Our Future is in Our Past
Chapter 8
A Rooster, rocks and a Dance.
Kim followed Eveleen out into yard. They had been living with the family for about a week now helping them work the farm. Eveleen let her borrow a shawl for her head. The ground was frozen and covered in sleet, snow and ice. Eveleen picked up a small hatchet and knocked the ice out of the bucket lying next to the well. She lowered it into the well and pulled it back up full of water. Kim held on to the basket she had picked up in the house. Eveleen nodded toward a small building.
"That's the chicken house. Let's get in there and get the eggs. Watch out for the rooster. He's a mean one."
Kim nodded as they approached the small building. Eveleen pulled a wooden peg out of the door bolt and pulled it open. There was a flutter of wings and feathers followed by a cackling and squawking of the hens. Kim looked into the dimly lit building. There were several rows of nests along one wall. The floor was covered in hay and bird poo. Kim grimaced as she walked across the floor. Eveleen turned and raised an eyebrow. Kim giggled a little.
"I'm used to horses, cows and such. This is a little different."
Eveleen nodded.
"Well, let's get the eggs. Remember, watch out for that rooster. He is mean."
Kim stopped and reached carefully under the first hen. The hen clucked a bit, but didn't move. Kim pulled two eggs from under her and placed them into the basket. Eveleen took a pitchfork from the far wall and began to pitch the dirty hay out the door. When she finished, she climbed a ladder and began to pitch clean straw down from the loft. Kim moved slowly down the wall of nests taking the eggs from each one. A cackle just above her head gave her a second of warning. Her free hand flicked out and hit something solid. A loud squawk and flying feathers told her that she had hit the mark. The rooster flailed onto the floor and got up like it was drunk. Eveleen cheered from the loft.
"That's the first time I've seen him get what he deserves."
Kim finished picked the eggs and helped Eveleen spread the hay. They made their way to the door of the chicken coop when Kim held out her hand and stopped Eveleen. She turned to Kim as Kim raised a finger to her lips. She bent over and whispered into Eveleen's ear.
"When you finished tossing the hay out the door it was wide open. It's almost closed now. I smell two little boys and a trick."
Eveleen stopped and looked at the door.
"You are right. I would have gone right out the door. Now what do you think...?"
Kim smiled.
"I remember a full bucket of water right outside the door don't you?"
Eveleen nodded again. Kim smiled.
"Now, is there another way out of here?"
Eveleen thought.
"Not really. There is a door in the loft, but that is way off the ground."
Kim gave the basket to the Eveleen.
"Just watch."
Kim climbed into the loft and made her way to the loft door. Shoving the wooden bolt to the side, she pushed open the door slightly and looked outside. The loft door was on the opposite side of the chicken house so if anyone was watching the regular door they would not be able to see her. Grabbing a rope hanging from a tackle over the door, she slid to the ground. Kim stopped and glanced around looking for Eveleen's two brothers. She could not see them yet. Kim slid toward the front side of the building and looked around. No one was there. She turned and crept carefully down the wall to the other side. She was about to look around the corner when she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Ducking back quickly and crouching down, Kim slowly looked back around the corner. That is when she saw them.
Eveleen's two brothers were peeking over the rock wall from inside the hog pen. Kim noticed one thing. The bucket of food that the boys were supposed to give to the hogs was sitting beside the fence. Since the fence was rock if someone could get to the fence the boys would not be able to see them. Glancing around, Kim noticed a line of bushes that curved around from behind the chicken house to just about where the hog pen was. Ducking behind the bushes, she made her way around to the hog pen then up the bucket of food. She quietly glanced over the top of the wall to see the boys just a few yards away with their backs to them. Kim picked up the bucket of food and quickly tossed the contents into the pen just feet behind the boys.
Quinn and Roy waited for the trick to be strung. Playing tricks on their sister was just a part of their lives. She was way to bossy for her own good. Now the new girl was here and they wanted to be sure to include her in the fun. It had been too easy to slowly close the door and put the bucket of water over the door. All their sister had to do was open the door and splash. They waited a little longer and wondered just what was taking their sister and cousin so long. Just about the time they looked over the wall again there was the sound of something hitting the ground behind them. The delighted squeal of all the pigs in the pen filled their ears as they turned to the food they were supposed to have given the pigs lying at their feet. Screaming for their lives, the two boys jumped over the fence just in time not to be trampled by the pigs charging for their breakfast. As they got up from the ground they turned to see their cousin Kim standing there with a smirk on her face and the now empty bucket in her hand.
Kim tossed the now empty bucket at their feet. At that moment Eveleen's mom came running up.
"What's going on? I heard a lot of yelling."
Kim smiled at the two boys, and then turned to their mom.
"They just got surprised by the pigs. Apparently the pigs were a lot hungrier than they counted on. I guess I was lucky that I stepped out of the chicken house and was able to pull them out."
Eveleen's mom stared at the two boys.
"I have no idea WHY they would have gotten into the pen in the first place, maybe to pull one of their little pranks? Thank you Kim for looking out for them."
Kim nodded toward the chicken coop.
"I'll just get back to work helping Eveleen."
Kim winked at the two boys as she turned and went back to the chicken coop. She reached up and pulled the bucket of water off of the top of the door and went inside. Eveleen's mom didn't see what happened as she stared at her two boys.
"Well, I really do have a feeling something else happened but with any other proof I can't say anything. But what I can do is say that since Kim helped you two out so much, then you can take over her and Eveleen's chores for the rest of the day. I think I can use their help inside."
Quinn and Roy decided they could only nod. If their mother found out what really happened then they would not only have a rather large work load, they would have to do it standing up because they would definitely not be able to sit down. Their new cousin may be a girl, but she was pretty nice in her own way. How she got out of the chicken coop without them knowing was something they had to find out.
"You there! Blondie! Grab that pick. I want you to bust up those rocks so they can be used for the road."
Flynn glanced over to the man shouting orders, and then picked up a pick and handed it to Ron. Then he picked up another pick and motioned for Ron to head over to a large pike of rocks near where the road was being made. The two of them had signed on to the work crew earlier. Flynn explained to Ron that most families tried to get as many members on the work crews as possible. Also, those family members on the work crews got most if not all of the food. That way they remained strong to work. The other family members had to make do the best they could. The roads they built were sometimes actually planned roads from one place to another. But some, like the one they were working on didn't seem to be headed anywhere. It did employ some people so they kept the building going.
Ron set his feet near a large chunk of rock, settled the pick in his hands and took a good swing. The pick hit the rock and it shattered into smaller pieces. Ron glanced over to Flynn. Flynn nodded back to Ron.
"Yeah, they bust up pretty easily but do this all day and you'll be tired."
Ron glanced over at the large pile of rock.
"Do they expect up to bust up all of this?"
Flynn shook his head.
"Let's hope not lad. But you never know."
Another man parked a wheelbarrow next to the two of them and nudged one of the men handing a shovel. The two changed places and started back to work. The man with the shovel shifted over toward Flynn.
"Murphy! Got some news for ya. Seems the Squire has taken an extra dislike to ya."
Flynn sneered.
"So what else is new Matthew? He's been trying to find a way to get rid of me for the past few months. You got something else."
Matthew started to shovel some loose rock into a nearby wheelbarrow.
"Apparently, some new English couple came in on one of the last boats looking to buy into some of the land around here. Seems to be they have gotten real friendly with the Squire. Even made an offer or two on the farm you are on. The lady has been entertaining Lieutenant Fisk quite well. My wife has been doing laundry for them and she says the lady has quite the temper. A black soul to match her black hair is what my wife says. Don't know much about the man, must be a doctor or professor of some kind as the lady calls him Dr. D all the time."
Ron swung and missed the rock he was aiming at nearly bashing his own foot. Flynn glanced over at Ron with a curious glance and went back to talking with the Matthew.
"Why do you think they have something against me?"
The man shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't have an idea. But the wife said she will keep her eyes open and her ears too."
Flynn nodded.
"I'll be thanking for all that. You need anything? Eggs, meat, milk?"
Matthew nodded.
"The family sure could use some eggs and meat."
Flynn shrugged his shoulders as he set his sledgehammer down.
"Come by the house. I am sure we can spare a little. On a happier note, you and family coming to the dance tonight?"
Matthew grinned.
"Oh yes, my Jamie is wanting to speak to your Eveleen I am sure."
Flynn laughed.
"Just as I am sure my Eveleen will be wanting to talk your Jamie. We will see you tonight then."
Matthew switched places with the same man again and went back to pushing the wheelbarrow. Flynn stepped back over to where Ron was and started breaking up another pile of rocks.
"Let's keep working Ron my boy; we have a long day ahead of us. But, if ye like you and Kim can join us at the dance tonight."
Ron paused for a moment and leaned against his sledge.
"What kind of dancing?"
Flynn grinned over to him.
"I'm sure a good strong lad like you could learn quickly enough."
Ron walked with Kim across the farmyard. He had just gotten back from the work crew and found Kim helping out in the farmyard. Eveleen guessed that they might want a little privacy and left to go in the house. Kim gave him a hug and then looked up at him. She looked into his face and knew there was trouble.
"Ron, what's wrong?"
Ron put his hands on Kim's shoulders.
"I think I know where Shego and Drakken are."
Kim's eyes grew wide.
"What do you mean?"
Ron continued.
"Well, one of the men working on the work crew told Flynn that his wife was working for this new couple that just came into the area. She said the woman was hard to work for. I think he said she had a black soul to match her black hair."
Kim nodded.
"That sounds like her alright. What else?"
Ron shrugged.
"Well, apparently Drakken keeps out of sight most of the time. But the woman heard the dark haired woman call him Dr. D."
Kim put her arms around herself.
"That's them alright. Where are they?"
Ron shook his head.
"I don't know. I do know that the man said they were trying to do something to Eveleen's family and that they were getting really cozy with the British. Especially that soldier we met the other night."
Kim shook her head.
"We have to be careful. We can't let anyone know what's really going on. All we can do is try and protect Eveleen and her family. If and when we met up with Shego and Drakken we can just say that they were responsible for getting us kicked off the boat."
Ron nodded.
"Sounds good to me. We better go get ready. We are still playing the part of family from America."
Kim gave him another hug before looking around to see if anyone was visible. Seeing no one she got on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss.
"See you after we get ready."
Eveleen held another dress in front of Kim.
"I think this one will look just fine on you."
Kim took the dress and held it up against herself.
"It's beautiful. You sure you don't want to wear it?"
Eveleen pulled another dress out of her cabinet.
"Yes, I'm sure. I'm going to be wearing this one."
Kim gave Eveleen an appraising look as the girl held the dress up against herself.
"Hmmmm. I think you are trying to impress someone."
Eveleen blushed deep red. Kim giggled.
"Come on. You can tell me. Who is it?"
Eveleen plopped down on the bed next to her.
"His name is Jamie McClalister. My dad and his dad are good friends. Jamie and I have known each other most of our lives."
Kim leaned over against her and whispered in her ear.
"Sounds like me and Ron."
Both girls started to giggling as the pushed against each other. Eveleen stood up and rushed over to her mirror. Opening a drawer she pulled out some ribbon.
"We'll have to use this on our hair. What do you think?"
Kim gave a little grin.
"I think Ron and Jamie are in for a surprise."
Eveleen's mom sat back in her chair with her sewing basket in her lap and looked at Ron. He was wearing a white shirt and dark grey pants. He stood there as she surveyed her handiwork.
"Now then, that'll work for you young man. You will be as handsome of my Flynn tonight. I'm sure your Kim will appreciate my handiwork. Now, don't you worry about the dancing. I am sure you will catch on quick."
Ron rubbed the back of his head.
"Thanks Mrs……ahhh mum."
Ahanna nodded and laughed.
"That's better. Kim is family and a daughter to me so you are just like a son to me. Call me anything but mum and I'll take you across my lap. I am sure Kim will appreciate the new you."
Ron was startled when a voice came from the door to the room.
"I sure do."
He turned to face the door. Kim was standing there looking at him. He marveled at the how she looked. Her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and tied with green ribbon. Her slim neck was graced with a strip of wide black ribbon. The dress she had one accented every curve she had.
"Like WOW KP. You look great."
Ron looked over Kim's shoulder to the Eveleen standing behind her. She had her hair back just like Kim. The two could be sisters or even twins.
"You look great too Eveleen."
Flynn came into the room straightening his vest. He was dressed similar to Ron except he had a black vest on.
"You are looking very nice this evening Eveleen, you too Kim. Ron do you think you could escort these two young ladies to the dance?"
Ron smiled as he extended both arms as Kim and Eveleen each took an arm.
"It would be my pleasure."
Kim marveled at how the people in area set up everything for the dance. There were a number of tables of food and an area where the dance was to be held. People were milling about talking and laughing. It appeared they were trying to put all the bad behind them for a little bit and just try to have a little fun. She held on to Ron's arm as they entered the area. Eveleen spotted someone and let go of Ron's arm to go speak to a dark haired young man about their age. Considering the reaction on the young man's face when he saw Eveleen, he was definitely looking for her. Ahanna and Flynn nodded to Eveleen as she made her way over to the young man. Flynn patted Ron on the back.
"You two have some fun. I am sure you will fit right in."
Flynn and Ahanna walked off arm in arm to talk to some of the other parents. Eveleen approached Kim and Ron pulled a young man behind her.
"Kim, Ron. This is Jamie, MY best friend. Jamie. This is Kim, my cousin, and her friend Ron, they are from America."
Jamie stuck out his hand to Ron.
"Welcome to Ireland. I wish things could be better for your visit. I want to thank you for coming to try and help Eveleen and her family. Everyone needs a much help as they can get. Why don't the two of us go over and get something to eat while the girls join in with the others for a dance."
Ron glanced at Kim as she nodded.
"Go ahead. I want to try this. I'll watch the first couple of dances and try to join in on another."
Eveleen pulled on Kim's arm.
"Come on I'll introduce you to the other girls. They'll show you what to do."
Kim followed Eveleen over to a group of girls gathered at the stage.
"Kelsie, Aylson, Chrissy, Maureen, this is Kim, my cousin from America. She came to try and help out."
A raven haired girl approached Kim.
"And just who is that fine specimen of a man that came with you."
Kim blushed slightly.
"That is my friend Ron."
One of the other girls approached.
"I am Maureen, me dad told my mom about you. He heard that you and he were here trying to help out. Dad watched your friend and was impressed. He can really do a day's work."
Kim's smiled inwardly. It was always good for her to here a compliment about Ron.
"Thank you."
Maureen took Kim's arm.
"Come with me and I'll teach you some of the simple dance steps if you like."
Ron walked over to the table where the food was spread out. There was not a great deal of food and it seemed that certain families brought more than some others. Ron watched as Flynn helped unload the food from the wagon they had ridden over in. Ahanna must have been busy most of that day. Jamie motioned for him to join him with a group of other young men their age.
"Hi lads, this is Ron from America. He is a friend of Eveleen's. He is here with Kim, Eveleen's cousin. Ron, this is Daran, Rhyan, Kerwin and Clancey"
Daran approached Ron.
"And that red haired beauty that I saw on your arm when you rode up with Eveleen and her family must be Kim. Welcome lad, it seems that you picked a poor time for a visit though."
Ron shook the young man's hand.
"Yeah, we had heard about how bad things were getting here. Kim knew she had family here so she got it in her mind to come and try to help."
Clancey nodded.
"We appreciate it and I know that Eveleen's parents appreciate it. I saw you on the work crew today. You did a good days work."
Ron shrugged.
"Back at the fort my dad and Kim's dad made sure that I knew the meaning of a day's work."
Kerwin cocked his head at Ron.
"A fort? What do you mean?"
Ron glanced over to the table of food.
"Well, Kim's dad is a soldier in the army. My folks work on the post. Kim and I have been friends for most of our lives."
Kerwin motioned to the table.
"Let's get something to eat before the dancing starts."
Ron nodded.
"That sounds good to me."
Kim walked out on stage with the other girls. They had taught her some basic steps and she caught on pretty quick. Within the few minutes they had worked with her she had mastered most of the steps. All of them took their positions and waited for the music to start. The Bodhrán started with a fast beat followed by a fiddle, bagpipes and a concertina. Kim followed the beat of the music in her mind and started to move with the other girls. She paired up with Eveleen as the two of them moved across the stage. The music grew faster as the girls continued to dance. Kim found herself enjoying the moment. This was her heritage and she was becoming a part of it.
Ron stood breathless as he watched Kim and Eveleen dance across the stage. It was enough to have seen Kim do the cheer and dance routines back in Middleton, but this was something else. The dress she wore seemed to come alive around her as she moved across the stage. Her auburn hair seemed to spin and float as she moved. He backed off to the edge of the crowd where he could stand on a large rock. As the next dance started, a sudden urge hit Ron. He had been drinking too much water. Looking over to his right he noticed some small trees and bushes off in the distance. He made his way in the darkness as the torch and firelight gave him enough light to see his way. As he stepped behind the trees the next dance started.
Kim stole a glance out into the audience as the next dance started. She could not find Ron but was sure he was watching. She noticed Flynn and Ahanna watching approvingly from the edge of the group. She also noticed quite a few of the young men watching her closely. Concentrating on the dance, she moved across the stage with Eveleen and the other girls. She thought she would have to bow out after this dance. She wanted to find Ron and just mingle with the others. All the girls came to a stop at the same time the music stopped. Everyone applauded and cheered for the dancers, then some other applause was heard, slow and steady. Kim's eyes grew wide when she noticed Lieutenant Fisk sitting on his horse at the edge of the crowd. As everyone watched, more mounted soldiers came into the light backed up by even more soldiers on foot. Soon the entire group was surrounded by the soldiers. Kim set her teeth tight when she noticed the group behind the soldiers. Squire Mankey was there as well as a well dressed woman riding side-saddle. Shego!
Lieutenant Fisk continued to clap slowly as everyone turned to face him. An eerie silence settled over the crowd. All that could be heard was the snap-crackle of the fires and the slow clapping of Fisk. He stopped clapping when he had everyone's attention.
"Well, well, well. Quite a little show going on here. Looks like most everyone is here. That is nice since it will make it easier for us to evict all of you. Squire Mankey?"
The soldiers stepped aside as the Squire and Shego rode forward. The Squire scowled out into the crowd as he started to speak.
"Listen all of you rabble. I have papers with me this evening for the eviction of the following families."
Mankey held out his hand to a soldier riding beside him. The soldier handed him a stack of papers and took a torch from a soldier next to him so the Squire could read.
"I hereby give notice to the following families; the O'Connell's, the Maquire's, the O'Brien's and the Flynn's. You are hereby evicted from your homes. These troops will escort all of you to your homes where you will remove your trash from the properties."
A tall man stepped forward.
"Squire Mankey, I paid you all that I owe you."
The Squire looked down at the man.
"Mr. O'Connell, I no longer own the property you are a squatter on. Lady Go here is the owner of your property. Just as she is the owner of all of the properties I just mentioned. You owe her rent in arrears and since you have not paid then you are evicted."
Flynn stepped forward.
"How about the rent we just paid you?"
Squire Mankey grinned at Flynn.
"Mr. Murphy, that was not a part of the deal on the property. Your rents were due again after the sale of the property there was no agreement on our part to split the rents paid. Now if you just happen to have the money right here right now then it will be up to you to pay Lady Go. If she decides to let you stay is her matter."
Shego pulled viciously on the bridle of her horse and cantered up. She stared down at the families assembled around her. Then her eyes caught Kim standing on the stage. An evil smile crossed her face.
"If you have gold right now. I'll consider it. All except for the Murphy family. You are gone no matter what. Lieutenant Fisk! Detach a squad to escort the Murphy's my property. Make sure they are gone my morning. There is a squad already there waiting for them. And Lieutenant arrests that girl."
Shego pointed straight at Kim.
"I recognize her as a thief we threw off the ship. Take her into custody, and send her under guard back to your post. Send a squad with her."
The sergeant looked up at Shego.
"An ENTIRE squad for a little slip of a girl? Lieutenant Fisk sir! We will need every able bodied man with us. I think two soldiers ought to be able to take care of her very well."
The Lieutenant nodded.
"Very well Master Sergeant, make it so. No worry Lady Go, I am sure my men can take care of her."
Shego bit her tongue. She could not say more without revealing more than she wanted to. She wanted to be sure Kim was taken out of the picture. Then she realized someone was missing.
"Lieutenant Fisk. There was a young man with her. They are a pair. Find one you will find the other. You can be sure he is close by."
Fisk nodded.
"I am sure the guards will be able to handle a simple strap of a boy. I did see them Lady Go. I remember the two of them from our first meeting. I don't think the boy will be able to do a lot."
Shego wanted to shove her fist in Fisk's face but she couldn't. How would she explain to him who Kim and Ron really were and what they were capable of? She could only hope that the soldiers would delay Kim long enough to keep her plan from falling apart. She watched as two of the largest soldiers strode over to Kim and grabbed her by the arms. One pulled out a length of rope and began to tie her hands in front of her. The Squire turned to Fisk.
"Lieutenant Fisk, break up this rabble and get everyone on their way."
The Lieutenant motioned with his hand and the mounted troops charged through the crowd, scattering everyone and turning over the tables. Screams mixed with yells as the families were rounded up and herded down the road. Eveleen chanced a glance back at Kim. To her horror she recognized one of the brutes holding Kim was the soldier who had accosted her. He was looking a Kim with obvious delight.
Kim watched as Eveleen and the family were driven up the road at the point of a bayonet. Then she began to worry about her own situation. One of soldiers pulled on the length of rope that led to her tied hands.
"My my, aren't you a lovely little lass. You look just like that Murphy lass. Now be nice to the Corporal and he just might be nice to you."
He reached out to grab her as the other soldier came up behind Kim and pinned her arms. The corporal took one step. There was a thud and he stopped. His eyes rolled up in his head and he fell forward. The second soldier gaped at the young man that stood behind his downed partner. Before he could utter a word the girl reached behind her head grabbed him and before he knew what was happening he was flying through the air. He landed with a thud. Turning around and getting up on his knees, he reached for the knife in his boot. Kim stepped forward and delivered a spinning kick that snapped his head to the left. Silently he fell sideways onto the ground. Ron had Kim in his arms before she could blink an eye.
She sighed as his arms went around her. Pulling back she gave him a quick peck on the nose. Raising her hands so he could start untying them, she nodded down the dark road.
"Ron, we need to get back to the farm as quick as we can. We HAVE to help Eveleen and the rest of the family before something happens."
Ron quickly finished untying her hands. Grabbing her hand they started running across a field.
"Flynn and I came this way this morning. We can cut across this field and should reach the farm before they can reach it by the road. What are we going to do if Shego is there?"
Kim shook her head as she ran.
"I don't know Ron. She can't do a lot. Doing any more than she already has would reveal who she really is and that is the last thing all of us need."
It looks like Shego has started to make her move. Now it's up to Kim and Ron to make it back to the house and see if they can. Kim's future and their future depend on it.
Sorry it took so long to get back to this story. I hope you enjoyed this last chapter. New chapters should come a little faster now. Please leave a review. I would greatly appreciate it.
This is the Captain
Roger and out
Right hand salute