Trapped in Time 1: The Time Takers (17 page)

Karon felt herself lifted and screamed. She closed her eyes and expected to feel the claws and teeth of the animals but felt nothing but being carried. She opened her eyes and saw she was moving over the clearing and there was nothing under her. She started struggling and she was suddenly dropped to the ground. A human face suddenly appeared above her and a moment later another face appeared. She fainted.

She regained consciousness and heard the two men arguing. She looked at them and said, “Who are you?”

Enapay was shocked. She spoke in the language of the Sioux. “How do you know my language?”

Karon was surprised, “I learned it on the reservation.”

“You’re not an Indian; what were you doing on a reservation?”

“My father ran the store. I learned how to speak from one of my friends.”

Jenak looked at Enapay, “What are you talking about?”

The woman’s head jerked around toward Jenak and she started backing away. Enapay said, “He is not one of them.”

“He speaks their language.”

“He’s the one that decided to save you. You should shut up and let us see how we’re going to do that.”

Karon looked at Jenak and saw him look up at the cliff wall. “This is where they’re going to drop the rope. My mark in the rock is here.”

“What are we going to do with her? She can be seen by the dinosaurs.”

I wish we still had the hooks.”

“I have one.”

“What?”

“You should always take a spare.”

“Harvey said we shouldn’t add weight to what we were carrying.”

“Sometimes you have to make hard decisions. How are you going to do this?”

“I’m going to climb up and put her on one of the cutters. We’ll stay on the ground and I’ll pick her up on the way up. Give me one of your cutters.” Enapay handed Jenak the heavy cutter and Jenak jammed it into the wall. “Explain to her that she is going to have to follow me up the wall and stay with me.” Enopay began speaking to the woman as Jenak jammed the second cutter into the wall. She stepped from cutter to cutter with Jenak and was finally twenty feet off the ground. Jenak sank the last hook into the rock next to his heavy cutter and motioned her to sit down on the cutter. Karon slipped past him as he hung from the hook and sat on the long handle of the cutter. Jenak looked down at Enopay, “Tell her to hold on to the hook and try not to fall. Karon listened to Enapay and nodded. Jenak extended the rope from the hook, grabbed it, pulled the two cutters from the rock wall and slid down to the ground.

• • •

Karon saw them put something on their heads and they disappeared. She started to run when she heard the Atlantan speak but she felt the bow the one that the Atlantan who grabbed her was carrying. None of the ones that had attacked her cave were carrying bows. She knew they were putting themselves in danger to try and save her.

She didn’t know how long she sat on the rock wall but she heard something hit the wall behind her. She looked over her shoulder and saw a rope.

• • •

Jenak pulled off his quiver and bow and handed them to Enapay. “You’ll never make it to the top carrying her.”

“I have to try.”

“Why?”

“She can tell us what we need to know about what is in that cave.”

Enapay nodded and smiled, “That’s a good reason; but not the real one.”

“What, are you a mind reader now?” Jenak walked out from the cliff and swung the rope over the woman. He grabbed the rope with his gloves and climbed up to her. He yelled down, “Tell her to wrap her arms around my neck and get on my back.” Enopay yelled and Karon took a breath and climbed on to Jenak’s back. Jenak began pulling himself up the rope.

• • •

The climb was pure torture. Karon knew half way up that the one carrying her was not going to make it. She could feel his fatigue and his muscles were starting to harden to the point of cramping. She couldn’t let him die. She started to let go of his neck and he shouted, “NO!” She regained her grip and though she knew he was too weak he continued the climb.

• • •

Harvey looked down into the darkness and wondered what was taking them so long. He looked at Chatan, “Someone is on the rope.”

Harvey thought for a moment and said, “Pull them up.”

The five Pangaeans grabbed the rope and started pulling. Chatan said, “There’s more than one on the rope.”

• • •

Jenak felt the rope being pulled and he held on as tight as he could. Karon reached up over his head and gripped the rope in her hands. Jenak felt the loss of weight and he hoped he could maintain his grip. Suddenly, hands were reaching over the cliff wall and pulling them to the top. Jenak croaked, “Send the rope down for Enapay.”

Harvey looked at the woman and then at Jenak, “Who is this?”

“She speaks your language; ask her.”

Karon heard voices but didn’t see anyone. Suddenly a face appeared and said, “Who are you?”

Karon smiled and answered in Sioux, “My name is Karon Smith.”

Harvey was surprised and said, “Well, welcome to our scout party. I’ll find out why you were brought to us in a moment.” Harvey looked at Enapay, “What did you find out?”

“They are killing women each day.”

“How many?”

“At least six to ten; I expect them to massacre them soon.”

“How many will they kill?”

Enapay looked at Karon, “About two hundred.”

Harvey stared at Karon and blew out a breath slowly. “How many warriors do they have?”

“At least a hundred.”

Harvey considered just leaving but he knew what Andy would say if he did. Harvey shook his head and looked up at the sky. The stars were different from those he knew but he had been watching them while he was on the cliff at night and knew it was about seven o’clock. He turned to Enapay, “I need you to go back and tell Andy what’s happening. Tell him about Karon and let him know that we are going down in the morning so that we can try to save the women. If he chooses not to come, bring back enough arrows for us to take them on.”

Enapay stood and took off his bow and quiver. He picked up a water container and disappeared into the night. Jenak watched him go and shook his head, “They’ll never get here in time.”

Harvey smiled, “Enapay can run all night if needed. He is our best long distance runner. We can’t stand by and do nothing.”

Jenak looked at Karon, “We’re going to need you to help us get the women to follow our instructions. Are you willing to go back?”

Harvey interpreted Jenak’s comments and she nodded. Harvey looked at the scouts and said, “Anchor your ropes. I want all of them ready for the morning.”

The ropes were anchored into the top of the cliff and Harvey said, “Everyone try to get some sleep; you’re going to need it.”

Jenak stumbled a few feet away from the others and felt his muscles cry out in agony. He winced as he lowered himself to the path and he used his quiver as a pillow. His arms hurt too much to lift and rub his aching shoulders. In an hour he was still suffering when he felt something. He looked over his shoulder and saw Karon rubbing his shoulders. She put her finger to her lips and he blew out a breath as she touched a tender spot. He rolled over on his stomach and Karon rubbed his shoulders until they started to soften. She move around and lay down in front of him. She snuggled close and put her head on his quiver beside his. He sighed and in a few minutes, they were both asleep.

• • •

Harvey smiled as he saw the woman go to Jenak and start rubbing his shoulders. She was wise to recognize that he had placed his life in danger to bring her up. He had reservations about making the attempt to save the women but life was a gamble at best. It was worth the effort to try. He looked up at the stars that were strangers and felt sorrow for the loss of so many on the reservation. His wife and son had died of the sickness and he was alone. Whatever had brought him to this time did not do him a favor. He missed his family. Perhaps he would join them tomorrow.

• • •

Enapay arrived at the community at midnight. He repelled down the cliff wall and ran toward the cave entrance. He blew the whistle as soon as he hit the ground and heard Raptors run away. He went to the stone wheel and said, “Anna!”

The following roar woke the cave and everyone went for their weapons. Andy arrived at the door first and rubbed Anna on her jaw. She stopped roaring and he heard, “I need you to open the entrance.”

Andy went to the stone wheel and Anna followed him and put her head against it and pushed the wheel away. Enapay came in and Andy’s face showed instant fear, “Are the others…”

“They’re fine for the moment but they are going to attack two hundred Outsiders in the morning.”

Andy was stunned, “Tell me what’s going on.”

The wheel was rolled back in place as Andy and Enapay walked into the cave.

• • •

Harvey opened his eyes. Someone was coming. He sat up and lifted his bow and pulled an arrow out of his quiver. He pulled it back and saw Enapay jogging toward them. He smiled and saw the scout was weary. The others woke as he sat down heavily on the path.
“That was a rather long run, my friend.”

“I’ve run longer, just not recently.” Enapay took the two quivers stuffed with arrows off his shoulders and said, “Andy is coming with the others and should arrive soon after daybreak.”

“What time did they leave?”

“Around midnight.”

Harvey thought for a moment and said, “They’ll have to move at four miles an hour to get here by then.”

“The first group is coming light. The second will be arriving about an hour later.”

Harvey nodded and saw there was about another two hours before sunrise. “You should rest.”

Enapay nodded and reached inside his camosuit and pulled out a packet. “Andy thought you might want to use the woman you saved to help rescue the others. He sent this for her to wear.” Harvey took the packet as Enapay fell back. He was asleep in less than five minutes.

Harvey looked at Karon as he opened the packet and said, “You should put this on.” Karon took the small suit and shook her head. Harvey said, “You’ll have to undress to put it on; all of ours were the same size.”

Karon looked down the path into the darkness and hesitated, “I don’t want to go alone.” She looked down at Jenak and Harvey told him what she said. He looked at her and nodded. He stood and walked with her into the darkness. The walked thirty yards and Jenak turned his back to her. Karon grabbed him and turned him toward her and shook her head. Jenak saw her fear and tilted his head and smiled. She undressed and Jenak thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She pulled the camosuit on and her body slowly disappeared. She looked at him and raised an eyebrow. He stared at her and she saw his feelings. She moved forward and hugged him tightly, “Thank you for saving me.”

Jenak didn’t understand her words but he understood what she was saying. He returned her hug and led her back to the scouts. She took his hand in hers and held it tightly.

They sat down at Jenak’s quiver and Karon looked at Jenak and looked away. Jenak shook his head and put his arm around her and lay back down. She snuggled close and closed her eyes.

• • •

Harvey stayed awake and was surprised to see that Andy and Linnae were among the first to arrive. Harvey stood up and met them fifty yards from the sleeping scouts. “I think we should stay here until daybreak. Why don’t you have a camosuit on?”

“The women are going to need to be able to see someone. I also intend to discuss the situation with the Atlantans once we get the women to safety. I don’t want them to think I’m alone.”

Harvey shook his head, “Well, that should do it. Just make sure you don’t get close to their cutters.”

Andy smiled, “Actually, we discovered getting ready to come here that the cutters won’t cut the material.”

Harvey stared at Andy for a moment and said, “You’re kidding me; right?”

Linnae shook her head, “That’s the only thing that made me quit pressuring him to put a camosuit on. He tried to cut one of the packets with an archery suit in it and the only thing that burned was the packaging.”

“We might need to think about wearing one under the camosuits.”

Andy nodded, “Tell me what’s going on.”

“Didn’t Enapay fill you in?”

“He did but you know more than him.”

“It appears the Outsiders in the cave below us marched overland and killed every male in the other cave. They took the women prisoner and marched them back. Karon told me last night that the Royal is deciding which ones he will keep for his fun.”

Linnae’s expression turned angry and Harvey said, “They are killing some of the women every day by forcing them to go to the river unarmed.”

Andy pulled some ropes off his shoulder. Harvey noticed there was a sling at the end of them. “We’re going to try and get the women to the top of the cliff before we confront their troops.”

Harvey nodded, “Wait a moment.” He walked over and tapped Karon on the shoulder. He eyes flew open and Harvey put his finger over his mouth. She nodded and got up without waking Jenak. She followed Harvey over to Andy and Linnae and saw people starting to arrive and sit down beyond them. Harvey said in Latin, “She speaks my language but I also suspect she speaks English as well.”

Andy looked at Karon and smiled, “Do you understand English?”

Karon smiled, “I do.”

“What time do they bring the women out each morning?”

“I’m not sure what time it is but the sun is shining half way down the trees along the river.”

“What are the others doing in the cave when they’re brought out?”

“They’re usually sleeping or getting something to eat.”

Andy nodded and looked at Harvey, “We need to make this happen quickly.” Harvey nodded and they began anchoring ropes to the path at the top of the cliff. Andy looked at Karon, “I need you to provide a diversion.”

“How?”

“Put your clothes on over the camosuit and walk toward the guards. I’ll send Jenak and Chatan down to take them out while they’re trying to figure out how you survived.”

“How will you take them out?”

“We can’t use the cutters or arrows; that would warn the others of our presence. We’ll probably just use old school tactics.” Karon’s eyebrows came down and Andy smiled, “A blow to the head should do it.” The Romans began arriving and Andy looked at Jenak, “You and Chatan should get down to the clearing with Karon.” Jenak looked at Karon putting her clothes on over the camosuit and frowned, Andy saw his expression and smiled, “She’s simply a diversion. You and Chatan will have to take care of the two guards.”