Despite Six's confidence that the map to the grand staircase would be there, Cueva Guarache proved to be yet another bust.
'Shit', she thought to herself, wiping perspiration off her forehead. Despite the sun having set a few hours ago, it was still hot outside the cave, and Six expended more energy that she would have liked while on her hunt as she had to be extra vigilant for any traps the previous occupant may have left any unsuspecting visitors.
"Were you able to find Daniel's map?" Waking Cloud's voice at the mouth of the cave gave Six a start, making her almost stumble back on her heels.
"No… no map here", Six answered dolefully, "Nothing but a few mantises, mole rats and a heap of junk".
"Perhaps it would be best to go back to camp, carry on in the morning?" Waking Cloud suggested.
Six took a deep breath in, savouring a sweet floral scent that was carried by the breeze. It was a most welcomed respite after scrounging in the damp cave for almost an hour and helped her think.
"You should probably head back, I'm going to go to the next cave and have a look around. Found some information from a previous resident in this hideout that the map might be inside Morning Glory cave", Six scratched an itch from a droplet of perspiration that ran down her scalp under her worn Stetson hat.
"It is not wise to stay out alone", Waking Cloud answered with a stern look, "Not only because of the threat of White Legs".
Six got the point; she checked the map on her PipBoy and estimated it would take roughly twenty minutes to get there…if they hurried.
"Alright… One more location, then we'll head back", Six suggested.
"Then we better begin", Waking Cloud gave a nod and both women carried on in a southerly direction towards Morning Glory cave.
Stars peppered the sky above Aelius as he did his night's patrol around the perimeter of the Sorrows Camp. After escorting Waking Cloud and the Courier to Ranger Station Osprey, he used the watch tower to get a better vantage point of the area underneath and then carried on in a westerly direction.
Zion was a truly magical place, especially at night. Though he wished he could spend more time with those he cared about at camp, he also knew that the best way to keep everyone safe in these uncertain times was to carry out daily and nightly patrols. He was one of a half dozen men who regularly patrolled this perimeter every other day or night.
Sky above him was clear and bright, sparkling stars blinked down at him; the pearly white crescent of a new moon had made its appearance even before the sun had set. Though it was late evening, the temperature was pleasant and a cool breeze washed over him once in a while, carrying with it the faint scents of flora and fauna.
'If only we didn't have to deal with the White Legs, this place would be a peaceful paradise', Aelius thought, wondering when the situation with the hostile tribe would come to an end. He hoped it would be soon as he found himself yearning to lead a quiet and peaceful life away from troubles, hostilities, and warring factions.
Despite leaving the two women so that the Courier may search for Daniel's map, a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach wouldn't leave him and grew stronger as the hours passed. Once he finished patrolling the western side, he decided to head back to the point where he left the women just to check if they had made their way back; though once he reached Ranger Station Osprey, their tracks said otherwise. He found no new tracks made by the Courier or Waking Cloud indicating that they had made their return back to camp. Looking behind him from where his patrol route awaited him, something in Aelius' gut urged him to follow the Six's and Waking Cloud's tracks. He knew how far the Courier was planning on venturing out and, if he kept a steady jogging pace, he would reach the cave in less than a quarter of an hour; he just hoped that they didn't decide to venture further south.
The decision to head to Morning Glory cave proved to be fruitful. Sitting pretty in a footlocker almost hidden from sight, Six found the map to the Grand Staircase and headed back out, quite pleased that it took less than half the time to find it compared to the last cave she examined. Now, with the final piece for Daniel's escape plan in her hands, she was certain to get the map she desperately needed if she wanted to get out of Zion valley. Despite facing off dangerous wildlife and the White Legs tribe, part of Six couldn't help but think that it would be a shame to leave this paradise. She wondered what would happen when she returned back to camp – would the tribes begin to pack up and leave soon as they could and follow the map of the Grand Staircase, or would Joshua give the order to take the attack to the White Legs, forever eliminating any possible future threats of their encroachment. One thing was certain – as soon as her mission was complete, a fork in the road would present itself, offering a chance to leave Zion before the situation with the White Legs became untenable, or stay in Zion to help the innocent tribespeople fight off their enemy…no matter how long it took.
"Has your search been successful Courier?" Waking Cloud asked eagerly as she awaited Six's return at the mouth of Moring Glory cave.
Six reached into her satchel and proudly took out the map for her guide to see.
"Yes, very much so. And I couldn't have done it without you, Waking Cloud", Six nodded in thanks to the woman, who smiled and bowed her head in acknowledgement.
"We will head back to the Sorrows camp then. Daniel will be pleased to see you have found the map!"
The women made a start on heading back, following the river from whence they came; however, as they progressed back north, they came across two wandering Yao Guais blocking their path. As the way around to their left was blocked by a cliff face, Six contemplated sneaking around them and walking through the running river. Waking Cloud was quick to point out the shallowness of the river and that, despite their poor eyesight, Yao Guai had a keen sense of smell and hearing. With the path ahead too risky to cross, Waking Cloud suggested doubling back slightly and crossing the North Fork Bridge, where the roads ahead would be safer for them to make their way back to camp. It was a slight inconvenience, but a prudent move; Six nodded in approval and they proceeded according to Waking Cloud's plan.
Just as they reached the edge of North Fork Bridge, Waking Cloud slowed to a stop and lowered to a crouched position.
"What's going on? Another Yao Guai?"
Waking Cloud's gaze darted around them and an uncertain expression was etched on her smooth features.
"No…there is something close...", she whispered hesitantly.
"What?"
"We are being watched", Waking Cloud pressed a finger to her lips, a sign that they should keep verbal communication to a minimum.
Sure enough, Six felt the hackles on the back of her neck raise as she examined the area around them. For a land that was always buzzing with the sound of life, from insects to wildlife, the area they were in was unsettlingly quiet…not even a cicada dared chirp.
Hunched down low to the ground, Six and Waking Cloud proceeded forward with caution; little did they know that they were being watched by an unlikely White Legs scout. Cautiously moving through the shrubbery, the women spotted several White Legs across the river from them setting up traps around the bridge and the main path.
"We have to stop them!" Waking Cloud whispered urgently.
"How? We're outnumbered at least 3 to 1", Six added, counting the number of enemies through her binoculars.
"If we move further West, we can go around and behind them, taking them by surprise".
"That might work", Six added, feeling a bit more optimistic with that option. If they could quietly get around behind them, Six was sure they could pick off the enemy one by one without alerting anyone to their presence… but first they had to get across the river. They waited for another minute or two until the attention of the White Legs closest to the other side of the bridge moved further down the path, "Alright, we shouldn't be spotted if we make a move now".
Waking Cloud nodded, but before they had a chance to move out of their cover, the sound of a vicious growl made them freeze in their tracks; it had come several feet to their left. Without making any sudden moves, Six slowly turned her head in its direction, feeling the blood run cold through her body. Had they unwittingly come across another dangerous wild creature?
"Six…that is a White Leg hound", she heard Waking Cloud whisper tentatively beside her, "Do not move, let it come to us".
Six's eyes widened in alarm at her suggestion, but she slowly sank back down onto her knees. Though that helped the hound stop growling, the creature was still baring its long sharp teeth at them. Covered in a dark brown, almost black fur, slender legs with large paws, its naturally upright and pointed ears and amber coloured eyes, Six never would have guess that this was a domesticated animal…it certainly appeared more wolf like than any hound she'd ever encountered.
"What now?" Six whispered back, her gaze darting between Waking Cloud and the hound. If the creature decided to attack, Waking Cloud's close proximity to it placed her in most danger. If Six could get to her knife in the side of her boot without antagonising the hound….
A threatening, gravelly bark escaped its deadly throat just as Six reached down to her knife, and another deep growl rumbled from its chest; but that didn't stop Six.
"Easy there pal…not gonna hurt you", Six tried to whisper calmly to the hound as her palm wrapped securely around the handle, "Easy...".
Her words helped more to reassure herself rather than calm the hound; nevertheless it shifted the animal's attention away from Waking Cloud and toward Six, giving her enough time to prepare for its attack. Sure enough when Six shifted slightly on her feet to avoid being knocked over, the hound let out two loud barks before lunging forward at Six. With one quick movement, Six took down the hound feeling the long knife sink between its ribs; its life brought to a quick and merciful end…but the damage was done. The hound's cries were enough to alert the White Legs across the river; quickly the situation devolved from Six and Waking Cloud having an advantage over their enemy to a frantic scramble back behind some cover as several White Legs advanced on their position.
"Up the hill!" Six urged, hearing the yells of the White Legs across the river. They sprinted up an incline and took cover behind a large boulder, pressed their backs against it. Peaking around the side, Six managed to catch a glimpse of the White Leg's advance on their position before a ricochet of bullets from one of their enemies forced her back behind the safety of the rockface.
"How many?" Waking Cloud asked, readying herself for their impending fight.
"I counted seven just now", Six swiftly checked the loaded ammo in her rifle before kneeling down and peering around the corner again; with her rifle firmly in her hands, Six took aim and fired a round of .308 before the White Leg running up the hill had a chance to take aim and his fellow tribal across the river could send another ricochet of bullets their way.
"Might be more on their tails though", Six exhaled.
"We cannot stay here, we must push forward. The Sorrows need to be warned", there was an urgency in Waking Cloud's voice that resounded within Six.
"Agreed. I'll provide cover while you make a run for it", Six nodded, and on the count of three Waking Cloud sprinted up to another smaller sets of boulders for safety while Six took aim and fired at two White Legs – another kill and wounding the second. By the time she'd reloaded her rifle to fire another volley of shots before following Waking Cloud, movement behind the White Legs across the river caught her eye. It was Aelius.
Following the sound of the rapid gunfire from the White Leg automatic weapons, Aelius sprinted further south hoping that he wasn't too late.
Catching two of the White Legs by surprise, Aelius dispatched them with his machete quickly before they had a chance to turn their weapons on him. Long range weapons and firearms weren't his specialty, and despite having some preliminary training with Joshua and the other New Canaanites on how to use their firearms, he preferred to stick to melee weapons; after all, they were his specialty.
Keeping his movements random and ducking behind cover kept the other White Legs from successfully targeting him. Taking cover behind a rocky over cropping just in time to avoid the latest volley of shots, Aelius peaked around the corner while the White Legs were re-loading and briefly caught sight of Six and Waking Cloud across the river behind their own cover. With the attention now focused on him, Six was able to break cover and eliminate two of the White Legs who was firing at his position. With only two White Legs armed with spears and machetes, Aelius ran out from behind the rocky outcropping and swiftly eliminated their threat.
An eerie silence swept over the area as soon as the fighting ended, sending a cold shiver through Aelius' body. Without hesitation he rushed through the river to the Courier's location.
"Good thing you showed up", Six gave him a nod soon as he was within earshot.
Aelius had a mind to voice his concern about how far they had strayed from their original path, but chose to stay his tongue and help them get back to camp.
"No, we cannot leave", Waking Cloud protested when he offered to escort them to the Sorrows camp, "A large scouting party like that…there are sure to be more waiting".
"Which is why we need to leave now. We can warn the Sorrows and bring reinforcements to help us fight", Aelius emphasized, motioning that they follow him back to camp…but both women refused.
"If the White Legs are setting up a foothold in this territory, we have to act now. By the time we return to camp, it will be dawn. This cannot wait until then", Waking Cloud stood her ground.
Waking Cloud did have a point – it wasn't like the White Legs to send a large scouting party without a warring party behind them; there was a risk that if they didn't act now, they could lose their advantage, giving the White Legs just enough time to prepare their warriors for an attack on both the Sorrows and Dead Horses camp.
"Alright…we deal with this problem now", he nodded in agreement, following behind Waking Cloud and the Courier.
None of them knew what was waiting for them, but Aelius knew that if this was the beginning of the White Leg's full attack on Zion, the three of them were the only hope for the rest of the peaceful tribes. If they failed in this mission, there would be no one to warn their families…and Zion would be another silent victim to the Legion's seemingly growing shadow.