Trapped in Time 1: The Time Takers (19 page)

The Royals didn’t move until Andy fired an arrow between their feet faster than they could follow. The five picked up a cutter and started moving toward the River. The five made it to the river bank and the High Royal ordered one of them to start swimming. The swimmer made it twenty feet out from shore when something huge lifted his body out of the water and bit it into two pieces. The surviving Royals turned and started running back toward the cave. Andy said, “Linnae!” Andy shot the High Royal in the head and Linnae killed the other three.

Karon watched the Royals die and looked at Andy, “I thought you wouldn’t kill an unarmed….” Karon stopped in midsentence and smiled. “They were armed.” Andy nodded.

Andy turned around and said, “Harvey, Arashi, and Ayo, go in the cave and get everyone outside.” The three took six archers with each of them and went into the cave.

Andy looked at Karon, “How many are in there?”

“About a hundred women; the men have been killing their mates to replace them with one of us; once we were trained on how to obey.”

Andy shook his head, “Linnae, see if the food doors can be opened by different races.”

Linnae went inside as the women began exiting the cave. Andy saw they weren’t in good shape. The men must have been rationing their food to make sure they had enough for themselves. The women were weak and frightened. Andy looked at the forty Atlantan Warriors standing at the wall and motioned them over to him. They left their cutters at the wall and stared at Andy wondering what was going to happen to them. “Jenak, tell them about our community and see if you think they can be trusted.”

Jenak nodded, “They did what I did, Andy. I think they’ve demonstrated that they can leave their history behind.”

“Make sure.”

“I will.”

Andy turned around, “Chatan, go to the top of the cliff and tell the late arrivals to stay there and be prepared to pull some supplies to the top.” Andy didn’t see him but he heard Chatan run away.

Karon looked at Andy, “What are you going to do with us?”

“We’re taking you to your new home.” Karon smiled and hugged Andy.

Linnae came out of the cave and saw Karon hug Andy, “Hey, hey, he’s mine.”

Karon smiled, “I think he belongs to all of you. I’ve chosen the one I want, if he’ll have me.” Karon paused, “If he’s not already taken.”

Andy smiled, “You should ask him.”

Karon looked at Andy, “You’re right.”

Andy looked at Linnae, “Get one of the former Outsiders and talk with the Atlantan Women. See where they stand on changing their ways.”

Linnae nodded, “Four more food rooms opened and they’re completely stocked.”

“That’s a good thing.” Linnae nodded and went to find Lenak.

Harvey came over and looked at the men gathered at the top of the cliff. He saw Chatan looking down and he made a motion of pulling a rope. He pointed toward the cliff over the cave entrance and Chatan disappeared. “I’ve told him to move the ropes over to the cave entrance.”

Andy nodded, “I should have thought of that. We need to keep the women in the cave until we move all of the food.”

“You also have to go in and open the room to the compound bows and arrows.”

Andy shook his head, “Harvey, you are wise beyond your years.”

Harvey smiled, “Maybe; it’s you and Linnae that is the glue that binds us together.” Harvey walked back to the cave and Andy was surprised at his remark. This additional food and weapons were going to be a godsend to the community. There was a lot of work to be done. Andy yelled at Harvey before he entered the cave, “Will you see if Enapay is up to going back and delivering a message to Maxus?”

Harvey nodded and entered the cave.

Andy walked over to the group of women and Linnae stopped speaking. They all looked at Andy and immediately determined by the deference shown by Linnae and Lenak that he was the leader. “Lenak, please translate what I say.” Lenak nodded. “I know you’ve been through a lot and I’m going to ask for your patience.” The women started looking fearful. “I’m concerned that if we move you out of the cave now all the doors will close and won’t open. I need you to stay here until we can move everything out.” The women stared at Andy and he saw they expected him to leave them in the cave. He said, “My Mate will stay with you until we can take you back to our community; while you’re here you may eat as much as you wish. I’ll also leave enough archers to defend you against any threat. We will not abandon you.”

A woman spoke and Lenak said, “How do we know your words are true?”

Andy looked at Linnae and she said, “He does not deceive or tell untruths. That is part of the reason why I love him.” The women stared at Linnae and she said, “He is what brought all of us that are so different together. Look around at our community members and ask them if he can be trusted. We will not allow you to be harmed again if it’s in our power to prevent it.”

Another woman spoke and Lenak said, “They ask if I will stay with them to help them communicate.” Lenak listened and then said, “They also ask if they may go inside and get something to eat?”

Andy looked at the woman who asked and every one of them saw his sorrow. He looked at Lenak and said, “You will stay here as well and please take them inside and allow them to eat their fill.”

Lenak told them and they stood up and began moving toward the cave. One of them ran up and hugged Andy. He put his arms around her and returned the hug. He released her and said, “We have a safe place for you to live.” The others had stopped moving when the woman rushed up and hugged Andy. Lenak told them what he said and for the first time many of them felt something foreign; hope.

Linnae watched them go to the cave and said, “I don’t want to be away from you.”

Andy looked her in the eyes and smiled, “Are they worth it?”

Linnae stared at Andy and after a moment went into his arms, “This is what made me love you from the first moment I saw you.” She held him tight and Andy knew there was too much to be done. But it would be done; one day at a time. Linnae sighed and said, “You need to take the other women back.”

“I know.” Andy kissed Linnae tenderly and went over and grabbed a rope. “Tell Harvey to send up some food for the women. They’ll need enough to build up their energy before we set out for the community.” Andy looked over and saw Karon standing with Harvey and Jenak. “Tell Karon that I need her to go up and join the women.”

Linnae looked and saw Karon and smiled, “I’ll send her up when she finishes talking with Jenak.” Andy looked over at them and nodded.

• • •

Karon found Harvey and said, “Will you help me for a moment?”

“What do you need?”

“I need to speak with the one named Jenak.” Harvey nodded and they went looking for him. They found him as he came out of the cave.

Jenak looked at Harvey and Karon and Harvey said, “She wants to speak with you.” Jenak nodded.

Karon kept her eyes on Jenak and said, “Please tell him this exactly as I say it.” Harvey nodded. “I thank you for saving my life. I know you put yourself in danger to do it. I will never forget your bravery.”

Jenak listened and smiled, “Tell her it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

“Also tell him that I don’t want to ever be away from him but I know he probably already has a mate.”

Jenak listened and looked at Karon. “Tell her I am not paired with anyone.”

Karon listened and said, “REALLY?” Jenak didn’t need a translation. He nodded. “Will you allow me to be with you as much as you can bear?”

Jenak listened and pulled Karon into his arms. He hugged her tight and said, “It is you that I hope will stay with me as long as you can stand it.”

Karon spoke and Harvey laughed. “What did she say?”

“Forever is not long enough.”

Jenak leaned down and kissed Karon hard. He broke the kiss and she stood there with her eyes closed. She said something and Harvey answered. Jenak looked at Harvey, “She says she is going to learn our language. There are some things she wants to say that only you should hear.” Jenak started laughing and Karon wrapped her arms around him again. Linnae walked up and said, “Karon, Andy thinks you should go with the women back to our community. They need to see you working with us.”

Harvey told Jenak what Linnae said and he nodded. “Tell her I’ll see her as soon as I can.”

Karon hugged Jenak one more time and went to a sling. She put it around her and pulled the rope. She moved up the cliff quickly but kept her eyes on Jenak all the way to the top. Harvey looked at Jenak and smiled, “I think you have found a precious jewel.”

Jenak kept his eyes on Karon and said, “Maybe coming here was worth everything.”

Harvey hit him on the back with his hand, “Indeed it is; let’s get to work.”

M
axus was manning the wall when Enapay arrived and he climbed down quickly out of the tower and ran over the exhausted runner. “Tell me what happened!”

“We were victorious over the Outsiders. However, Andy needs you to come and take his place.”

“Why?”

“We have found four more rooms full of food that have not been opened. We also found an unopened room with the modern bows and arrows. Andy wants you to engineer what we need to transport them here.”

Maxus was stunned at the magnitude of the find. He shook his head and started furiously thinking. He looked at Enapay and said, “We can’t take all of us; who will defend the community?”

Enapay smiled, “There are two hundred women here that are second and third ranked archers.”

Maxus shook his head, “I keep forgetting to include them.”

“I suspect some of them are better than us.”

“I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. I really think the whistles will keep most of the nasty dinosaurs away.” Enapay nodded. Maxus looked across the clearing and yelled. Three Romans came running and Maxus said, “I need you to take three lines and go to the tar pits. Skim off the top layer of lubricant oil and bring it back here.” They saluted and ran toward the cave.

Enapay looked at Maxus, “What are you going to do?”

“We’re going to build a pulley system and go to that cave to build some wagons to transport the materials here.”

“Why don’t you build them here?”

“They would have to be rolled thirty miles there and thirty miles back. If we build them there, they will only have to roll thirty miles. Wooden wheels don’t need to be stressed sixty miles.” Enapay tilted his head and nodded. “I’m going to take some of the former Outsiders with us; they’re brilliant when it comes to cutting with the cutters.”

“I think Andy is going to bring back all the members of the scouting party except for Hotah. He’s also going to bring Arashi back with him as well.”

Maxus smiled, “That should handle our defense needs. The Vikings and Samurai should be more than we need.”

“I think he wants you to take most of the Vikings with you.”

“Why?”

“It’s a tall cliff.”

Maxus looked up at the top of the cliff and shook his head, “He’s right; I should have thought of that. We’re going to need their strength.”

“One of them could probably lift a wagon by himself.”

“I doubt it but they are the best resource we have at brute strength.”

“Linnae is going to stay until the last group of women are brought back.”

“Women?”

“Yes, there are about a hundred and fifty in the first group and a hundred more in the second.”

Maxus stared at Enapay, “Where will we find the men to match them up with?”

Enapay stared at Maxus and after a moment said, “I have no idea. There are forty Outsiders that chose to fight with us.”

“That gives us about two hundred and fifty men including them. There will be close to four hundred women.”

Enapay smiled, “I’m glad this is not my problem. I’ll let greater minds than mine tackle that issue.”

Maxus sighed, “You’re probably right. I need to start drawing up what we need to do. You should go and get some water and food.”

A loud roar came out of the forest close to the entrance in the walls and Maxus blew his whistle. The roar immediately followed it and Maxus shook his head, “It looks like a stranger has entered our domain.”

Enapay nodded, “I’ll get Togawa to send out a hunting party.”

“Thanks.” Enapay started walking toward the cave and met five Samurai running out. Mitsu yelled as he ran by, “There’s a rogue Allosaurus.”

Enapay smiled, “He’s waiting for you just north of here.” The Samurai ran down the slope and Enapay was once again amazed at how the community was adapting to their new surroundings. He went inside and took a drink from the spring. He washed his face and saw Glory bringing him a meal. He smiled and, after he finished his meal, he no longer heard the Allosaurus. Yes, the community was really making progress.

• • •

Andy arrived at the community and was greeted by thirty archers. Andy had the ropes tied into slings and the archers began lowering the women to the ground. Andy rappelled to the ground and assisted the women out of the slings. They gathered to the side and in an hour, they were all on the ground. “If you will follow me,” Andy led them toward the cave entrance and he could see the women were worried about how they were going to be received. The watchers in the tower announced their arrival and the community came running out of the cave to welcome the new members. The women were amazed at the greeting but suddenly started screaming and running away.

Andy turned and saw Anna coming full speed toward him. He smiled and Anna skidded to a stop next to him and rubbed her head on his shoulder. He reached up and rubbed her lower jaw. Anna fell to the ground and rolled over. Andy went next to her neck and stroked her head. Anna started moaning and the women were shocked silent. Andy yelled, “It’s alright. She’s a pet.” The women were eventually coaxed to go by Anna to the cave. Many of them stopped and rubbed Anna. The large dinosaur loved it.

• • •

Linnae looked at the huge wooden container moving up the cliff wall. She shook her head at the ingenuity of the Romans. The large rock cut out of the cliff to balance the huge box was perfectly balanced with the loaded box. The pulleys were pulled from the ground and the container was at the top in less than ten minutes. She looked up at the top and saw the boxes being moved to one of the wagons. In forty minutes the container was emptied and the Romans at the base of the cliff pulled the second set of pulleys and lowered the box back to the ground in front of the cave’s entrance. Four weeks had passed since the victory over the Outsiders and the cave would soon be emptied of its contents. The women were in the cave working in three different groups. One was working on learning how to fire the bows; another was working with the Samurai on how to use the cutters effectively; the last was studying Latin. In two hours they would rotate. Some of the women were really getting good with the weapons. Arashi told her that a third of them were ready to take part in the defense of the community.