“Okay. Thank you.”
Lisa and Little Wolf headed up the main street. They got a few stares from the local folks, but most ignored them or glanced for just an instant. Lisa examined the disc. On one side was a carved image of an old city seal.
She knew that before the Rain cities chose a symbol called a seal to put on official documents. Years ago she’d found Mountain View’s seal in the library. She didn’t know what it was, so she asked her father. He explained the idea to her. Only later, when she began to dig through the library and find old letters, did the concept make sense.
The other side of the disc read “Newcomer” at the top, “Passed Inspection” in the center, and “Return to Gate” at the bottom. Lisa thought she had a better picture of what was happening here. There were enough people moving in that a procedure had been established to deal with them. The town welcomed new residents, but only after they had been cleared. There were enough “decent” people coming so that vigilance was only required for those who looked suspicious.
She told Little Wolf what she was thinking. He agreed with her, then asked, “Why didn’t they take our weapons from us?”
“If they have enough guards, we wouldn’t be much of a threat. They told us that as long as we kept the bows with the horses we could hang onto them. Makes sense to me.”
“If we’re in no danger here.”
“Right.”
“When we meet with this Mayor, what should I say?”
“As little as possible. Be nice, no matter what he says.”
“Why?”
“We’re here to make friends, not foes. If he doesn’t want us here, we leave. No yelling, and no fighting.”
“I shall try to be a good guest.”
The pair left their horses tied up in front of the city building. Inside, Lisa showed the disc to a woman at a desk in the lobby. She pointed to a doorway down a short hall behind her. They walked to the door; a sign on it read “Town Clerk.” Lisa again offered the disc. The middle-aged woman in charge led them up a stairway to an office marked “Mayor.” She introduced them to a tall man with dark hair and blue eyes.
He shook the travelers’ hands eagerly. “I’m Jackson Ross, the Mayor. Have a seat.” Once they were seated he asked, “Where have you come from?”
Lisa cleared her throat. “Well, sir, my friend and I came through your hyperspace portal.”
Ross’ mood darkened ever so slightly. “Is that so?”
“Yes. We’re both from neighboring worlds. I’m from Fairfield. Little Wolf is from White Rocks. We’re not here to cause you any trouble.”
“Why are you here?”
“My father is the mayor of my town, Mountain View. He brought me up to care about others. He also made sure that I read every book in our library. Unfortunately, there isn’t much for a young woman like me to do except teach school. He gave me one of the surviving portal manuals...”
“Portal... manual?”
“Yeah. That’s a book that tells you how to operate the portal. He let me have one so that I could leave Fairfield and find a place elsewhere.”
Ross turned to Little Wolf. “And you?”
“I was accused of a murder I did not do. She proved that I did not do it, and found the one who did. I could not return to my people, nor could I stay in a town that had wanted me punished for the murder. I travel with her, to protect and help her.”
“I see.” He turned back to Lisa. “Have you been to any other worlds?”
“White Rocks, another neighboring world. That’s where he’s from.”
“Why come here?”
“From here I could get back to my world, or go back to White Rocks.”
“Have you been here long?”
“Several days. We followed the trail from Springdale to Cave City, then we went to Cookeville. We managed to get Cookeville to send a wagon of goods to Cave City. We helped a young woman move in to Cave City, to help them improve their farms and to teach their children to read and write.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Cave City isn’t as terrible as we’ve heard?”
“Oh, no, Mister Ross. Those folks are hurting. But Cookeville is better off, and I think they’ll try to help Cave City.”
“Interesting.”
“Haven’t you sent anyone to either town?”
Ross shook his head. “I’m afraid we’ve been too busy. We’ve had to focus our efforts on protection. We used to send trade wagons up to Southport and west to Poplar Ridge. We just managed to get a road cut to Butler. About ten years ago, something happened between Poplar Ridge and Butler.”
“One of the guards at the gate mentioned those two towns.”
“You heard of them?”
“No, but we have a map of this world we found in Springdale. Do you know what happened?”
“We’ve heard different stories. It depends on who you talk to, and whether or not they’re related to one of the town bosses. Honestly, I don’t know the truth. All I can say is that some fight took place, and now both towns are tangling with each other.
“Someone in Butler decided that because we traded with Poplar Ridge, we either had to deal with them or not trade at all. Poplar Ridge didn’t like that. We got caught up in their feud. That’s why we built the fence and have guards and a town gate. We’ve got more armed men than either town, so we’ve been pretty safe from them.”
“But you’re afraid that if you sent a party to Cookeville or Cave City, they’d be attacked by men from those towns,” Lisa said.
Ross nodded. “We tried to send a group a few years ago. They had to turn back before they got to Springdale. See, travelers like you two aren’t worth attacking. You aren’t carrying lots of food, or clothes, or weapons. Of course, they don’t know when someone’s coming up to Richmond. Somehow they did know that we were sending a group south.”
“A snake in the nest,” Little Wolf said.
“Mister Ross, you said you also traded with another town, Southport. What happened there?”
“Wagons kept getting attacked. We couldn’t figure out if it was a bandit, or someone in Southport trying to take over. We heard stories about both. Butler and Poplar Ridge might have done their share.”
Lisa shook her head. “That’s terrible. Mister Ross, you know that murder my friend here was accused of? It turned out that one of the merchants in that town killed another merchant. The dead man, he’d swindled and cheated his way through life. He may have found some dirty secret about the killer, and used it against him. The killer was partly motivated by his own greed. With other man dead, he could take over the dead man’s businesses.
“That’s why I’m saddened to hear all that, but not too surprised. I just wish there was something that we could do.”
“Like what?”
“Like get rid of the bandits. Force those towns to live together.”
“A bit much for two young people to handle, don’t you think?”
“Yeah.”
“There are many white eyes on my world without much work,” Little Wolf said. “Could we not bring them here to fight the bandits and warriors?”
Lisa shook her head. “People on White Rocks rarely act out of the goodness of their heart. Any men we could hire would want something out of it, in exchange for their effort.” She turned to Ross. “They might demand that we put them in charge, let them run the trade out of their town, or give them control of all the merchants and craftsmen.”
“Instead of any local man already working,” Ross added. “I see why you’re reluctant; their rewards might cause new conflicts. What about your own world, Miss Herbert? Could you find help there?”
“We might.” A memory suddenly bubbled up in Lisa’s mind. She recalled her battle to save her sister. She frowned. “No,” she said, “probably not. We’ve had peace for a long time. Lots of us, men and women, know how to defend ourselves, but we’re not fighters. One bad loss, and...” She let her voice trail
away.
“Yes, I see. I have sort of the same problem. Our guards will defend Richmond to the last. I’d like them to go after the bandits, or force a truce out west. Most have told me to my face that they won’t go. They don’t want to leave their homes and families. They’re good men. They just don’t have fire in their bellies.”
“The desire to take a chance and settle things,” Lisa said. Where can I find people like that?
“You said you wanted to visit one more world, Miss Herbert.”
“Yes. It’s called Lone Star. We’ll have to go back to White Rocks to get to it.” She took Manager Coe’s watch out of the small sack tied to her belt and looked at the watch. The day there would just be starting. She put the watch back. “Mister Ross, we won’t be able to go back to White Rocks for awhile yet. Would it be possible for us to stay here for the night? I know we’d be imposing, and we can’t repay you,...”
Ross raised his right hand. “Tell you what. You do two... three things for me, you promise to do them, and you can stay with my family.”
“What do you want us to do?”
“First, I want to know about your world, and that other one, White Rocks.”
“Sure.”
“Second, I want you to promise that you’ll come back here, before winter comes, and third, that you’ll work with me to deal with these problems we’re having around here.”
Lisa took a moment to collect her thoughts. They were hefty promises, no doubt about that. She didn’t have the slightest idea where to start, or where she’d get the help. She wondered if Lone Star would be in better shape. If not, she wondered if Little Wolf could train young men from Fairfield to fight. She decided that Ross was right. Something had to be done.
This town looks okay, but how long can it stay that way? Lisa asked herself. What if the outlaws head towards Cookeville? It’s a miracle they haven’t been attacked. And if they’re unready, Cave City is a disaster waiting to happen. Something has to be done, and soon.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. We’ve got the will; the way will appear when I see it.
“Mister Ross, I don’t know how, but I promise to come back here and do whatever I can to bring you some peace.” She looked at Little Wolf. “I won’t speak for you. I won’t force you to go along with this if you don’t want to.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “You are clever, and honest, and pure of heart. I promised you that I would protect you. Your word is my word.”
“Thanks.” She turned to Ross and smiled. “Would you like to know about crop rotation on Fairfield? Or how trade tokens work on White Rocks?”
CHAPTER 8
Lisa’s and Little Wolf’s arrival on Lone Star was a mix of the familiar and the new. As with White Rocks, this world’s portal was at the edge of a town that had moved since the Rain. The portal was at the town gate, and like at Richmond the two were searched at the gate.
A few things were different. Unlike the other three worlds, trees weren’t that common. Some were clustered around the edges of the town, and a few were actually in town. Most of the plant life was grass, and not green grass at that. They could also see much farther. Lisa guessed they could see farther still if they climbed one of the hills around the town. Even the sky seemed different, bigger and more sweeping.
Their entry into town completed the sense of the new. They were escorted into town by four armed and well-dressed men. They didn’t meet with the town leader, but a Major Willis McCall. He was in charge of something called “The Rangers.” McCall was a big man with gray hair, a bushy gray beard, tanned skin, and a seemingly permanent skeptical expression.
Lisa told Major McCall of her origin, her travels, and her reasons for coming. Little Wolf also had to tell his story. Lisa had to let McCall examine her notebook and her portal manual. After answering what felt like the hundredth question Lisa asked what was going on.
McCall glared for an instant. He leaned back in his chair. “I suppose you kids have been frisked enough. Alright, then, let me tell you what you need to know about us.
“We got hit pretty hard by the Savage Rain. Things went down hill for a long spell. They started getting better in my Daddy’s day, when the Rangers were formed. Those old boys went after every outlaw and every bad town boss there was. They helped the farms and ranches produce like they used to. They saved as much of the old learning as they could.
“We keep the peace these days. I run all the Rangers. There’s a Ranger Captain in every town. He and the Rangers under him keep the peace in each town. All but the road out to Winchester is safe to travel day or night, and it’s safe to go up there during the day.
“Follow the laws, and the Rangers are your pals. Break them, and we’ll hunt you down till you give up or die.”
Lisa glanced at Little Wolf. “I’m impressed. You?”
He nodded. “They sound like great warriors.”
“Major McCall,” Lisa said, “you heard what we said about Big Springs, right?”
“I heard.”
“I know you barely know me, and I know this is a lot to ask, but is there some way...”
McCall shook his head firmly. “No Ranger I command is taking one step through any portal unless I know he’s in no danger.”
“Is there any way I can change your mind? Anything I could do to make you believe me?”
“I do believe you, Miss Herbert. Bad guys start complaining almost as soon as we bring them in. You two answered every question, let us look over your belonging, and never said a peep. If you were lying, your story would’ve stopped making sense awhile ago.”
“Oh. Thanks, I guess.”
McCall smiled a modest smile. He looked at both travelers before speaking. “I’ll tell you a little secret, if you promise to keep it in this room.”
“Sure.”
“My youngest will probably marry in a couple years. I plan to retire as soon as she’s hitched. Day after that, I had planned to put together a team of the best young folks I could find, turn on our portal, and see what’s going on beyond our planet.”
Lisa smiled. “Guess I beat you to it, huh?”
“Yep.”
She caught on to where McCall was headed. “Do you think I ought to find a group that would help me? They wouldn’t do what you were planning, but maybe they could do something more.”
“You’re welcome to try, Miss Herbert.” His face grew serious, and he waved a finger at her. “But do not go talking to my Rangers. That is my one and only order.”
“Fair enough. Major, we’ve probably kept you from your duties long enough. Is there somewhere we could find rooms and a meal?”
“Sure. I’ll have Corporal Keith show you to the inn.” As Lisa and Little stood up to leave, McCall said one more thing. “Miss, would you do me the honor of keeping me informed as to when you leave, and who you’re taking with you?”
“Absolutely, Major McCall. In fact, neither of us will even leave Arbuckle without speaking to you first.”
“Much obliged. Good luck, Miss Herbert.”
***
Lisa hadn’t taken three steps out of the inn when a girl came up to her and asked, “You’re the redhead who came through the portal this morning, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. I’m Lisa Herbert. Who are you?”
“My name’s Allie.” She spoke with a slow drawl. Her voice was low and husky. “Allie Guthrie. Could we talk?”
“Sure.”
Lisa glanced around, trying to find a place to sit and talk. Seeing nothing close by outside, she led the girl into the inn. They sat down at a table in a quiet corner.
Lisa took a long look at girl. Allie was short, more than half a head shorter than her. She was slim; Lisa guessed that she was a few years younger than she. The most distinctive thing about the girl was the contrast between her dark hair and blue eyes.
“You hungry?” Lisa asked.
“Oh, I couldn’t let you...”
“If you’re hungry, just say yes
.”
“A little. Maybe a piece of pie.”
Lisa waved to one of the waitresses and ordered two pieces. When the waitress left Lisa said, “I guess news travels fast around here.”
“Yeah. Rangers let you go, so I guess you’re not here to attack anyone.”
“No.”
“Why are you here?”
“Long story. If you’ve got the time? Okay, well, I come from Fairfield. It’s a world like this one, only not quite so warm.”
“You think is warm? Summer ain’t here yet. You just wait.”
“No thanks. I don’t like sweat pouring out of every surface of my skin.” Nor do I like how my skin is turning red, she thought. “Anyway, I couldn’t find anything to do on Fairfield besides get married and have kids. See, I’ve read lots of books.”
“Didn’t want to waste all that reading time, huh?”
“Yeah.”
The waitress returned. Lisa ate cautiously, while Allie assaulted her piece of pie. “If you’re really hungry,...”
“I’m fine,” Allie said between bites. “Keep going.”
“Okay. I want to put what I know to good use. I want to make a difference. Try to start bringing back some of what we lost during the Rain.”
“You sound a bit like Wayne.”
“Who?”
“Wayne Shuman. He leads our little group. Anyway, go on.”
“I left Fairfield and went through our portal to White Rocks. That’s where I met Little Wolf, the man who came through with me. I solved a problem there, and saved him from being punished for a murder he didn’t do.”
“If he didn’t do it, why was he gonna be punished?”
“He’s an... outsider of sorts. The people didn’t know who really did it, and he was there, so they blamed him.”
“How’d you save him?”
“I found the real killer. Doing that rattled some folks. The real killer was an important merchant. I decided it was best if we left. We went to another world, Big Springs. We managed to get a town to help a nearby town that was doing poorly. We went to a third town and found out they’ve got real problems with bandits, and with two other towns in some kind of fight.”
Allie stopped eating. Her eyes widened, and her voice dropped. “What did you do?”
“Nothing. Those problems are more than me and Little Wolf can solve on our own. We told the leader of that third town that we’d come back after we looked around here, and help him do something.”