Finding Those Not Lost

Light in the darkness

     "You have saved me and my sister. I will help."  Answered Sunrise.  She clicked her tongue making an unusual sound.  But her warriors understood and began to move in a sort of formation.  We were behind most with two warriors taking up the rear of our force.  Sheldon walked beside Preston.  Preston had began to remove and store his pneumatic suit in its carrying pack.  I was beside the surviving rogue who was one of the pair who had tried to initially slow down our discovery of the valley.  Lastly Richard walked beside Sunset.  His quiet demeanor back on full display.
     "Thank you"  I said.  We moved out now following our guides as we moved through what was first a narrow opening to what was a vast network of caves.  As we walked we all began to talk quietly among ourselves.  Preston seemed to be debating what was the reason for Professor Martz's abduction.  Richard of course said nothing.
While I was regaled by my companions adventures.
     "My name is William Holt.  You probably have heard of me." Said William the rogue.
     "I haven't." I said.  But I gave him a small smile to encourage him.  He was handsome and it could be a long walk in the caves.
     "Well you are in for a treat for I have been all over the west.  From stage coach guard, miner, express mail carrier, and maybe some less than legal adventures."  Said William.  He seemed to stand a little taller though he was still a little shorter than I. 
     "You must be very brave." I said.
     "No.  Just poor and hungry sometimes in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Though I would lie and say I was brave."  Said William.  I don't know exactly why, but he was charming and I knew I would like his company.  We talked quietly as we made our walks through the caves.  It wasn't unpleasant.  We would come to small canyons where the caves would grow narrower and open into small valleys.  Some beautiful like an oasis with small trees and small protected water holes carved into the rock.  We traveled most of the day.  Stopping to take breaks for rest and a quick bite of rations.  I would talk to Preston sometimes when he would drop back.  Talking about Professor Martz and his condition after his capture.  We both feared the worse.  William would always give me space when I was called upon.  When we rested he would sit near me.  But thankfully he didn't talk as much as I feared.  He would admire the beauty of the land as we rested.  Making small comments at native plant that was useful.  Or warning about some of the creatures of the southwest.
     Sunrise joined me during one of our breaks.  What she told me then seemed unbelievable.  About a large lake and waterfalls cascading into it.  But she did say we would need to resupply soon.
She also said that her and her men kept provisions of dried meat and other food stuffs in an area on their way.  Where ever we were going her men seemed also to feel apprehensive.  For they began to talk more and more as we traveled.
I could see Richard had noticed and was listening to some of their chatter.  Preston helped solve some of the mystery.  He sat down during one of our breaks to take a moment.
     "Do you know where they are leading us?" I asked.
     "I think we are going below ground.  These Brotherless live somewhere below ground.  It makes sense now.  I have been discussing it with Sheldon.  He said their skin tone was far lighter than our company's." Answered Preston.
I agreed with Sheldon's conclusion though I hadn't noticed it when we were attacked.  "I also think Sheldon is holding something back.  But I have been unable to draw it out of him.  Though I feel like I am close.  How are you doing with his man?  Is he bothering you."  Preston asked.
     "No I am fine.  But thank you for your worry.  He is not so bad."  Preston gave me a shy half smile.
He knew my appetites and never begrudged them.
"It isn't that.  Sometimes you find companions in unlikely places." I said.  Though he nodded in understanding and moved on to talk to Richard.
    William came back after looking closer to our surroundings.  "These valleys we have passed through are so beautiful.  I bet we are some of the first non Indian to ever gaze upon them."  I agreed with him talking about our journey.  I asked him about himself in a more personal way.
     "Do you have family William?" I asked.  He paused then.  Thinking about his answer.
     "I do.  Some cousins I barely know.  I have an uncle I was very fond of.  But I do not know or think he is still alive anymore.  He was elderly when I was a lad.  I don't often think about these types of things.  Truthfully I think more of ladies and whiskey.  I figured I should confess my shallow nature if we are to become friends."  I laughed at his answer.  A full deep laugh.  He looked momentarily confused wondering if he should be offended.  But he soon laughed with me.
     I put my arm around him then.  I pulled him close and kissed him lightly on the cheek.  Which made him smile sheepishly.  Wondering which part of his answer had charmed me.  "We think alot alike."  Was my only answer.  We sat quietly for a minute.  Until Sunrise spoke.
     She addressed her men who nodded their understanding.  She then turned, able to face our party.
"We now will be moving into much more dangerous paths.  Used frequently by the Brotherless. You should be armed though some places will be to narrow for pistol and rifle.  The ways are filled with places for ambush.  You should remain as quiet as possible.  There are places where we will be able let our guard down.  But they are few.  If we are clever, quiet and brave we will save your friend.  Her men rose as if unison.  They began to move.  And we rose to join them.  Quickly getting our gear together.
William was already openly armed his colt revolvers at his side's.  He also carried a large knife holstered along his left ribs.  Preston was armed with colts, but I suspected he was armed with some invention or another.  I had Breaker, my rifle Preston had made for me.  It had never failed me.  And it also made a handy cudgel if needed.
    We followed as we again made our way back into the underground.
But this time the feeling of descending was palatable.  We walked endlessly it seemed.  Stopping occasionally for momentary respite.  Our Indian companions would share rations and water that were kept in these resting spots with us.  The pursuit seemed to have changed since we left the valleys and the sun.  Now it was endless and barren.  It also began to feel warmer as we descended.  I felt the oppression of the close quarters.  I didn't want to speak even if spoken to.  As we descended there were also other opening along our way.  Where they led I could only imagine.  Some darker place.  Where you may never make it out again.  An eventual grave that you walked into and never left.  My melancholy was suddenly banished.  "Ambush!" Richard shouted.
     It happened so suddenly.  The Brotherless poured from an adjoining opening.  Sunrises men fought hand to hand all around them.  William was already fighting and killing men with his knife.  I didn't join the fight it came to me.  I swung Breaker knocking a distracted attacker.  We were being overwhelmed it was clear to see.  Their surprise had been complete.
Then Preston changed the battle.
     I don't know what or where he had been during the initial attack.  Or how he was even fairing.  So pressed was I in that dark hot place.
But I heard him.
    "Close you eyes!"  Preston yelled with such intensity I had no choice but listen.  What happened next saved us.  The flash was so bright that even with my eyes closed I could see the light flood my shuttered view.  When I tentatively open them I could see Preston wading among the Brotherless wielding a long metal baton smashing as he attacked.  "Fight!" He yelled.  So fierce, it was if the voice of some great general desperately rallying his men.  Rally we did.  Brotherless died or were broken running from are party.  Richard smashed with his rifle.  William was a bloody butcher as he killed.  I swung relentlessly with breaker crushing attackers.  Our Indian companions fought inspired using their short spears in a wave of destruction.  Sheldon had fought off an attacker trying to sneak up upon Sunrise during the ambush.  She was also tearing into the foe fiercely.
Only Preston seemed controlled.  He moved hauntingly like walking through a garden brushing back annoying bugs with a crop.  But it was his baton swinging and his calm that broke them.  Blind and scuffling back into their dark dens.
I fell at some point upon my knees hard.  Whether the battle leaving me. Or just a moment of clumsiness.
It was Preston that helped me to my feet.  Sunrise was getting the party up and moving again.  One of her warriors along with Sheldon tended to the wounded.  Sunrise walked among the dead.  William came to my side as well.  I remembered him saving me twice in the fight.
     "Thank you." I said.  "To both of you.  What did you do Preston?"  I asked.  They all stopped listening.
"It was something I made to light the caves for miners using chemicals.  But it can be made to make light more suddenly. Though much brighter.
In my lab I couldn't see for about 5 minutes when I accidently smashed the light."  I laughed then.  The image of Preston stumbling around his lab in Massachusetts so complete.  He smiled.  And we continued our quest.  We lost three of our Indian companions in that dark place never to walk under the sky again.