Taming a Planet (Trapped in Time Book 2) (28 page)

Melody nodded and said, “How did you meet my sister?”

Andy chuckled, “I found her under a tree covered by a tarp. She was close to death from dehydration.”

“Where was this?”

“It’s a long way from here. Dinah and I rode for about a month before we stumbled up on her.”

“Why were you so far away?”

“I was exiled from the Community for a year. I went south to look at lands no one had ever visited.”

Melody stared at Andy over her shoulder for a long moment and then said, “Exiled?”

Andy told her about what had happened and everything that followed. Melody asked questions and he answered them honestly. When they were in sight of the wall, Andy said, “It looks like our plan to take Melody out this afternoon will have to wait.”

“Why is that?”

“Harvey, Maxius, and Mark are waiting for us at the pen.”

Melody looked at the distant wall and squinted, “You can see that far?”

“Trust me, your eyesight will improve once you start flying.”

Melody immediately smiled, “Will you teach me!?”

“I will. But first we need to finish Cursor training and to do that, you have to learn to use a weapon.”

“So I can’t take Melody out until I do?”

Andy nodded, “You can. No one will tell you what you can and cannot do with her but if you really care about her, you’ll prepare yourself to defend her.” Melody blew out a breath and nodded. “Meet me at the wall overlooking the pen at Daybreak and we’ll see what we can come up with.”

“I’ve never used a weapon.”

Andy smiled, “Relax, you might surprise yourself.” Dinah arrived at the pen and Andy said, “Good to see you.”

Harvey looked at Andy as he slid off Dinah from behind Melody and said, “You should have come and talked to me.”

Andy laughed, “Harvey, are you losing your patience in your old age?”

Harvey’s eyes narrowed, “I’m only thirty three.”

Andy nodded, “So you shouldn’t be in a rush.”

“But you know the Destroyers will be coming to look for us. Time is of the essence.”

Andy sighed, “Which way is the wind blowing?”

Harvey, Maxius, and Mark stared at him and finally Mark said, “It’s blowing out of the east.”

“And which direction will the ship we released have to sail?”

Harvey stared at Andy and said, “OK, it’s going to take them some time to get back. But they’ll be sailing here with the wind.”

“How long did it take them to arrive at the site of the battle?”

Maxius said, “About two months.”

“And how long did it take the ships we captured to arrive home?”

Melody listened to the exchange and heard Andy’s respect and love for the three men he was talking with. There was no hint of sarcasm in his voice and they weren’t being offended. Harvey shook his head, “Ok, we have some time.”

Andy nodded, “I want to help Melody learn all the things she going to need to survive. Later on, I won’t have the time to help her. I think Harmony would have wanted me to do all I can for her.”

Harvey looked at Andy and sighed, “When do you want to sit down with us?”

Andy looked up at the sky and said, “We can do that in after sunset.” He rubbed the back of his neck and then looked at Melody still sitting on Dinah. He turned to Mark, “I was planning to do this tomorrow but now is as good a time as any. Melody needs to have a weapon to defend her Cursor when she goes out. Will you go to the armory and bring a selection of weapons stored there?”

“Do you want me to bring a bow?”

“Yes, but you’re probably right about her not being able to use it. Still, I would like to see her aptitude with it.”

Maxius looked up and Melody and swore it had to be Harmony. He turned to Andy, “Do you mind if I watch?”

Andy smiled, “No, by all means join us but don’t tell anyone else. I don’t want a crowd there making Melody nervous. You might take Melody home and give her some time to clean up. We’re both pretty sandy from the ride.”

Harvey looked at Mark, “Make sure you bring a rifle and bullets.”

Andy jerked his head toward Harvey and Harvey lowered his eyebrows. Melody saw the exchange and wondered what had been communicated between them. Something…but what? Andy said, “We’ll meet at the target range outside the southern wall in two hours. Does that meet everyone’s approval?”

Everyone nodded and he reached up and grabbed Melody by the waist as she slid down from Dinah. She felt her heart rate go up. Andy set her down on her feet and led Dinah toward the river. Maxius said, “Come with me, Melody. I’m sure you’re hungry.”

Melody nodded and heard Melody whining in the pen. She felt so bad for her. But first things first.

• • •

Melody walked to the southern wall with Maxius and Lyla. She saw people she passed smile and wave to her. She liked it here. Lyla saw her smile and could see Melody was starting to relax. That was good. They turned the corner and found Andy and Mark a hundred yards from the targets firing arrows. As they drew close they heard Mark utter, “You have got to be the luckiest son of a Cursor I’ve ever seen. That shot is impossible.”

Maxius laughed, “Get over it, Mark. If you’ve come close to beating him it’s only because he let you.”

Mark looked at Andy and said, “Is that true?” Andy shrugged and Maxius laughed out loud. Mark said, “What’s so funny!?”

“Andy told me when we were teens that he didn’t like shooting alone. He’s let me beat him occasionally to keep me trying. That practice made me a better archer but I can’t come close to matching his skill.”

Mark stared at Andy who was studiously studying an arrow and not looking at him. Melody tried not to laugh but couldn’t help herself. Andy laughed with her and said, “Let’s get started.”

Mark said, “Wait a minute; is that true?”

“Is what true?”

“That you’ve been playing with me.”

“Of course I’ve been playing with you. Firing our bows is really fun…isn’t it?”

Mark growled and Melody said, “Mark, what have you brought for me to try?”

Mark’s attention was taken off Andy and he shook his head, “Don’t think I’ve forgotten this.” But he had. After going over the array of weapons the issue was over.

Melody looked at Andy, “Which one should I try first?”

Andy said, “Let’s eliminate some. Let’s try the bow first.” He picked up a bow and handed it to Melody. He walked up to fifty yards from the targets and said, “Watch how I hold the bow and release the arrow. Notice that I pull the arrow back to the same place on my cheek for each shot.”

Melody watched him and turned sideways to the target and said, “Do it again slowly so I can see how your body moves.” Andy slowly pulled an arrow back and leaned slightly forward into the shot. He held the arrow back for five seconds and then released it. It hit the center of the bull’s eye.

Melody took the arrow Andy pulled out of her quiver and notched it on the bowstring and put it on the recess on the bow’s center. She looked at Andy, “Where do you aim?”

“From this range, if you pull the arrow all the way to your cheek, the top of the center yellow circle is about right.”

Melody extended her arm and pulled the cable back. She released it and pulled it back again. She released it again and pulled it back and held it. She released it and looked at Andy, “I can’t hold it back very long.”

“That’s because you’ve not trained your muscles to the effort. The more you use a bow, the easier it gets to hold it back.” Melody turned back to the target and everyone standing behind her looked at each other. The odds of her hitting the target never having fired a bow were small. However, she pulled the bow back and in an instant, released the arrow. It didn’t hit inside the target but did hit the top right corner. She turned to Andy and held out her hand. She fired again and missed the target high. She turned the bow over in her hand and shook her head, “This just doesn’t feel right.”

Andy took the bow and said, “Wait here.” He walked back to his back pack and picked up a bow lying next to it. He brought the bow over to Melody and said, “Try this one.” Harvey, and the others saw that it was Harmony’s bow that she had used to practice. Melody pulled the cable back and smiled. She held out her hand and Andy handed her an arrow. She turned and pulled the cable to her cheek and released the arrow. It hit just inside the outer ring of the target. Harvey had watched Harmony practice many times and knew that shot looked very much like hers. Andy said, “Archery is something you can work on in your spare time. This is not a weapon that you can use now.” Andy walked over to the weapons and lifted a cutter.

“What is that?”

“This is a weapon that some of the original colonists from Atlantis brought with them. It is solar powered and has an incredibly hot beam. You can adjust the beam with the controls on the handle.” Melody walked over and watched as Andy demonstrated how to change the length of the beam. Maxius leaned toward Lyla and said, “This is not a good idea. She could hurt herself with a cutter.”

Andy walked forward and stood in the middle of four wooden poles sticking up out of the ground. He looked at Melody, “These are the steps you use to defend yourself from multiple attackers.” Those gathered watched Andy as he slowly, but smoothly moved in a circle in the middle of the poles. He was incredible to watch and when he went to full speed it was like a dance. He used the six foot cutter blade to cut off six inch pieces off the top of the four poles and he would take off one on each as he turned a circle and then take one off the two opposite each other. When he stopped, he heard applause. A group of citizens had gathered and were impressed with what they were seeing. Andy handed the cutter to Melody, “I don’t want you to try and do this quickly.” Melody looked at the gathered members of the Community and Andy grabbed her chin and turned her face back to him. “Ignore them. Do you remember my footwork?”

“I think so. You slid your feet and used the balls of your feet to spin.”

Andy smiled, “Very good. Now, take this cutter and simply walk through the motions. Don’t rush it, just walk through it.”

Melody took the cutter and held it over her head as Andy had done prior to starting his instruction. She closed her eyes and remembered every step he had taken. How could she do this? But she could see his steps. She brought the cutter down and stepped slowly to the left with a cross over step and then went to the balls of her feet and spun slowly around to the right and smoothly swung the cutter into the closest pole cutting off a small section at the top. She slid her left foot behind her right leg and then spun and cut another section off the next pole. She moved slowly and deliberately without hurrying. Andy watched her and looked over at Harvey. They heard Lyla say, “This is impossible. No one can learn those steps just by seeing them one time.”

Andy continued to stare at Harvey and then they turned back to Melody who finished the exercise. The gathered citizens applauded loudly and Melody’s face turned red. Andy walked up and took the cutter out of her hands. “Can you remember the steps you just did?” Melody nodded. “This time I want you to do them without the cutter. Just move inside the poles and do them as quickly as you can without losing your focus.”

Melody looked at Andy, “I don’t understand but it’s like I know this.”

Andy smiled, “Some people are natural dancers. Step in and dance.”

Melody laughed and stepped in the center of the four poles. She closed her eyes and moved into the rhythm of the moves. Maxius, Lyla, and Mark were stunned at what they were witnessing. Melody moved through the routine as fast as Andy and did it with her eyes closed. She was smooth and the smile on her face showed her joy. She finished and the Leaders all applauded her along with those gathered watching.

Harvey looked at Andy, “It’s time.”

Andy nodded and picked up a Destroyer Rifle and an ammunition belt. He walked over to Melody and handed the rifle to Melody. She held it and her eyes narrowed. Andy said, “Come with me.” He started walking away from the southern wall toward four targets lined up against the cliff. Melody took the rifle and pulled the sling loose and put it over her left shoulder. She slung the ammunition belt across her right shoulder with the bullets along her chest. Harvey shook his head as the leaders followed them.

Andy walked toward the targets and his mind was in turmoil. He suspected something was going on but he was shocked to have it confirmed. This would cement it if he was right in his suspicions. He knew Harvey had also seen it. They arrived at the targets and he saw that Mark had covered them with new covers. Andy stopped a hundred yards from the targets and looked at Melody, “Take a shot.”

Melody did a double take and said, “Isn’t this too far away?” Andy shook his head. “Will you show me how to do it?”

“No, I want you to just do what you sense is right.”

“But I’ve never touched one of these.”

“Just do what you feel, Melody.”

Melody stared at Andy and looked at the other leaders. Something in their eyes told her they were nervous. She looked and Andy and he smiled, “Close your eyes and feel it.”

Melody took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She felt her hands move down the ammunition belt and ignore the bullets on it. She reached in a pocket at the bottom of the belt and pulled out a square that had bullets in it. She slung the rifle off her shoulder and slammed the clip into it. She opened her eyes and raised the rifle. She saw the trees behind the targets were blowing to the left and she changed her aim slightly. She smiled as she fired four quick shots, one at each of the targets. She held the rifle on the last target and Andy reached over and took it out of her hands. She frowned as it left her hands. Andy raised her chin and said, “Let’s go take a look, shall we?”

Melody nodded and as they walked the hundred yards to the targets Melody’s eyes started to grow wide as they moved closer. She saw that all four targets had a dark hole in the center of the bull’s eye. She stopped and felt shock and then fear. Andy stopped beside her and waited. She stared at the targets and knew what she had done was impossible. Then she realized the dance with the cutter was also impossible. She continued to stare at the targets as Andy waited beside her.