Chronicles of Han Storm, Preserving Creata Part 1, 2, 3

Chronicles of Han Storm, Book 1, Part 2, Chapter 14

Chronicles of Han Storm, Book 1, Part 2, Chapter 14

*** Fourteen ***

    The sound of voices drifted off the porch.

    Panam’s higher pitch was distinctly recognizable.

    Burying my sadness deeply within my heart, I locked it up with the rest of the feelings I could not afford to run free.

    I found I was genuinely looking forward to joining civilization again and felt better by the time I walked around the corner of the cabin.

    Racewater and Ray had their backs to me. The two other men that had accompanied Racewater to the cave were facing the river, so it was Panam who saw me first.

    He gave such a whoop that he startled all of us.

    Everyone’s attention turned to me. Panam gave me a bear hug, slapping me hard on the back.

    “You do not look worse for wear?” It was a statement as much as a question.

    Ray smiled at me. The others looked on expectantly.

    Racewater sat back down, offering me the seat next to him.

    “Are you well?” he inquired.

    Typical Racewater, always the serious businessman.

    “Yes, thank you” I replied.

    “Did you learn what you needed to know from Ma-Mara?” Ray asked.

    My throat constricted. I nodded, keeping emotion out of my face and eyes. It turned my heart to stone.

    “You came here early. We only expected you tomorrow” Racewater commented.

    “Timing is not always as we expect it” I replied.

    I turned my attention to Panam. “How’s Julie?”

    “She is good. Tucker looked after her very well. She did not need to do a lot. We are all missing him.”

    Racewater gave Panam a look that could have killed.

    “Yes, I miss him too” I answered.

    There was a tense moment in the group and I realized that they were trying to figure out how I was handling Tucker’s death. I changed the subject.

    Grinning, I asked Panam “So, do I get some coffee now, or must I suffer in silence from withdrawal symptoms. Help an addict out, please.”

    Everyone visibly relaxed. Panam laughed out loud and disappeared into the cabin, relief flooding his aura.

    I turned my attention to Racewater. “What happened in my absence?”

    “After the shooting, Captain Truman knew immediately that the warehouse was a ruse to get you there. He ordered me to take you away to a safe place and not to let anyone know where you were.

    Even if they knew where you were, there is no way to reach this place without being noticed. With you safely with Ma-Mara . . . ” (Another stab in my heart. I squashed it) “. . . I returned to the City. It turned out that you were noticed through the criminal investigations, creating attention in government circles.”

    I just stared at him. Was this going to complicate matters, or maybe simplify them?

    “The Captain was offered a deal for you that he could not really refuse. Especially in light of the threat to your life.”