Chief Darwin Gladue had repeatedly rehearsed what he would say to the tribe, playing to his strengths and their weaknesses. He would downplay the deaths while accentuating the expansion of their territory to include Banff. Of course, he would gloss over some information, holding back the inconvenience that the small community was overrun with cannibalistic Huskers. It was a formality, one that could be easily remedied with a heavily armed platoon of Braves.
Dark circles underscored puffy, red eyes, causing him to look beleaguered but not beaten. It was a look he hoped would save him from mutiny. When they’d returned with far fewer Braves than expected, an undercurrent of scorn and revolt had already begun. What did they expect? You can’t conquer a nation without killing a few of the brave, as well as the bad, he’d thought. They needed to see him as a triumphant leader, battling in the ranks alongside his Braves. Any unspoken disapproval must be squashed or spun into admiration for a leader who was willing to sacrifice for the greater good and the cause.
Trevor Arcand had been assigned the unfortunate duty of posting a list of the dead and missing. It was extensive. He wandered about the community in the early morning hours after their arrival, spreading propaganda and a slanted view of what had happened. The story was a hastily prepared rehashing of the night’s events, choreographed perfectly by the chief himself. They had been in the process of negotiating a fair withdrawal of the town site, when they were handily bushwhacked. The Banff survivors, led by the unscrupulous Mountie, had somehow managed to enslave the Huskers, who swept down on the peaceable tribesmen before they had a chance to escape. Lou had returned with proof: an injured Ponyrider and extensive tales of mindless slaughter and mayhem. The version of events had played well, swinging anger away from Gladue and placing it where they wanted it – on the RCMP Officer and the hostages.
At 10:00 a.m., Darwin stood before his people, a humble, yet defiant variant of his former self. Some of it was a well-played act, but he remained true to the vision and the dream of a united people, living on lands, which were historically and rightfully theirs. He was not heartless. Lives were taken, relationships forever severed, and friends lost who would never return. For these, he was sorrowful, knowing many in the congregation were heartsick as well. However, on a higher level: one where he was the only person capable of understanding, he saw a bigger picture. Sacrifice was inevitable – nothing, of any value, was worth having without the ultimate sacrifice of a few. He believed blood spilt on Alberta soil would form the mortar necessary to bind the people of mixed tribes together, first mending their hearts and then their souls.
Chief Gladue had addressed his friends, neighbors and dissenters as a collective: one in purpose and need. He even managed to shed a few tears as he summed up his remarks, recommitting himself to victory and calling upon his people for their ongoing support. Many bolstered his mandate, whooping his name and crying for revenge on the Mountie and the Huskers, a response that brought a smile to Lou and Trevor. GAW operatives strategically positioned around the room noted those who’d cowed away from the thunderous appreciation. They would be watched for further signs of disloyalty and evicted if Darwin saw them as any kind of a threat to him or his goals.
“What’d you think?” Darwin asked his security man, as the crowd began to thin.
“Almost made me cry,” Lou responded.
“Bull,” Chief Gladue blurted out, fighting back the need to laugh. In all the years I’ve known you I’ve never seen you shed a tear.”
“That was before today and the death of so many.” The two men stepped from the small, elevated stage and made their way down a narrow hallway that led to Darwin’s office. “I’m not joking. I’m a changed man, Darwin.”
“Changed?”
“If you would’ve found them boys I sent after that big Husker, you’d be changed too. I can’t get their faces out of my head. It was an easy assignment: track the guy down and take him out.” The big man’s voice quivered ever so slightly.
“Like you said, it was an easy job. They just screwed up.”
“I’m trying to see it that way, believe me, but . . .”
“You going soft on me?” Darwin interjected, as they stepped into his office.
“Hell no. What kind of a question is that? You tell me whose ass needs kicking and I’ll do it right now, but the killin’ . . . and the Huskers have got me spooked.”
The men sat on opposite sides of the large conference table, the same that had taken a pistol round from a hothead only days before. Darwin kicked his boots up onto the table and leaned back, interlacing his fingers to support his head. His security man rested his forearms on his thighs and rolled his thumbs, as he looked into his hands.
“Lou, there isn’t a Husker out there that can match you. I mean, how many did you have to take down to get away last night? I can’t even imagine what you went through to survive, but I’m glad you did.”
“Me too,” Lou replied, smiling. “It was insane. That’s for sure. So many, so out of control. Our Braves dropping all around me and I couldn’t help . . . I couldn’t. I just kept thinkin’ I was a dead man.”
“You’ve been spared for a higher purpose. Do you believe that?”
As his thumbs continued to spin, Cardinal looked across the table to see the sincerity in his friend’s face. “For what? I don’t have anybody: no family, no real friends but you. What’ve I got to offer, other than a couple of strong fists and a hard head?”
“Exactly, just what I need right now. God’s given us a divine purpose and we each play a part. Yours is uniquely yours: a job nobody else can perform. You have the skills, the size and the strength to see it through and I need you. You may not believe it, but I want you to know that I do.” Darwin grinned and winked his assurance, knowing that he’d touched the big fellows heart.
“I appreciate that Darwin. We’ve seen a lot together, that’s for sure. You know I’ve got your back.”
“I know you do, now bring me that big mouthed school teacher. I feel like playing.”
“You got it. I’ll be back in a few. What should I do with the rest?”
“For now,” the chief said slowly, while he thought, “keep them locked up and away from the tribe. I don’t want them sharing their version of events and spoil the momentum we’ve got going. Have Trevor see to their needs – food, bathroom, but keep them quiet and secure.”
The door swung shut behind Lou, easing Gladue’s mind and freeing him for a few minutes of sleep. He slipped away, fast and hard, so much so that he did not dream.
Darwin awoke a few moments later to the sound of a woman clearing her throat. When she saw his lids flutter, she spoke, “You wanted to see me?”
Somewhat startled, the chief lurched from his relaxed position, pulling his feet from the table and tipping himself forward to rest his arms on the tabletop. “Yeah, where’s Lou?”
Mick looked over her shoulder, shrugged but did not reply.
“I see. How long you standing there?” he asked.
“Long enough I could’ve slit your throat if I had a knife.”
“Well, then it’s a good thing you didn’t. You hungry?”
The teacher shifted her weight from one foot to the next. She looked tired but stern, her teeth clenched and jaw set. “Is that why you wanted to see me? If so, yes I’m hungry but not as hungry as those little kids you’ve taken prisoner.”
“I’ve seen to their needs. They’re being fed while we speak. You satisfied?”
Her countenance softened but only slightly. “Perhaps. What do you intend to do with us? We serve no purpose. We’re just more mouths to feed. Can’t you see that?”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You’ll be useful, in more ways than you might imagine,” Darwin said, walking across the room to stand behind her. “Yup, certainly a valuable catch. That’s for sure.”
Mick could feel and smell his liquor-tainted breath as it swirled around her neck and then face. “Let me guess. You need a teacher.” She said, caustically.
“Not quite what I had in mind. Perhaps something a bit more . . . personal, shall we say.” As he spoke, he attempted to caress the roundness of her shoulder, but she recoiled and spun to face him, sickened by his touch. “You think you’ll make me your whore?”
Gladue smiled broadly before laughing deeply. “Oh, you flatter yourself more than you know and whore is such an ugly word. I was hoping we might come to some sort of a mutually beneficial arrangement.” As he spoke he shortened the distance between them, enjoying how his closeness made the teacher tense up.
“I’ll bet you would,” she sneered, drawing both fists into powerful little balls.
He looked at her clenched hands and grinned. “You don’t want to do that. You see, Miss, we have limited resources. That will change, but for now we have certain allocations to be made. Those that are valuable, like my Braves, take priority and get fed first. The healthy are next and finally the sick and children. You getting my drift?”
“How could I miss it? You’ll starve the kids if I don’t concede.”
“That’s one way of putting it. On the other hand, I could just turn you out, make you the slut you’re so worried about becoming.”
“You know I’ll kill you if given the chance.”
Darwin smiled and closed to within a few inches of her face, cupping her jawline with both hands. “You truly are beautiful. It would be a shame to take that away from you.” The threat, perhaps intended to be veiled, was not, sending a shiver through Mick. She closed her eyes and debated driving a knee into his groin, but rejected the idea when she remembered the children who would need her help.
Chief Gladue was thrilled she’d caved so easily. The way she bristled against his touch electrified him and he was anxious to claim her more fully, but it would have to wait. He’d had his fun for now. She’d be deliciously defiant, just the way he wanted her.
Mick was surprised when he removed his hands and stepped back to his desk.
“There is one other thing, Mick. It’s hardly worth mentioning but you’ll need to know.”
“Fine. What’s that?” she grumbled, finally relaxing the muscles in her hands.
“You are responsible for your group. You, solely you, will face my wrath if anyone steps out of line. Someone tries to escape or hurts one of my tribe, you will be punished: the severity to be at my behest. Let me warn you – it will not be pretty. You and your group are not to speak to anyone unless you are spoken to, at least for now. Is that clear?” Gladue asked, leaning forward to emphasize his point.
“Got it, no speaking unless spoken to. Does that apply to the children?”
“Absolutely. What goes for one goes for all. We will provide you with blankets, bathroom breaks and enough food to sustain you, but for now, that may be it. Don’t ask or expect more.”
“You’re too kind,” Mick said sarcastically.
“I was thinking the same thing. Mick, I wish you could see the bigger picture. You could give yourself to something great, a new future. Tribes and bands are migrating to us as we speak. Before long we’ll be hundreds and then thousands.”
“Sounds lovely. One big, happy family – that about it?”
“One day, yes. I’ll expect . . .”
The door suddenly swung open and Trevor stepped in. “Sorry, Chief. Lou caught one of the prisoners trying to escape. Thought you’d like to know.”
“Where is he?” the chief grumbled.
“Just outside. Got a couple of my men watching him,” Arcand excitedly responded.
Darwin walked slowly around the table to bring himself in front of the young woman. “You see what I’m trying to avoid? I can’t have you and your people creating problems for me.” Gladue turned and instructed the slim GAW leader to bring the would-be escapee into the office.
As the middle-aged man entered the room, Mick called out, “Glen, what were you thinking? There’s no where to go.” The chief immediately glared at her, shutting her mouth.
“Glen, I was just having a conversation with your friend here and your . . . behavior will dramatically help me demonstrate the point I was just making.” Darwin took a quick half step toward Mick and without warning swung his right hand in an accelerated arc, striking her firmly across the cheek with the back of his hand. Glen lunged to lash out but was restrained by the two sentries.
“You lowlife . . . hitting a woman. Can’t you take it out on me?” Glen blurted out.
“Nope . . . no can do,” Darwin said, rubbing the back of his bruised knuckles. Mick spat a bloody wad of phlegm at his feet and he swung his hand again, stopping it just before impact. “Don’t try me, Mick. You will not like the outcome.” He grabbed the woman’s clothing at her throat and dragged her to stand in front of the Banff native. Blood trickled from a split lip and swelling was already raising the skin under a red whelp. “This is the message I want you to take back to the others. You act out . . . you do anything contrary to my liking and Mick pays the price. That goes for any of you. Is that understood?”
Glen looked at Mick and then back to Gladue but did not readily respond. The big chieftain tilted his head slightly to the left and raised a brow, anticipating some formal reply. When one did not come forth the chief reached up to Mick’s face and pinched the injured, tender flesh between his thumb and the knuckle of his forefinger. The action caused Mick to wince in pain but she held her tongue.
“Yes, Yes! I understand. We’ll do what you want,” an agitated Glen exclaimed, relaxing his arms against those who were holding him firm.
“Perfect,” Darwin said, releasing his menacing grip. “Sorry, Mick. I don’t have time for games. Better to set an example now with a slap than later with a bullet.” She fought back the urge to spit in his face, but resisted and nodded her acceptance.
Trevor had watched the episode, smirking the entire time and finding some sense of enjoyment from the exchange. When he could see that there would be no further violence, he disappointedly offered his chief one more bit of information, which had come his way just before bringing Glen in. “Chief, one last thing, we’ve got a plume of smoke drifting this way from the west. It’s your call. What should we do?”
“Interesting. Could be anything. Take our . . . school teacher and Glen back to their friends. Make sure she’s fed,” Darwin ordered, noting the longing look the GAW leader gave Mick, his eyes scanning her from head to toe, “and nothing else.”
“Yeah, right. I’ll take care of her.”
“Trevor, you think I’m playing with you? You do anything with the hostages other than what I’ve told you and you’ll be eviscerated right here on this table. You know what that means?”
The thin, young man glared at his ‘boss’. “I’m not stupid,” he said, grasping Mick’s arm and thrusting her forcefully from the room.
“Join me out front when they’re locked away.”
A few minutes later, Lou, Darwin and a few GAW Warriors stood looking to the west. Diffuse, wispy smoke traveled on the currents, alarming the men.
“Forest fire?” one of the young men asked.
“Not likely – not enough smoke,” another said.
“Banff? Is it possible that the Huskers managed to set fire to the inn, or somebody’s trying to signal us for help?” Lou suggested.
“I guess it’s possible but I don’t know how likely,” Gladue noted.
“Should we send somebody out?” the behemoth asked.
“Not just yet. Our radios still working?” the chief questioned.
“Far as I know,” Lou countered. “You think it’s Nowicki?”
“Well, I’d almost rather it be him than that big Husker you were talking about. If they’ve figured out how to use a rifle and more, we’re in serious trouble. So many of them – they could train up quite an army.”
“That would suck,” Lou said, trying to imagine how they’d cope with such an unlikely event.
The sound of someone running alerted the small group to Trevor Arcand’s arrival. “What’s going on? We got problems?”
“Not too sure, but I want you to give our sentries a head’s up – have ’em watch for the cop. One thing’s for sure: we’re not alone and we’ve made some powerful enemies in the past 24 hours. Tell ’em to stay sharp. If you can’t reach them by radio you personally visit and secure each location. Don’t underestimate our Mountie friend. He’s tough and he’s pissed. Don’t sell him short.”
When Trevor did not immediately depart on his assigned mission, Darwin looked at him incredulously and screamed into his face, “Now!”