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Chapter 13

             
Several of the ambushers aimed their bow and arrows at the sleepy guard, however a laser struck one of the barbarians in the chest, causing him to fall from his perch.

             
With their surprised thawed, they quickly pushed towards the village a few were shocked, and focused on Donovan.

             
Women and children of the village ran towards the far side of the village, while the warriors organized heading to the sounds of battle.

             
Ciaos reigned has both sides positioned themselves for a fight.

             
Narendra quickly glanced to see Rachel was making her with Simon, he then proceeded towards the entrance to the village. Climbing up some steep rocks, he moved to flank the attackers. Taking his bow, he fired at the unsuspecting foe, striking one in the side, some forty yards away. Studying the scenario unfolding he moved silently into a new position aiming his bow, he caught another savage with deadly accuracy. However two closed with clubs.

             
Narendra pulled out his large knife, and slashed at his opponents. Seriously injuring one, he was unable to dodge an attack of the second fiend, receiving a deep cut to his arm. Kicking, he watched the foe tumble to his death on more rocks from the jagged ridge.

             
Donovan fired several more shots killing several of his own attackers. Having never seen lasers the savages in the immediate area started faltering in their courage. A few began running away.

             
At the entrance, savages broke through the defending villagers killing and wounding several. They began scattering pilfering and ransacking some of the homes.

             
The attack began losing its cohesion. Waiting near the doors of the main building two young braves engaged several of the savages killing the two young warriors. They busted through the front door. Rachel leveled her laser rifle, shot hitting him in the chest, he stumbled back through the door, falling to the ground. The remaining brute turned, running in fear.

             
With the attack nearly over, Donovan and Narendra found themselves standing nearly side by side.

             
Narendra held out his hand, and the two men shook hands. “Thank you for helping our village.”

             
Donovan didn't understand the confused look Narendra had. “Why do you seem surprised?”

             
“Our enemy is not your enemy, yet you helped.”

             
“Your enemy is now mine,” Donovan answered. He then went to get Scott. The villagers began restoring their community.

             
Donovan stopped near the front of the village. “I found him, he was nearly dead.” He watched has they checked to see if he was a pure blood. Then several of the villagers took him to a shelter.

             
“How often do these savages attack?” Donovan asked Ashwin, has they searched the bodies.

             
“Several times a month, but this was a sound defeat. I believe we owe you a great amount of gratitude.”

             
“I'm glad I could help, my friend.” Friend, that was a word that was rarely used and Donovan was proud to use it today.

             
Ashwin stopped his labor. Feeling the wind blow his black hair across his face, he glanced at Donovan. “Tonight, during our evening meal, I am going to make a appeal to Kern, and the council to allow you to stay with us.”

             
Donovan appreciated the words, and his thankful expression showed it. “Thank you Ashwin, but in my journey today, I found some good rich black dirt.” He lifted his hand, “I could feel the earth talking to me. I would like to settle there, with Rachel.”

             
“My scouts tell me there is a lake another two days south of here. The earth is slowly healing from the devastation, of the wars. I will make sure you get some of our spare seeds to start you a garden.”

             
Donovan smiled at Ashwin. “I would be honored having you for neighbors.”

***

              Narendra spotted the dead braves and cautiously proceeded into the building. The noncombatants gave a sigh of relief. “Its safe now,” he assured them.

             
“Let me treat your wounds,” Rachel offered.

             
He studied her a moment. She was more beautiful then he realized. He was about to protest, when she grabbed his hand, coaxing him to go with her. Once at her abode, she began cleaning the wound, and realized it was gaping worse then previously thought.

             
“This may hurt,” she threaded a needle, then took a deep breath. “Are you ready?”

             
Narendra, only nodded, curiously looking at her. He felt a dull ache from the tugging sensation. His expression didn't change while he watched her.

             
Rachel kept glancing at Narendra, then focused more on sewing his wound. She made the stitches small and to the best of her ability.

             
He felt a natural attraction to Rachel. He found her lighter complexion appealing, however he kept the feelings at bay, for he thought she was spoken for.

             
Standing up after her task, she looked into his intense eyes. “I'm finished Narendra.”

             
“Thank you,” he went to flex his arm.

             
She quickly grabbed him, “no, no don't do that, you might tear the stitches.” She released her grip. “In several days I will remove them.”

             
“You're not going with Donovan?” he asked.

             
Frowning at his words, “of course I'm going with Donovan.”

             
“Then why did you say you would remove them in several days?”

             
Rolling her eyes at the technicality, “all right, before I leave I'll remove them.”

             
About that time Donovan entered the home and sat the backpack down. Upon seeing him, Rachel ran to him giving him a firm embrace. “Are you all right?” she asked.

             
Donovan eagerly returned the affection, “Of course thank you.” He loved the attention and was hesitant to release her.

             
Red Sam then entered the room. “Scott, the man you found is resting in the adjacent home. He looks like he will recover.”

             
Seeing Rachel's expression change to being curious.

             
“Thank you, he was someone I found during my scouting south of here. He was near death when I found him.” Donovan's eyes began to sparkle. “Rachel I found us a good home. Ashwin informed me there is a lake about a week away, where we can start a home. He is also giving us seed to start a garden. The dirt is rich and ripe for planting and starting a new life.”

             
Never seeing Donovan this content before, his enthusiasm was contagious, for she nodded her head. Looking at each other they kissed for a brief second. “Sounds wonderful Donovan,” she replied.

             
“I'll have to come for a visit now and then,” said Narendra, and the two men shook hands. Donovan was careful of his friends injured arm.

             
After a brief good bye to Narendra and Red Sam, the couple sat close to each other. “Did you learn anything from the chips?”

             
“Nothing really useful, but Simon and I will continue tomorrow. It would seem people generations ago, was obsessed with watching something called a television.”

             
“Well maybe you'll find something useful, meanwhile I'll stay close to home tomorrow and maybe get Narendra to show me how to use a bow. The dirt was so rich, I know its just dirt but in sector seven you know how it was that dead sand like substance?”

             
“All right farmer Donovan Fitzgerald,” she teased. She then grew serious, “what do you know about this person you found?”

             
“I don't know much, he was near death, he said he traveled the bowl, but I'm not sure what he meant by it.”

             
Rachel giving it some thought, raised her finger in reply, “I think he means he traveled where the ocean use to be. I'm not a hundred percent but the coast line of the Pacific is changed. Remember how that large cavity looked odd, where that boat or I should say wreck was?”

             
Donovan nodded that he understood.

             
“That use to be the shore line of the Pacific Ocean. I recall how some would say people were escaping by walking through the bowl. Then the Alliance shut it down by patrolling it with more stalkers.”

             
Donovan took her hand with both of his, “I'm glad your going with me. Your safety is so important, I felt it was best you stayed here, but when you said you wanted to go with me, for the first time I feel alive with purpose.”

             
“I owe you a great deal Donovan. I'm going because I want to.” She stood there and the couple admired each other enjoying the solitude.

Chapter 14

             
Everyone was gathering for the evening meal. Donovan and Rachel took their same spot. She couldn't help but smile at Narendra. He took his little perch on the stone chair in the far corner.

             
Scott limped into the large room and was seated near the entrance, his eyes soon fell on Rachel and he stared like a stalking predator.

             
Narendra, whose keen senses kept him aware of everything taking place, also took notice of Scott. Glancing then at Rachel notice her expression gave one of nervousness.

             
“Something wrong Scott?” Donovan asked.

             
Coming out of his trance like state, stuttered, “n-no, I-I'm fine thank you.”

             
Unimpressed, Donovan gave him a irritating expression and gesture of his hand. Scott turned to see a elderly man patiently holding a plate for him.

             
“All of this for me?” Scott was pleasantly surprised at the abundance of food.

             
“No take a small portion and pass it on,” said Ashwin.

             
“Chief Kern, Ashwin, I would like to give the village one of the laser rifles, I think arming one of the guards at the entrance would provide a valuable weapon for any future attacks.”

             
The warriors nodded silently in agreement. “That is a kind gesture Donovan, we accept.”

             
“Well you are granting me a gift of seeds for a garden when I take up a homestead.” Donovan then passed the latest plate to Rachel. The smell of cooked chicken was a delight. “Why are you seated somewhat behind me?”

             
“No reason,” but in truth she couldn't stand Scott always staring at her so rudely, so she scooted at a angle where she couldn't see him.

             
“Where did you come from?” Ashwin asked Scott.

             
Looking about the room, he noticed everyone was now looking at him. “I escaped from sector seven, the devastation there is tremendous, and the alliance is getting more powerful, so I used the great bowl to flee.”

             
Rachel noticed everyone looked confused, “he means where the Ocean use to be.”

             
Scott seemed to search for the explanation, “yes, you must understand the height from the land to where the water once was, is very high, making it near impossible for machines or people to scale therefore making it safer to travel.

             
Ashwin made his way to Donovan. Waiting for him to stand, Ashwin whispered to him, “I'd like to talk with you in private when our evening meal is over.”

             
Donovan saw the serious expression, “Ashwin, I've already made up my mind to go...”

             
“After our meal,” he interrupted.

             
Donovan tighten his lips, “ok Ashwin, has you wish.”

             
Rachel was perplexed at the exchange between the two men, but said nothing, for it was clearly a private matter.

             
After the meal was finished, Red Sam offered Rachel his arm t walk her home.

             
“I'll walk her home boy,” Scott offered.

             
“No thank you, its my duty,” Red Sam countered.

             
“But I insist,” Scott argued.

             
Not wanting to cause a scene, Rachel replied, “its ok just this once Red Sam, but I would appreciate it if you checked on me later.”

             
Red Sam was reluctant but he, released her arm. “I shall do that Rachel.” He was coming into age of a man, for he could sense a somewhat hostile aura of Scott, and he didn't like it. He watched them walk down the path, till the darkness engulfed them.

             
Narendra, quietly maneuvering in the shadows watched them. Narendra had kept his heated passion for Rachel in check. His suspicion of Scott seem correct, as he continued to observe in the concealment of the shadows.

             
“Thank you Scott, I bid you a good night.”

             
“So soon, its still early?” he coaxed.

             
She tried gently pulling her arm from his grasp. “Scott I suggest you let go of my arm.”

             
Scott laughed, “I just want a little company tonight.”

             
“You just left a building full of people.” She begin growing nervous from the exchange, and glanced around for someone, anyone.

             
“Everything all right, Rachel?” Narendra asked, coming out of no where.

             
With a sigh of relief, Rachel pasted a smile on her face, “yes Narendra, Scott was just bidding me a good night.” Rachel noticed blood on his arm, “let me take a look at your arm for a moment.”

             
Scott finally released his grip, “good night Rachel,” he only nodded at Narendra. Scott was quite intimidated by the massive warrior.

             
She was quite thankful of Narendra, has she cleaned his wound. “There not much else I can do for now,” she told him.

             
“I appreciate your effort Rachel. I will go make sure Red Sam comes by. I must go tend to some business.”

             
“Ok thank you for dropping by,” she watched him exit and disappear into the night.

***

              Meanwhile, Ashwin and Donovan settled on the floor in the middle of the room. “I wanted to talk to you in private.”

             
Donovan crossed his legs and leaned forward a little. He really liked Ashwin. He had a expression of pride, but it was not haughty, maybe it was more like confidence. “Of course what can I do for you Ashwin?”

             
“Information, actually. This alliance I keep hearing about, are they that evil?”

             
“I will tell you what I know and what was on those linear chips. According to my parents, the alliance executed political enemies, and continuously spied on everyone. They took the citizens children at the age of five to six. My parents faked my death.”

             
Ashwin frowned at the horrible stories. “So if they grow they could spread their influence this far south?”

             
Donovan saw the seriousness of Ashwin's face. He was worried about his own village and his people. “I don't know if the desert waste land between this village and Sector seven is enough to keep them from ever crossing.”

             
The two men sat silently for a few minutes. Donovan felt a little helpless, to give assurance that they would always be safe.

             
“One day we will have to leave,” said Ashwin.

             
Perplexed by his statement, Donovan looked at him. “Why do you say that?”

             
“These rocks only offer enough shelter for several hundred people. We will need to find larger food resources, and shelter.”

             
“When I settle down at that lake, I will scout the area and send word back to you, on the possible sites for a new home for you and your people.”

             
Ashwin nodded with a stern smile. “When we passed through there years ago, nothing there could sustain life, there was not even a lake. The land in this region is healing.”

             
“And maybe one day mankind can live together without butchering one another.” Donovan looked at his new friend, he respected.

             
“That would be a day of honor and joy.” Ashwin stood, and the two men shook hands. They then parted to their respected homes.

             
Donovan made his way down the path, when he spotted Scott dart into his own abode. Had Scott been spying on Rachel? He pushed the thought out of his mind.

             
Rachel glanced up when Donovan entered the room. “Everything ok?” she asked.

             
“Yes, was Scott just in here?”

             
He only walked me home, he was a little stubborn about wanting to retire to his own accommodations, however Narendra, showed up.

             
Donovan nodded his head, thinking Scott was just a little lonely, and thought nothing else about it.

             
The crackling of the fire, gave its warmth has the night begin to chill. The couple snuggled into the sleeping bag.

             
“No serious what did Ashwin want?” She watched her breath swirl in the night air.

             
He turned on his side, making his shoulder pop in the process. “He was just worried that one day the alliance might extend its influence this far south.

             
“From what I saw they were having a hard time just getting several towns under their iron claw.” She then buried her face into his chest, drawing from his stature. They then gave each other a kiss.

             
“Did you get anything from the chips?”

             
She sighed, thinking maybe it was a waste of time. “Only that the world at one time had seven oceans.”

             
“Had, did one get misplaced?” Donovan asked in a teasing manner.

             
Rachel started giggling at the corny joke. She watched him join in with a laugh of his own.

             
“No what I thought was odd, several of the chips had a flash of some kind of lettering, I didn't understand and Simon couldn't figure it out neither.”

             
“Lettering?”

             
She turned her face to look at him. “Yes like maybe a different language or hidden message. To be frank, that's why I continued looking at the chips.”

             
“Maybe you will discover something?”

             
“Your parents seem like very intelligent people, I'm surprised you do not wish to view them, they are your family.”

             
“I can barely remember anything, other then a few moments here and there when I was child.”

             
“Maybe you should watch a few more?” speaking softly to him.

             
“Its pointless, they didn't even care enough to show more memories or anything with the three of us together.” Donovan anger now rising. He could feel her hand caressing him to sooth his emotions. “I'm sorry Rachel, I didn't mean to yell at you.”

             
“Its all right, I think it would make me angry too. We all suffered quite a bit. Maybe its better you don't remember much of your childhood and beyond, it might have been quite painful?”

             
They shared a few kisses, before she nestled her face into his chest. Resting for a moment, she fingered his chest. “Donovan?” she whispered. She peeked up at him, but he was now asleep. With his arm tightly around her waist, she wasn't going anywhere, content she also went to sleep.