Thank you for hanging in there if there is anyone still following this story. After posting the previous two chapters with no reviews or comments I kind of lost my appetite for finishing BTWA or for continuing to write any fanfic at all. You know the old saying.. if you write a fanfic and nobody reviews it... is it a fan ic? That is how the old saying goes right? However, after getting a kindly bit of encouragement and suggestions from adamsforthought I realized that this story is definitely not your typical Banna fan's cup of tea... and that as long as I can see signs that somebody is reading it, reviews of not, I should just carry on...
They'd been marching a good hour when John thought he heard the sound of men's voices and the snorts and whinnies of horses coming from a clearing off to the right. Just as he had confirmed what he heard in his mind, the leader of the Boer squad barked a command for them to halt.
"Get in a single file. We're approaching camp and I don't want you bunched together as we enter."
John's team complied and as soon as the line was formed they were quick marched into the Boer compound. Bates could feel the eyes of the commandos bore into him as he headed towards their leader's tent. They weren't sure what to make of John and his men. Were they English spies or the renegade commando group they had heard about for several months now? It was obvious, however to all of them that until they received the stamp of approval from Veldhuis, the little group of four strangers would be regarded as the enemy.
"Which one of you is the leader?" questioned a man standing just outside of what appeared to be the Boer's HQ. Based on his stance and commanding presence, Bates assumed that he was looking at the leader, Josef Veldhuis.
"I am", John made sure his voice was steady and prayed his accent was acceptable as he answered in Afrikaans.
"Your name?" enquired the same man.
"Johann Botha, and these are my men. My cousin Tomas, and friends Jacob and Simon.
"And what is your business here, my brother?" John couldn't tell whether Veldhuis was using the term brother as a sign of brotherhood or quite the opposite. He felt a trickle of sweat drip down the nape of his neck.
"We've been looking for a larger group to join up with and…"
"How long have you been together? Where have you and your band been operating?" Veldhuis cut-off John before he could finish…
"We've been patrolling the north east quadrant of the Transvaal. Been together for several months. Our small group makes us very mobile and fast, but it also leaves us often lacking for supplies. As I said, we're looking to join up with a larger group. We'd heard good things about your commando team, Colonel Veldhuis." John had noted the three stars embroidered on Veldhuis tunic, indicating his rank. He also saw a slight flicker of egotistic pleasure cross the colonel's face as he realized that John knew who he was.
The colonel walked towards John until his face was just inches away. He just stood and stared at Bates for what seemed like hours but was actually just a few seconds. Slowly a smirk crossed the Boer colonel's face. He turned and walked back to his original position.
"We've heard of your group's exploits Johann Botha. You have proven to be a great thorn in the British lion's paw. But your size has limited the damage you have inflicted to just that... You only make the great beast limp. We are hunters and when we find our prey we cut off their heads and use their fur to keep us warm.
With that Veldhuis nodded to the side of the tent where John could see a sizeable pile of British uniforms, helmets and boots leaning against the exterior canvas wall. He tried not to think of his British brethren in arms and the price they had paid to fight this war for gold and cheap resources. He felt the bile start to rise in his throat. He nodded his acknowledgement to Veldhuis and forced himself to speak.
"Impressive collection Colonel. It also serves to make us want all the more to join you in your crusade." John's voice was steady as he stared directly at Veldhuis.
"So do the rest of you feel like your leader?" The colonel redirected his attention to the three remaining team members. "Do you also wish to join our unit, taking orders from me, rather than stay small and mobile and retain your autonomy?" His eyes went from Tomas to Jacob to Simon looking for some sign of doubt or indecision on their faces.
The men kept their gaze steady and all nodded their heads in agreement. "We do sir." Tomas spoke up for the other two.
A thin smile crossed the colonel's lips again. "Very good then." He approached John and stuck his hand out. John gripped it and for a few seconds felt Veldhuis' grip tighten as if to show him who the boss was. John knew this was no time to challenge the leader, so he slowly relaxed his grip in a silent acknowledgement of the colonel's authority.
Veldhuis smiled again and released John's hand. He turned and barked out orders to one of the men standing behind him. A tent was to be put up immediately for John and his men. They were to be fed and someone needed to alert the cook that there would be four more mouths to feed at supper.
"Give us some time to erect your shelter…Botha. In the meantime, feel free to walk around our camp and get acquainted with the layout and meet some of your fellow commandos. The tent at the far end of the compound houses the mess. You can introduce yourself to Mrs. Veldhuis, our head cook, and yes, she is also my wife. She can fix you something quick to eat, to tide you over until supper."
"Thank you colonel Veldhuis. My men and I are grateful for your hospitality and look forward to joining forces with you." John made sure to deliver his line holding the Colonel's gaze. He then turned and headed over to his men. They were all starving he was sure, and after a quick bite they would need to start reconnoitering the Boer stronghold.
As John walked towards the group they closed ranks around him.
"What's next sir?" Simon inquired.
"Let's go get something to eat first. We can discuss our next moves after we've some food in our bellies."
The men all started towards the mess tent, all except for Tomas who hung back.
"Aren't you coming to get something to bite, Tomas?" John called out as he noticed his "cousin" hanging back.
"You go on ahead Johann. I'm dying for a cigarette…" Thomas crossed over to John and stood a mere foot away as he continued. "Thought I'd do a bit of wandering around while I took a smoke. I'll join you all for food in a few minutes." Thomas responded with a cigarette dangling from his lips.
For a moment, John paused and thought it best to have all the men together, especially now while still in the early throes of acceptance by the commando group. He wasn't sure that Veldhuis et al would feel kindly to seeing Thomas wandering alone around the camp. But then he recalled what a strong addiction Fellowes had towards tobacco. If he deprived him now, Thomas would be surly and unresponsive until he'd had his tobacco fix. John decided it was best to let Fellowes do what he wanted in this case.
"Go ahead then… but I expect you in the mess tent in 10 minutes. Don't make me come looking for you Tomas."
"Aw cuz.. I didn't know you cared." Thomas responded sarcastically.
'I don't and I'm serious Tomas…" John hated it when Thomas tried to push his buttons like that.
"Understood, Johann," Thomas snapped off a salute... clicked his heels and turned away from Bates heading towards the opposite end of the compound.
John took a deep sigh, then headed in the direction of the mess tent. He could just see the other team members disappearing into the tent ahead of him.
The mess was empty save for John and his team. They settled themselves at one of the long tables and waited patiently for someone to appear and offer them some food.
After a few minutes had passed and no one had come and offered them sustenance, John got up and headed towards the far end of the mess where he could see an opening that appeared to open into the kitchen area.
"Hello?" John called out. "Is anybody here?"
"And who do you think you are? Wandering into the kitchen? John startled as he heard a sharp female voice coming from the far end of the kitchen. He could barely make out the form of a matronly looking woman, wearing an apron. She was short and rotund with flaming red hair peeking out from under her cook's cap.
"I beg your pardon, ma'am." John apologized. "My name is Johann Botha and me and my men have just joined this unit. Am I speaking to Mrs. Veldhuis?"
"What's it to you?" The woman's response clearly indicated she was irritated by the question.
"Colonel Veldhuis suggested we come here for some food. We've been on quite a trek today. And he also wanted me to let you know to plan for 4 more men at supper."
"That doesn't give you the right to just push in here to the kitchen," the cook responded testily.
"There's no need to be rude, Mama," John was surprised to hear another female voice younger and sweeter sounding coming from behind him.
He turned and was immediately struck dumb as he gazed upon the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her hair was tied behind her head in a neat bun, almost hidden under a server's cap. He wasn't sure but it appeared to be blond with just the faintest hint of red highlights running through it. She was taller than average, made obvious by how the hem of her dress ended several inches above her ankles. And her figure appeared to be a perfect hourglass shape…John could tell despite the loose fitting cooking apron that she wore. Indeed, no frail and fragile woman stood before him.
But it wasn't her figure or her hair that made the biggest impression on John. It was her eyes...dark green with flecks of brown and gold… almost the color of emeralds. Bates had never seen that eye color on a person before. It took his breath away.
"Hello," she said as she gracefully brought her hand forward to shake his. My name is Marta, I'm the assistant cook. Please forgive my mama's rudeness. We've had a busy week setting up this place. We've only just been here 3 days. She gets a bit brusque when she's tired. "
"Here. There's no need to apologize for your mother, child." Mrs. Veldhuis voice had softened considerably addressing her daughter. "Why don't you gather up some food for Mr. Botha and his men… Um how many are in your group Mr. Botha?"
John stood silent and mesmerized by Marta and failed to hear her mother's question.
"Ahem, Mr. Botha… how many men?"
Upon hearing his name a second time, John snapped out of the spell he'd be in and responded to the cook's inquiry.
"We're four in number, ma'am."
"Very well," her daughter replied. Give us a few minutes Mr. Botha and we'll have food out to you and your men shortly. It won't be a lot, but enough to tide you over until supper in a few hours." Marta smiled as she spoke and walked past John,
Bates stood there for a moment nodding dumbly before turning and heading back towards the mess tent and his men.
John appeared shaken when he returned to his team, a fact that was brought to everyone's attention by Thomas who had joined the group while Bates had been meeting the cooks.
"You look as though you've seen a ghost, Johann," Fellowes stated. "What did you see back there in the kitchen that had such an effect on you? Perhaps you saw some vermin scurrying around, or perhaps rats in the cook pots? Did they scare you?." He finished the statement with an obvious smirk.
"No, Tomas… I didn't see any of your relatives back there." John replied in kind.
While the men enjoyed John's comeback and started to razz Thomas, Bates leaned back in his chair, his concentration on the mission was shattered momentarily as he pondered what had happened back in the kitchen. John shook his head slowly as he ran over the scenario in his mind
Did it really happen, or was it merely wishful thinking on his part?
Bates shook his head, trying to shake certain thoughts from his mind. But upon further reflection... he could have sworn that Marta had trailed her fingers along his wrist as she slowly walked past him.