“Here,
throw these in as well! I like the fire to be roaring and that Scottish giant
barely got it started. After all, it’s not like there is a shortage of wood
around here,” Seth ordered with a snicker, chucking a couple of short logs towards
the man he was talking to.
Jordan
obligingly tossed the chunks of wood into the fire then leaned back to gaze
into the darkening sky. Closing his eyes, he imagined he was in another world
and another time; that the young man sitting next to him was his brother, one
of the older men talking in the mess hall was his father, and that the
delicious meal had been prepared by his mother. She seemed so contented and
happy…..
“Hey
you!” someone hollered.
Jordan
sat up in a hurry as he felt a handful of sand thrown in his direction.
“W…what?”
“Didn’t
you hear a fucking word we’ve been discussing?” Spyke asked. “I asked you what
you thought about the council members.”
Jordan
looked guiltily around as several pairs of eyes fixed on him. He was glad the
semi-darkness hid his flushed cheeks. “Ah, well…they are … er …”
“What?”
Spyke said impatiently. “The twins here think they are too strict, and Seth
doesn’t feel that they have the right to impose punishments on the rest of us.
What do you think?”
Jordan
stammered helplessly. “Well …. well … I didn’t think … hmm, actually …”
Taking
pity on the poor kid and not liking how he was being treated, Thad spoke up. “I
thought they sounded reasonable. The rules were fair. And we do need rules, you
know. Every society does. Otherwise how would we get on?”
Jordan turned
gratefully to Thad. He had liked this slightly older man almost from the first.
“I kinda agree,” he responded uncertainly. “I mean, it’s rather comforting to
know there is someone in charge of things…ahh…just in case … “
Seth
snorted. “In case what?”
Jordan
found himself speaking up, much to his surprise. He usually didn’t
volunteer his thoughts unless he had no choice. “In case someone gets hurt or
is being treated unfairly. Not everyone is equal in size and strength. The
smaller guys could easily be overruled or bullied.” He looked at the sand hard,
feeling his heart thump in his chest. ‘There!’ he thought to himself and
cringed. ‘I’ve probably given Seth cause to hate me even more!’
Seth
pounced at once. “Hey, everyone takes care of himself and his own, okay?
Whoever’s too weak or too cowardly to do it – too bad! Only the strong will
survive in this world!”
Dallas
just nodded in agreement. It mirrored his personal views.
Wes
bristled a little, seeing the cowered expression reflected in Jordan’s eyes.
“You know, I have changed my mind actually. I can see exactly why we need the
council now. It’s to keep some people in their place!”
Wayne
interrupted quickly. “I may not like the rules – I mean who does? But if
we don’t organise ourselves properly, come winter we may all run into trouble. Neither
Wes nor I like having regulations, but we never said they aren’t good for us.”
A
murmur of assent went round the campfire while Seth turned his face away,
ignoring the others.
Gille
figured it was time to put his two cents in. “For me, I don’t mind having some organisation
to help us get things done. I mean we gotta survive and all. But I don’t like a
bunch of rules and I sure ain’t gonna put up with someone saying they got the
right to punish me if I don’t follow them. I’ve always believed in live and let
live!”
Having
realised some truth in what was being said, Spyke spoke up again. “I suppose we
do need to have some sort of leadership structure though.”
“If
you read your history books, you will learn that all past civilisations are
borne of governance and laws.” Brodie swept his eyes over his audience. He knew
all about books, having lived amongst them for so long. “Unless we want to live like barbarians, I think we were right in appointing
the council and the setting up of directives. It’s all we have right now to
keep us civilised.”
Seth rolled his eyes. “Rules just get broken
anyway,” he scoffed contemptuously.
“I just feel safer, knowing there is someone in
charge,” Thad murmured softly.
“Me too,” whispered Jordan.
Seth gathered his neglected cards, got up,
brushed sand briskly off his butt into everyone’s face and took himself off. He
wasn’t really interested in fraternising with a bunch of strangers anyway,
regardless of however much they did or did not have in common.
Kelby solemnly walked along the beach until he
came to a pile of rocks where he sat down to stare out over the ocean. He drew
one leg up, wrapped his arms around it and thought of home. His mother and
sisters were probably worried about him and missing him as much as he was
missing them. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for his father, who had
so quickly turned on him. It was this rejection that hurt the most. Kelby was
so absorbed by his thoughts; he was no longer conscious of his surroundings.
Quentin spotted the young man sitting on
the rocks, but wasn’t sure if he should get any closer, as maybe the man was
the type of person who liked his solitude. Although he seemed shy, Quentin
wondered if maybe he was more reserved than shy. Deciding to take a chance, he
approached him. “Hi there, Kelby; do you want to be left alone or would you
like some company?”
Kelby glanced up somewhat startled by the
unexpected voice. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you coming, Quentin. I wouldn’t
mind having someone to talk to.”
“This is a lovely spot to sit and contemplate
life, isn’t it?” Quentin asked. “I found it earlier and decided to visit it
again. I’m glad to have someone with whom to share it.”
Kelby smiled a little and moved over to make
room for the other man. He stared out over the water again, but every so often
his eyes would sneak a glance at the man next to him.
“Kelby, it seems as if something is bothering
you and I want you to know I’m a great listener. If you wish to share what has you
feeling rather wretched, I’m here. Or if you just wish for me to sit and keep
you company, I can do that as well. It’s up to you.”
Kelby rested his chin on his raised knee and
remained quiet for several minutes before finally speaking. “I was just
thinking of my family. I didn’t get to hug and kiss my mother and sisters
goodbye. My father couldn’t get rid of me fast enough. Can you imagine
something like that?” Kelby lifted his head and bravely looked at Quentin even
though tears were threatening to fall.
Quentin’s heart ached as he saw the tears
forming in the young man’s eyes. He moved closer to wrap a reassuring and
comforting arm around the lad’s shoulder. “Kelby, I know it’s hard to start a
new life when there are loved ones left behind. I know, because I once found
myself in a very similar situation. You see, I was the middle child. I had two
older brothers and two younger sisters. As I grew up I began showing an
interest in my father’s merchandise business. As a matter of fact, I showed
great promise in the retail field and this really irritated my oldest brother.
When he discovered my sexuality, he threatened to expose me to the family. I
had to leave everything behind and escape in the middle of the night without
saying goodbye. It was only after I started over in a new town and became a
very successful businessman that I took a chance and contacted my family. I
figured after all this time my brother would have joined my father in his
business and he would no longer have any need to envy me. I was wrong, and that
is how I ended up here.”
“It’s horrible the way families members sometimes
treat each other. Why can’t they love us enough to accept who we are?” he
asked, not really expecting an answer.
Quentin began to rub the young man’s back as he
spoke to give emphasis to the fact he understood what the lad was going
through. Noticing Kelby was still upset; Quentin turned the other man to face
him and tried once again to reassure him. “I have an idea. We’ll write letters
to our families, telling them we’re doing well and filling them in on that is
going on here. It will be a great way to get our feelings out and at the same
time, we will be able to put into perspective how fortunate we are to have
found others who will help us through the loneliness and hard
times. Walker has told us of a ship coming with supplies sometime in
the future, so we will be able to send our letters home then. What do you say
to that?”
Kelby responded in kind to the friendship and
comfort being offered by smiling and nodding his head. “I think that’s a fine
idea. I would like to let my mother and sisters know that I’m alright and set
their minds at ease. Let them know of the wonderful people I am getting to know
here.”
“Yes, and before I forget, Kelby, I want to
thank you for all the help you’ve been giving me with the supply inventory.
This sore wrist of mine would never have allowed me to write out such an
extensive list.”
“It’s getting better though, isn’t it?”
“Yes it is, thanks to you. Now, what do you say
about the two of us joining the others around the bonfire that’s been lit?”
Quentin suggested, getting to his feet and holding out his hand.
Kelby graciously accepted the hand and allowed
himself to be pulled up. He was definitely in a much lighter frame of mind than
when he had first come down to the shore.
Sometime later, Wes made his way to the tent he
shared. He gave a little moan as he lowered his butt down onto his pallet. The
storytelling and singing were still going on around the campfire, but he had
decided to call it a day, fully aware he was not the only one to do so. He had never
felt so tired in his entire life. Even the hard pallet, which he thought was a
poor excuse for a bed, felt good to him.
“Been a good citizen, I see,” a lazy voice
drawled.
Wes turned his head to locate where the voice
came from. It was dim in the tent and he had not noticed the figure huddled on
the other pallet across from him.
“Is that you, Seth?” Wes said as he leaned back
gingerly against his pillow.
“Yeah! So what ya been doing all day?” Seth
asked. “Besides letting that Nathan fellow sort through your clothes,” he
muttered and shook his head.
Wes groaned. “Carrying, lifting, arranging,
sweeping, washing! Ugh, my hands are ruined!”
“In other words, ‘slave labour’, right? Well I
don’t do menial work!” Seth informed his tent mate. “I use my head and gamble.
It’s simple; the guys who lose, do my chores. And I always win!” the young
gambler smirked.
Wes leaned over to Wayne’s pallet and grabbed
the pillow there. Placing it on top of his own, he leaned back and sighed
contentedly. “Ah, that feels good! You know, I used to sleep on a feathered
mattress with down pillows and soft sheets.”
“Yeah, I’ve slept in some pretty fancy places
too.” Seth didn’t mention some of the more disgusting rooms he’d also spent a
night in.
“My ma used to make the most delicious cakes
coated with icing. We would have a cake each on our birthdays. Wayne’s was
always chocolate; so boring! I asked for different cakes every year and Ma
would make them. What’d you get for your birthday?”
“I didn’t have a ma and my pa didn’t do celebrations
of any kind,” Seth answered somewhat wistfully as the facade he worked
diligently to maintain, cracked a little. He really didn’t want to talk about
his past.
“How come?” Wes asked, not at all sensitive to
the other man’s mood.
“Who knows and furthermore, who gives a damn?
It’s not a big deal anyway. Besides, the old man and I parted company over ten
years ago, when I turned fifteen.” Seth wondered why Wes was asking so many
questions. He was even more curious as to why he was answering them. After all,
they had only been on the island a week or so and although they shared a tent, up
until now they’d barely exchanged half a dozen words.
Wes looked at Seth somewhat curiously. “So how
did you live, I mean what kind of work did you do?”
Seth threw a smug look over at Wes and thought
to himself. ‘Let me give this smart-aleck here a jolt of reality and see if I
can induce some excitement in his miserable existence. What the hell! Maybe if
I satisfy his curiosity, he’ll leave me alone.’
“For a while, I hooked up with a gang of
small-time bank robbers. I never actually stole from anyone. I’d only take care
of the horses and keep them ready for a quick getaway. Then a couple of years
later, I met Kyler ‘Snake’ Jackson. Everything I know about gambling, guns,
women, not that I was ever interested in them,’ he smirked, “and mainly just
life in general, I learned from Snake.” Seth was quiet for several moments.
“Got himself killed in a gunfight a little over a year ago. Stupid son of a bitch
got caught breaking one of his own rules,” he murmured with a trace of
bitterness in his voice.
“What rule?” Wes whispered in an awed voice.
“Never cheat! Cardinal rule and he broke it!”
Seth was still angry at his friend’s carelessness and he desperately missed him
to this day. Snake and he had travelled together for seven years and had become
very close, almost like brothers. Snake was aware of Seth’s preference for men,
but never held it against him.
“So, ever kill anyone?” Wes asked, slightly breathless.
“Nope, but I’ve been shot at a few times and
run outta town,” Seth snickered at the expression on the other man’s face.
“Weren’t you scared?” Wes asked, a little
enthralled.
Seth’s response was slow in coming as memories
from the past assailed him. “Yeah, I was scared plenty of times.”
“I guess it must have been hard at times, huh?”
“I survived, didn’t I?” Seth snapped, unhappy
with himself for momentarily letting his guard down and revealing more than he
normally would.
“I understand. I was just curious, y’know?
Sorry if I brought back some bad memories.”
“Forget about it! Nothing can change things!”
Seth ruefully muttered.
“Hey, you okay?” Wes asked softly.
“Sure! Why wouldn’t I be?” Seth sneered as he
rolled over to put an end to the conversation, the protective wall of feigned indifference
back in place.
Wes had listened politely, but he was not in
the least convinced. For a moment, he had glimpsed another Seth. The one
without the caustic tongue and the bravado he put on for show. ‘Not so tough
after all,’ Wes thought to himself. It was all an act, this tough guy and man
about town facade; anything to hide his fears. Wes could identify with him. Hadn’t
he himself done something similar for years? The only difference was he had
been born with money and luck on his side, and Seth hadn’t. He had all the
breaks and Seth had none.
The sun had been down for a couple of hours
when most the men brought their day to a close. One by one or in small groups,
they left the camaraderie of the campfire and sought out their beds. The four
remaining members of the council quietly discussed their concerns and
insecurities in whether they were managing the community correctly; feeling
somewhat overwhelmed by the responsibilities placed on them.
Thomas sat staring into the fire with his
thoughts in the past, when he was pulled from his musings by the squirming of
the warm head that lay in his lap. Galen had wanted to stay with him through
the watch but had fallen asleep a while back. Thomas knew the lad had put in a
full day, starting with running away into the woods and getting the fright of
his life from that boar, through his physical exam and ending with their discussion
of rules and discipline.
‘The poor kid’s exhausted. He really should be
in bed,’ the older man thought. With that, he scooped the small body up in his
arms and took him to the tent they shared with Quentin, Kelby, Troy and
Levi. Once he had Galen tucked in with plenty of warm covers, Thomas returned
to the fireside. This time his musing was interrupted by Aiden’s softy spoken
query.
“So ye think we handled the preamble of a
structured society in an acceptable manner?” Aiden asked no one in particular,
as he poked at the dying embers of what had not long ago been a roaring fire.
He added more wood to prevent it from going out altogether, as the night watch
would need the warmth.
“I believe we gave as good an introduction as could
be done,” Lakota answered. “As we said when we were first discussing this, we
need to give constructive rules and discipline for us all to live by or accept
anarchy, fear and loss. My mother’s people lived by tribal laws and discipline
that make these seem liberal indeed in comparison. We all want to do more than
survive. We want to grow into a sustainable community and for that we must have
structure.”
“Aye, and we can only do our best!” Aiden
thoughtfully replied.
Thomas looked to the other men. “We owe it
to the younger men to provide them with security. Some are barely more than
boys torn from their mother’s care.”
“That is true enough,” Larry quietly agreed,
thinking of Jordan, Kelby and Galen. “Even the few trying so hard to be brave are
really scared to death,” he murmured.
“Fear is healthy,” Lakota pointed out. “It is
what will help us survive. However, it must be accompanied by hope. We must
give the younger ones reason to see a hopeful future, with prosperity for all.”
Thomas sighed before sombrely adding, “I only
hope we are up to the challenge. For if we are not, I fear for all our
survival.”
“By working together and supporting one another
as a team, we’ll do what has to be done and do it well!” Aiden stubbornly
vowed.
“Well on that note, I’m going to turn in as
there will be a lot to do tomorrow.” Larry spoke around a huge yawn as he stood
up and stretched.
“I, too, will bid you goodnight,” Lakota said
as he rose. “I have a final check of the infirmary before I can sleep and examinations
to perform tomorrow.”
“I will also wish ye all a good night’s sleep,”
Aiden said, lumbering to his feet.
“Good night, Gentlemen!” Thomas replied to the
departing men.
“We will see you all in the morning,” Quentin
called out as he returned from retrieving his inventory list to sit closer to
the fire with Thomas. “And our watch begins!” he pleasantly confirmed.
TBC….
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