The Path One Follows

The Way Forward

Grant was ready for this meeting. This was Tad's run, but when the s**t hits the fan, Grant had more experience. Familiar faces were in the tent now. Frank had joined them. Greg and Simon had survived being lookouts. They most likely hid, but would never admit it. Not to mention the fact that Grant sent them because they had no other family on the trip. Their deaths would've been less noticeable. It was a cold calculation, but necessary. There were three other men, but he wasn't familiar with them. It didn't matter. They had to get this done. He was only slightly disappointed that Jolie hadn't joined them. She'd been the greatest help so far. He wouldn't request her though. Her husband would stand for their family.

"Alright everyone. We have a big issue. I was careless and let myself get shot. Now we are behind. We need to prepare ourselves to move on. Those are Hunters that I killed. Sooner or later they will be missed. I plan to be far away from here when that happens. I'm in no shape to ride, but I'll put together some kind of wagon. Anything that hasn't already been looted or destroyed will be going with us. We will need to rig another wagon. I know a ravine along this path that we can put it all to rest in. Have the bodies been dealt with?"

Tad spoke up, "We buried the bodies in a small cave and put dirt and stones to block the entrance. At a glance, it looks like a small rock slide. We took the liberty of prepping the wagons you mentioned. I had seen you work before. We have a makeshift medical wagon, but we'll have to secure a driver for it. Frank and the boys have been hard at work. We could leave at first light if necessary."

Grant just nodded in approval.

"That's perfect. I feel a little better about being a burden. We will need to move carefully and watch the weather. Let's start prepping to leave. Tad this is your baby, but I'm gonna help all I can until we are a few days out from here. Anyone have any matters to address?"

Frank looked as if he might speak up, but held his tongue. Greg and Simon just tried to be invisible. The others looked ready to work.

"Alright. Guess we didn't need this meeting for any other reason than to keep me from getting an ulcer. Thanks for dropping in everyone."

They gave their departing acknowledgements and went to prepare. Tad stayed and talked a while. Frank hovered a minute and left. Something was going on with that one.

"Tad, why is Frank being more weird than usual? I swear he acts like he can't speak to me."

"I hear tale that he's got some kind o beef with you. They say he asked you questions that you wouldn't answer. If I were him, I think I'd be more worried that Jolie hasn't left your side this entire time. She even slept in the floor. Said your fever couldn't be ignored. Of course, you know how people talk. Rumors are she's got eyes for a....."real man". Frank hasn't said anything about it. Now that you're out of danger, things might normalize."

That was something to think about. Well he had no intentions of interfering with their marriage. It was a response to the trauma he was sure. They talked a little longer until Tad left. There was plenty of time to think. He wouldn't be doing much else for the next few days. Jolie was an amazing woman. If she hadn't had someone, he might've been more inclined to entertain the idea. That was something he'd not need to think about. As he lay there contemplating, the screaming could be heard again.

Tad came rushing back in.

"Oh yeah. I may have forgotten to mention one other small problem...."

Tad explained that they had found prisoners in the Hunter's wagons. Besides two women they'd apprehended before they attacked, there were two others. They'd obviously been abused by their captors. Whenever a man got close, they'd scream like banshees. One of them was showing progress at calming. The other only seemed to get worse.

"They are going to be a lot of trouble on the road if we can't get through to both of them. The two women they'd just captured want to thank you as well. I couldn't just take the credit. They've offered to take care of the medical wagon. Colleen has experience with being a coachman....uhh...coach woman. Leanna used to be a nurse for her village doctor. She's pretty green, but Jolie had been showing her the ropes. Sandra is the woman that's making progress. We're not sure what the other woman's name is. She was like that's when Sandra was captured. Those Hunters are sick. They've had to of done unspeakable things to them. I'd probably scream as well. "

"Are there any more surprises? I surely hope not. Let's plan for the two former prisoners to ride in the wagon with me. I might be able to help with that at least."

"You got it. No one else wants them anyway."

Grant sighed. There was always a wrench in the works. He'd deal with it. It's what he did. They finished up talking and Grant was close to ready to sleep. Jolie brought in more soup. That would hit the spot for sure. After finishing up he thanked her and started dozing off. There was a vague awareness of his forehead being checked and the feeling of being tucked in. The lights were out, and he could've sworn he felt a peck on the cheek. Then darkness made it all seem a dream.