Timecachers (61 page)

Once they were seated comfortably in the parlor, he listened to their complaints. They told him nothing he hadn’t already considered, including Alice’s biting remark that Sally probably wouldn’t be sick in the first place if she had not been incarcerated. He tried to remain unemotional as he addressed them.

“It matters not if I agree with you. As I told Mr. Rogers, the decision is not mine. My orders are to escort the group to Ross’s Landing, and have been told explicitly that no exceptions will be made. I also explained to him that his wagon would be returned and he should make room for his daughter to ride in it.”

“I understand that you must obey orders,” said Constance. “But that little child is so ill and frail. I cannot help but be concerned for her.”

“I am concerned for her as well,” he answered, “as I am for the many others who must make this journey. There are others who are also sick, elderly, and even lame. All I can do is to try and get as many safely to Ross’s Landing as I can.”

“I know you will do your best, James.” Constance saw through her husband’s veneer of professionalism, sensing the anguish he was attempting to hide. She changed the subject hoping to spare him any further pleading from Adam and Alice. “I should be used to the assignments that take you away from home, but I will miss you and pray for your swift, safe return, and for the safe passage of the poor souls you will be leading away from their homeland. At least this time I will have the company of our visitors while you are gone,” she said, smiling at her guests.

“I’m afraid,” Adam replied sheepishly, “that Alice and I have decided to go along to Ross’s Landing.”

Constance’s chin dropped. “Oh, my; you mustn’t do that. It is quite far, and you are not accustomed to traveling long distances on foot.”

Alice took her hand. “Constance, we didn’t make the decision lightly. We want to help our friends, and Sally has responded positively to my attention. Adam and I felt that my being there would be good for her. Your husband’s hands may be tied, but ours are not.”

“I’m sure she would like you with her, and your selflessness is admirable; but I don’t think you two realize how perilous that journey could be. Besides, it is a military operation and I don’t think you would be allowed to go. Isn’t that right, James?”

Captain Martin didn’t give her the answer she was hoping for. “Actually,” he said, “although it is a military operation, traveling to Ross’s Landing on public roads is not restricted. They are free to do as they wish. The military has no authority to prevent them from doing so.” He knew Constance would like their company while he was gone, but he felt their presence probably would be beneficial to the little girl. And they both seemed plenty healthy enough to make the trip without too much exertion. “Of course, they will not be given free passage on the river. They will either pay their own steamboat fare or return with me.”

“That is understood,” said Adam. “We’ll have to make that decision when we reach Ross’s Landing.”

Constance had grown fond of her guests and was not anxious to see them leave, especially if they could be putting themselves in harm’s way. She could, however, understand their reason for wanting to go, and respected them for it. “I suppose you are right, James; it is their decision. I still think it is rash, but if you are determined, I will pray for safe travel for you both.”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Alice said. “We appreciate your gracious hospitality, inviting us into your home as you did. As Adam said, we’ll decide about going on further west later. We have our other two traveling companions to consider.”

“Of course you are both welcome in our home when you return,” said the Captain. “When the time comes, Constance and I will assist with your travel arrangements back to your own homes in the east.”

Adam wished they really could help with those travel arrangements. He appreciated the sentiment and thanked them for their generosity.

Captain Martin stood, sighed heavily, and suggested, “Sunrise comes early, and tomorrow will be a long day. I advise we all turn in early tonight and get a good night’s sleep.”

They avoided any further discussion of Sally and tomorrow’s journey for the rest of the evening.

Chapter fifty

I
must enter the fort to speak with her,” said Guwaya.

They were the first words he had spoken since Tom and Sal had returned, informing him of Ahni’s condition and her decision not to allow a rescue attempt. They candidly reported the bleak facts, unsullied by any wisecracks from Sal. Guwaya had simply nodded and walked off away, then squatted with his shoulder propped against a tree. He remained that way for over an hour, staring into the depths of the forest. Yonah assured Tom and Sal that Guwaya would let them know how to proceed when he was ready. He bid them to remain silent and patient in the meantime.

“I’m not sure it would be a good idea for you to be seen inside the fort,” said Tom.

Guwaya was adamant. “I may not be able to enter through the gate as you did, but perhaps I can find a way to enter clandestinely. You have said the rear wall is not well reinforced. Maybe I can get in somehow. In any case, I cannot simply accept her refusal second hand. I must hear it from her directly, and have a chance to make an appeal. Furthermore, if she is as ill as you have said, it may be my last opportunity to….” He cast his eyes toward the ground, keeping his face stony in an effort to control a show of emotions.

Yonah, who had been quietly sitting and smoking during Guwaya’s musings, tapped out his pipe and purposely cleared his throat, indicating his intent to speak. “Guwaya, certainly you would want to see your mother when she is in ill health. But for you to enter the fort during daylight, whether through the gate or otherwise, is reckless. You would not be likely to convince Ahni to reconsider her decision by acting rashly. Nightfall will be upon us soon enough; would it not be wise to contact Jason Springwater under cover of darkness first? He could also inform Ahni of your intentions, so that she is not taken unawares in her frail condition.”

Guwaya tugged at his braids, pondering Yonah’s suggestion. “Perhaps it would be better to give her some time to prepare. And Springwater may be helpful finding an obscure weak point in the wall. Yes, I will accept your recommendation, Yonah.”

“In that case,” said Yonah, “let us reposition ourselves closer to the rear of the fort while we have some remaining daylight. The sun is setting quickly.”

The four men made their way around the perimeter of the fort, keeping well hidden from the watchtowers, until they found a spot from which they could see the entire length of the rear wall. There they would wait for enough darkness for Guwaya to make his approach. With little else they could do until then, they talked quietly, Tom and Sal giving Guwaya as good a verbal description of the inside of the fort as they could. Eventually the discussion returned to Ahni.

“I do not discount the seriousness of camp fever at Ahni’s age, yet I feel she may be refusing to escape the fort for fear she will jeopardize our family. I must try to convince her that this is not the case.” Guwaya glanced at Yonah, expecting him to sanction his decision.

To Guwaya’s chagrin, Yonah challenged him instead. “Are you certain that is the case? What of Ahni’s welfare? Would subjecting her to an arduous escape be more for her benefit, or yours? You may feel it is your obligation to return her to your family, but it will not be easy for her. She has lived a long life, most of it in service to her family. She has earned the right to a peaceful passing if that is her choice.”

Guwaya’s eyes momentarily flashed with irritation, and then softened as he considered the truth of Yonah’s words. “I am fortunate you are here to enlighten me. Of course you are right; I must keep in mind what is best for Ahni. Still, I wish to attempt to visit her and assess her condition for myself. At least then I will have the opportunity to say a final farewell if that is what is to be.”

“I would want the same,” said Yonah. “You must do so, however, only if there is minimal risk of your capture. That event would not only be disastrous for you, but for your family and Ahni. Your plan to contact Springwater is sound. Use his knowledge of the fort to get inside if it can be accomplished discretely.”

At that moment their attention was drawn to the sound of a bugle playing taps, indicating the day’s end and ordering lights out for the fort. “It is time,” said Guwaya. Without further words, he stood and began creeping stealthily toward the fort wall. The darkness covered his movements, leaving the remaining three with little more than an occasional glimpse of his silhouette until his shadow reached the wall, where it remained motionless. Guwaya had made contact with someone, hopefully the correct someone who would notify Jason Springwater and not alert the guards. They strained their eyes to watch, but the dim moonlight revealed no more than vague shadows. It was impossible to determine any more about what Guwaya was doing.

“One thing’s got me puzzled,” said Sal, oblivious to the tension. “When we were talking to Ahni, she said that she was going west to meet the others who had gone before her. Did she mean that she expected to recover and be sent to the western territory?”

Yonah shook his head and explained. “To the west lies the Ghost Land, Tsusginai, the place of death. She meant that she expected to die.”

Sal was rarely uncomfortable or at a loss for words. Right now he was both. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked to Tom for help with an appropriate response, but Tom offered none. The three men returned to watching the shadows in silence until Guwaya made his way back to their hiding place.

He reported his conversation. “Jason tells me it is possible to enter the fort unobserved, through a hole some of the men have dug under the wall. He indicated the place to me, and said that I must return in four hours, when the guards will be their least attentive and the patrols are fewer. I can then make my way to the barracks where Ahni is quartered, speak with her, and make my exit before sunrise. If Ahni is willing and able, she could exit the fort through the hole with me.”

“It would be wondrous if she is recovered and you can accomplish her escape. I will pray for that triumph,” Yonah said sincerely, although not without a trace of doubt in his voice. “I suggest we use the hours until then to get some rest. We shall take turns keeping watch while the others sleep. I will take the last watch to be sure and wake you at the proper time.” He marked the position of the moon, showing Tom and Sal the distance it would move as each hour passed.

Tom took the first watch, followed by Sal, then Yonah, who insisted that Guwaya rest undisturbed as he would need all his alertness to enter the fort. They all woke when Yonah alerted Guwaya that the time had come.

“If all goes well, I will return to this place well before sunrise. If Ahni is with me, we can be clear of the fort before the vendors start to arrive.” Guwaya accepted their final words of caution and made his way back to the appointed place in the fort wall, the others watching as before. This time he was even less visible; clouds had formed during the night, dimming the moonlight. He disappeared from view and it was impossible to tell if he had entered the fort.

“I can’t imagine how Ahni would have the strength to come back with Guwaya,” said Tom. “She was extremely weak when we saw her.”

Yonah nodded curtly, then raised his eyebrows and said, “Nevertheless, we should be prepared for her. While we wait Guwaya’s return, let us fashion a travois for her.”

“Fashion a travo-what?” Sal asked.

“A travois is like a v-shaped stretcher,” Tom answered for Yonah. “One end is narrow so it can be dragged by a single person. Do you think a travois will work on such hilly terrain, Yonah?”

“It will be good enough to help her part of the way, depending on her condition, and will be much easier on us to pull rather than carry. We may need to refashion it as a stretcher for part of the way.” Yonah was very doubtful that Ahni would agree to leave, but he would stay positive for Guwaya’s sake. Assembling the travois would also give the two white men something to do while they waited.

“We will need two long green poles of the same length and some strong vines to form a web between them. Tom, if you are familiar with a travois you know what we need. We must be quiet in our work; even though we are far enough from the fort, be cautious that the sound of our labors does not become too loud. Sounds can carry far on such a still night, and we do not want to endanger Guwaya by alerting the guards.”

Tom and Sal were able to find two sturdy saplings that had been recently cut, probably left over from the construction of the stockade. They lugged them back to Yonah, who was busily stripping leaves from the vines he had gathered. They were in the process of wrapping the vines around the poles when they were startled by Guwaya’s voice. He had returned much sooner than they expected.

“That will not be necessary,” he said, indicating the travois, his voice very low and somber.

“That was a quick trip, dude,” said Sal. “How is she doing? Wouldn’t she come with you?”

“It was not necessary to enter the fort,” he mumbled.

“Why the heck not?” Sal asked.

Tom and Yonah exchanged an unhappy glance. Tom placed a restraining hand on Sal’s shoulder and shook his head, halting any further questions.

“Springwater informed me that my mother passed away in the night,” Guwaya replied.

“It is a great loss to you, Guwaya. You will suffer, but hers has mercifully ended,” said Yonah. “I am sorry you did not get a chance to speak with her a final time.”