Author's Note: Thank you to all those who reviewed the last chapter. This is the longest I've ever taken to update and I apologize; I've been busy and also had a huge chunk of writer's block. This one is a bit short but I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 13
Bass and Charlie slept late that morning- Charlie had several nightmare's, two of which caused her to wake up screaming. Bass had to wake her up before she realized she was dreaming and calm her down; he didn't sleep too well after that and was able to intervene from then on with the first hint of a cry or 'no' said while dreaming. He talked to her just like he had so long ago and reminded her it was only a dream and that she was perfectly safe at home with him- and most importantly, he reminded her that their baby was fine.
From that time on she calmed back into sleep without having to be woken up fully and they held onto each other tightly- something not just needed by her but Bass also. It wasn't until about dawn that Bass actually fell into a deeper sleep which he dearly needed.
When they got up they had the house to themselves and Bass cooked them eggs and toasted bread and apple jam for breakfast. They could hear the hustle and bustle from outside and figured lockdown procedures were now being put in place. Neither of them really felt like interacting with anyone or going out even though it was a beautiful day.
"Flame is probably pretty sore, though," Charlie mused, "from all that running two days ago; she wasn't exercised yesterday unless Grandpa did it and didn't tell us. We probably should get her out for a bit." She looked at Bass thoughtfully.
"If you want to go I'll go with you," he said, "or I can take her myself if you'd rather stay here."
She smiled at him; he was so willing to take her lead and do things in the way that would make her most happy and comfortable. Her look of admiration made him blush.
Now it was his turn to ask, "What?"
She stood up and went to him and wrapped her arms around him resting her head upon his chest. "I simply adore you," was all she said.
He wrapped his arms around her back and kissed the crown of her head. "Well, I adore and love you so much." They stood there in front of the kitchen window for a long while, holding each other.
A knock on the door ended the tender moment and Charlie jumped- her nerves on edge.
"Wait here…I'll go see what they want," Bass said.
A moment later he returned to the kitchen, Jeff and Jim Jensen in tow.
"We have friendly guests," he said smiling at her. After all that had happened with their friends and neighbor's he had almost stopped to ask if she even wanted to see them first; but knowing how much Charlie adored them and their music, once he found out they were friendly, he felt sure she'd appreciate the visit. Judging by her beaming smile when she saw them he was right.
The four of them sat down at the kitchen table to talk; Bass poured them all coffee, with the exception of Charlie- she was drinking tea.
"Charlie, we were telling Bass how sorry we are about everything that's happened," Jim said, "and it's not right that everyone's blaming you guys; we just wanted you to know that we don't blame you for anything that's happened and we've got your back."
"I really appreciate that you guys," Charlie smiled.
"I think everyone's emotions are just keyed up," Jeff added, "and they want someone to blame- I know we weren't out there but we lost some friends too. I just think in time people will realize you guys aren't responsible for any of it."
After they left Charlie felt buoyed by their show of friendship and said, "Let's take Flame for that walk!"
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About one hundred and fifty miles north of Austin Connor Bennett walked quickly across the Ranger's camp to his commanding officer's tent.
"You wanted to see me?" he asked.
"Yes Captain," Major Dennis Stedman said. "We just received a report from Governor Blanchard- I thought you might like to see it before I go over it with the troops."
Connor took the report Stedman handed to him and read:
Change of plans- Instead of coming here to Austin you are hereby ordered to head straight to Willoughby, TX, instead. Suspected clan activity in area; group from Willoughby expected 4 days ago- never made it. Whereabouts of Miles Matheson and Sebastian Monroe unknown at this time- sent five man team to conduct investigation; will notify you of findings.
Governor Frank Blanchard
Connor felt his pulse begin to race as he read the report again. "We're still about three days away- that's too long," he said, "my father's wife is pregnant."
"I know…that's why I'm going to allow you to pick an eight man team and leave ahead of us. With all our cargo it will take us longer but if you leave now you could make it there by tomorrow night."
Connor swallowed hard, "Should we take the pass?"
"You probably should," Stedman agreed, "It's treacherous but it will cut your trip down by twenty-five miles and with the colder weather the trees are mostly bare and your vision will be farther…it's a dangerous way to go but I'm going to equip you each with assault rifles and plenty of ammo along with your pistol's and knives."
"Okay," Connor said trying to remain calm although the thoughts running through his head were anything but. They had run into several clans' since their return to Texas and had seen what they were capable of- they had won each battle but each was hard fought and they had lost a few men. If his dad's group was overtaken while making the trip to Austin who knows what the outcome may have been; he had every confidence in his dad's ability to fight, as well as Miles and Charlie…as his thoughts went to Charlie he felt his stomach turn at the thought of what those animals would do to her and the baby if they got their hands on her.
"No," he said to himself.
Stedman hadn't heard him and continued talking, "Have Hennessey outfit you with the best horses. Go pick your men and meet me back here before you go."
"Okay, thank you sir," Connor said.
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Miles was just about to take his post as security at the front gate along with the Jensen brothers and Alex Mayhew. He was putting on his boots when he heard a lot of yelling coming from that same direction.
He had the feeling that something was not right.
He grabbed his gun and ran out the door. Nora, having seen the way he just took off, was not far behind him.
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Charlie and Bass started their walk on down the main street of Willoughby; Charlie's back had been aching so badly ever since the ravine that she chose to walk alongside Flame rather than ride her. This way she got to hold Bass' hand, one of her favorite things to do, and feel his support as they made their way through town.
"It's a beautiful day even if it is a little chilly," she said to him.
Bass smiled at her, "You're beautiful."
As they walked some of the townspeople said hello or good morning, not exactly smiling all of them, but at least being civil. Some others simply ignored them or stared rather harshly but said nothing.
"They'll get over it," Bass said encouragingly, "and if they don't to hell with 'em!" He squeezed Charlie's hand and pulled her a little bit closer to him without even thinking about it- it had become second nature to him…to always want to protect her no matter what.
Charlie couldn't help but smile a little even though the looks they were getting still bothered her.
As they grew closer to the main gate into town they heard shouting and stopped to listen, trying to figure out what was going on. It appeared the guys up on the gang plank were shouting down to people outside the wall. He knew it was too soon to be Connor and his body stiffened slightly.
Just then they saw Miles and then Nora running to the gate.
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"Wait you idiots!" Miles screamed as he made his way to the gate.
A group of men were already pushing the car and other parts of the barricade out of the way so they could open the gate. Someone from the outside was trying to push his way in.
Jeff Jensen yelled down to Miles, "It's the Rangers! Five of them are here to help us until the rest get here." The excitement was clear on his face.
Nora ran up to the gang plank while Miles yelled once again at the group who was moving the car, telling them to stop. When they finally did he went to the man who was still trying rather fiercely to squeeze his way in.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Banks, sir, Russell Banks. We were sent from Austin to check up on you," the man said.
Miles eyed him warily, noting that he hadn't bothered to say his rank with his name something any Ranger would do. He decided to play along.
"Mighty kind of you, Banks, but who sent you?" he questioned.
"Why, the governor of Texas sir!" the man said more authoritatively having guessed Miles believed him now. "Can you let us in, sir; it's not safe out here."
Miles stared at him; many of the townspeople started talking, asking him why he wouldn't let them in. He glanced up at Nora who gave him a quick, almost imperceptible shake of her head telling him 'no'.
None of the Ranger's saw it but Jeff Jensen did; he sensed something was wrong and started looking more closely at the men on the other side of the gate. None of their uniforms fit very well; most looked too small on these big, burly men. Slowly, he got his arrow ready to shoot.
"So tell me Sergeant," Miles spoke loudly so that all could hear, "why is it you're doing the job of your Captain?"
The man look flustered for the briefest of moments and then recovered quickly, "He's not feeling well, sir, and asked me to step in for him. If you'll just let us in we can explain everything very quickly."
Nora released the safety on her gun; Jim, watching her and then glancing at his brother did the same. Alex Mayhew just stood there glaring at Miles for not letting the men in.
Miles had one last question for the guy. "Why do you address me as sir? Don't you know who I am, Sergeant?" Any Ranger coming from Austin would know who Miles was, without a doubt, and would address him as Major.
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Bass and Charlie were close enough that they could hear what was being said- and they both knew that these weren't Texas Ranger's at their gate.
Charlie's whole body froze and Bass instinctively moved so he was standing in front of her. Flame sensed her fright and nuzzled her nose on Charlie's shoulder.
They both drew their guns.
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The guy at the gate knew the jig was up and started to turn to move himself out of the way, while also drawing his gun.
"Liar!" Miles yelled. He fired his gun and the shot took off the guy's ear. Banks or whoever he was started screaming while trying to take a shot at Miles; fortunately, he missed.
Miles yelled up to the gang plank, "Clan!"
Jeff Jensen was the first to take a shot—he got the so-called Captain squarely in the chest. Just then more men came clamoring out of the forest.
Nora screamed, "Shut the damn gate!"
The townspeople who had been moving the car started screaming; Miles was trying to push the gate closed and yelled to them to help. They got it shut just in time as the rush of men on the other side hit it and it swayed ever so slightly. They chained it and locked it while others started pushing the car back.
Miles ran up to the gang plank where now everyone was shooting; they were lucky that most of the throng coming from the woods did not have guns but rather crossbows, hatchets, rocks- anything they could fight with.
Bass started yelling to other townspeople, "Get your guns and fight them off! Get your children inside!"
Charlie told him to go help Miles and he looked at her and said, "I'm not going anywhere, Charlotte, you know that." She chose not to argue with him.
The clansmen took aim with their crossbows and a rain of bolts flew over the town wall hitting a few people upon their descent.
"Come on," Bass grabbed her arm, "Let's take cover." They ran into the empty saloon and he shut the doors, having left Flame at the side of the building. Marion came in from her living area, crossbow in hand, about to go help.
"Bass, we can't just sit here," Charlie said profusely, "we have to help- those are our friends out there!"
Bass turned to Marion, "Do you have roof access?"
"Yes!" Marion said changing her direction and pointing to a door at the back. "I also have a shotgun…do you want me to get it?"
"Yes!" Charlie and Bass said together.
As they waited for her return Bass turned to Charlie, "You come up with us where I can see you but you do not get in the line of fire, do you hear me, Charlotte?"
"I'll do whatever you want, let's just help!" she said.
At the top of the staircase to the roof there was a small landing just in front of the door.
"Charlie, sit in here- don't let them see you- knowing you I know you'll want to see if we're okay so keep the door open a bit but not too wide, okay?" Bass asked looking concerned.
"Okay," she responded before kissing him quickly on the cheek.
The roof was small but had a foot high wall surrounding the edge of it with waist-high pillars every three feet or so. Bass & Marion quickly ran to the edge with the best vantage point and hunkered down behind the pillars. They couldn't see the very front of the gate from up here but had a clear view of the men coming from the woods.
Marion took her shot first- she had become quite adept with the crossbow since Charlie's training but wasn't sure if she could hit a moving target from this far away and looking down. Her first shot hit a guy in the shoulder even though she'd been aiming for the heart. Her second shot was far better and took the man down.
Bass had his crosshairs trained on the men at the front of the pack- he took aim and shot three dead in quick succession. The men in back looked up to see where the shots had come from and trained their bolts on the two small figures on the roof. As they let their bolts fly both Bass and Marion scrunched themselves up behind their respective pillars while Charlie quickly shut the door she was behind and the arrows rained far and wide. Charlie exhaled deeply as she heard the clack, clack, clack, against her hiding place.
Bass and Marion took aim again this time taking out half the men who had just showered bolts upon them.
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The people at the front gate were starting to panic seeing the stream of men coming from the forest.
"We need more ammo!" Miles yelled to whoever was listening.
More men and women came up the scaffold to join in the fight and brought extra ammo for the people already there. Jeff was now out of bolts and began shooting his revolver as did Jim.
Miles was feeling crazed, the heat of battle taking its toll on him—he was feeling like he wanted to take them all on in a sword fight if need be. If the men kept streaming from the forest like they were they would be out of ammo completely in a while. Just then he saw three men fall on the far side of the gate that had just come from the forest. Immediately he knew who was behind this: Bass—he looked up to the bar roof and saw a slight movement and knew his friend was up there. He also knew Charlie must be somewhere close by as Bass wouldn't let her out of his sight…not now…not during this. His mind eased a bit and he signaled to Jeff and Jim to go join them on the roof, as he knew they were good shots. He gave them extra ammo to take up with them.
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Shots were taken back and forth for the next half hour although it felt like much longer. The more townspeople that joined in the fight the more strides they made and all could feel the tide turning their way. Some men were retreating to the forest…that is, if they could make it that far—many were taken out by Bass, Marion, Jim and Jeff. Bass was finally starting to relax and every few moments he looked to Charlie to make sure she was all right. She gave him a reassuring smile and he could tell she looked more relaxed as well now.
All of the sudden they heard a man yelling from the cover of the forest- his voice was loud and strong and slowly almost everyone stopped to hear him.
"You may have won the battle…but you haven't won the war!" he shouted. "We'll be back…with more men and more weapons and we know you must be running low on ammo…we're counting on it."
Bass was trying desperately to find the guy in the scope of his gun but the afternoon sun was working against him and causing a huge glare in his view finder.
"You do have a choice!" the man continued. "You can make it stop!"
It seemed as if everything in town stopped at that moment; everyone froze wanting to know what it was they had to do to stop this. Bass slowly turned to Charlie and they stared at each other with mounting dread.
"We want the pregnant woman!" the man screamed in a bellowing voice that seemed to echo across the land. "Give her to us and the rest of you shall live!"
Bass looked back towards the forest angrier than ever and the sun went behind a cloud- he looked through his scope and saw a shadowy figure move slightly through the trees…he fired.
"BOOM!" the gunfire seemed louder than ever and those who could see in that direction saw a man slump forward from the trees and fall to the ground. The last of the men had gotten away and a not so peaceful quiet settled over the town.
Everyone on the roof slowly turned to look at Charlie…her previously relaxed form had stiffened her face white as a ghost. Her hands clasped her womb and when she looked up to meet Bass' gaze a single tear slid down across her cheek.