Monday, September 21, 2015

Carriage of Carnage [unfinished]

Two weeks had passed since young Viktor, son of Duke Aleksandr of Belarus, had burst into the great hall of the latter’s estate, shaking violently from his ordeal.  In contrast, the demeanor of the two middle-aged men who now stood before the duke and me was one of complete composure, eerily underscoring the gravity of the situation.  Their menacing ultimatum was delivered politely by the taller of the two, a man called Baltazar.  His head bobbed slightly as he talked, as if he were pointing his sharp black goatee accusingly at us.   

“If upon the 25th of this month the murderers of Prince Bronislaw are not delivered to King Ambrozy, then his majesty shall be forced to take punitive measures against the duchy of Belarus.”

Duke Aleksandr bit his lower lip in frustration.  “This horrid deed was the act of bandits,” he replied.  He waved his right arm in the direction of Viktor, who stood timidly several feet behind his father, his sister Ludmila by his side.  “My own son was in mortal danger.  Surely you do not believe that I am complicit in this.”

“It matters not what I believe, your grace,” Baltazar said.  “His majesty grows impatient.”  Then he added, “He does find it strange that your son was unharmed, while the prince and his entourage were slaughtered.”

Ludmila came to Viktor’s defense, nearly lunging at the Polish envoys.  “That my brother escaped with his life was but by the grace of God,” she snapped.  She blinked back tears.  “And why would my father wish to harm my future husband, and destroy the alliance between Belarus and Poland?”

Baltazar was imperturbable.  “I do not know,” he replied.  “But the king will have justice.”  With that, he and his companion bowed and departed, accompanied by an armed retinue of six Polish soldiers.  

The duke had not been idle in his response to the attack which had left Prince Bronislaw and four of the prince’s countrymen dead.  He had authorized Dmitry Kulik, chief magistrate of Minsk, to take whatever action was necessary, which had precipitated mass interrogations, the ransacking of homes and stores, and torture.  A groom by the name of Vladimir Moroz had even confessed to perpetrating the entire massacre himself, but the likelihood of one man’s carrying out such carnage was nearly impossible.  And the fact that Moroz claimed that he had committed the murders while in the form of a great bear also hurt his credibility.  In another week there would likely be more bloodshed, and Duke Aleksandr looked more flustered than I had ever seen him, so much so that he at first did not respond when I addressed him.

“Your Grace,” I tried again, a little louder.

He started at the sound of my voice, as if jerked back from the precipice of some unfathomable imagining.

“What would you?” he answered in an uncharacteristically harsh tone.

“Your Grace,” I repeated.  “I ask your permission to travel to the court of King Ambrozy with Baltazar and his companions.  If I hurry, I can still catch up to them.”

Looks of astonishment passed across the faces of the duke, Viktor and Ludmila.  Then the duke’s countenance grew stern.  His two bodyguards, standing at attention nearby, straightened their halberds abruptly, as if waiting for the order to seize me.

“Why do you wish to go with the Poles?” he demanded.  All eyes in the room bore down on me, eager for my response.

“To conduct my own investigation,” I explained.  “And perhaps gain us a little more time.” 

At this his grace blushed a deep crimson.  “Dmitry Kulik has been relentless in his search for the killers of Prince Bronislaw,” he stammered.  “And he has had no luck.”

I replied that perhaps Kulik had been searching in the wrong places, and that there could be no harm in requesting the Polish king to allow me to ask a few questions.  Certainly Ambrozy was anxious to find the killers of his son, and I was confident that my diplomatic skills would suffice to buy me a few days to uncover what I could.   Then I delicately reminded him of how last year I had discovered the theft of 5,000 gold coins, which had been embezzled by the assistant to the secretary of the ducal treasury. 

“Yes,” the duke replied, nodding.  “You were most helpful in putting to rest that unpleasant affair, Fyodor Ilyich.  And for the past decade, I could not have wished for a more loyal and trusted advisor than you.”

This time it was I who blushed.  “Your grace is too kind,” I said.

“But what of your own personal safety?” the duke asked.   “The men who robbed and killed Prince Bronislaw and his companions are still roaming free.”

“Something tells me that the attack on Bronislaw’s carriage was not the act of highwaymen,” I confessed.  “If robbery was the motive, why did they not steal the huge topaz ring on the prince’s hand?” 

“They took all of the gold.”

At this everyone turned around in surprise to look at Viktor, who had been so quiet and unobtrusive that we had forgotten that he was there.

“Yes,” I replied softly, feeling great pity for the boy.  “That they did.”

“I thank God that my son escaped,” the duke said.  “When I lost my wife five years ago, I thought that I would die of sorrow.  I could not bear losing a son.  Nevertheless, this does cast suspicion upon us.”

“Do not worry, your grace,” I assured him.  “As you have faith in God for sparing your son, so too have faith that He will spare your country.”  With these words and with Duke Aleksandr ’s permission I took my leave of the court, and within a quarter hour was upon my mare, who was sufficiently caparisoned for the three-day journey to the Polish king’s castle.  Riding at a canter for about an hour, I came upon Baltazar and his company on the ------ road.  The group was moving at a surprisingly sluggish pace, with Baltazar and his colleague in the center, and three knights both in front and at the rear.  I slowed Imelda down to a trot as I drew closer.

Before the other five men were aware of my presence, the three knights at the rear wheeled their horses around nearly simultaneously, and held their pikes aloft.  A short cry from the knight at their center alerted the rest of the company, who in turn halted and faced in my direction.  Impressed at their vigilance, I nodded.

Baltazar spoke, the diplomatic tone in his voice gone.  “Why do you follow us?” he demanded.

“To find answers,” I replied.  “Duke Aleksandr  and his family are as anxious as your king to find the killers of Prince Bronislaw.”

“We have no answers,” one of the knights cut in.  “Why don’t you ask the boy?”

  At this Baltazar made a quick lateral gesture with his hand, signaling silence.      

“You are wasting your time,” he said resignedly.



“Perhaps you are right,” I conceded.  “But what harm would come of my spending a few days in Poland and asking some questions?  My powers of investigation are not inconsiderable, and since you have given us seven days in which to work, why not let us spend them as we see fit?”

Baltazar conferred quietly with his fellow envoy, whose name was Jakub, at times alternately nodding, then shaking his head.  He returned at last to me.

“As you wish,” he agreed.  “But of course, the decision lies with his majesty.  If he is opposed, home you will return the very day that you arrive, and without an escort.”

“I understand.”

Excepting the initial awkwardness of our second meeting, Baltazar and his companions were mostly civil towards me during the next three days.  Even if they did not trust me completely, they at least deemed me harmless.  While laboriously munching on rations of dried, salted beef and rock-hard biscuits one evening, Jakub and I spoke of the events leading up to the attack on Bronislaw’s carriage, and the aftermath.

“Of course, the king was grieved,” Jakub said.  “And the prince’s younger brother, Jozef.  But no one took the news worse than Queen Leokadia.”

Evidently overhearing Jakub’s remark, the knight who had caustically suggested earlier that I “ask the boy” shot Jakub an irritated glance, but said nothing.  Jakub did not notice.

“Two of the bodies were utterly savaged,” I mused aloud.  “Hacked and stabbed nearly beyond recognition.  But the other three bore only the wounds that killed them.  That perplexes me.”
“What perplexes me is what the boy -Viktor?- was doing there,” Jakub replied.

“He came out to meet them,” I explained.  “He begged his father to allow him, and the duke agreed.  It seemed safe enough, being only a few hours’ ride from the castle.”

But Jakub shook his head, unconvinced.  That the rogues had attacked so soon after Viktor’s appearance was quite suspicious, almost as if the boy had led the bandits to their quarry.  And the duke’s son had escaped unscathed.  To this I responded that Viktor was far from “unscathed.”  The terror in his eyes and the shaking in his voice when he recounted his tale could not possibly have been feigned.  That day would haunt him the rest of his life.  Five horsed bandits, wearing masks, had appeared over the crest of a hill.  First they launched a volley of arrows, picking off one of the two mounted knights escorting the prince, and killing the driver, as well.  Then they rushed in to continue their assault, with swords and axes.  The remaining three men -the second mounted knight, Prince Bronislaw, and the prince’s friend, Filip- were butchered.  Two of the bandits chased Viktor, but after a while broke off the pursuit.

“And what about the arrows?” Jakub said.  “Why were none found in or near the bodies?”

Jakub had a point.  Although I did not doubt Viktor’s story, this was an inconsistency which I could not explain.  

If accosting Baltazar and his companions on their departure from Minsk was awkward, this was nothing compared to what I felt upon meeting the grieving parents of Prince Bronislaw, who both stood in the courtyard as the nine of us rode up to the castle.  The queen was flanked by two ladies-in-waiting, dressed in flowing pink gowns, while the king was talking to a short, chubby gentleman wearing a leather jerkin and carrying an oaken walking stick.  The warmth of that June day was quickly tempered by the icy stares fixed upon me.

I thought that Queen Leokadia would interrogate me directly, but she turned toward Baltazar first.  “And who is this man?”

“I am Fyodor Ilyich Litwin,” I answered, bowing my head first toward the queen, then her husband.  “personal advisor to Duke Aleksandr of Belarus.”

“Then I should advise him to find the killers of our son,” Leokadia replied curtly.  “Apparently you have already been advised of our warning.”

“That is why I am here, your majesty,” I said.

The king spoke.  “So Duke Aleksandr  has sent you to plead for more time?  The answer is no!  And as the crime occurred on Belarusan soil, I shall hold Belarus accountable.”  Then he added, “Perhaps Duke Aleksandr  balked at the 10,000-gold piece dowry.”

Clearing my throat, I replied, “I assure your majesties that the duke had nothing to do with the murder of good Prince Bronislaw, and would gladly pay twice as much to apprehend those responsible.  As for his sending me, I came of my own accord, but with his permission.  I humbly request that your majesties permit me to stay a few days, and make inquiries.  I do possess a certain propensity for unraveling mysteries.”  

The king shrugged.  “You may do so,” he agreed.        

Without looking at me, the king’s corpulent companion told him, “He wishes to find out what sort of action your majesty plans to take against Belarus, so that he can warn his duke.”

At once I opened my mouth to protest, but was stayed by the king’s raised hand.  “Julian may have a point,” he conceded.  “So I will take no chances.  Wherever you go, Jakub and one of my soldiers will go with you.  And you will remain as my guest until you either find the culprits, or until after the 25th of the month has passed.”

I sighed.  “Very well, your majesty.  Today is June 21st.  That gives me four days.”         

        “We can count,” the queen snapped.  She turned to her husband.  “Shall it be Otto, then?”


Ambrozy nodded.  “Yes,” he replied thoughtfully.  “Otto.”

At a gesture from the queen, one of her ladies-in-waiting dashed into the castle, to return several minutes later with an enormous fellow clad in a chain mail tunic, visored helmet and brandishing a gleaming spear.  A short sword in a leather sheath was strapped to his belt.  The king deferred to Jakub, who briefed the huge soldier.  Otto listened patiently, never speaking a word.


Before setting out with Jakub and the prodigious Otto, I asked Ambrozy and Leokadia to recount for me everything that they could relating to the tragedy.  At first I encountered some resistance, particularly from the queen, but at last she relented, telling her tale in a faltering voice.  On the 1st of June, Bronislaw departed Warsaw to meet his betrothed, reassured by his father’s promise that if he did not like her, he was free to refuse.  With him were his longtime friend, Filip, two of the king’s guardsmen, and a driver for the carriage.  Five days later, an exhausted messenger on a half-dead steed galloped into the city, bearing the evil tidings: the prince and his company had been slain.  This messenger I knew to be Boris Czyz, Duke Aleksandr’s nephew.  King Ambrozy confirmed his wife story; they had been together when the messenger had arrived.  

“Who knew in advance of the prince’s journey?” I asked.

The king regarded me suspiciously.  “No one outside of this household,” he replied.  He became pensive.  “There were myself, the queen, our son, Jozef, and Baltasar.  And who besides Duke Aleksandr knew?” he asked.

“I, Ludmila, the captain of the guard, and Viktor,” I told him.

“Yes. Viktor,” the king growled.

“Henryk also knew,” the queen told him.

“Henryk?” I repeated.

“Our chamberlain,” the king explained.

“Perhaps one of the servants overheard something,” I suggested.  “and carelessly mentioned it to the wrong person or persons.”

“We thought of that,” the queen admitted.  “One of the servers, Gustav, has a bad habit of listening to what he should not, and of gossiping.  But if he had anything to do with it, willingly or not, he would have told us.”

“You questioned him?” I said.

There followed a long, uncomfortable silence.

“Yes,” said Ambrozy. 

The prince’s brother, Jozef, I found to be very personable and well-mannered, and quite composed in light of what must have been an unimaginable tragedy.  He seemed very trusting of me, and willing to answer whatever inquiries that I put forth.  Jozef was 16, three years younger than Bronislaw, and said that he could not imagine anyone wanting to harm his brother, or poor Filip.  

“Father actually told Bronislaw that if he did not find the young Ludmila pretty, that he was free not to marry her,” Jozef said.  “Had he but seen her, all of his doubts would have been removed.”

I was curious.  “Have you met her?” I asked Jozef.



“Once.  At an archery contest held last year in Gdansk.  Duke Aleksandr came with six of his knights, and his daughter.  What a glorious day that was for the red and white.”

“The red and white?”  I repeated uncomprehendingly.  

“Yes,” Jozef replied.  “The colors of the Polish standard.  One of my father’s soldiers, Barnabas, took first prize, but not without a dispute.  His and another’s arrow were nearly dead-center, in the bulls-eye of course.  Barnabas won by a hair, but without the red and white feathers to determine which arrow was whose, they might still be disputing it!”

“I see,” I replied.

Jozef suddenly grew somber.  “I mourn for Bronislaw, but what a shame that the actions of a few evil-doers should destroy the alliance between Belarus and Poland.  For what it is worth, I do not believe that Duke Aleksandr nor anyone connected with him is to blame.  Bandits, plain and simple.”

“How can you be sure?” I asked.

Jozef shrugged.  “What would your duke stand to gain by killing my brother and the others?”

“Absolutely nothing,” I replied.    

After a brief introduction from Jakub, I finally spoke with Henryk, the chamberlain.  He was a short, stocky, broad-shouldered man of 50, with a bald head and a bushy white mustache.  His wife and daughter stood timidly in the background, half-concealed by the shadows cast from the two lanterns that illuminated their quarters.  From the corner of my eye I caught what might have been a pleading look on the wife’s face, as if she desperately wanted to communicate something.  But the moment passed, and with a step backwards, she faded into the darkness like a vanishing phantom.

I asked Henryk which two guardsmen had accompanied the prince’s carriage on that ill-fated journey.  He shook his head.  “I do not recall their names,” he said.

Much to my surprise, the huge Otto volunteered the information.  It was the first time in the several hours that I had been with him and Jakub that I had heard him talk, and I was beginning to wonder whether or not he was capable of speech.

“Gabriel and Konrad,” the burly man said.

“Did you know them?” I asked.

Otto shook his head.  “They were new to the guard,” he replied.  “Had been there maybe two months.”  He added, “I think that Konrad had a wife and an infant daughter.”  

“So Gabriel and Konrad volunteered to escort the prince and his friend,” I said.

Again Otto shook his head.  “They did not volunteer.  Adalbert -the captain of the guard- chose them on the morning of Prince Bronislaw’s departure, after being informed an hour earlier by the king himself.  Their first and last assignment,” he said.  I sensed genuine sorrow in his voice as he spoke the final sentence.

I spent the evening in a small, sparsely-furnished chamber in the castle’s north tower.  My accommodations, while not lavish, were not uncomfortable, with the exception that there was a sentry posted outside my door.  But I could not sleep, menaced by the suspicion that the chamberlain’s had wife wanted to tell me something.  She had heard our conversation, my questions to her husband, but she had been reluctant, or afraid.  Somehow, I had to speak with her alone.

I approached the guard, and whispered conspiratorially, “You, there.  I need your help.”

He nearly jumped.  “Who, me?” he asked.  “What is bothering you?”

“I need to see Jakub at once.”

“What the devil for?” he demanded.  “The hour is very late.”

“Please!” I insisted.  “It is urgent.  You know who I am.  And you know why I am here.  If you bring Jakub to me, there is a gold piece for you.”

He seemed offended at first, but quickly countered, “Two gold pieces.”

“Very well,” I agreed.  I walked over to the table where I had set my purse, next to a small beeswax candle, which I had not yet extinguished .  I handed him the coins, and started out the door.  A firm hand on my shoulder stayed me.

“Where do you think you are going?” the sentry asked.  “You do not even know where Jakub is.  I am not supposed to let you out of my sight.  As it is, I am taking a big risk by agreeing to this.”

With the sentry in the lead, we cautiously made our way down the narrow, winding passage, gingerly treading on the stone stairs as we descended.  At last we emerged into a familiar hallway, and turned left, walking about 100 feet before turning right and entering a small antechamber with a door on either side.  The sentry gestured toward the door on the left, but after taking a step forwards, hesitated.

“What is it?” I whispered.

“I think that Jakub’s chambers are on the left,” he replied.  “Or maybe Baltasar’s are on the left, and Jakub’s are on the right.”

“You do not know?” I said.

“Well, I know that it is one of these two doors!” he said, irritated.  He paused several moments longer, then suddenly knocked upon his original choice.  My spine stiffened, but needlessly, for Jakub’s weary face soon appeared in the open doorway.

“Marek!” he said to the sentry, astonished.  Then seeing me, said, “You!  Why are you prowling around at this hour?

I turned to Marek, and indicated with a slight jerk of my head a request for privacy.  He stared blankly at me, even after I repeated the gesture.  Finally I said to him, “Please give us a few moments.”  He grunted, then adjourned to the connecting hallway.  I leaned closer to Jakub.

“Forgive me, friend,” I implored him.  “But this is urgent.  Earlier today when we spoke with the chamberlain, it seemed to me that his wife wanted very much to speak.”

Jakub waited for me to continue.

“I may be wrong, but would be remiss not to investigate further,” I explained.  “I need to speak with her, without her husband present.”

My timing that night was impeccable, Jakub said, for Henryk had departed for [some small town], and was expected to return tomorrow.  Still, Jakub questioned the wisdom of sneaking me to the chamberlain’s quarters late in the evening to awaken and interrogate his wife.  The king and queen would be furious if such subterfuge was discovered.  At this point, Marek lumbered into the antechamber, but seeing that Jakub and I were still conversing, retreated several steps.  

“I do not know,” Jakub stammered.  “What if Doloreta becomes alarmed and informs her husband when he returns?” 

“I will tell you what I do know,” I answered sharply.  “That a war between Belarus and Poland would be disastrous.  That is what is at stake!  Now please, help me!”

At last Jakub conceded, but Marek refused to go any further unless I doubled his bribe.  When he threatened to awaken the king and queen I called his bluff, saying that Marek himself would incur the worst of their wrath.  So grumbling and swearing softly, he accompanied me and Jakub to Henryk’s quarters.

Upon arriving at the chamberlain’s door, I asked Marek to once again duck out of sight lest Doloreta become even more uncomfortable than she undoubtedly would be.  Mustering his nerve, Jakub knocked.  The portal opened almost instantly, and a sliver of light crept onto the dark stone floor of the corridor.  

Jakub fumbled, unable for the moment to speak.  So I did.

“I beg your pardon, my lady.  You doubtless remember me from earlier today.  I spoke with your husband about the prince’s-”

She interrupted me.  “My husband is not here.  Please go away.”  She started to close the door. 

“Please,” I told her.  “This is very important.  Today I felt that there was something that you wanted to tell me.  If you have information that will assist me, then you must let me know.  I assure you that I will not reveal that it came from you.”

She first looked at Jakub for assurance, and when he nodded, she spoke in a soft, trembling voice.  

“I heard them quarreling.  A week after the attack on the prince’s carriage.”

“You heard who quarreling?” I asked.

“Jozef and Adalbert,” she said.  “But I know not about what.  I hurried about my business, not heeding the words.  But the prince, he was. . .”

“He was what?” I pressed.

“He was very angry,” Doloreta said.  

“No doubt,” Jakub interjected.  “He probably blames the captain of the guard for his brother’s death, sending two inexperienced men to escort him.”

“Jozef hated his brother!” Doloreta sobbed.  “He coveted him in every way.  He even offered to take Bronislaw’s place at the altar, not three days after his death.  The king would not hear of it.”

“You are sure that you do not recall any of the words between Jozef and Adalbert?” I asked.  

“I am sure,” she replied.  “Now please go before you awaken my daughter.  And remember your promise,” she said, closing the door quietly.

Jakub and I exchanged troubled glances.  Any accusation at this point would be premature, and dangerous even if bolstered by evidence.  Of the latter we had none, only snatches of incoherent quarreling supposedly overheard by a passerby.  And I would not endanger her by betraying that confidence.  

“Why did you not tell me of the hatred that Jozef  had for his brother?” I asked.

Jakub reddened.  Clearly I had overstepped my bounds.  “I knew of no hatred,” he replied defensively.  “And it was not my place to say so.  Yes, Jozef was envious of his brother.  But to suggest that. . .” 

“I am not suggesting anything yet,” I said. 

“So what is next, Fyodor Ilyich?”

“I would like to speak with Adalbert tomorrow,” I replied. 

 “There is nothing more to be done tonight.”  

After Marek escorted me back to my chambers I fell into a deep, yet troubled slumber.  The following morning, as I shared a breakfast of ale and cold mutton with several of the pages, I recalled dark, wavering snatches of bad dreams -images which threatened to coalesce but never did.

Mounted on our steeds, Jakub and I followed the stout Otto the next morning as he led us to the home of Adalbert.  Squawking and fluttering in terror, a wayward chicken lost a feather or two as she happened too close to Imelda’s hocks.  My mare gave the careless fowl no thought.  

Adalbert admitted us cordially, even offering us wine, which we politely refused.  He was about 35, of medium height and build, with cold gray eyes, light red hair, closely-cropped beard and large, powerful hands.  His wife, Elzbieta, a short, plump girl of about 17, hovered nearby, smiling strangely at us.  I learned that he and several other guardsmen had departed Warsaw on the same morning as Prince Bronislaw and the others.  Adalbert and his four companions had headed south, towards Radom, on business which he claimed that he was not at liberty to disclose to me.  But none of this was news, Adalbert added.

Unsure what sort of response I would elicit, I asked him, “Why did you quarrel with Prince Jozef?”

Both Otto and Jakub were taken aback, but not Adalbert.  He was neither perturbed, nor curious to learn who had told me this.  He calmly replied,  “The prince was very distraught over the loss of his brother.  My king blames your duke for the death of Prince Bronislaw.  Jozef blames me.  When the king dies, which will likely be soon, I have no doubt that Jozef shall replace me with a new captain of the guard.  Most likely his friend, Cyryl.”

The shock upon my face must have been evident.  “When the king dies?” I asked.

“His majesty is not well,” Jakub informed me.  “This is why he was anxious to secure the alliance with Belarus by having Prince Bronislaw wed Duke Aleksandr’s daughter.”

“Why was I not informed that the king was dying?” I asked Jakub.

“I was not aware that his majesty’s health was your affair,” he responded coolly.

  Perhaps my irritation with Jakub prompted me to try an even blunter approach with Adalbert.  “Why did you choose two inexperienced guardsmen to protect the prince and his friend on their journey?” I asked him.

Immediately Elzbieta’s curious smile inverted.  But again, Adalbert manifested no outward signs of indignation.

“There comes a time when every man must be tested,” he replied.  “They were trained soldiers, and they died doing their duty.”  

“So you departed for Radom on June 1st, after selecting Gabriel and Konrad for what was to be their last mission,” I said.

“Yes,” Adalbert said.

“And when did you return?” I prodded.

“The evening of third.” 

 The three of us were soon on our mounts again, trotting through the streets of Warsaw, headed where I was not sure.  

“Adalbert did return on the evening of the third,” Jakub said matter-of-factly.  “Your Viktor claims that the attack occurred the next day.  This exonerates Adalbert.”

“This means that he was not present, yes,” I agreed.  “Yet Prince Jozef blames him, by Adalbert’s own admission.”

Otto answered this time.  “The prince faults him for assigning two new guardsmen to go with Bronislaw.  He does not suspect him of willfully harming him.  Nor do I.”

“Who is this Cyryl that Adalbert spoke of?” I asked.

“A friend of Prince Jozef, as Adalbert said,” Jakub answered. 

 “He is a cavalry sergeant.”  He added as an afterthought, “I saw his niece, Zenaida, a few days ago.  She was on foot, leading three horses through the street.  Wearing a shawl she was, and in such warm weather.”

There are times when Providence illuminates the darkest of places, if only we have the wisdom to observe.  I sensed that now was such a time.

“His niece!” I blurted.  Both Jakub and Otto stared at me, wondering about my almost jubilant outburst.  Following my momentum, I asked the pair, “Does Cyryl have any friends?  Good friends, I mean?  Whom he trusts completely?”

“I do not know,” Jakub replied, annoyed.  “What sort of question is that?”

But Otto supplied a more helpful response.  “Edmund, Jan and Wicenty,” he said.  “Comrades-in-arms.  They are almost inseparable.”

“How do you know this?” I asked.

The thin smile seemed out of place on Otto’s stony countenance.  “I know some things,” he replied cryptically.

“Like the way to Zenaida’s home?” I asked.

Otto nodded.

Standing in an isolated patch of woods on the outskirts of the city, the small stone cottage with its thatched roof projected a palpable despair.  Our three horses trod over the muddied hoof prints of several other recent visitors, of whom these depressions in the soft earth were now the only traces.  Jakub, Otto and I dismounted and walked about 20 feet to the door, whereupon Jakub knocked.

The sight of Otto alone would have been enough to unnerve the most stalwart of men, so upon seeing him accompanied by two other strangers, Cyryl’s young niece was truly shaken.  Jakub quickly assured the girl that she was in no danger, and only needed to tell us the truth.  Frightened, she nodded.  At her uncle’s behest she had purchased the three stallions earlier that week, to be sold for twice the cost to a Tartar horse trader who was an acquaintance of Cyryl’s.  She had paid 15 gold pieces each for the horses.  Her uncle had given her the money.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Once Upon a Wednesday Weary

There is nothing more dreadful than imagination without taste.
- Goethe

The man looked out of place as he somewhat diffidently approached the counter and browsed curiously at the selection of cakes, cookies and other confections on display inside the glass case. He lifted his gaze to the list of hot and cold beverages posted on the wall, cocking his head as he mulled over the choices.  He had a haggard face, tinged with fatigue, and dominated by a large forehead and a pair of sunken blue eyes underscored by deep crescents.  His delicate nose was perfectly straight, in contrast to his small, slightly-lopsided mustache, which matched his mop of dark, tousled hair.  He was clad in a thick, black, double-breasted suit, buttoned all the way to the top.  A white cravat clung loosely around his throat.  Tucked under his left arm was a large, tattered notebook.

A girl of about 19 approached him from the other side of the counter.  She wore a dark green apron embroidered with the name of the establishment.  The chewing gum in her mouth popped and cracked loudly.  “Can I help you?” she asked.

The man flinched upon noticing a thin metal shaft skewering her right eyebrow, then again when he saw the shiny steel ball protruding from the center of the her tongue.

“Can I help you?” she repeated, with a hint of annoyance.

“Yes,” the man replied.  “I think that I shall have a. . .Oh, let me see.  Do you have any plain coffee?”

Her index finger rapidly poked several buttons on a dull gray machine, which responded by beeping loudly.  “$1.49,” she said.

Unbuttoning his suit coat, the man reached inside and produced a large billfold, which he set down on the counter and opened. He carefully pulled out two oversized bills, old and discolored.  Picking up one of the bills carefully, she held the money up to the light and stared in fascination.  

        “This is cool,” she said.  “Where did you get these?”

“At the bank,” he replied uncomprehendingly.


“Neat,” she said, and punched several more buttons on the machine before handing the man two quarters and a penny.  Without looking at them, the man scooped up the coins, and thanked her.  He was puzzled by her monosyllabic response, which he could only surmise meant “You’re welcome.”

“Yup.” 

With his tattered notebook in tow and his cup of black coffee in one hand, the man walked to the escalator, then paused apprehensively as if he were peering over the edge of a steep precipice. He cautiously stepped onto the ascending platform, never taking his eyes off of his feet until they were planted firmly on the stationary floor upstairs.  He made his way to a small section arranged with six rows of chairs.  Sitting in the front, he took a sip of his bitter, black coffee, and began leafing through the pages of his notebook, mumbling as he read aloud.

The chairs began filling quickly, and within 15 minutes, there was not one empty seat.  Taking another sip of his coffee, the man glanced around the room, confused by the people he saw.  A wooden podium had been set up opposite the chairs, and a tall, attractive woman with short blonde hair began fiddling with a metal baton capped with a mesh-like ball. The man winced when she tapped on the device several times with her index finger, producing a loud, thumping sound.

“Hello,” she said.  “Can everybody hear me?”

“Yes,” several people shouted.

The man’s attention lapsed for about five minutes, and when the woman had concluded her introduction, he realized that he hadn’t heard a word that she had said.  Applause roused him from his reverie, and he saw a short, heavy lady of about 60, wearing a long blue dress and a pearl necklace, standing behind the podium. She opened a thick green binder, and began reading.

The man leaned back in his chair, attempting to absorb what he was hearing. Her words were clear and coherent, but they didn’t seem to form any logical ideas or even focus on any particular subject.  She was just rambling.  Maybe there was some mistake.  He looked around once more, trying to verify that he was in the right place at the right time. Had it been scheduled for 7:00 a.m., instead?  No, that would have been absurd.  Who would attend at 7:00 in the morning?  He doubted that the place was even open then.

“. . .floating up toward heaven like tiny, opalescent bubbles, and filled with the hope that they, too, would eventually reach perfection.  Seeing them in their pristine flight, the child breathes a deep sigh of contentment, wondering if she will ever be able to float so high, to attain such a perfect. . .”

The man shifted several times in his chair. What was the point of this inane babbling?  Was this woman giving a lecture?  Was she reading from her diary?  Even more confusing were the expressions of awe and reverence from the audience.  “Wow.”  “Incredible.”  “Beautiful.”  He glanced out the window to see if there was a rainbow or some other natural phenomenon that the others had observed, but saw nothing except passing motor cars and street lights that changed from green to yellow to red.  

“. . .and I imagine that I see myself in everything, feel myself in everything, recognize some deep, hidden part of my inner essence, in even the most mundane, trivial and. . .”

He opened up his notebook again and flipped through the pages, trying to decide what he would read. In the meantime, the woman in the blue dress droned on.

“. . .and seeing at last, out of the shadows which surround her, out of the darkness which threatens to envelop the dawn, out of the sickness which seems to eclipse health, the light of all eternity.  It is a light which. . .”

An entire week seemed to pass over the course of 30 minutes. The man wondered if he was the target of some weird practical joke.  Was Griswold somehow behind this? He sighed, a little too loudly, for his exhalation drew several irritated glances.  Folding his arms, he settled back in his seat, prepared for a long evening.

“. . .and I often said to my grandmother, ‘I know that you are old, and that you will leave me soon.’  She did not reply, but smiling softly, merely reached down and patted me on the head.  And I saw in those sparkling, wise old gray eyes the wisdom of all the ages, both past and future.”

She paused and looked up proudly, her eyes beaming. Thunderous applause erupted, punctuated by cheers and assorted whistles.  “Fantastic,” he heard one woman in the audience say.  “Bravo!” someone else shouted.

Restless, the man closed his notebook, pulled out a gold pocket watch, and flipped the cover open.  7:55.  Maybe they were running late.  Nudging the man next to him, he asked, “Excuse me, do you know what time the poetry reading begins?”

After a brief interlude during which the tall blonde woman asked if anyone in the audience wanted to share something, a stream of insufferable hacks took the podium, one after the other.  Some of them seemed to have just strung together a list of words which they had selected randomly from the dictionary.  There was no rhythm, no meter, and no rhyme.  And always, the readers were followed by loud applause and copious praise.

Finally, his turn came. He was greeted by polite, obligatory applause as he made his way to the podium.  “Welcome,” the tall blonde woman said to him.  “I like your costume,” she added.

“What costume?” he replied, prompting a burst of raucous laughter from the audience.  What was the matter with these people? Whatever their problem was, it mattered little.  He would recite something that would render all of them spellbound, the very piece which had won him so much acclaim.  Opening his notebook to a dog-eared page, he began reading in a loud, unwavering voice, trembling mildly as he reached a crescendoed pitch near the end of the final stanza.
  
Maybe he should have expected the weak reception that followed, particularly after what he had heard up until now.  These individuals hardly seemed the types that would appreciate the artistic subtleties of trochaic tetrameter.  Still, the nearly-total dearth of applause stung him like cold, pelting autumn rain.

“May I ask you something, dude?”

The question came from a fellow seated in the back row.  He wore a white, short-sleeved cotton shirt with a strange design on it, ragged blue jeans and a backwards baseball cap.

“Dude?” the man repeated.  

“Why are you like, so hung up on rhyme?” he said.  “I mean, when we were like, in first grade, that was all cool and stuff.  But now. . .”

“Yeah, and I didn’t get the whole thing with the talking bird,” a teen-aged girl said.  “it was like, too psychedelic for me.  Plus, why did it keep on saying the same thing?” 

      “Plus, the whole piece is kind of sing-songy,” someone else said.

“Yeah, what she said.”

The man turned bright red.  “What do you mean ‘sing-songy?’” he snapped.

“Poetry as an art form has matured,” the tall blonde woman explained.  “By adhering to such strict form, you’re really limiting yourself.  You’re not allowing yourself to reach your full potential.”

“Madame, I’ll have you know that I have published a great deal of poetry and fiction in my time,” he retorted.


“And that’s fine,” she said.  “but you really need to pay more attention to what’s going on around you.  Get with the times.”  Then her tone softened a bit, and she told the audience.  “Let’s give him a big hand, anyway.”

Livid, the man settled back into his seat and crossed his arms defiantly.  He was still sitting there an hour later when the staff began taking away the chairs.  Finally, the girl with the pierced tongue and eyebrow told him that they were closing, and that he would have to leave.  

He returned the following week, bought another cup of acrid coffee from the cafĂ© downstairs, and sat in the exact same spot at precisely 6:45 p.m.  He recognized some of the people from last Wednesday, and a couple even proffered polite greetings, to which he responded in kind.  The tall blonde once again initiated the evening’s festivities, and the man sat stone-faced through approximately an hour of doggerel.  

Finally he approached the podium, holding a brand new notebook with a sleek black cover.

“Hello,” the tall blonde woman said.  “I hope that we weren’t too hard on you last time.”

“Not at all, madame, “ he replied, and opening the new black notebook, began reading.

“In the light of the evening, through the pale darkness, I glimpse a face.  It is not a face I know, and yet, it is not a face with which I am entirely unfamiliar.  I approach the face, which begins to hover above me, at first smiling, then weeping, then openly mocking me with its scornful red mouth. I cry to the face ‘Tell me who you are, floating face!’ but it does not answer, and yet, I know that it is listening, hovering on every bitter word.  Finally it smiles with its gently-mocking, androgynous appearance, and I hear the words in my head more so than with my ears.  ‘I am you.  I am every man, every woman, and every child,’ he/she/it tells me.  I am the world at war, and I am the world at peace.  I am that which pleases and displeases, and I need not give anything in return.’ ”

Concluding with a flourish, the man stepped out from behind the podium and bowed to the audience, who clapped and cheered wildly.  When the applause finally subsided, he asked politely, “Did you all find that enlightening?”

“Oh, yes, absolutely.”  “That was great, man.”  “You were really right on target this time.”

“So I hope that we’ll be seeing and hearing more from you,” the tall blonde woman said.

He snapped the black notebook shut, and stood at attention.  Then raising the notebook high, he hurled it over the heads of the astonished audience, striking a large window 30 feet behind them.

“Nevermore,” he hissed.  Turning abruptly on his heel, he marched to the escalator, descended to the first floor, stormed out the front doors, and literally disappeared into the night.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Unwelcomed



"Manning, how badly is the ship damaged?"

"It's hard to say, Captain Alderran. But I'd suggest that we land as soon as possible and have a look at her."

It had been several hours since the alien attack on the spaceship, Starmaster. Fortunately, there had been no casualties but the crew was patently alarmed. There apparently was no reason for the assault, thus making the situation all the more perplexing. Captain James Alderran sat at his command post and pondered the ship's dilemma. Manning's right, he thought. We have to land here somewhere. His train of thought was interrupted by Susan Ritchilson, who was monitoring the radar screen.

"Captain, we've picked up something on the radar screen. It seems to be a rather large object."

"What is the approximate distance, Miss Ritchilson?"

"About 2,500 megameters, Captain Alderran."

"Sorrell," Captain Alderran said to the pilot. "Decelerate. Prepare to land the ship. We'll come in for a closer look."

"Paul Sorrell nodded. "Aye, aye, captain."

Sorrell slowed down the ship considerably and after 10 minutes, the Starmaster approached the atmosphere of a small planet. Sweat broke out on Paul Sorrell's forehead. Although he had landed the Starmaster countless times before, the procedure always made him nervous. But, as usual, the ship descended smoothly onto the planet's surface. Sorrell breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thornton, Hill," said Captain Alderran. "Put on your suits. The three of us will have a look at this planet."

"Captain, the atmosphere is almost identical to that of earth," said Peter Lorrimer, the ship's doctor. "A spacesuit would be superfluous." 

"Thank you, Dr. Lorrimer," answered the captain. "I'll give the orders if you don't mind." Then turning to Richard Thornton and Laurie Hill he said, "Hurry up, you two."

After the three of them had donned their suits, Sorrell pushed the large green button to the left of the control panel and the doors to the exit hatch parted. Captain Alderran and his two crew members descended cautiously.

A visual scan of the area revealed that it was probably a desert. Within a few yards of the ship was a small hill of sand atop of which sprouted a patch of weeds. Many brown shrubs and bushes also emanated [sic] the surroundings.

"Captain," Hill said. "I think Dr. Lorrimer was right. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear we were on Earth."

"I suppose you're right, Miss Hill," Captain Alderran admitted. "But let's do a bit of exploring first, shall we? We've obviously landed in a desert of some sort."

Forty-five minutes of meandering [on]the alien planet revealed an object which immediately caught Captain Alderran's attention. It was a large, foreboding construction some 15 feet high and 25 feet long built of masonry. At first glance, one might have assumed it to be a dwelling of some sort excepting that the structure had no windows. Hill and Thornton approached the captain as he hurriedly approached the building. Upon reaching it, they stopped within six feet of the entrance. A huge, empty doorway loomed before them, inviting the stranger to enter. Hesitating momentarily, James Alderran motioned his crew inside.

The building's interior was not a spectacular sight to behold. It was pitch black, forcing the crew to produce their flashlights. From observing the exterior of the structure, one could have easily conjectured what the inside was like. Four stone walls surrounded the explorers. Then Laurie Hill shone her flashlight toward the southwestern corner.

"Captain," she said excitedly. "Look!"

Following the flashlight beam with their eyes, Alderran and Thornton saw a large, uneven pile of jet black rocks.

"Coal," Richard Thornton said.

"Or something like it," remarked Captain Alderran. With this reply, he withdrew his communicator from his belt. Pushing the talk button, he spoke.

"This is Captain Alderran, Starmaster. Do you read me?"

Paul Sorrell's voice answered. "We read you loud and clear, captain. Where are you?"

"We're approximately two kilometers from the ship. We've discovered some kind of warehouse hut -all it contains it- Is Manning there?"

The engineer's voice replied, "Right here, captain."

"How much fuel does the ship have left?"

There was a pause. "Not a lot. That alien attack damaged the ship much more than I had estimated. We've lost a good deal of fuel. The nearest space port is one million megameters away. We may be staying here for a while."

"I've found something that we may be able to use for fuel. We'll be returning to the ship immediately. Over and out."

Captain Alderran returned the communicator to his belt. 

"Let's get out of here, crew," he said. "Thornton, grab a handful of those rocks."

Richard Thornton nodded acquiescence. He bent over to pick up the ship's possible source of fuel when an object whizzed past his ear and lodged itself between the stones of the wall with a loud thunk! Whirling around as quickly as possible, Thornton discovered three humanoid shapes at the opposite end of the cave. He knew not what manner of creatures these were; he could merely make out their silhouettes.

With impressive speed and dexterity, Captain Alderran whipped out his laser pistol and fired. He missed the intruders and several stones crumbled from the empty doorway under which they stood. The creatures fled immediately.

"What the hell was that?" asked Thornton.

"I don't know," Captain Alderran answered. "But they sure weren't friendly. We'd better return to the ship promptly."

Upon finishing his sentence, Alderran tucked his gun back into his belt. The three of them walked out of the dismal building, scrutinizing the area. Thornton saw no trace of whatever had attacked them. No footprints were visible.

"Let's get back to the ship," Captain Alderran said.

"Amen," Laurie Hill remarked.

The trio had not traveled 50 yards when the wind began blowing fiercely, spitting sharp grains of sand into their faces. Fortunately, the captain had insisted that space suits be worn, thus the helmets protected the crew members' eyes. But a storm of this magnitude made sight an impossibility. The explorers realized that they had no alternative but to seek shelter until the brutal weather subsided. There was only one place to stay.

"We have to turn back," Captain Alderran shouted above the howling wind. "We'll never make it in this storm."

Trudging back to the ominous building, Alderran cursed silently. He didn't need this hassle. Damn the day they had landed on this godforsaken planet.

When he was inside once more, James Alderran sat down against the west wall, exhausted. He removed his space helmet and Thornton and Hill did likewise.

"Son of a bitch," he gasped. "Well, gang," he said to his crew members. "enjoy yourselves. We're going to be here until this crazy sandstorm stops, which might be a while."

"I just hope everything's all right back at the ship," Laurie Hill said. She sounded genuinely concerned.

"I don't see why it shouldn't be," replied Captain Alderran. "I think it's ourselves we should worry about."

Richard Thornton broke in. "I hope that welcoming party doesn't return."

"Don't fret about it, Thornton," said Captain Alderran. "We've got our laser guns. Which reminds me, I'd better contact the ship."

Captain Alderran's left hand reached for his belt when suddenly his face froze in horror.

"Captain," said Hill. "What is it? What's the matter?"

Captain Alderran stared at her silently, incredulously. "My communicator," he said. "It's gone, lost in the storm."

"Why, that's nothing to worry about, captain," Thornton said. "We can easily find our way back to the ship after this storm's cleared up. And if not, they're certain to come looking for us."

"Certain," Alderran repeated. His eyes were blank. "Yes, they'll come for us. Certainly."


***
Thomas Manning was ill at ease. Two hours had passed and he had heard nothing from Captain Alderran.

"Paul," he said to the pilot. "I don't know what's become of Laurie, Dick and the captain. It's been some time since we received any sort of signal from them."

Paul Sorrell was silent for a long while. At last he spoke.

"Have you tried contacting them?"

"Dozens of times, yes, but nothing seems to be getting through."

Thinking briefly, Sorrell spoke again. "Let's wait a bit longer. If we still don't hear from the captain, you and I will go out ourselves. The only problem is that we don't know where they are, and if we've lost communication -let's wait a while."

Thomas Manning seemed unsatisfied with the pilot's suggestion. He shifted uneasily in his seat.

"I need to go outside and start some serious repair work or we'll never get off this planet."

"No," Sorrell said sternly. "Wait just a bit longer."

Now Manning was angry. 

"Damn it, Paul!" he shouted, slamming his fist onto the control panel. "They could be dead for all we know! In the meantime, I've got to do something besides sit here like a log."

"Will you shut up?" Sorrell replied. "You know the captain's procedures. After four hours, if contact is not made, then proceed 
to . . ."

"We haven't got four hours," snarled Manning. "Why must you be such an idiot?"

"Gentlemen, please stop this inane quarreling at once," Peter Lorrimer interjected.

"Dr. Lorrimer's right," said Susan Ritchilson. Two grown men acting like babies. Why don't we compromise? We'll wait one more hour. If we still haven't heard from them, two of us will investigate. Fair enough?"

Thomas Manning scowled. "All right," he said, turning to glare at Sorrell. "One more hour."


***
Laurie Hill glanced out of the doorway of the building where she and her shipmates had been sheltered. All was calm outside. Dusk had fallen. How long had it lasted? she wondered. Four hours? Five? Six? She turned and shook Alderran.

"Captain, wake up. The storm's over. We can leave."

James Alderran groaned softly. Reluctantly he opened his eyes and sat up. 

"You're right, Miss Hill." He seemed relieved. "Wake up Thornton and let's get out of this place." 

Laurie Hill did as the captain ordered but with great difficulty. Richard Thornton did not want to awaken.

"What time is it?" he mumbled.

"Dick," she said urgently, continuing to shake him. "The storm is over. We're leaving."

Thornton bolted upright. "Over?" He seemed surprised. "Thank God." 

Under Captain Alderran's orders, Thornton stuffed his backpack with black rocks and the crew was off. They were heading back to the Starmaster at last.

In a short while, Laurie Hill began to tire rapidly.

"I've got to rest, captain," she gasped. "Can't go any farther." With that, she slumped to her knees and sat on the hard, dry sand.

"Oh, come on, Miss Hill," Captain Alderran said. He bent over to help her. "We haven't got that much further to . . . aaahhh!" Captain James Alderran fell to the ground, dead. A long wooden spear protruded from his back. Laurie Hill shrieked.

"Captain!" Thornton cried. Looking up, he beheld a most unpleasant sight. About 30 feet behind the explorers stood 10 humanoid creatures like the ones they had encountered earlier in the stone structure. In the fading twilight, Thornton could see them clearly enough. They were bipedal creatures, vaguely manlike in appearance. Each was perhaps six feet tall and dressed in a blood-red loincloth. Their dark green hair was wildly mussed. The creatures' skin was a lighter green, and although they carried crude weapons, their sharp yellow teeth and filthy claws were sufficient in combat. A greater stench Thornton had never before experienced. Firing his laser pistol, Thornton struck one squarely in the forehead. But there were nine others to contend with, all savagely enraged. The last sensation Thornton was aware of was a sharp pain in his shoulder, and all went black.
***
After what seemed like centuries, Richard Thornton was awakened by the peaceful light of dawn. His right shoulder was clotted with dried blood and throbbed painfully. The creatures that had killed Captain Alderran had obviously left him for dead. Rubbing his eyes sleepily, he noticed Laurie Hill lying next to the captain's body, face down. Was she still breathing? He shook her vigorously. Getting no response, he rolled her onto her back. Her throat was cut from ear to ear. Sickened, he turned away and began to retch. He then wiped his mouth with his hand and crawled away from the two bodies. He soon passed two dead aliens. Laurie hadn't been such a bad shot after all.

Thornton soon began to feel incredibly thirsty. How much longer could he go on? This desert was hot, very hot. He was suddenly aware of the intense heat. Sweat flooded into his eyes, blinding him momentarily. His tongue felt like a strip of cardboard.

Then he saw them! Two of them in the distance. Aliens, he thought. I'm finished, or are they? The figures seemed to take notice of him and broke into a quick run in his direction. Those bastards weren't going to get him like they got Captain Alderran and Laurie. With all the strength he could muster, Richard Thornton climbed to his feet and aimed his laser pistol. 

"Die, you bastards!" he yelled.

"Dick, wait."

That voice! Thornton recognized it. It was Dr. Lorrimer.

"Doc!" he yelled. "Thank God!" Then he collapsed.

"Dick, are you all right?" asked Paul Sorrell, shaking him.

"Give him some water," Dr. Lorrimer suggested. 

Unscrewing the canteen, Sorrell handed it to Thornton, who drank thirstily, half-emptying the metal canteen. Choking and sputtering, he made an effort to speak.

"The captain and Laurie," he managed to say. "They're dead. They killed them."

"Dead?" shouted Paul Sorrell. "Who killed them, Dick?"

"They did. The aliens. All we wanted were some black rocks."

Lorrimer was concerned. "Let's get him back to the ship. He's not making any sense."

With the help of Paul Sorrell, Peter Lorrimer carried Thornton back to the Starmaster. The doctor held his communicator to his mouth.

"This is Dr. Lorrimer," he said. "Anyone on board the Starmaster, please open the hatch immediately. Paul and I have found Dick."

Obediently, the two steel doors parted and the two men dragged the unconscious Richard Thornton aboard. Susan Ritchilson gasped and rushed to his side.

"He'll be all right," assured Dr. Lorrimer. "Let's just get him to bed."

"Will do, Dr. Lorrimer," said Thomas Manning.

When Richard Thornton awoke some hours later, he felt very hungry. Ritchilson quickly brought him a bowl of chicken soup and when he finished that, a roast beef sandwich. His appetite being somewhat satiated, he was ready to talk. Dr. Lorrimer sat on the side of his bed.

"Do you have anything to tell us, Dick?"

So Thornton began his tale from the beginning. He told of all that had transpired since the ship landed yesterday; of the discovery of the unusual stone structure, the jet black rocks and the battle with the green-skinned creatures in which Captain Alderran and Laurie Hill had perished. Dr. Lorrimer listened to the entire story without so much as blinking an eyelid.

Finally he spoke. "What of the black rocks you found, Dick? Where are they?"

Thornton shook his head slowly. "I don't know," he said. "I put a whole bunch of them in my backpack. I thought, or rather the captain thought, that we might be able to use them for fuel. They're all gone now. Must have been those . . . those 'things' that attacked us. We'll never get out of here."

"Don't be so pessimistic," said Dr. Lorrimer. "First thing tomorrow morning, Paul and I will go with you, and you'll show us where you originally found those rocks."

Thornton looked apprehensively at Peter Lorrimer. "You mean go back there, doc? No way!"

"Don't be ridiculous," Dr. Lorrimer chided. "How else are we to get those rocks? We desperately need fuel."

Thornton paused for a moment. "But you've no guarantee that the coal -or whatever it is- can be used as fuel."

"That's a chance we'll just have to take. Get some rest, Dick," Lorrimer answered and walked out of the bed chamber, quietly closing the door.

At 9:00 a.m. the next morning, Richard Thornton heard a loud knocking on his door. He had slept quite soundly the night before, and felt much refreshed. He stretched his arms above his head and groaned loudly.

"Come in," he called out. The door opened and Peter Lorrimer entered, looking unusually cheerful and robust. 

"Get dressed, Dick," he said. "We're leaving the ship in exactly 30 minutes." He smiled. "By the way," he added. "Good morning."

Richard Thornton cursed under his breath as the doctor closed the door. But there was work to be done, and he knew that as well as Dr. Lorrimer. He dressed with great sluggishness, complaining aloud all the while. When finished, he exited his room and met Lorrimer and Sorrell, both fully-dressed, as if they had been awaiting him.

"Before we go, gentlemen," said Dr. Lorrimer. "Be certain each of us has his communicator and laser pistol."

"Check," Paul Sorrell replied.

"Ditto," said Thornton. There was a note of sarcasm in his voice, although Dr. Lorrimer didn't appear to notice.

"Let's go," he said.

"Dr. Lorrimer, wait!" Thomas Manning called out. "Let me come with you. It might be dangerous."

Lorrimer shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't allow that, Tom. Somebody's got to stay at the ship with Susan. We'll be all right. We know what to expect this time." He patted the gun at his side.

Susan Ritchilson and Thomas Manning watched their companions walk off into the alien desert. Manning turned to Ritchilson. "They'll never come back," he said. Susan Ritchilson merely turned away without answering.

Sorrell, Lorrimer and Thornton had been trekking over the desert sands for a good while, and had not yet found the "coal house," as Lorrimer had nicknamed it. Sorrell was rapidly growing impatient.

"I thought that you knew where this place was, Dick."

"I do, I do," answered Thornton, defending himself. "It should be right around here somewhere." Then his eyes flashed triumphantly. "There it is," he yelled, pointing to a structure in the distance.

Running as fast as their feet could carry them, the three men arrived at the building, all panting heavily. Thornton turned on his flashlight and pointed towards the empty portal.

"This way," he said. His comrades followed eagerly behind.

"There it is," he said, shining his flashlight beam on the large pile of rocks in the corner.

"Perfect," whispered Sorrell. "Dr. Lorrimer, I believe we can use these rocks to . . . Look out, doctor!"

Peter Lorrimer, who was standing near the entrance, turned quickly to face his attackers, four green-skinned creatures with clubs and stone daggers. Firing his laser pistol, he dispatched two of them without difficulty. His fellow fiends, however, rushed at the doctor with an unbridled ferocity. He barely managed to kill a third before it reached him. The final attacker decided it was wiser to retreat, and turning away, made for the doorway. Lorrimer's gun flashed one final time and the alien dropped just as it reached the exit.

Sorrell was impressed. "Nice shot, doctor."

"They don't call me the fastest gun in the galaxy for nothing," he said. He leaned against the doorway when two green hands shot out from behind him, wrapping a leather thong around his neck. Choking and struggling vainly, the doctor was dragged out of sight.

"Doctor!" Sorrell shouted. Drawing his gun, he ran towards where Lorrimer had disappeared. No sooner had he stepped outside when a hatchet was buried in his chest. He slumped to his knees and fell face first into the desert sand.

"Holy Hell," screamed Richard Thornton as he fumbled for his own meager weapon. A dozen aliens, wielding sundry tools of war, flooded towards him. He closed his eyes, and praying, fired away. Six aliens fell dead, but that wasn't enough. Thornton dropped his gun, feeling lost and hopeless.

Just then, something happened that Thornton didn't understand until later. At the entrance to the building, twenty feet from where he was standing, was someone with a can of oil. Before the unidentified figure was a small pile of the black rocks. Dousing them with oil, the person set them aflame. Strangely enough, as he performed this action, the remaining half a dozen monsters who had been attacking Thornton ceased to do so and charged wildly towards whoever was burning their precious rocks. At a safe distance of 15 feet, Thomas Manning drew his laser gun and fired six times. It was over.

Three days had passed, and the Starmaster was peacefully on its way to Spaceport 13. Manning had explained everything to Thornton. 

"The denizens of the planet protested violently when you, Captain Alderran and Laurie Hill attempted to 'steal' their black rocks. These objects must have had some great value to the aliens, great enough to kill for. I knew you'd be needing me, so I followed you the second time, in spite of what Dr. Lorrimer said."

Thornton now understood completely. Almost completely.

"But why did you burn those rocks?" he asked Manning.

"Simple," stated Manning. "To distract them from killing you like they killed Paul and Dr. Lorrimer. Apparently, these rocks were worth enough to them to lay off you in order to salvage then. My hunch was correct, lucky for you. Incredibly stupid beings."

As the Starmaster floated through space, Richard Thornton stared out the porthole. He was glad to be alive.