Return to Earth

Chapter 31

Victor had remained at Sheep Head for the trial of those who could be found he insisted on despite the idea being completely foreign to his village. Cascadia sent people to assist by helping to set up laws and med kits were sent by the Nostos. Kierst missed his brother, but knew Victor would never return even after the trial of the elders and guards.

Cascadia brought more than lawyers with them. At Victor's request they sent teachers and medical personal to begin teaching them everything they needed to know. Most were leery until they learned of the high survival rate of Cascadian children compared to their own.

Mr. Raimy began to set up trade with the villages under Cascadian protection. Items that Kierst thought of as commonplace fascinated the villagers to no end. Trusted people from Cascadia assisted with the trades to make sure no one would raise the traded goods beyond what the market called for.

The trial had lasted weeks as fall turned to winter, since Cascadia helped with the defense. All that remained was the jury to determine guilt or innocence on the charges. The jury consisted of villagers, which meant there wasn't an unbiased member to be found, but was guided by a few from Cascadia to keep it as fair as possible.

The jury was expected to finish deliberations as the villagers marveled over the warm clothes and Kierst made certain he was there with Dune and Petrovitch to patrol as often as his duties allowed. There had been rumors the church was going to attack, but nothing more, which was the reason for the perimeter sweeps.

Had it not been for the drones, there would have been massive openings in their slow-moving lines around the village. Jada was at the Nostos watching the screens from both drones and satellites searching for any movement and sound the other three weren't in a position to hear.

The first snow had fallen the previous night, which would have covered any tracks of people who may have made it to the village in preparation for the attack. Lita and the others remained close to the villagers as a precaution. Their communication was constant as they prepared for anything that could go wrong.

Kierst heard the snapping of wood to his right, which could've come from an animal. He notified the others that he was going to inspect, which brought the movement of man and drone to a stop. His steps were cautious as he did his best to search with trees blocking his way.

There was no one he could see or hear, which told him it must've been an animal. Muffled voices came from what he knew to be the direction of a clearing not too far from where he stood, which told him his initial instincts were correct. Kierst called in to update the others as he crept forward to find out who it was when the shouts broke out from the clearing. He called in what had to be an attack as others reported hearing the same from all around the village.

Kierst moved as quickly as he dared knowing there would be no backup, since every drone was moving away from his position. Dune and Petrovitch had their own shouts to investigate. He reached the last tree of concealment and peered around the edge with heart hammering in his chest.

The clearing was empty, but movement from the other side caught his attention. Dozens of men poured through the clearing with fine robes of wool and the types of arms he only saw at the temple. They were the Priests guards come to wipe the village out.