| |
“I realize that a strong leader is needed and wonder how such a person would go about reuniting such a fragmented society.”
History of a Changed World, Angus T. Moss
––––––––
TILLY ATTENDED THE meeting that Angus had called. Martin was helping himself to tea when she arrived in her husband’s office. “Please tell me there is no crisis,” she said. “I’ve got a million things to get done before dinner.”
“Crisis averted,” Martin said glumly.
“Then why don’t you sound happy?” Tilly asked.
Angus looked up from his pile of papers. “Because it was just a precursor.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
Martin poured a second cup then handed it to Tilly. “There was an attack on Creamery, but it didn’t do much besides scare them.”
“And you think the raiders’ll come back?”
“I think it was a test. They wanted to suss out their strengths.” Martin leaned back in the chair with a low grumble. “I think we need to get a few more people over there pronto.”
“How many can we spare?” Tilly asked.
“Well, we’ve got strong physical defenses here because we can shut the storm shutters and that will repel anything short of a bomb. Creamery is too wide open. They haven’t finished their fence. And from the sound of it, they won’t any time soon.”
“So grab some men and help them put it up,” Tilly said smartly.
“Ah, love it isn’t that easy,” Angus interjected. “They need to cut trees to make planks to build the fence. It’s a very laborious project when you can’t just run out to the lumber store.”
“Oh.” Tilly didn’t want another problem. She had more than enough of them right now. Snowball trotted into the office and began sniffing the cuffs of Martin’s pants. The kitten distracted her, letting her mind wander. Sometimes she got her best solutions that way. “What about Barberry Cove?”
“The children?” Angus asked with a puzzled frown.
“It’s a saw mill.” She fought to keep a straight face as the men shared a look. “Maybe they have some lumber.”
“And a truck,” Martin said with a hint of longing in his voice.
“Would having the fence finished help?” Angus asked Martin.
“It would help to channel the fight. As it is now, the raiders can come out from the woods just about anywhere. That scatters the defenders, and they have too few to do that. If they can make defensive positions around the fenced areas, they’d be in much better shape.”
“Send Jim up to the mill to see what kind of supplies they’ve got before we get too carried away,” Tilly said, knowing that she overstepped her bounds. “Does that do it?” She stood.
Angus raised a hand to stop her. “No, dear, I’m sorry, there’s more.”
Weariness pressed down on her. “It’s that man we threw out, isn’t it?” she lamented. “I knew we would have more trouble from him.” She sank back into her seat.
“Could be,” Martin grumbled. “But seems he’s found some friends.”
“We’ve gotten a new report from Stan.” Angus patted a sheaf of papers on his lap. “Excellent overview of the situation. I’m very glad to say I think Creamery is in good hands.”
“But...” Tilly prompted.
“They killed three cows.”
“That’s horrible. Why would they be that stupid?” Tilly was instantly furious. She hated reckless violence like that. Killing a milk cow, when they were so rare, took food out of everyone’s mouth.
“To eat I suppose,” Angus said absently.
“Oh.” Tilly shook her head. “That’s a lot of meat. How many are there?”
“Enough,” Angus said pointing to his papers. “The skirmish lasted two days. By the time they got to the cows, the meat was spoiled.”
“It hasn’t been that hot...” Tilly began, knowing she couldn’t change the situation but needing to argue it all the same.
Angus sighed. “I don’t have the expertise to dispute that.” His blue eyes had lost their twinkle. “If they say the meat was lost, I will believe them. My concern is how badly it has impacted Creamery. They are frightened and disheartened. Those cows had names and had been around since before Zero Year. It’s like losing beloved pets. They are in mourning but still trying to prepare for another attack.”
Tilly thought back to the day after the fight in the tunnels. She’d been deeply shaken, and they hadn’t lost anyone. Hiding in the chapel with the families and elders of High Meadows had made her feel useless, and painfully vulnerable. “They need to know how to fight back,” she said not realizing she’d spoken aloud.
“We can send a few more men, maybe some of the new automatic weapons−“ Martin began.
“No,” she cut him off. “They need fall back shelters for the women and children. You need to give some of the women weapons. If they are safe, the men can fight easier, and the women will feel more in control.”
Angus cocked his head. “They have an underground storage area for the cheese. That would make the best shelter.” He made notes on a pad. “You’ve given me some ideas my dear.”
Tilly gave him a firm nod. Maybe she would ask Martin to set up some shooting lessons to make sure everyone at High Meadow knew how to handle a gun. The idea scared the wits out of her. She knew not everyone could kill a man at point blank range, but if it came to something like the massacre at Riverbank... “I think we should stash weapons in the kitchen, gym, showers and Wardrobe.”
Martin raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Why?”
“Riverbank,” she said, her voice suddenly unsteady. Nick’s description of the massacre there was her worst nightmare. “They didn’t see it coming. A man could come in here and start shooting. By the time you got to the armory...” Tilly pressed her lips together to stop them from trembling. Angus leaned over to squeeze her hand.
“I think you are right,” he said. “Martin, I’d like you to see to that right away. Let the Watch know about it, and whoever else you deem trustworthy.”
“Weapons and ammunition,” he mumbled.
“Send Jim to check out the lumber possibilities. While he’s gone, I’ll work on that plan for Creamery. If we’re lucky, we can get some help to them by tonight.”
The run of emotions had drained her. “Are we done?” Tilly asked.
“One last thing,” Angus said. “Creamery’s sent us a dozen or so more people.”
“What?” Tilly started to her feet, but sat again. “Where are they?”
“Lottie conscripted them all. She’s got half of them pulling diseased plants and the other half preparing a new field for the sorghum. And Joshua has gifted us with a sack of rye seed in thanks for the safe birth of their daughter. So they are sorting out where they can plant that.”
“Rye?” Tilly’s mouth watered at the thought of rye toast with butter. “I wonder if Bruno can track down some caraway.”
Angus laughed. “Oh my dear, you amaze me. I just dumped a pile of problems into your lap, and you are dreaming of chickens that haven’t even been laid yet.” He winked at her. “I thought about some lovely rye bread, too. I remember a good Jewish deli my parents used to take me to...ahh, the breads they had.” He sighed dramatically.
“They haven’t even put the seed in the ground,” Martin grumbled. “Don’t get me thinking about bread when I might have to wait months for it.”
Tilly got to her feet, feeling a little overwhelmed. “I’d better go check in with the greeting committee and warn the kitchen.” She hurried out of the room concentrating on the newcomers, because thinking about Creamery brought her back to Riverbank and all those innocent people gunned down with no warning at all.