The New World: A Step Backward (7 page)

Thursday
~
August 8, 2075
~
7:00 am

After a decent rest, Bartuk was the first to rise.  He softly shook his buddy.  "Come on, wake up, sleepyhead."  Bartuk yawned, wiping his eyes with his shirt.  "It's time to get moving so we can cover Porcupine Forest today."

He nudged his friend, then folded his red and blue bedroll and stuffed it in his leather pack.  "You better get up now if you don't want to miss the action."  Prodding, he gently used his foot to push the procrastinator over.

"Okay, okay!  I'm awake.  Leave me alone." Tradulka shooed him off.  "You got that coffee going yet?  I need a shot of wake-up juice."  He slowly pushed his body up with his forearms but plopped back to the ground.

"Not yet, but I'm about to in a second," Bartuk sucked the cool, fresh air, filling his lungs as far as they would stretch.  "Ouch!"  He swatted his neck.  "Shivers!  I hate these pesky mosquitoes!" He waved his hands about his head to scare them off, but they kept swarming. 
I have to get away from here!  They're eating me alive!

He ran toward the beach, trying to escape the pests.  Suddenly, he stopped and whispered with his hands cupped around his mouth.  "Hey, come here — quick!  Look!  There's a couple of fox pups playing on the bank."

The frisky, reddish-brown playmates chased each other back and forth in circles.  They paused for a second, retreated, whirled, and charged each other again.  Right before they were about to collide, they leapt vertically, kicking each other with their hind feet then tumbling to the sand.

Bartuk laughed so loud the jittery pups scattered into the forest.  With the friskiness of the young acrobats subsiding, he headed back toward the campfire.

Before he got there, a thunderous splash broke the silence over the lake.  "Stunning!  Did you hear that?"  Turning around, he noticed the ripples drifting away from where the large bass broke the glassy surface.  "THAT has to get your blood churning!  Look, there's another one!"

Moving much quicker with the haze of sleep melting away, Tradulka hopped to his feet.  "Now I'm pumped!  Let's drink that coffee of yours and be on our way."

After tightly rolling his bedding and putting it in the tent, the two of them sat around, sharing a few jokes while they finished off the last drop of their brew.

Bartuk grabbed their aquaflasks.  "Why don't you take a handful of your tasty jerky for the trip.  I'll get some water."  He strolled to the nearby spring and topped off both of the containers designed to insulate the cold water and keep it cool most of the day.

His partner kicked dirt over the fire, stomped it out, and got the jerky.  Each snatched their bows and quivers, and off they went along the wildlife path.

As usual, Bartuk led the way.  "Did you hear the wolves howling last night?  They were whooping it up in the mountains."

"Naw, not me.  I was sound asleep."

Bartuk rolled his eyes.  "I swear, you could snooze through a buffalo herd stampeding through the camp."  He stretched his arms high.  "What a great morning — nice and cool for August.  Perfect for trouncing around in the woods, searching for four-headed mutants."

"Yea, but I could have used a few more winks before you interrupted my beauty rest."

"What do you mean?  I saved your butt.  If you'd gotten any prettier, some bear would have lugged you off into the woods.  The way I see it, you owe me."

Bartuk stopped and pointed at a spot near his feet.  "Let's start here today.  We'll use the same technique as yesterday.  This time don't be startled if I peg a tree with an arrow to let you know to come."

As they continued their scouting mission over the next couple of miles, Bartuk recalled lessons he received when younger.

His father had reminded him that their ancestors believed in fending for themselves.  He stressed the importance of being respectful of nature and to kill only for: food, hides for warmth, and protection from attacks or imminent threats to life.

Wolfuk had emphasized the necessity of patience and practice to successfully master the techniques for hunting and fishing.  He explained that woodsmen should constantly hone their skills and learn the most effective kill spots to minimize suffering of the targeted game.

Scampering over a shallow brook nearby, two rabbits broke Bartuk's train of thoughts, returning his attention to his mission at hand. 
I'm going to protect Ukkiville from imminent threats by killing a freakish beast today.

After spending much of the day investigating noises and movement to little avail, he and his fellow hunter approached the edge of the forest by a grassy opening.  A lone, massive oak stood in the green meadow nearby. 
Those whitetail sure love acorns.

Bartuk glanced as his friend.  "Remember the herd of deer munching on those extra large acorns beneath that tree last year?"

Nodding, a big grin formed across Tradulka's face.  "Yea, I'll never forget that massive, 12-point buck standing on its hind legs to stretch into the branches for some choice morsels."

Bartuk motioned to continue toward the glade at the fringe of the woods. 
We can't afford any rustling leaves or snapped twigs this close.
  He raised his finger to his lips.  "Shhh, hide behind the brush for cover."

Before they reached the clearing, Bartuk carefully looked around the edge of a cluster of red-tipped sumac and mouthed.  "There it is."  He pointed toward the tree in the meadow about 60 yards off.

A towering stag with a gigantic rack stood calm under its shade.  As the serene beast proceeded to eat, oblivious to their approach, Bartuk heard the crunching of acorns between the brute's teeth.

He squinted and discerned at least ten well-defined tines of the beautifully-shaped antlers of the enormous animal.  Bartuk leaned back then forward, squinting harder. 
Blazes!
  He whispered.  "See those legs.  That's not our buck."

Tradulka peeked from around the thicket.  "What is that thing?  It has thick, furry legs and large pads for feet."

Bartuk scratched his head.  "That's got to be one of Zolokt's concoctions.  We need to kill the muclone and get it to Intellulka."

As they positioned themselves, the unearthly deer lumbered toward what appeared to be a large, black boulder.  It snorted and recoiled, staring intently at the object.

Bartuk's breathing grew more shallow and swifter.  He squeezed Dream in his palm.

Lowering its antlers, the wary stag pawed the soil, inching toward the rock while sniffing the earth.  It kept snorting, shooting puffs of dust from beside each nostril.

Tradulka craned his neck and leaned forward.  "That buck is spooked about something!"

The cautious animal's snout slowly neared the coal-black boulder.  As the deer's nose barely touched the rock, a cloud of debris exploded in the air, and the helpless stag struggled for its life flopping back and forth on the ground.

Jolted by a tsunami of confusion as horrific, crunching noises tormented his imagination, Bartuk jerked back.  "What on earth is that?"

A gruesome fiend, sporting huge, protruding jaws lined with long rows of jagged teeth and razor tusks, had the powerless whitetail by the throat, strangling it.  The vicious predator had a large, round, black body covered by wiry hair, but the head was brown with a scaly, reptilian appearance.

Tradulka turned toward Bartuk.  "It must have buried itself in the sand to hide from the deer.  What seemed to be an enormous rock was actually the back of the grotesque monster."

Bartuk put his hand on Tradulka's shoulder.  "We need to take both of them out at the same time.  But first, we must work our way closer to get a better mark and ensure a kill shot."  He motioned them onward as they crouched and inched nearer their targets.

As they approached, Bartuk whispered.  "This should be close enough.  Get ready — on my count of three."  They positioned the arrows, drew the strings, and raised their bows.  "One — two — three!"  They both let go — the arrows flew — pffft.  He and his partner hit the targets.

The mutant with its jaws around the other let loose a nerve-wracking squeal, rolling over and over again.  Finally, it rested in place and twitched for a few seconds — then lay motionless.  The buck, near lifeless from the attack, died instantly.

Bartuk's eyes bulged.  "You have to be kidding.  I've never seen anything like that."  His fingers trembled from the adrenaline still coursing through his body.  "I'm just thankful neither of them ran off."

Raring to go, Tradulka quickly advanced towards the creatures.  "I've got to see this."

Bartuk ran to catch him.  "Be careful.  We need to make sure they're dead before getting too close.  Let's not take any chances.  If one rises and flees, it could hurt someone.  You shoot the whitetail, I'll go for the other, whatever it is.  Let's put another arrow in each to make sure.  One — two — three."

They let the shafts fly; both struck their marks again.  The tenacious predator shrieked and tried to stand, but collapsed.

Tradulka's mouth gaped wide open.  "I'm sure glad you suggested that."

Walking up close, they used their bows to prod each of the disgusting beings.  There was no movement.

Bartuk leaned over the carnivore with the long snapper.  "How is this possible?  This looks like a wild boar — body and tusks, but with a crocodile head.  It's a miracle nobody's been killed by this thing before."

Tradulka inspected the stag.  "See these paws?  These are cougar legs and claws — on a whitetail.  This is insane.  It's nauseating to think somebody would create such repulsive beings."

Bartuk turned to his buddy.  "Can you take down our camp while I hike home and get a wagon?  We need to deliver these specimens to Intellulka.  I'll grab a couple of blankets to cover them so nobody sees the hideous creatures."

Pausing, he closed his eyes for a moment.  "I'll pick you up at the campsite, and we'll come back here to load them in the buckboard.  But be careful.  There could be others."

Tradulka nodded.  "Sounds good.  Let's go.  We better finish this before it gets dark and we can't see what else might be lurking out there."

Wednesday
~
August 7, 2075
~
1:00 pm

Addressing six of his most trusted sentries and a new trainee, Protuk stood under the large oak tree on the shore of the Lake of Dreams.  "We've got an urgent mission to accomplish within the next two days.  Everything we discuss is completely confidential — not a word to anyone, not even your family."

Ukkiville's towering Master of Arms observed the guards, standing scrunched together like birds trying to keep warm on a winter's day.  "Some of you may have heard rumors about muclones or odd plant and animal sightings.  They're true.  Thoruk and his friends found two in the past couple of days.

"Our job is to search all fields, meadows, and waters, terminating any unearthly creature we locate.  Bartuk and Tradulka are checking the forests as we speak.  These monsters can be lethal, so I don't want anybody scouting without a partner in sight and hearing range — understood?"

Everybody nodded and responded.  "Yes, sir."

"We're going to pair up and hunt for any strange behaviors: looks, sounds, smells — anything.  If you find something, make sure your partner is aware so he can join you before taking action.  Any unnatural being or plant must be killed and brought here, so samples can be taken to Intellulka.

"All extraneous portions of the demons will be incinerated.  Don't leave anything behind.  If it's a plant of sorts, remove the roots as well.  Anything you transport should be covered so villagers can't see it.  I want each of you to return here at 5:00 pm sharp today and tomorrow with your results.  Make sure you wind your watches.  Any questions?"

A young sentry raised his hand.  "What if my partner and I get into trouble?"

"First of all, make sure you don't.  If a muclone looks too dangerous for the two of you, or if the threat becomes more challenging than expected, fire a flaming arrow into the sky, and I'll send help.  If you lack sparkers to create a flame, there are plenty in the supply wagon by the tree.  You can get what you need after you're dismissed.  Any other questions?"

Everybody shook their heads and replied.  "No, Sir."

"Alright, since this is our staging location, I'll check out the lake.  I want two volunteers to search the pastures."  A young man and a woman glanced at one another and lifted their hands.  "Good.  Be meticulous and scour every pasture in the area by the end of tomorrow.  Be careful — keep your weapons with you at all times — go."  They ran to the supply wagon.

Retrieving what they needed, they drove off in their own buckboard while Protuk continued.  "Which of you wants to cover the planted fields and gardens?"  Two more raised their hands.

"Thank you.  Same instructions — go.

"Okay, I need a couple for the meadows."  The remaining three men lifted their hands.  He rubbed his chin.  "Ah, I see.  None of you prefers to spend the day with me — eh?"

They looked at each other sheepishly, and the smallish, ragged one — the trainee — bowed his head.  "I'd be honored to work with you, sir."

Protuk grinned.  "Great, we'll have fun together."  He motioned to the others.  "Go, check out the meadows."  He walked up to the scrawny, youthful scout and put his arm around him.  "You and I are going to have a wonderful day."

"Yes, sir, we will."  He kept staring at his boots, appearing like he'd rather be doing a hundred different things than fidgeting in place beside his commander.

With the stature of a huge, black bear of 280 pounds standing erect, Protuk's muscular physique cast an imposing shadow over his new partner who might have weighed 150 pounds when wet and carrying a large rock.  "Hey, why so blue?  The others don't realize I planned to invite the last man standing to fish with me this weekend.  I'm sure you've heard about the lunkers in my pond, right?"

Displaying a surge of confidence, the young assistant's sparkling, blue eyes widened.  "Really?  I get to fish on 'Wilbur's Paradise' — this weekend?"

Protuk chuckled.  "So that's what everybody calls it?"

"Yes, sir."  The thrilled helper yacked lickety-split.  "Your pond is famous.  One night some of us talked about sneaking over there to fish.  But none of us...."  He stopped and pursed his lips.

"Well, don't worry now.  It's you and me — in 'Paradise' from sunrise to sunset on Saturday.  What do you think?"

"I can't wait.  Those guys are going to be blazing jealous."

"Come on now, we've got a lot to do before then, so we better get hopping.  Help me get this boat off the wagon, and we'll launch it by the shore."  He pointed to a clearing by the tall reeds.

After boarding, Protuk rowed the weathered, wooden craft along the shoreline.  Neither one was very talkative.  After 15 minutes or so with no abnormal occurrences, Protuk broke the silence.  "Do you like to hunt?"

"Yes, sir.  Me and my buddies — we hunt for squirrels and rabbits all the time in Wolverine Forest."

"That's great.  My cousin Wolfuk and I used to hunt small game there when we were kids.  By the way, since we're spending the next couple of days together, you don't have to call me 'sir.'  Okay?"

"Yes, sir — I mean, I'll try, sir — oh, I'm sorry — it's hard."

Protuk laughed.  "Don't worry about it.  Relax a bit.  Here, try this."  He tossed a fresh cucumber to the excited sentry and began munching another.  "I took these from my garden this morning.  They're good for wetting your thirst on a hot day."

Apparently, his helper was famished.  With five quick gulps the crisp vegetable vanished into thin air.

Protuk gawked in amazement and tossed another.  "Try eating this one a little slower or they'll be gone in five minutes."  The little guy grinned and chomped away as if deaf.  Chuckling inside, Protuk set the remaining cucumbers next to his hungry assistant and continued rowing by the cattails along the beach.

After three hours and little activity, Protuk's blond-haired partner pointed.  "Look, over there.  Something is swirling near the shore — in the duckweed."  In his excitement, he tried to stand.  The unstable vessel wobbled.

"Whoa, you better sit back down.  I see it."  Protuk maneuvered the chipped, white craft in that direction.  While they approached, he took an oar and softly pushed the vegetation below the lake's surface.  Another vortex formed at the edge of the cluster.

"There it is again."  His new pal motioned toward the open water.  "Here, on the other side of the boat."

"Yea, I see — it's moving.  I can't tell what it is."

His eager aid leaned over the vessel's edge, directing him towards the bow.  "Get a little closer."

As they approached another swirl, Protuk swung the craft to get a better view.  "You shouldn't hang over the boat so far."

Bursting from the lake, a mass of shiny, brown fur erupted toward the inexperienced warrior who sprung back, almost tripping out of the narrow vessel.  "What is it?"

The mischievous aquatic whirled and floated on its back, squirting water from its mouth into the air.

Protuk sighed then frowned.  "I can't believe it.  That's just Whiskers — Mercivil's pet otter."  He carefully stood and pointed to the shore.  "Whiskers!  Go!  Mercivil will sic Fluf on you if you don't get home."

The otter dove and surfaced near the slope leading to the oak tree.  The spurned swimmer climbed out and turned toward the craft.

Waving with the back of his hand, Protuk chided the sleek-coated mammal.  "Go home before Mercivil finds out you're missing."

The dripping, dejected otter slowly waddled in the direction of his master's cabin.

Protuk turned to his helper.  "Mercivil won't take kindly to Whiskers romping in this lake.  She worries he'll get tangled in trout lines.  That pesky otter has seen enough of me to know when I'm serious.  That's why he hightailed it so fast."

Left empty-handed after completing the search, Protuk rowed toward shore.  As a cluster of clouds cast a shadow across the area, a flock of ducks flew overhead and glided to a soft landing, gracefully skimming atop the water's surface.

Distant voices piqued Protuk's attention as he and his partner dragged the boat on the bank.  He pointed toward the trail.  "Here come the others."

Observing the buckboards as the scouts approached, he noticed a covered lump in one of the beds.  He walked up to the horse and grabbed the reins.  "Looks like you two found something."

Neither spoke a word while they warily stepped down, eyes glazed and darting with a confused expression of shock.  Their clothes were muddied and tattered.  Across the woman's lower leg glistened a gash; a few drops of blood dribbled down her ankle into her moccasin.

Protuk glanced toward the back of the wagon then at them.  "What happened out there?"  Remaining silent, they nodded toward the mysterious heap.

Protuk snatched the soiled quilt from the mound and flung it to the ground.  A grotesque being lay on the blood-stained floorboards.

Looking like a calf, body and legs, but with clawed feet, the malformed creature had the head of some kind of wildcat — maybe a jaguar from what he remembered of library books.  Slashed numerous times, likely in a frenzied panic, the mutilated carcass was difficult to distinguish.

He turned and placed his hand on the shoulder of the young man standing in a dazed stupor, devoid of any expression.  "What's wrong?"  Still neither spoke.

Gently shaking him and leaning into his face, Protuk spoke louder.  "What happened?"  The shocked sentry seemed to snap out of his bewildered state, trying to catch his breath.  "We were checking the pasture — that thing came at us — we drew our swords — it almost killed us!"  His hands trembled.

Protuk turned to his partner.  "Use my wagon and take these two to Doc's.  Explain what happened.  You can go home afterward.  I'll use their buckboard to haul the muclone's remains to Intellulka.  Later I'll stop by Doc's to take them home when he's satisfied with their condition.

"I'll meet you by the church tomorrow morning at 8:00 am sharp.  We'll scour the other waterways."

"Yes, sir.  I'll be there."

Protuk nodded.  "Thank you."

Scratching his head, he turned to the others.  A gloomy aura consumed his team.  "Like I said this morning, these monsters can be extremely dangerous, as you just witnessed.  What those two experienced today was horrible, but we still have a critical mission to complete.  We don't want these revolting mutants killing any of our villagers.  Do you understand?"

Each nodded.  "Yes, sir."

"Let's all meet by the churchyard tomorrow at 8:00 am, and we'll discuss assignments.  Most of you will be completing your current task.  I'll find out how much ground those two covered today and get a couple more sentries to search the rest.

"I appreciate everything you've done.  You helped Ukkiville a great deal by eliminating another ferocious beast.  Now go home and don't mutter a word to anybody.  Any questions?"

Everybody kept silent, shaking their heads with their chins lowered, emanating an eerie sense of doom.

I can't let them go home in this horrid state.
  "Listen up!  You need to snap out of this funk.  If you go home looking like this, people will ask questions.  Put this out of your mind.  Take a deep breath and perk up!  I want to see smiles on your faces."

The scouts stood at attention, forcing contorted grins.  Protuk went to each one, peered directly at them, and patted their biceps. 
This is the best I'll get from them this evening.
  He inhaled, then sighed.  "Alright, that's better.  Be careful on the way home and keep your eyes open."