The Path One Follows

The Storm That Rages On

Tad met with Nafke and Fevor at the stables. The rest of the caravan arrived in waves shortly after. The plan put before the group in no way sounded like it was based on reality. If these two were serious, it would solve their problems. Tad asked about their third man, Doc.

"We won't be informing him off this endeavor. Doc has no moral compass. If his ass knew about this plan, we'd have to come up wtth something else. He'll steal from anyone and attempt to seduce any woman regardless of availability. He'd sell you lot out if the price was right. He'd great in missions that have clear targets for us to remove from the mortal plain. He'll slit someone's throat without blinking an eye. Probably even mind if Fevor here wasn't so protective over his friends."

Fevor sort of grunted in agreement but it had a tone of chagrin as well.

Tad was perplexed.

"Ok, Nafke, does he communicate in just grunts? Cause either I'm blind for the looney bin, or I'm already starting to understand him. "

Nafke smiled back.

"He can speak, but as you've discovered, he doesn't have to to get his point across. I wouldn't care if he was mute, there's no one more loyal. Ok, let's forget his autobiography for now. We need to focus."

Tad concentrated once again on the planning.

"You'll all need to meet us behind the fort at first light. There's a rear door that has been sealed so long that no one knows it's even there. You may be better off leaving your horses, depending on how alert everyone is. Once outside, Fevor will cover the entrance again and make his way out. We need a head start on the Hunters if we are to get away. After a spell, they won't be able to keep up no matter what they do. I'm gonna ride out tonight and look for your friend. If he was headed towards Flint's base camp, I have a good idea which way he will be riding in from. Once I locate him, I'll bring him with me to our destination. No point in bringing him in to sneak out. It would draw too much attention. "

"Any it wouldn't make sense for us to leave tonight because we need Flint focused on the fort. That's pretty well thought out. There are an awful lot of moving parts on this plan. Makes me ac but wary."

"No worries, Tad. I have some back up plans just in case. Everything else depends on the ability of you and your people to get out of here. After that, it would be smooth sailing. "

Tad stood silently a moment. There was a lot riding on these two men he'd just met. It was the best chance to keep these people alive.

"Ok. We're in. I'll start preparing on my end. When you meet up with Grant, be sure to call him a s**t stain. That way he'll know you're with me. Can't be too cautious."

"What if it's not him and i pissed off some stranger?"

"Keep your gun close and be sure to draw faster than the other guy. "

Nafke laughed out loud at that answer.

"I think I'm going to like traveling with you. I'm gonna head out in about fifteen minutes. Fevor, be sure you help get them out of here. I don't doubt you will, but sometimes I need to say it out loud to remind myself that it's gonna go perfect."

Nafke patted Fevor on the back and headed towards the general store. Gathering up last minute supplies. Fevor took Tad to show him the market stall that hid the rear exit. Everything was in place. He just needed Grant to return.

The farm wives would start moving the supplies in short order. Thank the patriarchy for misogyny he'd thought. If the men started gathering, people would talk, but the women could get around almost without notice. It may be wrong headed, but tonight their ignorant ways were going to serve a purpose. Most of the men would be in the tavern. They'd be in plain sight. It was right at nightfall when a stranger approached Tad at the tavern.

"Excuse me, sir. I heard tale that you were looking to have an audience with Jackal. I'm here to escort you to the meeting."

"You are correct. I did, but it had gotten so late that I thought he'd gotten busy. If he's a busy man I can speak to him tomorrow. "

"I don't think you understand. My master is expecting you. You'll go see him now. "

The man was armed. Tad was sure if it. He didn't appear as someone who was used to being told no. The whole plan would be for nothing if they were to make a scene.

"Simmer down, compadre. I didn't say I wouldn't go. I merely suggested I didn't want to trouble the man. No need to get antsy in the pantsy. Let's head on out and meet the boss."

Tad nodded at the others. Fevor didn't seem to be paying attention, but Tad was sure he saw the man tense up a bit. They hadn't even gotten started and this was the first kink in the plan.

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The walk didn't take long as the man led Tad to what looked like a mansion of wood. It was nicer than anything else he'd seen in this backwards ass fort. The door opened quietly and two men stood guard by the entrance. He hoped they were to keep trouble out, but he was worried they were there to keep him in. It was silent as they made their way to a dining hall. It was mostly empty.

A man sat eating at the head of the table. Even if Tad didn't know his face, it was easy to identify him as Jackal.

"Lord Jackal. I've brought the man who requested an audience."

"Thank you, Jones. That'll be all for now. "

Giving a slight now, Jones left the room before Jackal spoke.

"When I heard a strange man was requesting an audience, I have to admit, I almost declined. I am rather busy most days. Then rumors started to spread. People gossip at anything to break the boredom. Imagine my surprise when one of my men, James to be exact, said that he knew the face of the man. I had to see it to believe it."

Jackal stood and offered Tad a seat.

"It's been a long time, Tad. Honestly, I believed you dead. When you didn't return to the Hunters, I knew something had to of gone wrong. I will admit, I never thought for a moment that you would've abandoned your position like that. Id love to hear about that. "

"I appreciate your curiosity in regards to my health, but I'm inclined to believe that it's not a secret at all why I would've left."

" You got me there. I knew about your family. I'll be buggered if I wasn't there when it happened. My men made short work of them all. I thought you must've offed yourself. Yet, here you are. "

Tad clenched his fists. He'd never been able to discover which group had done the deed. Now here he stood. Striking distance from the man who had ordered the murder of his family. A rage burned got in his mind.

"In that case, why shouldn't I kill you where you stand, Jackal?"

"That's because he'd never have met you alone. "

Tad turned his head toward the voice that had entered the room. If Nafke hadn't warned him, he'd believe it a ghost.

"Flint."

"Hello, Tad. How's life?"