CHAPTER 15


   Dee had blanketed the town several times now and Gary was nowhere to be seen. She was really starting to think that he was not even in Luftmot. Maybe he had lied, like that should be a shock, about where he was going? Dee became frustrated and hungry. She found the little Inn that served women and got herself a bowl of the gruel like substance that, to her surprise, actually tasted better than it looked.  

Dee let out a sigh of relief after a few minutes of rest and a little food introduced to her stomach. This place really was not all that bad. There was a girl singing by the fireplace. Her voice was deep and kind of scratchy but, still nice. There was a woman running the joint and only women patrons. After all, there was no self-respecting man who would come in and eat at an Inn that served women with no master present.

This place seemed to get by just fine even if it did only cater to half the population. There was a call for it even if it wasn't liked. Men came to town and they wanted to get rid of their women sometimes. They gave them money and sent them to this place while they played. Made sense in a perverted kind of way.

"Hey love," came a call from the biggest table in the room. There was an older woman there and the years were telling on her like with most women on this planet, "be a sweetie and give us a hand for a second."

"Uh, well I have to get going now. I'm looking for..."

The woman cut her off, "looking you are, you come to the right spot. Now come be my partner for a minute and I'll tell you where to go."

What exactly did she mean by "partner"? Some of the other women at the table started to stir when the woman said that. Dee was starting to think that maybe she should be the one telling this woman where to go. The woman was very insistent, she slapped the bench seat next to her, "oh come on love. Keena knows where it's at she does."

Dee cautiously approached the bench. When she reached the point of seeing over the backs of ladies, and down on the table, she realized that they were playing some kind of game. Dee sat down next to this Keena. The old woman laughed as a few others scowled,

"That's cheating," one of them said accusingly.

"Just cause my partner goes home don't mean I can't get new one," she laughed hard at the two across the table. "What's your name love?"

"Uh, Dee," she looked down at the table.  There was a cup there with something in it. Each of the ladies had some little white things piled on the table in front of them. They looked kind of like pencils only thicker but basically hexagonal in shape. There were markings on each of the flat surfaces. At the end of the table sat a small pile of money. "How exactly do I play this?"

"You never mind that, you just shake that cup there and roll them there bones on the table. You let Keena play this rib."

They were playing bones! It was illegal but, that didn't seem to stop people in these parts. Dee had heard reference to it many times but, had never actually seen anyone play the game. She picked up the cup and started shaking the contents. Keena took six of her little "bones" which were really wooden sticks, and set them out on the table in a line.  "That's my hand. Now roll them bones Dee."

The wooden sticks from the cup rolled across the table. When they stopped the women started hurriedly looking over the symbols that were on the up side. Keena started cackling as she paired ones from the cup, with those she had set in front of her.  She laughed, "My rib beats yours any day you old hag!"

The other two women raked their ribs back into their little piles and sneered at their competition. No one touched the pile of money. Apparently the owner had yet to be decided but, it was obvious that Keena was closer than anyone else. She got to keep her paired bones and the rest went back in the cup. "Now Dee, who exactly you be looking for? What's her name? I know everyone in Luftmot I do."

"Uh... well it's a him actually."

One of the women at the table shook her head, "No need going to look for your master deary. He get the itch long enough, he coming looking for you."

They all busted out laughing. Dee wasn't sure exactly how much she could actually tell these women or how much they would really understand. Would she offend them any? Was it safe to say that Gary was not her master? Dee just decided on a name, "Gary."

They stopped laughing and, for that matter, the entire room went dead silent. Keena got a strange look on her face. It was almost as if she were a doctor doing an examination. Then she reached over and pinched Dee on the arm. It hurt! Dee pulled her arm back as the old woman spoke, "You one of them out  at the Inn on the ZeTan road you are?"

Dee looked back at all them. All eyes were on her. There were mixed reactions. "Yes, and I'm looking for Gary."

Keena cleared her throat. She took a sip of her drink, a long one, "If I'se you, I'd just go wait for him back at your Inn deary."

"You know where he is then?"

A younger girl standing at the end of the table said, "course we do. He's where all our men are. They meet this time every week."

"Meeting?" said Dee, "Gary's at a meeting?"

Keena smiled big, "Yeah they're at a prayer meeting they are. Praying to ZeDollas they are."  

All of the women broke out in a big round of laughter. Keena pointed, "You know where the religious shop is. The one that stays open all times, night... day."

Dee thought about it. She had seen it, "You mean that odd little shop that sells all of those worthless junk trinkets."

Once again all the women laughed.  "Oh Dee, you're a funny one. He don't sell those little trinkets. He donse care if he sells a thang he does. He makes all his money at the prayer meetings in the back room."

Somehow Dee did not see Gary on his knees shouting to the almighty. Yet it was obvious that these women knew what they were talking about. Dee thanked them and got up. As she was leaving one of the women nervously said, "You're not going down there are you girl?"

Dee stopped at the door.  "Don't worry about me, I'm packing."  

Dee left.

When the door shut, all of the ladies looked at each other. One of them said, "Well if she goes down there. I hope to ZeDollas she's packed up something cause they‘ll sure send her on a trip."


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The flash of lighting in the night sky illuminated the two sets of horsemen who were looking at each other from across a small field. The wind was blowing, slightly rustling the trees, hats, jackets, and the leaves on the ground. Joe took a deep breath and he smelled the mountain air. Rain was on the way now. The scent was there. "Let's get this over with for the rain takes us."

One of Joe’s aides rode out into the middle of the field. He met a black shirt from the opposite side. The two men’s mounts circled round each other as they talked. Every time thunder crashed the horses would jump a little. Finally the Peninsular Brown shirt came riding back to his commander, "He's coming over here sir."

That was custom. After all, it was Pascal that requested this meeting. A few moments later another lone rider came out onto the field. He passed the middle and didn't stop until he was next to Joe. Pascal extended his only arm. Joe gladly took it, "Good to see you again son."

"You too Joe. Why didn't you keep in touch all those years?"

Joe laughed, "hell why didn't you?"

Pascal looked at the long line of mounted aids on both sides of him. Joe took the hint. They both slowly nudged their horses back into the woods behind the group. Once out of hearing range Pascal began, "damn Joe. Why are we having to do this? Do you really think that it brings me any pleasure to have to fight you? Any of these people? I rode with a lot of these boys."

"Cut to the end Pascal, you know this isn't exactly fun for anybody. You know why we're all here. Now it's about to rain and I'd like to be under cover when it does. It's great seeing you, don't get me wrong, but..."

Pascal took his hat off and just shook his head. "The emperor has authorized me to offer you terms Joe. They are fair. We can all profit from this misunderstanding. You, me, your people, the Empire, everyone can come out winning."

"Specially since I'm winning now Pascal. I'm in between you and your base of supplies. You're not going to get around me in these mountains."

It was true.  Pascal still couldn't believe how good Joe's cavalry must be. Pascal himself had ridden with a lot of the men in Joe's mounted patrols. He knew they were good but not this fast! Pascal had depended on, counted even, on the knowledge of how Joe would use his scouts, spies and patrols. While Joe gambled on the field he never did so to the extent that he had in this campaign. He had left entire regions open to invasion so he could mass his army and defeat Pascal's converging columns, one at a time. When Pascal moved to counter, Joe had already figured the move out and was ready. It was almost like he knew what was in Pascal's mind, even before Pascal knew himself.

"I still have an uncommitted army in Ninvey. If they move down the mountain rail lines and link up with me I will be between you and your base of supplies and have you heavily outnumbered."

Joe was expecting him to bring that up, "That's a big If. Half your Ninvey army is Assur. First town they get to they'll loot it and go home. Besides, you and me both know that they're still just sitting there in Ninvey and haven‘t moved a lick. Seems to me it would take to long for them to get through that pass."

Was it true? They very well may still be sitting there but, Pascal was not even sure. If Joe knew this information then his spies could get messages to him faster than Pascal’s own rail lines! At the moment, Pascal knew what that force was supposed to be doing but, that was a far cry from knowing exactly what it was.

Somehow, Joe knew more about The Imperial Army's movements, than its own commander. "Joe, The Emperor has said that if your army disbands and goes home, that all will be as it was. No trials, no hangings, no recriminations against your people. He's offering you a seat on the General Staff in Daltop. He's offering you lands in the river valley."

Joe took his hat off. He almost tossed it on the ground.  "Damn it Pascal! You rode with us all through the last war and you didn't learn a thing did you? We're not fighting to keep things the same. We don't want things going back to the way they were."

"They won't be Joe. You've won my friend. With a Zeat on the General Staff, your people will have more voice in government than ever before. Don't you see Joe, it's a very generous proposal."

It very well might be true. It meant that Halden knew his army was losing. It also meant that he still thought he had a bone up his sleeve. What it was, Joe couldn't imagine, "and if I don't. We still win and we have the power to rule ourselves without his interference."

"If you don't Joe, the Emperor as ordered me to unleash my cavalry. I really do not wish to do this. It pains me because up until now the Cavalry has had very strict orders to do nothing but attack military and war related targets. I was told that if you do not meet his demands to send them against the interior of Zeat itself. Your army is all here with you Joe. Your Cavalry is no match for mine and I already have enough of them infiltrated in your rear. Do you hear me Joe? They will attack your cities. They will confiscate your women and ship them to Ninvey."

"The towns have militias strong enough to stop a cavalry patrol."

"What of the countryside Joe. What of the smaller cities? You cannot tell me that Luftmothas a militia. Think about Finny. Even the school she goes to is in the countryside."

Joe lost his temper. His face hardened as his voice grew hostile, "Don't you threaten me you little son of a bitch! We might be rivals on the battlefield. Even so I still called you a friend." Joe spurred his horse and rode back to his troops.


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Almost constantly now, the loud splashes were breaking the silence of the night. Julia stood by her horse. Several captured fishing boats were tied to the nearby shore. There was the constant wop, wop noise coming from all around. Every few moments a cracking noise would be followed by the sound of a crash. It was the sound of falling trees all up and down the shoreline. As each tree was cut down, most of the limbs were removed and then log was slid into the water. It was an instant armada.

It was three miles from this shore to the fishing docks and waterfront of Tallos. Not too far to swim for someone who was in good shape. That was assuming that the person knew how to swim in the first place. Julia was horrified to find out that many here did not, the majority in fact. They would also be carrying rifles, ammunition, and powder. All of this made it impossible to swim the army across. So as the trees were floated out, they were lashed to each other, and then secured to pull lines on the oar driven fishing boats.

Many of the seven thousand women, men, and even some children of this army would try and ride on the makeshift rafts. Even more would be trying to hang on stumps of branches, hastily made handholds, anything they could grab. When they arrived on the opposite shore they would be disorganized. A good deal of the powder would be soaked and useless. Julia wasn't even sure how many would drown in the lake out there. She did not think of that anymore. From where she stood she could see the tops of the lighted towers of Tallos. By sun up they had better be there. If not, they would all die out there on the lake. If this failed it would probably be better that way.

Chree came walking up from the water. She had already discarded her clothing and had it all in a sack. Tish was right behind her and a bit more modest. Tish only had her boots in a sack with her things. They, and six other girls, the best swimmers that could be located, were now gathering in a small rowboat at the shore.  

Chree tossed her arms around Julia. She held on tight for a moment. Finally Julia gently guided the release of her embrace. Chree was crying, "I'm going to miss you if I never see you again."

Julia reached out and touched her gently on each side of her face, "We're going to see each other again Chree, in a few hours, on the other side. You girls just be waiting where we planned. Stay low until we arrive."

The cities armory and powder stores were located next to the waterfront. It was probably located there because it was the furthest point from the cities walls. They were going to need the supplies when they got there. Tish and her group were going take out any guards or watchmen at the docks and then seize the arsenal. Tish stepped up and put her hand on Julia's shoulder. There was a tear in her eye as well, "Girl, we've been together for a long time now."

Julia felt her own tear. She hugged Tish, "This is the moment we always dreamed might happen you know. All the way back to that night we met in the desert."

Tish let a laugh out in between her cries, "You take care and make it across. Don't leave our asses hanging out in that powder store."

Julia laughed, "You just take it and let me worry about the rest."

Tish and Chree turned to leave. Tish stopped halfway to the boat.  She turned, "Julia, you've been the best friend I could have ever had. You were that one special person that every one of us secretly always hoped would come along. For what it's worth, even if we fail today, thank you for giving all of us at least a few moments of dignity in our lives. At least one breath of freedom."

"Tish... We're going to win today sweetie. When you're free forever, have your own house note that you can't afford to pay, a horse in the garage with the insurance canceled on it because you got a ticket, that day when you have to stand in line for an hour to vote on which guy you want to steal from you, or when you have to go down and loose money you can't afford because your sitting on jury duty. Thank me then and I'll accept it."

Thinking about it, Tish realized she did not understand much of what Julia just said. It was just more in the way she said it, "Your world must be a marvelous place Julia. You speak of so many things that even you do not realize means so much. To choose the man who would steal from me would be a pleasure. For someone, that until you came along, never dared to even think that there was another way to live, that would be a lot. Now, I'm ready to die before I would ever go back.”

Tish reflected on that and was almost hesitant to say what came into her mind. One look at how far she had to go across that cold water and Tish figured she had nothing to loose,  “Sometimes I wonder about you though. This thing, freedom, you seem to take it for granted almost."

It shamed Julia to have to say this, "Tish, there was a time when I did."

"Ironic," said Tish right before she left, "that was what really made me believe you were telling the truth. See you on the other side."

Zam walked forward leading the horses. "Julia, what do you want me to do with them?"

"Set them free Zam. That's what we're here for isn't it?"

Zamtha slapped the horses on the rump and they galloped off into the night. Julia had started walking down to the shore and Zamtha ran until she caught up. Tish had made Zam promise she would not leave Julia's side until this was all over with. Julia stopped at the water and reached down and touched it. It was very cold. It was just one more thing to worry about. How many would die of hypothermia before they reached the city? The water, these people had so little experience with it that they didn't even know what dangers they were about to face.

"Do you know what the tide is Zam?"

"No," Julia always asked Zam strange questions like this.  

"You don't have it here because you don't have a moon. No highs and lows, no surfing and beaches, no tidal waves. Do you know what a tidal wave is Zam? It starts as a very small ripple of water. It keeps traveling until by the time it reaches the shore, it's a giant wall that comes crashing down on the land. That's what we are tonight. I guess that’s what we’ve always been. By the time the sun comes up all of those people over there, this whole world, will be all wet."