CHAPTER 7. A STRANGE VILLAGE
Machines littered the ground as though they had been torn apart by a giant and flung with no purpose to where they fell. Many parts had been used to create the barricade. The great wall loomed before the group, with no visible entrance.
The procession halted in front of what appeared to be a solid sheet of metal. Jeepers tugged on the bottom and two hinges built into it caused it to fold outward with the help of a metal track. The door protested with a loud screech and yawned open.
Two women approached. One had pale skin and light brown hair, while the other woman’s skin was the color of the richest soil in the swamp. Streaks of white ran through her dark, knotted tresses. Both of the women glared at Toby, then Mia.
The woman with brown hair pointed to Toby. “Fear rises among women as percentage of attacks double,” she said accusingly.
“No, Talitha.” The old woman took her hand and lowered it gently. “This deed was done by your own brother. Follow us in, and I will do my best to help the little girl.”
Through the gate lay a different world.
The grounds were patterned with lanes of brown gravel, lined on the sides with white stones. Trees, decked with brilliant blossoms, swept in graceful arcs through the paths. The fences bordering the roads, though constructed of random materials, were well made. Fruits and vegetables peeped like shy children through the slats. Several small buildings placed amongst the paths looked like they belonged in a country village. Toby had seen homes like these in history books. Constructed from mud and formed into whimsical shapes, they were called ‘cobb houses’. Why would this beautiful place be built inside a dump?
The men pulling the wagon headed towards the largest house. Two window boxes spilled flowers out into the day, and bits of colored glass formed a lovely mosaic in the clay wall beside the bright red door.
The old woman beckoned Toby inside. “Come along, little kitty,” she said tenderly. “I have a comfortable place for you to rest and wait. Your friend will be fine.”
Bright and cheerful as the house seemed, Toby hesitated to go through the door and be contained again. Can this woman be trusted? He gathered his courage and stepped inside. I must be brave for Mia.
The cottage was one big room, filled with light. The ceiling was vaulted with a loft constructed on the side. Clumps of dried plants and flowers hung from the rafters and filled the room with tangy, sweet aromas. Ancient furniture completed the décor, and a teakettle gave a cheerful whistle from a cast iron stove in the corner.
“Those are my herbs. I use them for cooking and medicine.” The old woman gestured to the loft.
Japeth carried Mia in. Her head lolled on his shoulder.
“Place the girl there.” The old woman pointed to a bed in the corner.
“Her name is Mia,” Toby clenched his hands behind his back. “And I’m Toby.”
“Very well.” The old woman smiled “Please put Mia on the bed, Japeth.”
Japeth carefully laid Mia down.
The two women came forward to arrange the bright quilts over her, while Japeth watched them from the foot of the bed.
Toby was shocked to see tears rolling down the bearded man’s cheeks.
“Now, there, Japeth.” The old woman patted his shoulder. “You didn’t know she was just a child. You were only protecting our home. We have all been on edge lately.”
“The ambassador expresses his regrets.” Japeth pulled a soiled cloth from his pocket and blew his nose.
“We know you are sorry.” The old woman handed him a clean cloth. “You need to leave now so I can fix her up. Can you keep watch outside for me?”
Japeth nodded and left the room.
The woman turned to Toby. “I must remove the arrow and dress the wound. It might hurt your heart if you watch. Perhaps you wish to go as well?”
Toby pulled a stool to the bed’s side. “I will not leave her.”
“Dawn, please bring me some clean cloths and the kettle from the stove,” she instructed the woman with dark skin. “Talitha, please fetch the light.” Dawn hastened to obey, and Talitha placed a lamp on the stand closer to the bed. Clean cloths were laid under Mia’s shoulder and piled beside the light. The old woman brought over a pair of scissors.
The part of Mia’s sleeve covering the wound was matted with dried blood and stuck to her skin. The old woman used the scissors to cut away the loose pieces, and then carefully removed the rest, a bit at a time.
Mia jerked fitfully, but did not awaken.
The skin around the arrow was swollen and a sick, purplish color. Toby gagged when he looked at it, but he held himself firm. Mia would be strong for him. If only the arrow had hit him instead! He blinked back tears.
The woman grasped the wicked dart and pulled. Toby tried his best, but at last his resolve failed and he turned away, squeezing his eyes tight. The sounds, however, would be remembered the rest of his life. Water sloshed in the basin and the old woman hummed a tuneless melody, perhaps to lift their spirits. His own fearful heart thudded inside his chest.
“It’s all finished now.”
He opened his eyes.
The old woman wrapped the shoulder in clean bandages. “Dawn, bring the Antibots.”
Dawn opened a cabinet near the bed and brought out a small container.
The old woman took it and shook some of the contents into her hand. She showed the small, white pills to Toby. “These are very precious and rare and will kill any infections the arrow might have brought into the girl’s shoulder. Injuries much more terrible have been healed with this medicine.”
A vague memory pressed cold fingertips to Toby’s mind; small white pills, given to him by Gramble Edward when he had an ear infection. The pain was gone in a few hours and he was well within two days. He could only hope this was the same kind of medicine.
The woman pulled a small, silver hammer from a drawer under the lamp stand and wrapped the pills in a cloth. In a moment they were ground to a fine powder, which she poured into a small cup of water. “The girl will awaken soon, then I will give her this.”
“Thank you.” Toby slumped in his chair, relieved, but also very tired.
“Pull your stool over to the stove, Kitty Child.” The woman rose and washed her hands in the basin. “I have a feeling you are wild with curiosity. After we eat this good stew, I will tell you where we came from and the history of our settlement.”
“I would love to hear your story.” Toby was surprised by the offer. He scooted the stool where indicated and sat back down with a sigh. After the last hour’s trauma, he appreciated the warm, cozy place.
“I assume you will eat my prepared meal and would not prefer a mouse?” The old woman lifted the pot’s lid to stir the contents.
“I am not a cat. I eat human food,” Toby folded his arms and tucked his face in a scowl.
“Oh dear, I have hurt your feelings. I am sorry.” She ladled steaming liquid into two bowls. “I am accustomed to my children; they do not mind the bluntness of an old woman. My name is Valerie, though for years I have been called only Mother.”
Toby took the bowl she gave him with reverence: after two days with only dried foods to eat the stew looked delicious. His first spoonful contained a piece of carrot.
“From our gardens,” she replied to his questioning look. “I was raised on one of the last farms in our region, so I know about growing things. My family kept to the old ways, distanced from computers and technology. My grandfather was a retired country vet, and taught me ways to heal man and beast.”
She sat down with her own bowl. “He expected me to follow in his footsteps, but I chose to join the modern world and work in the city. Do you understand what I am saying, Kitty Child?”
Toby nodded. “My grambles taught me of the world’s history and I have read books and magazines on many subjects.”
“Good,” said Valerie. “This story will be much shorter without extra explanations to trip up the telling.”
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