CHAPTER 52

They were not the only ones in the main worship hall. Several other humans, most of whom came after the riots started, loitered around the big candle lit chamber, hid in it’s corners or, took cover in the shadows it’s many pillars. Most of those people looked like they actually lived here in the human district of Cheau-Gan. Patty did not see anyone else she thought might be from Earth, let alone the American Embassy. She was also figuring that if they could not get back then, nobody from the inside was getting out right now.

Patty just hoped the State Department was actually doing something about this. The American Government had troops in Feyland. Couldn’t they use some to rescue stranded foreign nationals? Isn’t that what they always did? Patty was sure there were more than a few caught in this mess. They could not be the only ones, could they? Surely somebody was doing something! All Patty could do for the moment was sit around on this stone cold floor and play with her nails, sometimes even biting them.

The sounds of violence, outside on the streets, could even be heard through the thick walls. Fortunately, at the moment, those sounds were a lot further away than they had been earlier. It was enough to ease the tension, just a little. Patty’s mind started wandering and she looked around this temple they had sheltered in. She could describe it as sort of Gothic, with a flare of the Classical, and even shared some similarities with those big Christian cathedrals back on Earth. Of course, there was a great deal about this place that had nothing in common with it’s human counterparts in Europe or back home.

For one thing, Patty could not figure out what these people called ‘worshiping.’ Sure they had symbols of their religion around, lots of candles like a Catholic Church, even stained glass windows but, what did they do here that was considered a ceremony? All religions had that and surely these did. If the theory that Patty was working on was even close to being true then some of the rituals, practiced back home, might have even initially originated from this world. That was why Patty could not figure this out. What did they do? There were no pews, no pulpit, no place a mass of people could listen to some priest endlessly babbling on about the great carpenter!

“It’s Jesus isn’t it,” Angie asked Patty out of the blue.

Patty was confused by the statement or, was it a question, “is what Jesus?”

Angie had been bored as well and when she saw Patty looking around she realized they were both probably thinking about the same thing. Since misery loved company, “the place, this temple, they worship a carpenter. Jesus was a carpenter.”

“I don’t think so honey,” Patty replied and she pointed to the hammer symbol that sat behind what Patty was loosely calling an altar. Then she said, “I can’t make that out to be Christian no matter which way I look at it. Besides, Christianity might have taken on a lot of the European traditions but, at it’s roots, it’s a Sumerian religion. These people don’t appear to have had any contact with the middle east, at least, none from what I’ve seen.”

Angie winced at that, “I don’t understand.” Patty did not figure there was much of a reason to continue since there seemed to be very little she could explain without starting a fight or, at least, that’s how Patty saw it if she was reading Angie right. Angie proved that theory as well, “you don’t believe do you?”

“I believe a lot of things honey,” Patty said politely. Then she sighed and said, “but if you mean religion, any religion, not a one of them, sorry.”

Angie did not get mad, something that Patty was very thankful for. Angie did state though, “I believe. I was brought up that way. I think it’s true.” A cracking sound, close by, caused them both to jump but, after nothing happened, things settled back down. Then, unexpectedly, Angie kept right on, “you know, I believe all that stuff happened in the bible, like Moses parting the red sea and Noah’s ark, and Jesus walking on water. You know, that stuff.”

There was one thing obvious to Patty. The tone that Angie had made it very clear that she was not only nervous, but scared. Patty could not blame the kid because, well, Patty was all of that too. Still, Angie’s words did not sound like those of a believer. They sounded more like those of someone who was looking for a branch to grab on too. Patty suspected that Angie was just falling back on what she knew. What Patty was curious about though, was why she actually risked the question, “what about now? All of this doesn’t make you a little suspicious of old stories?”

Angie was not making eye contact presently. She was busy twisting and playing with the tie she had taken out of her hair. She was still thinking about the conversation though, “why would it? I mean elves were an old story, right? They turned out to be real. I figure, if Jesus came to our world then maybe he came here too.”

“You have a point,” Patty replied. Then she pointed to the hammer symbol again, “course the name of this religion, I suspect, is also the name of that hammer.”

“What?” Angie looked away from her hair tie and at the hammer, “I don’t get it? What’s so special about it? Just because we use a cross doesn’t mean they might not use something else.”

“True but,” Patty replied with an almost laugh. The name was what had drawn her here in the first place and now she pointed out to her traveling buddy, “Mjolnir.”

Angie was not impressed, “just one more word in this place that I can’t pronounce.”

Patty chuckled, mainly because she empathized with that. Then she told Angie the connection, “back home, that’s the name of a famous hammer that belonged to a certain deity.” That got the kids attention and she looked right at Patty now, apparently waiting for a punch line. Patty gave it to her, “we call it Thor’s hammer.”

“No shit,” Angie’s jaw dropped, “like that dude in those movies, the guy with those arms. Oh god, I drooled over that dude!”

Now Patty did laugh, “yeah same guy.” She became a bit more reflective, “although I’m suspecting this one isn’t quite as corn ball. I just can’t figure out what these people do here. You know I checked out that chamber you found, I thought it was like a confessional at first but, they don’t seem to do that.”

That got Angie to ruffling through her bag. She produced one of those little jars she bought at that shop. She tossed it to Patty and said, “that’s what they do. I’ve seen people taking them in those chambers. They light candles, and stuff like that, and then they scoop some of the jelly out, and lick it off their fingers.”

Patty quickly handed the jar back to her friend and looked for something to wipe with. Angie got a kick out of that as she put her jar back. She also tossed Patty a handkerchief. As Patty wiped her hand she said, “how did you find all that out?”

Now Angie chuckled, “something they taught us in the army, it’s called asking.”

Patty tossed the handkerchief back like it was a baseball, “smart ass.” Angie still thought it was funny. Patty settled back down and she realized, now at least, that she felt better thinking about something other than their predicament. She rhetorically commented out loud, “that’s a strange ritual to have. Never heard of anything like that before.”

The good mood was not destined to last however. Nate showed back up and Patty noticed Angie’s reaction. It was kind of hard to miss. She jumped up off the floor and tossed her arms around him. It was almost funny that Nate really did not know how to take it. Patty almost felt sorry for him but, she was not sure if she shouldn’t feel more sorry for Angie. That was for another day, though. At the moment Patty was more interested in, “is it clear? The fighting or, whatever it is, sounds a little more distant right now.”

“Yeah,” Nate seemed hesitant, “it is, so, I guess, that’s some good news anyway.”

Patty rubbed her forehead, “but there’s bad news, right?”

Nate shrugged, thought about it, and then said, “more like it’s complicated. Get your stuff and follow me, I’ll explain.”

Angie was hesitant, “we’re safe here. Why would we go anywhere?”

Patty knew that answer without even having to ask. As she got up off the stone floor, brushed off her butt, then collected her things, she told Angie, “cause appearances are deceiving sweetie. Let’s go Captain, lead the way.”

The way led them to one of the buildings at the back of the property. The building they entered looked to be mostly offices and, while they did not stack up to the massive cubicle cities back home, the place still looked more modern than the main temple. Nate led them in to one of the corner offices where one of the monks sat behind a rather modern desk, even complete with a computer, although the guy was talking on a hardwired phone. That was something Patty had not seen in a good while.

They all listened to the Monk who seemed somewhat concerned as he continued with his conversation. Then he hung up the phone and addressed Nate, “is this everyone?”

“Uh,” Nate pointed around, “unless you got anybody else stashed around I don’t know about, we’re the only Americans here that I could find.”

The monk nodded, “you are likely it then. All right, I’ve gathered what information that I can and, the decision is yours but, my advice is that you three turn yourselves in, too a Noveus-Faeyu patrol, at the first opportunity.”

That did not go over so well and it was Nate who vocalized the concern, “you said those were the guys surrounding our embassy. I don’t exactly call them the good guys.”

Patty was not so quick to rule it out so she asked, “what would happen if we did?”

The Monk shrugged, “most likely you’d be exchanged to your people for whatever the Noveus-Faeyu want. That’s usually customary in these sorts of situations.”

“In other words,” Nate said, “we’d be prisoners.”

Angie had made up her mind and strongly put it, “no fucking way.”

“Please,” the Monk was trying to be rational at least, “hear me out. That might be true, of a fashion but, they would be honor bound to protect you and…”

“What about you,” Nate injected, “aren’t you honor bound to protect us? Isn’t that some custom here?”

The Monk did not know how to answer that so he said, “you’re fellow humans. I will do what I can for you, just as we have taken in many other humans who have now lost their homes to the violence.”

Patty did not like where this was going and she said, “there’s a but in there.”

“Quite right,” the man said, “your situation is different. You are Americans, you are military, and you are not very popular at the moment, not with the elves. Like I said, I will protect you as best I can but, the Noveus-Faeyu can actually do it. I can only try.”

Patty quickly blurted out with a smile and a raised hand, “I’m not military!”

Everyone ignored her and Nate had a question, “I don’t get it. They’re the ones who invited us in. We had them as advisors with our unit. Now you’re telling me they’re the enemy, and that they’re also the only ones who can protect us. You know brother, monkey, whatever I call you, that just sounds kind of screwed up.”

The monk was becoming frustrated, “Captain, the Noveus-Faeyu and the Olyan-Notae are only two clans amongst many. They are the strongest with the most to loose or gain. As a result, no matter how they might feel, they will not harm you because they will not wish to offend your government. Since, as I have learned, the Noveus-Faeyu have the closest ties with your government, they are your safest option right now.”

At least that much made sense to Patty but, like everything here, there seemed to be a catch, “and what about the other clans? What would they do if they caught us?”

The monk was quite sullen, “I don’t know. I can’t imagine it would be good. I was only a child the last time something like this happened. You have to understand, many elves harbor great resentment about us being here in what they consider their city. We are just an unwelcome necessity to them. In normal times they barely tolerate us as it is. At a time like this, well, they are definitely looking for something to vent their own frustrations on. If you want proof, just go talk to some of the people in the chapel.”

Nate just shook his head, “so these other clans, they…”

“They’re not as organized as the bigger ones,” the monk replied. “They are the ones running around out there doing most of the looting and if they catch you, I can assure you, they will do what they feel like, consequences be damned. Most of them don’t have anything to loose as it is.”

Patty gulped because she saw where this was going, “you can’t guarantee they won’t come in here, can you?”

“Precisely,” the Monk told her. He even went further by saying, “in fact, I believe, it’s only a matter of time. The elves hold no respect for us at all, not our bodies, our customs, nor our religions.”

Suddenly, it was very clear what was different here. Patty had not seen it till now. She had got caught up trying to equate this place to similar ones back home. Back on Earth, if there were riots, at least everybody was human and, usually of the same religion or a similar one. Both sides tended to respect the others beliefs even if they did not respect each other. Apparently, that did not translate between species.

That also left Patty with another question, “what about all those people you took in? Will they be harmed?”

The monk could only admit, “I don’t know. I don’t think it likely, however. They’ve already lost what they had and the elves will most likely not be interested in them. Most of these groups are only interested in simple theft.”

Nate was a bit indignant when he answered, “then why won’t we be safe?”

The monk was definitely frustrated, “I explained already, because you’re from earth. You’re Americans, and your military, and…”

Patty again raised her hand, “I’m not!”

Again she was ignored and the Monk kept right on going, “and just the fact that you are all of those things, give you value to these groups. These are mobs, Captain, they aren’t prone to reason. You’re a symbol of their frustrations, like it or not.”

They left the building and stopped just outside it, under a tree. They looked off in the distance, towards the central city. Helicopters were flying, columns of black smoke were rising, and there was the constant, and sporadic popping, of small arms fire. Nate commented, “well we definitely can’t go in that direction.”

Patty became glum and said, “or any other. I hate to say it guys but, our best bet is exactly what he said. I’m pretty sure he’s right, they won’t hurt us. I’ve watched the Noveus-Faeyu since we first got here. They’ve been nothing but helpful.”

Nate was sullen but firm when he told her, “you can do what you want Miss Walsh.” He then nodded to Angie, “we can’t.”

Angie slid her arm around Nate’s arm and held on tight as she told her reporter friend, “he’s right. We’re soldiers and this is a time of war. We can’t surrender.”

Patty slapped her forehead, “Angie, will you just listen to how ridiculous that sounds? Yeah, you two might be soldiers but, right now, you’re tourists. You’re soldiers without guns and without an army to back you up.”

Nate sounded as if he found it amusing, “we did all right on our own against the Orcs.”

Angie sneered, “damn straight.”

“Oh god,” Patty tried to make them see reason, “Nate, if you recall, I’m the one that reported on your little adventure. You got lost and then you got lucky. A couple of more days out there and you might have gotten dead. I don’t care how much sunshine they’ve tried blowing up your ass, you are not a one man army.”

Angie added, “one man, one woman.”

“Never said I was,” Nate replied. He seriously told her, “which doesn’t change anything I said. Surrender is not an option here. We need to figure out how to get back to our embassy. That’s the only place we know is safe.” Nate considered it and then said, “and if we can’t make that one, there are others that don’t seem to be as heavily guarded.”

That thought had not occurred to Patty and she kicked herself for not thinking about it. She winced and asked, “the Canadian maybe?”

“That was my first thought but,” Nate replied, “they’re NATO and hence are being watched. On the other hand, there’s that little one down at the end of Embassy row. I don’t know who it belongs too but, I did hear tell that nobody is even watching it right now.”

Patty admitted, “ok, not a bad idea only, first we have to get there and how do you propose to do that?” Nate only shrugged and that caused Patty to grab Nate’s free arm and yank him away as she told Angie, “I need to borrow your Captain for a minute honey. Be right back.”

After pulling Nate far enough away from Angie, Patty got in his face, “ok Nate, we’re the adults here so start acting like it.” Nate tried to explain and Patty simply cut him off, “don’t play that macho bullshit with me, it won’t work.”

“Patty,” Nate shrugged again, “you’re not a soldier. I really don’t expect you to understand. If we get taken prisoner by any of those elves, they’re going to ask us questions about things, like say, the embassy? We would probably wind up telling them, after a very rough time, and that would put other people’s lives in danger.”

Patty was not buying it, “what are you going to tell them Nate? Where the swimming pool is? You don’t know that much about the place.” He started to protest again but, again, Patty shut him down, “don’t blow smoke on me Nate Caldwell. I just want to remind you of something. That little girl over there will do whatever you say. Whatever happens to her is on you.”

“I know that Patty,” Nate replied calmly even if Patty was not so much. He then added, “I’m her Captain. She follows orders like a good soldier.”

Patty growled at him, “oh you’re not that blind. She’s in love with you and you’re beating your chest, now, like you’re Tarzan or something. I know you care about her too. You might not be infatuated like Angie is but, you care. You’re a good man, so, just think about that when you decide what you’re going to do. Could you live with yourself if something happened to her?”

Nate blinked, “you’re not fighting fair now.”

“Good,” Patty told him resolutely, “cause according to your Monk buddy, the elves aren’t ether and we’re not ready for that.”

Angie heard the little shouting match and decided she needed to be a part of it. She strolled up and nervously asked, “what’s going on?”

Patty huffed and stomped off, “nothing honey. Looks like you got the chain part of the chain of command.”

After Patty vanished into the back of the chapel, Angie looked to Nate and said, “what is she talking about?”

Nate huffed, “I have no idea.”

Angie then went to the position of attention, no matter how ridiculous it looked in civilian clothing. She threw up a salute and stated, “ready to receive orders, sir.”

“At ease Sergeant,” Nate told the girl. Then, when she did, he looked Angie over from head to toe. It only served to remind Nate that Patty had really hit him below the belt but, Nate wondered just how true it had been and, maybe, if he might not have deserved it. That’s why his next words were, “Angie, what do you think we should do?”

Her answer was almost predictable, “you’re the officer sir. Just make it count.”

“Right now,” Nate told her, “I’m just a scared fellow tourist and, as your fellow scared tourist, I want to know your opinion on this matter.”

Angie fidgeted and said, “I don’t know, sir. The only plan I have is to follow you.” Angie nodded to the building and said, “I hope Patty is coming with us. She’s not leaving is she?” Then Angie added, “sir.”

“I don’t think so,” Nate relented, “she’s just as scared as we are and, I think she knows splitting up is a bad idea right now.” Then Nate swatted at what felt like an annoying fly when he said, “and would you cut the sir shit, already? I already told you, we’re just…”

“I know what you said,” Angie replied cutting him off. Then she admitted, “it makes me feel better, ok? I don’t want to think you’re scared too. I need you not to be. Right now, I need you to be the Captain.”

“Right now,” Nate said in response, “I wish like hell I was the Captain. Then I’d have some notion of what to do.” That made Angie giggle and Nate feigned offense, “is that a comment on my command skills, sergeant?”

“It’s just,” Angie became shy, “that’s kind of what you said when we were lost in the Hurt. You were pretty confused then too. You kept us going though. You got us out of there. You might not have always knew what to say but, you said something, and it kept me going.”

Nate laughed because there was nothing else he could do. He also shook off everything Angie had just told him, “girl, I made a big mess of all that, from minute one. I can’t remember anything I said that was all too inspiring. As I recall, I think I offended you more than anything else. Right from the first time you called me a fucker, to the time you told me I wasn’t getting in your pants. Not that I was…”

Angie gulped, stepped up, kissed him on the cheek, and then whispered in his ear, “you can now.” She walked off, blushing, embarrassed, and about to collapse at the knees.

Nate felt like he had just been punched. He let Angie walk back to the chapel and then slapped his forehead, “how do I get myself into this shit.”