delivered intact because it would increase their value if he had to have a slave then to take the other girl already on the rope who had been a slave for a while.

          This time sisters knew that while they were still slaves, it was because what had been done couldn’t easily be undone. It they stayed then the troopers would eventually return, and they would be returned to the chains of the corporation. Worse than that, who knew what penalties would be inflected on their family. Jasmine was on 13 years old and turning into a woman. Neither of them wanted her to suffer the same fate as they had. They hoped that their new owners were exactly what they said they were. Men who hated the Cristo Corporation and were going to be a thorn in its side. They had told father that they would be back and give him Cristo’s money to pay the unfair taxes they inflected.

          Soon as they rounded the bend of the trail. Kyle led the two roped girls on down the direction they had been traveling. Rafe meanwhile had darted into the bushes along side the trail and started to double towards the farm. Someone had been watching them from the tree line as they spoke with the Quincy’s. The question was who was it? Cristo Troopers? Surely they could not have been dispatched out here this quickly. From what Rafe had learned since being here, much of the technologies possessed by the original survivors of the doomed ship Magellan had been lost over time. Mostly because they had lacked the hands on knowledge and materials needed to replicate most of it. At least until someone from Cristo had discovered their lost and all but forgotten about colony.

          Someone at Corporate headquarters when that had happened was one cool customer. Because they choose to sit on what would have been a major historic discovery of a lost colony. Instead, they had only allowed a very select few know of the existence of Darterra. Leaving the people living on Darterra as much in the dark as the rest of the known galaxy. From what McNally had learned from long talks with Davis and Blackstone, instead bringing the technologies of Darterra up to date with the outside civilized galaxy. It was decided to bring it forward a little at a time in key areas. One of those being communications. Wireless communications had been “invented” or rediscovered. But what was available was stationary systems that required a large amount of power to run them. So, they were only in province headquarters and higher. According to Davis, they large airships they had seen were also equipped with the wireless systems as well. That meant while Foster had time to make it back to Brighton and report in. But there was no way to send word back to any agents or spies they had stationed nearby.

          So, who was out here? He had felt like eyes were on them, even thought he had caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He didn’t completely dismiss it. But Kyle seeing something as well confirmed his suspicions. His mind run through the possible things it might be. Count be bandits, could be a curious neighbor, it also could very well be another Cristo asset that was in the area. Quincy had mentioned that Cristo owned a farm several kilometers to the North. One of the foremen from farm had approached Homer that if he was to sell one of his older daughters to him. There would be enough money from just one of them to bring him up to date on what he owed. If he sold both of the older girls then he might be good for another year in hopes of a better crop yield.

          The Quincy sisters were nicely shaped and attractive women, but why would a Corporation owned farm try to keep the girls away from the Prefect slave pens? The only conclusion that McNally could come up with was there was a rivalry or bad blood between the Prefect and the Farm Manager. That might come in handy in the future.

          Then he saw something. It was something red. As he grew closer using stealth and cover to move in closer. There he was roughly 30 meters ahead to his left, someone wearing a red Cristo trooper jacket. Easing the pistol slowly from the holster, thumbing back the hammer. He was 20 meters away now and his target was still oblivious to his presence. He could take out the target easily from here, but he was not sure if there was more than one out here. He needed to get closer and take the target out as silently as possible.

          “Please don’t shoot Luca, Mister” a young soft female voice from behind Rafe.

          Rafe spun around and bringing the pistol down ready to fire. But he didn’t, because to his astonishment was a little girl with brown dirty stringy hair, her dress just as dirty as her. She looked like she had not a good meal or a bath in a while. Then a teenage boy jumped between him and the girl. His hands raised palms facing out empty.

          “Mister, please we mean you no harm. I will do anything you want just don’t hurt her.” The boy pleaded. Rafe swore under his breath, decocking the hammer of the pistol in his hand. Scanning the area around them.

          “Is there anyone else out there?” Rafe demanded.

          “No, Mister. It is just me and Sally. We are on our own.” Answered the boy. He looked as bad as the girl did. He wore a battered and tattered red enlisted trooper jacket that was clearly too big for him. His shirt and trousers were not in much better shape.

          “Fine, who the hell are you two and what are you doing out here?” McNally demanded.

          “I’m Luca, Luca Santini. This is Sally Harrison. And we are here because we have nowhere else to go or be.” The boy answered.

          “Why is that? Where are your folks?” Rafe asked holstering the pistol to show he meant them no harm. He saw that the question made the boy, Luca, uncomfortable and the girl, Sally, sad almost to the point of tears.

          “We don’t have anyone but each other. My mother died a several years back when I was Sally’s age. I’ve been on my own ever since.” The boy said not lowering his hands or moving from between this man and Sally.

          “What about her’s?” Rafe asked motioning to the girl.

          “Dead or good as. Farm agents found Sally’s Ma washing their clothes down by a river couple years back. They tried to take her for the slave chain. Her Pa told her to hide and tried to go stop the agents. They killed him and took her Ma off in chains. She could be a slave anywhere now. No ways of knowing where to look or buy her back. I found her and been takin’ care of her ever since.”

          McNally swore under his breath again. These two were clearly not a threat. But what to do with them? He could not turn them away. There was the Quincy’s that he could leave them with. He was pretty sure that Bea Quincy would take them both in without a second thought. Showering them with love and attention.

          “Why was you watching us? Soon as he said it he knew that they weren’t watching him and Davis, they were watching the farm.

          “I was trying to see if there might be something that I could take to feed us left out.” The boy admitted.

          “Why didn’t you just go down and ask. The Quincy’s are good folks and would have helped you.”

          “Tired that before, not likely to try it again.” He spat.

          “Why is that?”  

          “Either they want to try and take Sally away separating us, or they want to put us to work like a couple field hands or slaves.” The boy said shaking his head. “Once they tried to put me in one of those orphanages a few times. Good people they called themselves”

          McNally could clearly understand why the boy had felt that way. He was sure that those things had happened. Especially wanting to separate them because they were not blood relation to one another. But with five men and now six slaves in a camp that was supposed to be harassing the corporation in a gorilla style action campaign. The last thing they needed was two youngsters tagging along. They had just gained three slave girls that he had not planned on.

But now back to the question of what to do with these two kids. He thought again about the Quincy’s then ruled it out. They had just lost two daughters, gaining two more children could make things worse for them emotionally. Giving them food and the money he had on him would not likely work as well. The lands were filled with outlaws after all. These two had been lucky so far, but how far would that luck go. something told him that these two would be better off with his party.

          “I am Rafe. Rafe McNally.” He had given his pack to one of the new slaves to take back to basecamp as he wanted to travel fast and light. “I don’t have anything with me for you to eat. But if you want to come with me down the farm or back to the where my people are camped for now. I will see that you are fed and have something to take with you when you are ready to move on.”

          “What do you think, Sally?” the boy asked over his shoulder.

          “I’m hungry, Luca. We didn’t do so well at the last farm we tried to get help from. I say we go with him. If he wanted to hurt us he could have and didn’t.”

          “Alright, Mister. We will go to your camp just for a meal then we are moving on.” Stated Luca.

          “Like I said, my name is Rafe. You’ll find I answer to that faster.” Rafe laughed and smiled. “grab your things and follow me. It’s a couple klicks back to my basecamp.”

          He watched as the boy slung a haversack over his shoulder while the girl picked up a pack that was almost as big as she was. Rafe started to go help, but she picked it up easily enough, so it had to fairly light. If he had to guess their blanket or ground sheet was rolled up inside it. When they were ready, he turned and started down the trail.

 

After they had traveled roughly a kilometer from the farm. Rafe was surprised when a tiny hand reached up and took his. Looking down the girl, Sally was walking beside him.

Dungeon Cells

People’s Hall of the High Council

Haldalion

 

          “Have you came down here to gloat or see the crazy cat.” Snarled Kala from inside her barred prison cell. The proud cheetah standing there wearing the white gown of a patient awaiting her next treatment or procedure.

          “No, Kala, I bare you no ill will or wish to seeing you like this.” Tila spoke softly sympathetically. She sincerely respected the cheetah warrior.

          “Then has Magnus ordered you to “fix” me?” Kala snapped sarcastically. The loin pride had been down here often to mock and humiliate her.

          “No, I have come to speak with you because I have some” pausing, “questions.”

          “And what sort of questions do you have.” Kala said stepping closer to the bars. She did not know Tila personally. But did know that she was a highly respected member of the medical and scientific community. Had they sent Magdella to her to be experimented on?

          “I understand,” Tila started choosing her words carefully, “That when Commander Magnus’ patrol returned with you. There were several human female slaves with you.”

          “Yes,” suddenly very concerned, “What do you know of them?”

          “I know very little actually. I was told that four were taken to the common herd to be evaluated and sold. I have heard of a fifth slave that was brought down here. But know nothing more of that one.”

          “So how can I help you?” wondering what she was getting at. Macon and the others were to be sold, and she knew nothing of the Goddess.

          “My assistant, Doctor Zarin, witnessed the arrive of the patrol and why I know what little that I do. Two of the slaves taken to the herd were very unusual. Their skin pigmentations were unlike anything we have came across. In all my years I have never came across a human with red or green skin.” Kala had been listening and simply nodded her understanding. Olaca could be a bitch pushing the limitations placed on a slave. Kala had been close several times to taking a lash or switch to her. But she was the slave of the Goddess’ charge Druilla, who was pleasant enough and likeable. Had they been sent to Tila’s lab?

          “Dr Zarin, fascinated by this took upon herself to purchase the two unusual slaves for testing and experimentation. She wants to place them on the rotation to find out if they are different from the other humans.”

          “Have you done that yet!” Kala said worried

          “No. No, not yet. Nothing has been done to either of them. While they appeared very much the same physically to the humans we own. My instincts say that is not necessarily the case.” Tila went on. “I wanted to speak with you before any testing was started on either of them.”

          “They are the same and not the same.” Kala started relieved. “They are not from Darterra. The green skinned one is called Druilla and from a planet called Psitau 3. From what little I know that they are like the humans in physical appearance. But I do not know how much else matched more compatible they are. Her people are subjugated by the red girl’s people as labor and sex slaves.”

          “And the red one?”   

          “Her name is Olaca, She is from a planet called Latoria, she was one of high birth who once owned Druilla as her slave. Bad dealings with the humans found them both slaves. They came here with one of the human slaves that was with us. The blonde haired one.”

          “Interesting,” Tila said deep in thought. This was much more information that she had imagined getting. There was much to be taken into consideration.

          “I have no right to ask this, but please do not let Doctor Zarin do as she plans with them. It would make us no better than the vile Cristos.” Kala pleaded.

          “No, No I quite agree with you. But it will considerably complicate things. I fear that Zarin is in awe of Magnus and may let him know what she wishes to do. I do not know.” Tila said thinking.

          “There is more I have to tell you if you are willing to listen and believe me.” Kala said evenly.

          “There is more?” she paused then guessing, “The fifth slave or the human?”

          “They are all five special. My girl Macon may be only to me. You remember her as the mute slave I saved.” Pausing till Tila nodded she remembered, “The human is an enemy of the Cristos and those that came with her plan to resist or cause a rebellion if they can. So, we need to protect her if at all possible or at the very least keep track of where she is.

          But the pale skinned fifth slave is more than special. If anything happens to her. I shudder to think of the repercussions to our people. I believe that she is of the same those that helped our people so long ago. The ones we called Gods and Goddess. Magnus for whatever reason refused to hear me out. I suspect he knows I am right and fears a great one returning.”

          “How can you be so sure?”

          “She physically is exactly the same as the great ones described in our ancient writings.” Kala started.

          “That is pretty thin, Kala. Nobody is going to believe that she is of the ancient great ones simply because she appears the same.” Tila cut her off knowing fully that if what Kala said was true the impact on their people.

          “Tila, she healed my slave girl Macon. She is no longer mute! Magdella has to be a Goddess. I have seen her healing power.”

          “I must think on this all. So much to digest and consider.” Tila said backing away from the cell.

          “Tila, find Macon and talk to her you will see.! Please don’t harm any of them or let harm come to them.” Kala pleaded and begged.

          “I will look into it,” Tila responded turning and walking away.

McNally Basecamp

Yorkshire Province

 

          McNally arrived back at the base camp just before darkness fell. While Davis and the slaves were not that far ahead of them. Rafe had to keep a slower pace because of Sally. He had even ended up carrying her a couple times. Luca didn’t say much but watched everything. He was older and had been fooled before too many times.

          Tyrell and Vargas were preparing to go back and look for him when they started into the meadow the camp was set up in. While adding three new slaves to the camp chain didn’t bother any of the men other that now having more mouths to feed. Rafe arriving with a teenager and a little girl was a different story all together. Nobody wanted to cast them out into the night. Harry Orbach had thought he was finally going to get the busty slave Naomi into his bed roll. Now with children he saw that fading fast. To his dismay, Rafe had granted his three slaves, Leta, Marla, and Naomi all the privilege of pleasuring who they wished. Leta was never far from her Master. Marla had stayed far away from any of the men until recently and she was spending her time when not doing chores close to Davis. Piper was Blackstone’s, so that had only left Naomi till now. Then there was the new one, the sisters were a little young for his taste. But then there was other one they took from the patrol, Josie. A booming voice brought him back to the moment.

          “Rafe, why didn’t you leave them with the Quincy’s?” Tyrell wanted to know.

          “Because they didn’t want to stay there. And I was not going to stand there and let them vanish into the wilds.” McNally answered matter of factly. Davis was not saying much but listening. The boy, Luca, was listening to everything as well from the darkness outside the fire light. After he and Sally had been given all they wanted to eat. Naomi and Josie had taken Sally to the stream for a bath of her and her cloth Luca. Now she was washing his clothing while he sat wrapped in a blanket like Sally was. Naomi had checked her over medically and was brushing her hair.

          “I understand and agree with that, Rafe” Vargas added. “But I hardly think that a rolling gorilla camp as you call it is the place for children.”

          “No, it isn’t,” agreed Rafe nodding, “But I saw the options were extremely limited. If left them at the farm like I think would have been best for now. My instincts screamed that they would be gone before morning. Hell, they still may be. But if not they are better with us than out there.” Pointing into the darkness of the night. “Besides I have been thinking. Having them with us keeps them safe and makes us look more like a family caravan instead of a rolling military unit. Luca can be instructed on how to handle weapons and can protect the camp with one of us or Leta and Naomi. Hell, even Marla for that fact but I figure one or two of them might be with us. But if we keep growing, we are going to eventually have to set up a permanent outpost to work from.”

          “That would require having someplace that we can defend. Which will require more people than we have.” Davis finally speaking up.

          “I might have something.” Vargas smiled. “I might have the perfect place for us.”

          “Do tell, Jose. You have my complete attention.” McNally looking over.

          “What I found when I was out with Piper was a hidden cavern entrance while we were refilling our canteens and watering the horses. From a distance it looks like the water is from an underground stream. But when you are up close you see that the water flows from inside of the cavern.”

          “That might do for a hideout when we are on the run. But we can hardly get the wagons inside a hidden cave. Not to mention grass for the horses which someone will surely see.” Tyrell argued.

          “Not in this case,” Vargas’ smile widen. “Don’t be mad at your girl Piper. I asked her not to spoil my surprise. I just haven’t gotten the chance to tell all of you at the same time till now. And she didn’t see it all herself anyway, she only knew what I told her being that I had her stay with the horses. But it’s not just a hidden cavern. It actually the entrance to a hidden naturally formed passage through the ridge into a hidden canyon. It’s long enough that you can’t see the light form one end to the other.”

          “That does sound like it has possibilities,” Rafe nodded.

          “When I got to the other end, I saw grassy meadows, plenty of timber, and it looked like it was overran with game.” Jose added.

          “Gentlemen, I think first thing in the morning we break camp then go find this hidden canyon of Vargas’” Rafe was smiling. This might be just what they needed. Taking over a town or outpost from the Cristo people would be a known location for them to come try and take back. This would be something they didn’t know of or where to look for it at. It would need to be carefully explored and checked out. But it sounded good. And the nods and the smiles from the others said it was unanimous Then looking over to the boy Luca, “What do you think? You two in to check this out?”

          “We’ll stay along for a look. No promises.” Luca answered.

          “I want to see it.” Sally said walking up with Naomi holding her hand. “I like it here so far, Luca. We haven’t had it this good in a long time. I like Naomi and she says she is going to make me a new dress to wear.”

          “She’s a slave and your not. That is what slaves do.” The boy said coldly.

          “So is my mommy, Luca. And I don’t care she is nice.” The tiny dynamo spat back with her hands on her hips. “And so was yours too. So, you be nice. I want to stay with them and see. I am tired of being cold hungry and scared.”

          “Settle down, Sally,” he answered her quietly. “we will stay and see.”

          “Sounds like we have a big day tomorrow people.” Rafe smiled before draining a tin cup of some homemade hooch. “Naomi sounds like you have little miss Sally taken care of. Luca there are fresh clean blankets in the wagon bed down where you want.” To the other slaves, “If you are not sharing a bedroll with one of the men, to the chain. I’m going to take the last watch, so the rest of you decided who has watch when.”

          Standing Rafe collected Leta on his way to his already prepared bedroll. Laying out his pistol and rifle where he wanted them, he laid down next to Leta who was already under the blanket and tossing out her slave clothing. Joining her under the blanket she curled in close to him.

          “Rafe, you did a good thing today.”

          “Hush slave,” he laughed kissed her.

          “Yes, Master.” She giggled and kissed him back. Then purred as she snuggled.

          “About time you learned your place, Terra” He teased hearing the guard set and everyone settling in for the night. The three new slaves had been chained. Not that he thought they would go anywhere. As the fires started to burn down the camp went to sleep.