Samson proved himself to be quite a Don Juan. Within a week he brought the beautiful Paint
mare into heat and mated with her several times. Vicky knew that she would have a beautiful
healthy fold. The two chestnut mares were not far behind her. The Arabians proved to be a
little difficult. They were much faster than Samson on the run; and they kept him running.
But Samson wasn’t to be denied; he patiently waited for them to run themselves out and then
he did his best ‘I’m not interested’ dance. They ended up chasing him for several days in utter
exasperation. He finally took pity on them and allowed them to catch him. The colts from this
mating would be the ones to watch carefully Vicky knew. Perhaps they would possess the best
qualities of both parents; only time would tell.
Vicky confided in Ashley about the strange feeling she had when she returned ‘home’. She told
her what she found when she returned to Sandstone, and her questioning by the new town
leaders.
“They were very aggressive, almost cruel.” Vicky shuddered, “I remember seeing them around,
and I always had a very disagreeable feeling when they were nearby.”
Ashley told her that she had to report this strange behavior to Daniel; this was very important
information that he needed to know. She took Vicky immediately up the mountain to Daniel;
Vicky didn’t understand the urgency at first.
Daniel explained to her that he and Jake were aware that the marauders seemed to have
consolidated into one large group. They were sending out scouts to look over the countryside;
and large groups were attempting to infiltrate and take over various towns.
Since her initial meeting with Jake and her description of the town and its leaders, Daniel and
Jake feared that Sandstone would become a likely target. From the news she just brought, it
appeared that their fears were well grounded. They must now remove the threat and instill the
townspeople with the courage to fight for themselves. Daniel suggested that they bring in help
from Dragons Bay; the former spies would be able to infiltrate the town and apply their skills
to find out everything they needed to know before any action was taken. Jake and Daniel
hatched a plan and word was sent to Dragons Bay. Within days Dee, Lee Chin, Nigel and
Elliott arrived and went to work.
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During her weeks at Dragons Hill Vicky and Ashley became very close; they shared confidences
with each other about before the Burning and after. Ashley told her about the trek to Dragons
Hill and how fearful she was about every little thing. She told her how with Jake’s help she
finally faced her fears and overcame them. She also told Vicky how she met Steve and how
everything had changed when they fell in love. And then she told her about her dragon,
Daowyn, and their first meeting. She introduced Vicky to her dragon, and with Jake’s aid,
Vicky was able to speak with the gentle giant. She was much taken with him and told Ashley
she envied her.
Vicky confided in Ashley about her feelings for Joe, and her hope that there might be
something there for them to build on. She expressed her excitement at going to Evansville to
see him again. She said she just wished she had some better clothes to wear; hers were just
about threadbare. Ashley laughed and said she and Vicky were going to go shopping. Ashley
took Vicky to the town and they replaced her tattered wardrobe with a new one from the
warehouse. Both women stayed two days at the house and indulged themselves.
Ashley offered to give Vicky a ride to Evansville on Daowyn, but Vicky declined saying that she
was going to bring Samson there to breed with Joe’s horses. She would get a map from Master
Jeffery and it would be no problem at all, she traveled with Samson and Duke all the time. She
did make a request of Ashley to get word to Joe that she was on her way. Ashley promised she
would take the message herself. Vicky left two days later with a map from Master Jeffery in
her hand.
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6
Five days later found Joe on his way to the sentry tower, for the fifth time. He climbed the
stairs two at a time and as he came out on top he looked about the plain in front of him. There
was a well-worn path that led from the base of the mountain down to the plain and straight to
Evansville.
“See anything yet, Stu?” He asked his friend, who was personally keeping watch.
Stuart was his second in command, a good man with a keen eye. They had traveled the country
together after the Great Burning, and their friendship had become very strong. The bond
between them was like that of brothers. Over the years they had saved each other’s life more
than once. Stuart was a big barrel-chested man. His dark ebony colored skin and his large
baldhead gave him a fierce some appearance. Just the way he liked it; ‘keeps them guessing’,
he would jokingly say. He spoke little to anyone, but when he did – they listened. And yet for
all his fierceness, he was always gentle and kind to the ladies; which explained why the women
found him so attractive. He was never for want of female companionship.
“Nothing Joe; and last night there was no fire to indicate a camp. She should have been here
by now. It only takes three days at the most.” He scrutinized his friend carefully; in all his
years he had never known Joe to reveal his feelings about anything. Today however, he saw
there was real concern on his friends’ face.
When Joe had returned from Dragons Hill, Stu had noticed a change in him, but said nothing.
Then two days ago he saw a certain excitement begin to build. Joe had let slip that he was
expecting a guest from Dragons Hill; a woman he had met while there. She was bringing a
stallion to mate with their mares. He called her Lady Victoria. So that was it! Stu had been around Joe long enough to know his moods well. Joe was definitely attracted to this woman,
and by his actions, Stu guessed that it might be a lot more. As the days went by, and she still
didn’t show, Joe became more and more agitated.
“We’ll give it another couple of hours Stu, if she isn’t here by then, we will go see what the
holdup is.” He turned around and headed back down the stairs.
Stu brought the binoculars to his eyes and scanned the base of the mountain once again.
Movement in the tree line alerted him that something was making its way to towards the path.
“What the…?” He thought he saw… “Joe, wait a minute.”
He looked carefully again; I know I saw something move out there.
He scanned the area again spotting a large gray wolf limping out of the tree line, “shit…!”
He quickly yelled down to Joe, “Joe, you’d better get back up here, quick!”
Joe came bounding up the stairs, “what did you see?” Stuart handed him the binoculars and
pointed to the area. Joe scanned the area and saw the large wolf, “It’s got to be Duke, her gray wolf.” He watched as the wolf slowly tried to make its way down the path. It was limping
badly and having a difficult time of it.
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Alarm flashed in Joe’s eyes and he felt the sudden rush of adrenalin as he quickly bolted down
the tower shouting orders as he went. He ran to Molly and as he mounted three men joined
with him and they raced across the plain. Joe pulled up 20 feet from the wolf and told his men,
“stay here, this might be tricky.” He came forward and called to the large wolf.
“Duke, here boy, come on, I’m Joe, remember me; Lady Victoria’s friend?”
Joe got down on one knee and licked the back of his hand. He held it out and allowed the wolf
to come closer. Duke studied him for a moment and then recognition dawned on him. He
limped to Joe and licked his out-stretched hand. He whined and looked back from where he
had come.
Joe inspected his leg, bullet wound. He’s been shot! “Easy boy, come with me, we’ll get you fixed up.” He lifted the large animal and placed him across his saddle, climbed up and headed
for the town. Chills were whipping up his back, something was very wrong.
Once at the town he headed straight for the main ranch house. He sent one of the men for the
doctor and then proceeded to carry Duke into his home. He laid him on the rug in front of the
huge fireplace that dominated the room. The doctor came in and quickly stopped in his tracks.
Joe stepped forward.
“It’s ok Doc, this is Victoria’s wolf; he won’t hurt you. Just look at his leg, I think he’s been shot.” Joe’s mind was racing.
“Where is Lady Victoria?” The doctor asked looking about the large room.
“That is the million dollar question, doc. Do what you can for him; I’m going to need extra
help on this one.” As Joe turned to leave Duke tried to rise up to follow. Failing that he let out a low mournful howl. Joe went back to him and knelt down, “its ok boy, we’ll find your friend;
I’m going to get help. Let the doctor help you; he will take away the pain and heal you up.”
The large wolf licked his hand and relaxed his body.
Joe headed out the door and went straight to the sentry tower. He told Stuart what they found
and then he told him he was going to try to contact Jake. Stuart’s eyes were big as saucers as
he watched Joe, “can you do that Joe?”
“Yes, I’ve already done it before; its just telepathy. Listen Stu; I think Victoria is either hurt, or in very bad trouble. That wolf is the only one who knows for sure. Jake has someone who
can find out for us what he knows.”
“Ah, now I understand.” Stu was quick to pick up on Joe’s thoughts, “that birdman who
helped us before, right?”
“You got it buddy, the very same.” Joe went to the eastern side of the tower and stared out
towards Dragons Hill. He put all thoughts out of his mind and concentrated. He pictured Jake,
standing before him. Jake? Jake can you hear me? He waited for a moment and then tried again, Jake, It’s me Joe, I need your help.
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Joe? I can hear you dear boy, you don’t have to shout, came thru loud and clear in Joe’s mind.
Your voice is very agitated, what is the problem Joe?
Victoria is missing Jake. Duke came limping out of the mountain this morning, he had been shot
and Victoria is nowhere to be found. Do you sense her anywhere in the area? Joe prayed that Jake could help him find Victoria.
There was almost five minutes of absolute silence. When he thought he could stand it no longer
he suddenly heard Jake say, I can feel her life sign, she is in great distress. She does not answer
when I call to her. There is darkness in the forest of your mountain. Do nothing right now Joe.
Daniel and I and the riders will be at your town shortly. Post many guards and keep your people
in the town. Try to find out if anyone new is in town, I will explain when I arrive.
Thank you Jake, almost as an afterthought he relayed his fear to Jake, she means a lot to me.
Joe turned around and gave Stuart the ‘thumbs up’ sign.
“New orders Stu, bring everybody back in to the town. Post extra sentries tonight, issue
weapons to everybody. Jake says we may have some unwanted company.” He started to go
down the steps and then turned. “See if anyone new had come to town lately.”
“We’ll find her Joe, I give you my word,” Stu would do just that; he would find her no matter
what. “As to someone new, yeah, about two weeks back; young guy, he doesn’t talk much, but
he seems nice. Always helpful, wherever he’s needed. Why do you ask?” Stuart had an uneasy
feeling.
“Keep an eye on him, watch everything he does. Special men Stu, tell no one else, we may have
a spy.” Joe went down the tower with Stu right behind him. He headed to the ranch house,
which he used as his main headquarters and home.
Stuart headed in the other direction and rounded up three of his best men. After a brief
explanation about what Joe suspected, he turned them loose. These men were hardened long
before the Burning times, and they didn’t take to having a spy or some cutthroat in their midst.
They would keep an eye on the young man in question. And when the time came, if he did
indeed prove to be a spy, they would slit his throat without regrets.
“Millie?” Joe called to his ancient housekeeper, as he entered the house. “Millie!” Joe noticed
Duke asleep on the rug and the doctor gone.
“What the hell are you yelling about Joe?” A wiry, white-haired spry little woman came into
the room and stood there with her hands on her boney hips. She was all of five feet, if that, and stared up at him with a smile on her wrinkled face.
Joe found Millie on one of his treks across the countryside. She had been left for dead,
suffering from the flu, because of her age. But she was still spirited enough to attempt to
defend herself when she saw him and his men coming. Joe quickly set her mind at ease and
took her with him. The wiry little woman had been his housekeeper ever since. Some
speculated that she loved him as if he were her own son.
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“I believe we are about to have guests Millie, you better make up the spare rooms. Jake is
coming with Daniel, and quite possibly Lady Kate too! I think he’s bringing some large
company with him.” He told her quickly.
“Jake… the Jake - Daniel and Lady Kate will be here - in this house? Oh my goodness Joe,”
she said as she threw her hands up, “you don’t give a woman much warning,” she chastised
him. “Oh my, can you imagine, Lady Kate…in our house…. and Jake outside!”
“Calm yourself old woman,” Joe scolded her; “they’re just people, like us.”
“Like us? They are nothing like us… they ride on Dragons! And by the way, what about the
wolf in the living room?” she pointed to Duke asleep on the rug. “I tell you he was watching me
like a hawk with those big grey eyes of his,” she gestured with her hands. “I gave him some
water, and by God if he didn’t lick my hand!” She looked at the wolf and smiled, “he’s really
quite gentle you know; I think he was just saying ‘thank you’ in his way.”
“Just leave Duke where he is for now. We have to find out what happened to Victoria, and he
is our only link. I have things to do right now, woman, but I will be back later.” He was out the door before she could say anything else.
Millie quickly went about her work all the while talking to Duke, not realizing that the great
wolf understood her and inwardly was thankful for her chatter. He was very worried about his
mistress. She had told him to run, run quickly to Joe and get help. The last he had seen of her and Samson was just before he felt the burning pain in his shoulder. She had jerked forward
suddenly and as she fell from the great beast he could see she had an arrow in her back.
Back at Dragons Hill Jake called his riders and dragons to the Mesa top. He did not
understand why he couldn’t get thru to Victoria. She was still alive, this much he knew, but he
could not get her to communicate. As his riders and dragons arrived he quickly explained the
situation.
It’s got to be marauders, they have been moving this way, Daniel correctly guessed. We have been
keeping tabs on them for some time, but I thought they were snowed in up in Montana.
You are correct Daniel, Jake informed him, the main group is still in Montana; but this small
group is just a scouting party.
The bastards are becoming a problem, cursed a rankled Steve.
Raising his large head Jake continued, this also means there may be a spy in Joe’s midst. He has
reported to me that there has been only one new face in camp; a young man came in two weeks
ago. Joe has put several ‘watchers’ on him.
A serious faced Adam flew to the mesa and went straight to Jake. Everyone was aware of his
abilities and all guessed that Jake had sent him to gather information.
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Jake turned to Adam, What say you my friend, have your friends brought you news?
Jake, Adam nodded respectfully, the hawks say that eight evil men are camped in a cave on the
other side of the mountain. They have set up a looking post on the top so they can see all around
them. They speak into black boxes; I think they are radios, or walkie-talkies. Adam fidgeted about a bit and then continued. They say that there was a fight several nights ago. Lady Victoria
fought them valiantly; but the evil men shot her down. When these men got to her they became
very excited. They immediately covered her eyes with a black piece of cloth. Adam looked at Daniel and Kate;