CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Kerry was furious.
The Leafies continued to defy him. Despite a number of them being punished and in spire of his continual warnings as to what would happen if he and his soldiers were not obeyed the children committed act after act which he considered disrespectful. They glared at him constantly, some whispered together and snickered when they looked in his direction, others simply refused to do what they were told and one boy, the one who had had the necklace, had even attacked a Drong.
They were all punished of course, only one full day had passed but already fourteen Leafies had been tied to trees. There were boys and girls and it was two to a tree, three in one case. The boy who had assaulted the soldier was singled out for special punishment. He was whipped like the others, but instead of being tied to a tree he was suspended from a branch, his feet barely touching the ground. He was also frequently punched in the stomach or kicked from behind.
Also almost two dozen toys had been sent floating down the stream or sank to the bottom where they were thrown. Yet still the Leafies rebelled. In fact, so many of the children had been tied up the camp was almost out of rope. If there were only one or two more acts of defiance Kerry would have to devise another form of punishment that did not involve tying anyone up.
Although the second day in the camp had started only a few hours before he already was certain it would follow the same pattern as the first. He sat out on the platform and watched the children go about their tasks of collecting water and firewood and generally tidying up. Three groups of two Leafies, under guard, had gone into the forest and collected berries and some of the other wild fruit and vegetables that grew there. All the while they reacted to the soldiers’ instructions slowly and too casually.
His breakfast had been ruined. He also sensed his soldiers were becoming agitated over the childrens’ behaviour. If things didn’t change they might decide there was no point in holding the camp and decide to leave. That was one of the reasons he suddenly called his gang together for a meeting. All but those guarding the trees where the offending Leafies were tied climbed into the central chamber and sat down to formulate plans which Kerry had decided needed to be carried out. One of the major objectives was to keep everyone busy with something and take their minds off what was increasingly taking on the appearance of a hollow victory.
The first point decided was to send a messenger back to the Drong base to give those behind the good news and to bring them into the forest so the Drongs could settle down to a life of permanent control of the trees. He would depart immediately after the meeting concluded.
The second decision involved the children who were to be punished in future. Their suffering would have to be different and as the present form did not appear to be working as well as he expected, Kerry ordered it would have to be more severe. It must not be so harsh that it would incite open rebellion across the board. That would be counter-productive because the Drongs could hardly effectively tie up or totally control the movements of every single Leafie. But at the same time it had to be a deterrent and put an end to the challenges they now experienced.
There was a lot of discussion with a number of options considered but all of them rejected. Ultimately one of the most ruthless soldiers proposed the answer. Ironically it also meant they would be able to free the Leafies they had already punished so they could carry out other work Kerry had in mind, but still be controlled.
The idea was simple and straightforward. Select one of the Leafies and punish him in suchn a way the rest would have to obey any and all orders they were given. Failure to do so would result in the chosen victim being inflicted with more and more suffering. That was fine as far as it went, said Kerry, but what type of punishment would fit that bill. The soldier had a ready answer.
The river, he said. Where it narrowed to a stream. The children collected their water at that point as there was a log that had fallen across the flowing torrent. A Leafie could be securely lashed to the log and each time one of his friends misbehaved he could be lowered deeper. If it started with the flowing stream lapping the Leafies’ armpits it would only take three or four misdemeanours and his head would be under the water and he would drown.
The reaction of the other Drongs, and Kerry, was to recoil at the idea of killing a child. Even if it was a Leafie. But the soldier continued: “I’m not saying we actually do it. We just threaten to. Once they see what’s happening and if we just convince them we mean it, they’ll buckle. After all, who is going to be the one to force the kid’s head under? Four, five orders at most disobeyed and no-one will dare risk it.”
Kerry’s mood changed. He gripped and slapped the soldier on the back. “I like it,” he said. “I love it. Sergeant, we’ll do it.” The soldier beamed. His idea had earned him an instant promotion. Without hesitation Kerry selected the boy who had had the necklace as the hapless victim. It would be a lesson he would learn and remember for a very long time.
Kerry liked the idea also because it had the added benefit of his being able to free the Leafies he had already tied up. There had clearly been too many of them and he needed them for something g else he had in mind. It concerned the precautionary defence of the camp.
“Let’s do it,” he said and went out on to the platform of his tree and called the Leaf Children together. He slowly, with emphasis for maximum effect, outlined what was going to happen. He instructed the sergeant to carry it out and pointed at the boy suspended from the branch of the tree opposite. “Lucky you,” he jeered. “I hope you like water.” Quickly he then instructed another Drong to return to the tunnels and bring the rest of the gang to the forest camp.
Facing the Leaf Children below who had not fully grasped the grotesqueness of the Drong punishment plan, Kerry said: “You’ve forced me into this. Don’t forget that. And also remember – disobey my orders and your buddy there goes under,. You’ll drown him, not me.” As he finished the boy David was led away struggling in the direction of the river.
It seemed that once more Kerry and the Drongs were in charge of the situation. The Leaf Children were helpless. In fact, they would be their own warders.