The Travelers of the Tree

Chapter 32 - The Decision

Far earlier that morning, right before the crack of dawn, Tommy had been awakened by Master Servant, to get ready for the long trip to the Camps. After he had gotten dressed, with brand new clothes that were provided for him, he had eaten a small breakfast by himself, served to him in his room. Then he had been ushered outside of the castle, where there where four wagons.

Three of them were driven by two horses each, with a driver, and six grunts sitting on top. The extra space on top was available because these wagons had no carriages attached to them. All of the Grunts were armed with their whips, and a club-like weapon that Tommy had never seen before. The fourth wagon was driven by four huge horses, and they pulled a magnificent carriage behind it. It was twice the length of the others that Tommy had seen. It was a brilliant red, and had windows with curtains. Along the top, a thin rail of gold lined the entire carriage.

Ramsey had been waiting outside this grand carriage, and had waved Tommy over. He had entered and had told Tommy do the same. The Director of the Hard Labor Camp had started to follow Tommy in.

"Director," Ramsey had said, "Ride up top with the driver."

"Yes, Master Ramsey, thank you," the Director had replied, before exiting.

"It's just going to be the two of us," Ramsey had said, smiling. Tommy had smiled back. He had felt so excited for the trip for many reasons. Not only did he get to spend more time with his new found twin, but he was going to be able to talk to Katy today! He couldn't believe that this day had finally come.

On the way, Ramsey had pointed out different villages along the road, and had detailed to Tommy how his father had built the villages up. Tommy hadn't say anything, but most of the villages looked as if they were in dire shape, and he couldn't imagine what they must have been like before. Still, Ramsey spoke of his father with great pride.

Tommy had asked Ramsey why he didn't talk about his mother much. Ramsey had shrugged.

"My mother is a great mom. She always has been. But the power in a family is only handed down from males to males." Tommy hadn't pressed him, but he still thought it was a little weird that Ramsey never mentioned the woman who had raised him.

When they had finally reached the area where the tree was, Ramsey had put his finger to his lips. "Don't talk about it," he had whispered. Tommy had nodded. Then he had noticed that one of the ugly black birds flew by.

"What kind of a bird is that?" Tommy had asked. Then he had told Ramsey about his run-ins with them. Ramsey had laughed.

He had again whispered. "Those are Grunt birds. My father bred them to be what they are. Violent, nasty, and smart. He settled an entire flock out here so that it would discourage people from spending a lot of time here. Because of the tree." Tommy had thought to himself that the birds were definitely a deterrent.

Ramsey had continued. "That is just the way my father thinks. He is brilliant man, and he leaves nothing to chance." They had ridden the rest of the way to the Camps in silence. When they had reached the field, they had gotten out, and Ramsey had directed the Master Servant to locate the three others from Tommy's world. The boys would be easy, because they had just arrived to the Grunt Camp.

As they had waited, Ramsey had told Tommy that he wanted to show him something.

As Tommy walked with Ramsey, he looked around at the big field with all of the people moving around, and at the great buildings. His stomach turned when his eyes fell upon the Hard Labor Camp. Ramsey was walking towards the middle of the filed. As they walked, they were surrounded by four of Ramsey's Safety Grunts. Tommy saw the cage that had held him for a short while the first time he had been there. There was someone in it.