"I've never heard of it," Matt said.
"That's because you're not military. But that's beside the point. We're here, and he's here. Our job right now is to get ourselves out of this fix before he kills one or both of us. In my opinion he's not after us, anyway. Durant must have found out about Kasdan and sent them after him. You said Kasdan was a big man, and so am I. It would be an easy mistake to make."
"I see what you mean." Matt agreed. They were quiet for a long moment, then he said, "I'm going to call out to him. It can't hurt anything. He already knows where we are."
"I agree with that, but why don't you let me do it. Sort of like one military man to another."
"I don't have a problem with it. Go ahead, but don't show yourself."
"Don't worry, I won't," Jake said with a little laugh. From his prone position, he yelled out, "Hey, you out there! I think you're shooting at the wrong people. This is Captain Jake Donovan, U.S. Army Rangers. The man with me is Matt Leahy. We're from Apache Point. Can you hear me?"
Glass heard him, but didn't answer right away. He knew that the man they were sent to eliminate was a known psycho who had already killed several people. He was not about to fall for any crazy-man tricks by exposing himself. But in their briefing, he also remembered the name Matt Leahy. Allegedly, the big man known as John Kasdan had some kind of vendetta against Leahy and would stop at nothing to kill him. Moreover, it was Leahy's team that they had been sent to protect by eliminating Kasdan. On the other hand, the search and destroy teams were top-secret. No one was supposed to even know about their existence, including Leahy and the man who had just identified himself as an army ranger. This was a fine fix that Major Kriss would have to work out. It was above a sergeant's pay grade. In the meantime, he was not prepared to kill innocent people just to maintain secrecy.
He got up and moved a hundred feet to his left before answering. "I hear you!" he yelled out.
Jake punched Matt in the side with his elbow and nodded. "Good!" he yelled back. "Let us come out and identify ourselves before you make a mistake that can't be undone!"
Glass glanced at the western sky where the moon was no longer visible. In fifteen minutes the sky would turn to twilight gray. He squinted into the rifle's scope but could not see them. "Are you armed?" he called back.
"Yes! We have nine-millimeter pistols and knives!" Jake answered.
"Alright! Keep them until daylight. I'll let you know when to come out. I have the entire area in my field of fire, so don't try to move away from the rock before I tell you. If you do, I don't have a problem shooting you! No more talking until then!"
"Understood!" Jake replied.
Glass returned to his original position. If they tried anything, it would be toward the place from where they had last heard his voice. He got into a prone position and glued his eye to the scope.
Three miles to the south, Kasdan heard the thunderous echoes made by the rifle. He stopped and looked behind him. Puzzled, his quick mind began to run scenarios. There was no doubt that the sounds had been made by a large gun, but by whom? He could not believe that Leahy or his team were equipped with such weapons. The person he had seen beneath the tree flashed through his mind, and reminded him of the uneasy feeling he had experienced at the Fir Bolg fort while looking at the ridge.
The noise may have been made by the aliens, but his knowledge of them was insufficient to formulate any theories. Then his mind began to click in logical order: the man under the tree, the ridge, Leahy and his companion pursuing him, ambush. He glanced at Taylor. She was standing as still as a statue. He gave a soft laugh.
"Don't let that noise get your hopes up, Taylor. It's too late for them to help you now. We're only a few miles from our destination, then you'll be beyond help unless it comes from me." He glanced at the eastern sky and saw that it was changing from black to gray. He reached out and jerked the blindfold off her eyes.
The movement startled Taylor. She jerked backwards, almost falling. Having been blindfolded for hours, her eyes did not need dark-adapting. She looked into the face of John Kasdan for the first time in over two years, and saw a terrible stranger. He had changed drastically from the man she had once considered a friend. His hair was long, unkempt, and a black beard covered his cheeks. In the gray dawn she could not see his eyes very well, but they seemed to burn with a dark intensity. A chill went up the back of her neck.
"John," she said, her voice almost a whisper.
He smiled amicably. "We don't have time to talk now, Taylor, but we'll have a long chat very soon."
He saw her tense up, and he took a step backward. "Don't even think of it," he warned. "I know the tricks as well as you. Hold out your hands." She held them out and he checked the knot around her wrists again. "You can see where you're going now, so don't make me pull you."
With that, he started off again, Taylor close behind. As they crossed the grassy moor they passed close to a low hill off to the east. Kasdan again experienced the feeling of anxiety. He cut his eyes toward the hill but saw nothing unusual. The sun was above the horizon, and visibility was good. In a hurry to reach the Fir Bolg fort, he did not stop.
On the opposite side of the hill, Kriss and Childs were heading north at a fast trot.
Kasdan had no way of knowing that death had passed by him.
Chapter 23
Allies
Glass waited until the sun edged above the horizon and the land was in full daylight before confronting the men behind the rock. He reached up and flipped the night scope off. By now, Kriss and Childs would be off the ridge and headed his way. However, it would take them a couple of hours to get here even if they ran partway. Two hours was a long time to keep the subjects at bay behind the rock. He could think of no logical reason to delay and decided to start securing the area.
"Behind the rock!" he shouted. "Stand up and move into the open. Hold your weapons by the barrel and throw them as far as you can toward the big tree!"
The half hour they had been waiting seemed like an eternity to Matt and Jake. "Well here we go," Matt said. "If it doesn't work out, it's been nice knowing you."
Jake laughed at the attempted humor as they got to their feet. When they stepped into the open they scanned the little rise but were unable to tell where the sniper was positioned. They held their pistols as directed, arms raised, and tossed them fifty feet toward the tree. Next they removed the knives from their belts and threw them after the guns.
"Take off your clothes and move twenty feet away from them!" came the next command.
They looked at each other and shrugged. They unfastened the utility belts, unzipped the L-suits and took them off. Wearing only their undershirts and shorts, they walked away the required distance and waited.
Glass stood up, his rifle pointed at them. He was not where they expected him to be. Jake gave a little laugh and said, "Professional."
Matt nodded. "Military," he responded after seeing the man's clothing.
"Turn your backs to me!" Glass yelled.
They complied.
Glass shouldered the rifle and took out his .40 caliber Glock. If anything went wrong, it would be a better tactical weapon than the Barrett. He walked over to the L-suits and searched the pockets, finding nothing of interest. Next came the utility belts. Their pockets were filled with things that might be needed in the field: aspirin, adhesive bandages, antiseptic, fishing line, small utility knife, two nine-millimeter magazines with ammo and so on. He turned the L-suits inside-out and inspected the linings for hidden weapons such as razor blades or wire. The linings were made of a strange material that felt warm to his bare hands. He returned them to their original condition and took a long look at the two men in front of him. He had not seen the big man from the Fir Bolg fort up close, so he could not swear that this was the same person; however, the size was right.
He held the Glock down by his leg, not pointing it at them and moved a few paces away from their clothes. "You can turn around now," he said. When they co
mplied, he stared at Jake for a long moment. "You're from Apache Point," he said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I've seen you in the commissary a couple of times."
Jake gave him an easy-going smile. "Jake Donovan, U.S. Army Reserve," he responded amicably. "This is Matt Leahy," he glanced at Matt. "We're here on an assignment. Are you alone?"
Glass cocked his head to one side. "No. The rest of my squad is on the way. You can put your clothes back on."
"Now that you know who we are, who are you?" Jake asked.
"Nobody you would know. Anyway, it doesn't concern you."
"You almost killed Jake, held us up like a bandit, searched our clothes, took our weapons," Matt said in accusatory tone, "and you say it doesn't concern us? Where I come from it does. Now, who are you and what gives you the right to go around shooting at people without cause?"
Glass shifted on his feet, unaccustomed to being challenged. "Sorry, but I can't answer your questions. That's just the way it is."
Matt did not pursue the point. While they were dressing, he said, "I think the man we're chasing is the one you're looking for. He must have gotten around you in the dark. He's a big man, like Jake," he nodded toward Donovan. "He's got a female captive with him, one of our agents."
Glass shook his head. "I've been awake all night. There's very little noise here on the moor. I didn't hear or see anyone but you."
When they were dressed, Jake asked, "What about our weapons?"
Glass thought about it, then said, "I think I'd better keep them until my boss gets here. We'll let him decide whether or not you're legit."
"I'm not waiting for anyone to arrive," Matt said in firm voice. "You can shoot me if you think you have to, but I'm going after Kasdan, weaponless if necessary. Nothing short of death is going to stop me!"
Glass stood still for a few seconds. In fact, he had already made up his mind that this particular big man was not the one they had been sent to kill. The mention of Kasdan's name convinced him that his thinking was correct. He nodded and said, "Get your weapons. If you don't mind, I'll throw in with you. My guys are coming in the same direction that you're going. We'll probably meet them on the way."
"Thanks. We can use you," Matt replied, a note of relief in his voice. They retrieved their pistols and knives and took off at a fast trot with Glass close behind. The sniper took out his radio and told Kriss what was going on.
Kriss answered immediately. "Roger that. The target must have somehow gotten around all of us. We're standing by on a piece of high ground about three clicks north of the fort. We'll wait here."
"Copy that," Glass answered.
The sun was climbing into the indigo sky, promising a clear Irish day. Everything appeared calm and peaceful.
Kasdan and Taylor entered the Fir Bolg town through the same gate from which he had departed. They attracted a great deal of attention as he dragged the black-clad woman through the village street. Taylor said nothing as they moved along, mentally marking the route back to the gate in case she somehow managed to escape. Her eyes searched the higher ground, hoping to catch a glimpse of Matt or Jake, but she saw nothing.
None of the women they passed even came close to her five-foot-eight stature, making her a spectacle even greater than the giant Kasdan. The men stood still and stared at them, while some of the women made the usual signs to the four corners of the land. When they reached Kasdan's quarters, he pulled back the hide curtain and shoved her in.
It was musty and dark inside, the only light being a small fire in the center of the room. Taylor caught the smells of sweat, peat smoke and animal skins. She saw a movement in one corner of the room in her peripheral vision. A young woman was getting to her feet. She wore tanned pants and top. Long red hair fell to her shoulders. A miniscule feeling of hope sparked in Taylor's mind.
"Get food and drink, Etar," Kasdan said to the girl. His voice was surprisingly mild. Etar glanced at Taylor and saw the bonds on her wrists. With downcast eyes, she began the business of preparing food.
Kasdan reached out and took Taylor's wrist. "I'm going to untie you, Taylor. I know you understand that it would be foolish to try to escape. Even if you were lucky enough to get past me, you wouldn't get ten feet down the street. And keep in mind that you're only valuable to me as a hostage, but I can do without you if you become a liability." He untied her wrists and tossed the cord to one side.
Taylor looked around the room and took note of the nylon cord lying where Kasdan had thrown it. She rubbed her wrists to restore circulation. "John, you have no idea what you're getting into," she warned. "Believe me, you'd be better off letting me go. You can disappear into the wilderness. No one will come looking for you."
He laughed at her words. "Sit down, Taylor. I want to know about those alien friends of yours."
"The only thing I can tell you is that they're from another world and are fighting an unwanted war with the Fir Bolg."
Kasdan stared at her, his face expressionless. "You're stating the obvious, Taylor. I already know that. Tell me who they are. They're far more advanced than these barbarians, so why haven't they just wiped them out instead of fighting battles with them?"
"It's a matter of ethics, John. Something you wouldn't know anything about."
He snatched her by the neck of the L-suit. "One more remark like that and I'll forget about needing you. My ethics are just different than yours, that's all. I try to protect what is mine, and I take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that violators are punished. I do what I have to do."
She grasped his thick wrist and pulled away from him. "Don't get the idea that you can force me to do anything," she said between clenched teeth."
"I already know that wouldn't work, so we won't go there," he replied in a calm voice. "But by this time tomorrow, either Matt Leahy or I will be dead. So you see, it won't matter what you tell me. Things fall where they will. Now sit down and enlighten me while our breakfast is being prepared."
"You haven't got a chance, John, but I understand your logic. Anyway, knowing what I know about the future, it won't matter one way or another what you learn about the aliens. Just the same, I'll keep that information to myself. And if you think Matt will come after me, you're right. Only it won't work out the way you think."
"We'll see," he replied in a nonchalant way. "But so far, everything is working in my favor. Since our fight didn't take place on the moor, as I would have liked, he'll get a chance to rescue you later. It should prove quite interesting to see how he tries to do it."
"The word tries presumes automatic failure, John. All the odds are against you."
"I never play odds, Taylor. I always subscribe to the idea that it's not when and how you die, but who you were that counts. It's how your life impacted other people. Remember Shakespeare's Julius Caesar? When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. That we shall die we know; 'tis but the time."
Taylor did remember the famous passage, but was surprised that he could quote it. The verse referred to man's unreasonable fear of death. Since it was inevitable, and something all people must face, it was foolish to dread it. It was the memory that counted.
Etar announced that their food was ready. She filled two bowls with steaming meat and put them down near the fire. Kasdan sat down and began eating. Taylor remained standing, wondering where Matt was at this moment. After a few seconds, she walked over to the fire where Kasdan was seated and sat down on the nylon cord. She accepted the bowl of food that Etar handed her and inspected it visually. It appeared to be chunks of meat mixed with vegetables that resembled water chestnuts. She tasted it, then began to eat.
Kasdan laughed and said, "I'm glad your appetite is good Taylor. I intend to take good care of you." He tilted his head back and giggled like a girl.
Taylor almost choked on her food. Such an eerie sound coming from a man of Kasdan's size and disposition was unnerving.
Kasdan finished eating and turned to Etar. "Go ask Eochaid t
o come to my hut," he said to the girl.
After Etar was gone, he was silent for a moment then said, "Later on I'll be leaving for a while, but don't think you can escape," he warned Taylor. "There will be two guards outside the door and another one patrolling the perimeter of the hut. There's no way out." He gave her a narrow-eyed look. When Taylor offered no reply, he arose and went out the door. Outside, he stood staring at the ridge that continued to trouble his mind.
When Eochaid arrived, he briefed him on the capture of the hostage, and how he intended to use her in the upcoming battle. The king was pleased, and he wished to see for himself what such an important person looked like. Going into the hut, he was surprised to find the woman so different from the Fir Bolg females: tall and skinny by his standards, yet beautiful. He was most impressed by the emerald eyes. Bright and alluring, they seemed to have the ability to look beyond faces and see the character of the mind.
"I am Eochaid, King of the Fir Bolg," he said. "What is your name?"
Taylor stood very straight. "I am Taylor, Queen of America," she answered in Eochaid's language.
Kasdan laughed and said in English, "I'll have to hand it to you, Taylor. You may be facing death tomorrow, but you still have a sense of humor!"
"I'll give you odds on who will be the one that's dead tomorrow," she rejoined in an acid tone.
Kasdan shrugged. "All in the valley of death," he quoted Tennyson.
Taylor clamped her lips together and stared at him.
Eochaid had been listening to them speak in the unknown language. He considered it to be just another form of rudeness by the wizard. He drew himself up to his full height, still three inches shorter than Taylor. He looked at Kasdan. "What are you saying?" he asked in an angry tone.
"Nothing of importance." He sounded amused at the king's discomfort. "Have you carried out my instructions on the assembly of troops?" he inquired, without answering the question.
Eochaid nodded. "We have seven thousand men in the city. Sreng has sent runners to the other villages. By this afternoon we will have an additional two thousand." He had a sour look on his face. He felt disrespected. If he did not need this wizard in the upcoming fight, he would kill him outright as Sreng had suggested. However, he feared the Tuatha more than he despised the giant standing in front of him. He held his fury in check and let the matter go.