Preacher Man

The next morning came too soon. As he walked out to his cuppa, Sheel and her aide de camp drove up the loaded traveler craft. She jumped out and said, “Ready for the yer first turn around the flock, Padre?”

  “Not til me first cuppa, Little Sister…”

  Zeer sat heavily into a wing back chair on the veranda in the wispy gray light of predawn. Paris came out as a black shape with a tray holding four cups of steaming black joe. “Thankee Darlin…” he whispered into her heart.

  She rubbed the back of his neck with a warm soft paw, looking absently around. She returned his love mentally, “Traveling day is dawning bright and clear, ma sweet…”

  “Aye…”

  Sheel said nothing, handing one of the cups to their driver. Neither soldier knew of mental speech. However, they both were used to the silences between their two Sheppards. They some how understood that these two special people seemed to say more with a touch than a speech. They were comforted by the comfort of this quiet couple. The top edge of the first sun was barely visible over the eastern rim. Nana came out with a boy on each hip. Zac went to his mother. Quietly, the acolytes and guardians gathered around him in a half circle with the dawn to their backs.

  As the gray dawn turned pink and then, flamed into orange, Zeer stood, Come on troops…I got a new treat fer yas…“ He lead them all into the church. “Its called Le Matins.” Le Matins was another version of the Songs of Morning. He had been teaching the acolytes this new rote. He had found them among the old Preacher man’s books. The Fire Dance from the Morgen Tide collection was still his favorite, but, he felt that he didn’t want to become stale doing the same stuff all the time.

  From out of the darkness of the town and the fort small groups of people joined them. They knew it would be his final blessing until he returned from the parish tour. The acolytes formed themselves into a choir. They sang clearly in the growing light. Zeer lead them in prayers asking for the safe return of their friends and family. After the service, the parishioners gathered around the bus to see him off on his first tour of the new flock. He moved among them, shaking hands and exchanging blessings.

  "Drive safe..."

  "Hurry home..."

  Finally, he worked his way through the crowd of well wishers to the door of the bus. There waited his faithful Paris. Her damp eyes were almost enough to make him call off the trip. They spoke out loud because non Par Cats were present, "Kiss ma wee bairns fer me every night." He hugged and kissed each child. As he gave them back to her, he heard, "How long?"

  "I dinna ken, Maybe a coupla weeks, darlin'... them canyons is deep and lots of people live back in there.”

  “Dinna fergit where thee lives and that we need thee here, ma darling hoosband.”

  “Aye, lass, but, they need me too."

  Sheel and Tring, her aide-de-camp, were strapped into the back seats. Zeer was set to drive the first leg. "You should not be drivin' this here bus, Father. That old frog'll think I aint a doin' mah job."

  "Sheel, me darlin', when did you ever know that feller to be up at this hour?"

  "You are surely right, Father. I still don't like it."

  "We've got many hard days of drivin' ta do, missy. You'll git yer chance ta drive. Fer me self, I have a need right now ta do something with me hands. I miss my wife and kids already."

  Tring was astounded to hear any one talk to his superior officer in this fashion. He had never seen anyone, including the Comandant ever talk back to her before. He just huddled down, trying not to be noticed. If she was getting angry at the Preacher man, he didn't want her taking it out on him.

  Sheel, for her part, was so crazy about her new boss that she didn't even think of it as back talk. This was simply banter among equals. She had known only one other male of any species that had ever been allowed the title of "equal" before. It had taken some getting used to when she first met the pirate, "Black Patch”MacTarn.

  As they rode, she let her mind wander back to her old days with Patch. She was so smitten with her new boss that she ignored her own instincts. If she had allowed herself some clear thought, she would have paid more attention to the thoughts about these two earther males. They were too much alike. She shook it off and let herself sleep. She had seen this portion of Purgatory Valley too often. She would need to be sharp for the canyon driving.

  Zeer drove along the two lane rock slab. The road ran along the river. Trees from various planets had been planted along the river over the cycles. The varied colors were beautiful. Some of them had cross pollinated and created even stranger looking plants. Since Tristan’s irrigation project, there was now water in abundance. In this part of the valley, a small forest was beginning.

  The road grade moved stadily upwards from the valley floor to foothills and through wide clefts worn in the rock by the many streams that made up the Purgatory River. About a hundred and fifty klicks, the two Purgatory Rivers became one. They stopped a while and had their lunch. Zeer stood by the side of the great rock pile that split the river in two. He marveled at the sound and the spray cooled him in the suns.

  “Come on, Father…yer missus will skin me if’n ya catches a sneezle up here playin’ in the water.”

  “I’m fine, Major. Aint the Master something? Look at that rainbow,” Where he stood, a double rainbow made a full circle in the twin suns light. “I thank Thee, Master, for this Thy blessing.” He shook his head and went over to the chairs that Tring had set out and ate his lunch.

  Sheel began to drive. Zeer sat in the front, looking out the high windscreen at the small animals, probably brought from other planets as well in packing crates for the fort. Small birds also seemed to thrive in this new forest. The view at the neck of Purgatory Canyon was stunning. As she drove, he heard them thinking to themselves. The two people never shared this internal chatter. It is so sad, he thought, these people have so much to give each other and yet they are limited by their inability to really communicate.

  He thought to himself, “How lucky I am to have found my darling Paris and be truly united with her.”

  "And don't you be fergettin' it, me darlin'."

  Zeer jumped. The bus veered. The others looked at him, "Hey, what's goin' on?"

  "Sorry, almost hit a slingo…everyone okay?"

  "Yeah." and they went back to their duties.

  "So, ma sweet Paris, this link operates out... let's see... two hundred and twelve klicks..."

  "Aye, Preacher man, it will be interestin' ta see how far apart we can be and still be linked."

  "Darn, now I canna even mess wi' that guardian o' mine."

  "Well, aren't we the clever one. So, ya wanna mess wi' her do ye?"

  He sighed mentally, "Well, now we'll never know now, will we?"

  "Yes, hmmm... let me think... I have had me eye on that Paronese Corporal that you left me to play with."

  "Soo... thee can play rough, too huh?"

  "I guess that we had better just stick to the straight and narrow, then, hadn't we?"

  "I will if you will."

  Zac put his tuppance in, "I think I've heard about enough of this. You two are about as bad at fightin' as any I ever saw."

  "Dad!?!" They said simultaneously and then, laughed.

  "Butt out ya old coot."

  "Youse two would no sooner fool around with any others as cut off yer arms. Stop chatterin'! I'm tryin ta rest, here."

  "Ghosts dinna rest. You old buzz gwump. Butt out."

  "What do furballs know about the simple needs of a kindly, old spirit visitor who's been out all night tormentin' frogger dreams in the pleasure dome?"

  Paris chuckled evilly, "It's a true delight ta see a man enjoy his work."

  "Don't knock whatcha aint never tried, missy."

  "Dad!" They both said as the bus topped a rise and headed deep into Purgatory Canyon #6. The canyons out here were just numbered.

  "Zeer?" the connection with home was fading.

  "Paris," he thought, not knowing if she heard him. The breaking of the conn
ection was almost physical. He had not felt so alone since she had first taught him to live interwoven this new way.

  "I'm here, son. I lost her, too. Hurts, don’t it?"

  Zeer again felt his father. There was a great feeling of relief to have his father filling the great void in his heart. "Dad! I canna feel Par or ma wee kits."

  "She said the same thing ta me as I was leavin' ta come with ya."

  "The bairns... who'll watch the bairns?"

  "You've got every Par Cat soul in that town watchin' out fer them kits, me son."

  "They are good people aren't they?"

  "Them fur balls love you more than they love each other. Which is considerable and often, I might add. They are only cats, after all."

  "They are good folk, Dad. Will ya no give them a chance?"

  "I gave them ma youngest son, didn’t I? I'm still waitin' fer you ta start sproutin' fur from livin' wi' that female."

  "You are impossible."

  "And you, me darling youngest son, are too easy of a mark fer the female charms."

  "Aye, that's a good'n. You talking to me about resisting female charms. Like you have ever once been able to resist the charms of any woman of any species in even one of yer days."

  "I admit it. I have known a few.”

  "A few... even now ya spend more time at the pleasure dome than anywhere else."

  "Now that I'm dead, it's free."

  Zeer laughed to himself, "You are also the cheapest man I know, even now."

  "You must admit that I canna get into much trouble."

  "True...true..."

  "I think they love me over there. Seems a shame ta waste all that affection."

  "They probably think that you are a glitch in one of their programs."

  "Aye. But, it's a chance to annoy them Froggers. The ladies do love how I mess with those little green minds. Of course, only the Paronese girls even know that I am there."

  Sheel began to drive slower. The road was narrow, barely enough for two passing vehicles. On one side, the wild Purgatory River plunged past them roaring toward Emeswan. The road crossed it from time to time on small bridges. The long haulers coming down were going full speed, veering around corners at a crazy pace. The ones going up would pass them, blowing their horns and gesturing wildly.

  "Look everyone." Out in front of the wind screen, the bus turned a sharp corner and a straight piece of road went steeply up to a tiny village at the edge of the horizon. A bent, dusty road sign said P-6. From this distance, it looked like a child’s toy village on a shelf. It grew quickly as Sheel pressed her foot to the floor. They were tired from their long day’s ride.

  “Okay,” She said gladly, “Here we go! First stop! P-6… All ashore that’s goin’ ashore!“ Stretched out above them was a series of fake fronts over buildings built into the rock cliff. There were many stores, a guarded mine entrance and a town government building. Row upon row of shacks and fallen down tents was built around the covered holes in the canyon wall.

  "Ahhh, yes,” said Zeer, “Our first stop. What do we know about this place?”

  "I aint never been up here, but the word in Emeswan is that this is a town much like ours. It had been just a water and fuel stop on the edge of this God awful section of this world for centuries until Quallium was discovered."

  "They look in great need of spiritual comfort."

  Sheel peered through the screen at the little dust blown town, "Yes, sir. That they do."

  Unseen watchers made the back of Zeer`s neck prickle. "I feel them too, me son."

  "I count six minds, Dad."

  "That's me count, also."

  Zeer clearly displayed the flags of the Imperion and the Word. Still, they pulled off the road in a shady spot.

  Tring was startled awake. He stretched," Why are we stopped?"

  "We'll be met here, I reckon. Tring, make some refreshments, please.” Zeer knew the plans of the men creeping through the bushes.

  “Aye, aye, Sir…” and the little man busied himself getting ready for their visitors.

  "Let's not upset anyone, shall we?" He got out a chair and a cool drink and sat on the shady side of the bus.

  "Yes, Father. I’m just keeping a close eye on them varmints." Sheel began mentally preparing herself for battle. She would gladly give her life for this man. She made herself ready as she had been trained since birth. She smacked Tring on his butt, "Where’s them drinks, boy."

  "Yes'm..." He rattled dishes and set up a table in the shady spot.

  She set up another chair and sprawled in it as if asleep, but she was ready to kill for her boss man. This trait was what had made these females so valuable as mercenaries throughout the galaxy. As tense as she was, Sheel was startled as men materialized out of the bushes. They gathered around the traveler. One of them, a giant of a man, took charge without a word as they headed for the front of the vehicle.

  Zeer stood and smiled at the giant. The man looked suspiciously at him. Zeer spoke softly, "I am Father Roan Taflick. Please come and sit with us, gentlemen. Have a cool drink and a snack."

  The men looked at a giant of a man who stood away from the rest. He nodded and they came fearfully up to the vehicle. The Preacher man sat at a table. Tring served the drinks, "Kind sirs, it is a hot day. Please share this humble juice with us."

  The men began to smile and sit in the shade, drinking warily. Zeer motioned to the giant, "Are you my welcoming committee?"

  The leader looked close, then leaned back and said, "I know you. You're the new fantastic Preacher man from the viddy's, ain't ye?"

  "Guilty! Although, the newsy's tend to exaggerate."

  "I don’t think so, Sir. I watched you work almost without stopping for nine shifts until those people were all out of your mine. A thing like that goes a long way in mining country.”

  “You are too kind.”

  “So, what brings you out here?"

  "I am a humble servant. The Master sends me ta bring the Word to the miners of this canyon. The Father Visitor has expanded my parish to include these mines. I only wish to come calling in the Master’s name.”

  "So we heard. Lucky for you, we were warned or you'd all have been blasted afore this. People out here are pretty shaky around new faces."

  "Yes, I'm certainly glad that you waited to check on us. Would you gentlemen like to ride into town with us."

  "I'll ride. The rest of these men are returning to their posts."

  "At least you must finish yer drinks, gentlemen."

  One look from the giant and the men quickly downed their drinks, thanked the Father for his kindness, and, jostling each other, returned to the road where they quickly faded back into the bushes as if they had never been there. Only a few dusty tracks remained which were quickly blown away by the constant howling wind that whipped through the narrow gap that the road ran through.

  "See you in church, gentlemen," Zeer called after them. Turning back the rough character before him, "What may we call you, my son?"

  "My name is Little Jim Magregor. I am Fra..."

  "Fra?"

  "Yeah... I’m a combination of back-country sheriff and judge out here in the Pergatory Canyons."

  "Well, then, you're the just man I came ta see."

  "Yes sir. I am at your service."

  Zeer shook the huge hand," that's Legion Major Sheel DeNoor. That fine fellow is our cook, Legion Private Seth Tring." The man nodded over to the others. Sheel drove the rest of the way into Purgatory #6. She kept stealing looks at this hard giant of a man sitting beside her.

  Finally, she spoke, "You weren't brought here on a contract to mine, were you?"

  A shy grin crossed his face. "No ma'am. Why do you ask?"

  "Yer too big of a boy fer them Froggers ta pay for. Yer freight contract alone would have taken two life times to repay."

  "Tis true, m'lady. I was born on Tarra. My family has lived here four generations. They were always soft gem miners and long haulers. I was a free miner for a wh
ile when I was a young boy. Then, with Quallium, the mines got deeper and the widths got smaller. As I grew, it became evident that the tiny mining holes weren't made for a man the size of me."

  "You are a big one, all right." She said appreciatively. "So, if you are “Little Jim”, just how big is Big Jim?”

  “You mean my dad?”

  “Yeah, is he bigger’n you?”

  “Naw. Actually, he’s half my size, but, he was always Big Jim. Since I was born, I was Little Jim. The name just stuck.”

  “And now, you’re the Law."

  "Yes’m! You see, 10 cycles back, there was a cave-in. I saved a visiting Princess's life. She repaid the kindness by getting her brother, then, who was the governor back then, and now he’s the Viceroy, to send me to the College of Laws. After the College of Laws, I was appointed to become the justice for Purgatory district, my title is Fra."

  Sheel looked at him shyly, "May I call you Fra or Little Jim?"

  He reddened, "You, sweet thing, can call me anything that you want. Just as long as the one you are calling is me." Sheel blushed as much as she could over this remark.

  "I hate to butt in to you two; but, I have a few questions for the Fra." With a last look and brief smile at Sheel, Fra moved back to sit at the desk with the Father.

  "How many more towns are there in Purgatory District, Fra?"

  "Six more mines or towns are within a hundred klicks of here. They're all numbered 1 through 7."

  "And people?"

  "The population is guessed to be about thirty thousand, countin' the Scrubbs."

  "Scrubbs?"

  "You know... natives. Actually, their real name is the Askirabim. In their language, it means ‘the people’. The miners shortened it to `Scrubs'. Most people call them that now. I even fergit now and then."

  "There are native Tarrians living this close to humans?" said Sheel.

  "Yeah, they have been nearby all my life anyways. My grandaddy had them mining here when this mine first opened. That was a big mistake. They wouldn't mine. They felt that the Tara-Namu."

  Zeer startled, then, a look of recognition from his readings, "Oh, yes, they call her the spirit of the planet."

  Jim was impressed by the Padre’s knowledge of local culture, "Any ways, the Spirit told them that its wealth was to be left alone. When the old Fra gave up and retired, I built a school here and they get free food if they will attend."

  "But they won't attend?"

  "They are too proud, so, they live just up that washout.” He pointed to a cleft in the canyon caused by flash flooding. “They call them washoes. Look!” Jim pointed at a red leathery bird just disappearing around a rock formation up the washoe, “there’s one over there."

  "I should like ta meet them if I could." Zeer was reminded of the way that Paronese cat people were regarded as inconsequential inhabitants for more than three hundred cycles. Even if they could not be contacted, seeing a native Tarrian for the first time was exciting.

  As they pulled into town, the people came out of their homes and stores to see who the new arrivals were. Fra moved back to the driver's couch to give instructions as the worked their way down the narrow streets between the buildings and tents.

  "Pull in right there by the meeting hall, please." They pulled in. Zeer got out and was looking around at the town. Jim put his massive arm around Sheel’s shoulder and whispered into her ear, "I swear by the master’s beard that I aint never seen a woman a tenth as pretty as you."

  Sheel laughed, but, she unable to speak. She got out and stood against the outside of the vehicle. Jim followed her outside of the traveler. He pressed in close,"Excuse me if I am being too forward, Major."

  “That’s okay, Fra…” She looked up into his ice blue eyes. She was all set to tell this country boy where to get off. One look in his eyes and all of her resistance melted. His size and strength overwhelmed her. It had been a long time between men, she thought. This giant might be just the tonic she needed.

  "I meant what I said, Sheel. You are the prettiest woman I ever saw."

  "Oh, you are a sweet talkin' divil, Fra Magregor. Don' you be promisin' what yer mate will deny."

  A deep sadness came into his blue eyes. They continued to stare into hers, but, the fire was dampened. "I've no mate. She passed on three cycles back in a plague."

  That was the end of any games for Sheel. She touched his arm. There was almost an electric shock that glued her hand there. “I am sorry, Jim. It must be tough out here all alone.”

  "I don't want any sympathy. I would like some dinner company, though."

  "I caint leave the Father. I could have Tring add you to the dinner list, if'n ya like. The mayor and some other dignitaries are a comin'. I’ll need a regular person ta talk to…"

  He slipped a giant arm around her waist, "Them vultures only want food. What I want's got nothin' ta do with food."

  She undid herself from his grasp, though his boldness flattered her. "There'll be plenty of time fer that after the good Father is tucked in and my security perimeter is set."

  A pocket sounder beeped and spoke, "Fra, We need you, quick. Come to module B-19..."

  She closed her eyes and leaned back against the side of the bus. Fra ignored the voice. He placed his hand softly against her face. She shuddered again at his touch. "I've never seen anyone like you before...The skin of your face is so beautiful and soft. Your fur is grand."

  Abruptly, the device beeped again and his hand was gone. The loss of it was as electric as a slap. "Dang! I gotta go."

  "I understand,” she whispered, unable to open her eyes. The heat from his caress stayed for a few moments.

  "Until supper, then, mamsel." she heard as he passed around a corner.

  "I shall count every tick of that clock, Fra James MacGregor." She whispered. She went back into the cabin. The Preacher Man had a strange smile on his face. It was a sad, sweet smile as if he knew how she felt.

  "I love my Paris like that, from the first moment we met," he said, turning back to his reading; but, the book swam before his eyes. He couldn't read one word for missing his wife and kits.

  "Yep, it’s a soldier’s lot." was her soft reply.

  Zeer knew what she needed. "Sheel, would you help Corporal Tring put out the Sunrise service posters, please."

  "He's busy with supper, I'll do it."

  “You know what's best." Zeer smiled at her back as she trudged off down the street.

  Happy to have something to fill the time until dinner, Sheel hung the posters and then went shopping at the company store. She wished that she had thought to bring something fine for Fra to see her in.

  Zeer was walking down the main street. He saw her trying on clothes at the store.

  "He don't want ta see her in anything. He wants ta see her out of something. That's my guess."

  "Dad, that's her own business. She's a free woman, bound ta none. She should find love. You did. I did. I recommend it."

  "You've gone daft. That boy's just looking fer a dance partner and he's picked her."

  "And what if he is. You’ve danced in your day. It’s good for the soul."

  "She may get hurt. That's all."

  "Ohhh, Dad, you aint so tough. You like these people."

  "Hesh a hesh, boyo, I'm busy searchin these minds fer any traces of Shannon.”

  "Have you found something?"

  "I have found faint traces of him on the minds of the long haulers that have come through this district when I've been playin' at the pleasure dome."

  "So, that's why you came. You didn't want to keep me company. You're here ta look fer Shanny.”

  "And ta keep you out of trouble, ma wee laddie."

  Zeer continued to stroll. They began searching the minds of the town. They found nothing unusual and returned to check on dinner. They were using the town meeting hall for their church. It was the only shade for klicks. The odd building was really just a facade built in front of a cave. Back in the darkeness the rocks kept every
thing much cooler. The mayor and all officials had their homes built this way. It was the only way the Imperion could get non-Tarrans to stay up in these canyons and govern.

  Tring had a long table set up for their guests in a tiny cool room off of the larger main room. Even this smaller room was large enough to pull the bus inside. "This is wonderful, Tring."

  The young man was too overcome to speak. He knew that he might have been cuffed around some if the Preacher Man were not pleased. He bowed and kissed Zeer's hand.

  "Now stop that, my son. We both have work to do before this meeting will be over." Zeer went over to the bus into the gathering shadows. As the sun passed over the canyon rim, lights automatically came on in the cave. A pulpit was being set up by Sheel and some townies. All around it stood groups of women and children. When they saw him, they lined up at the baptismal cup.

  Sheel started moving the crowd back so that he could get inside. "All business will be done tomorrow after services," she began.

  "No, Sheel, let them through. Will ye get me a chair, Child?”

  “Aye, Father.”

  Zeer sat in the dusty chair. The people formed in semi circles around him and sat in the dust.on the cool, rock floor. When they were settled, he said clearly into the dusk, “Let us breathe the Word, children..." beginning the service of the “A Wind in the Evening Is the Breath of God” It was a new one that he had just learned. Par had found it in a dusty Rote o’ Kirk book that she had found in the Library. The old fashioned poetry of it made it a particular favorite for his soft hearted wife.

  The Mayor and other dignitaries joined in quietly as they came in, bringing chairs up to sit on. Others just sat quietly on the floor. Zeer’s eyes were closed. The words played behind him on a screen of the outside of the truck. The people read the words with him.

  When Zeer opened them, he saw the room had silently filled. Here and there, people were weeping for the beauty of the moment. At the end, Zeer offered the Cup of Repentance. People lined up for half a klick. Sheel kept refilling it as people took a sip and got the blessing. At the end, they were all reseated around his chair. He rose, went up into the pulpit so they could all see the closing.

  He spread his arms, “Children… Hear the good news… Thee are forgiven…”

  “And Thee…” they replied.

  “Thee are of the Master now…”

  (people weeped openly) “And Thee…”

  “Go Thee and LIVE fully as His children…”

  “O main!”

  He came down among them, shaking hands. After a time, the people left. He sat a moment, feeling the glow. Now, he knew why he had come out here to this awful place. He needed to do the Master’s work, face-to-face. And these poor people needed to see him. By the time all was finished, the meal had been called. Zeer and his guests ate and talked. Zeer relished getting to know these hard men as he had done with the miners at Emeswan. Soon, they all acted as if they had been friends for years.

  Shaking the last guest's hand, he turned to Sheel, "I will retire now, my dear. I will not require tucking in this evening as I'm sure that you are too busy." He saw that the wide door of the cave was closed. It was quiet. Quiet enough for him to hear Fra Magregor whispering in Sheel's ear. The big man stopped short at this remark. Then, he burst out into loud laughter.

  Sheel was so embarrassed that she ran out into the dark. Fra caught up with her in the shadow of the traveler. "How could he have said that in front of you, Fra ?"

  "He loves you as I do. You must be able to see that."

  "Not right now, I'm don't."

  Saying nothing more, Little Jim did something to her that no man had ever done. He picked her up and carried her like a baby into the rooms that she had been assigned right by the van. "Do ya have any other business before bed, m'lady?"

  "No. The building is locked and Tring will keep guard inside the van tonight."

  "Good."

  "I didn't think that dinner would ever end,” she said removing her new dress.

  "Time for dessert, my pretty." and they made love hard. Then, they made love soft. Near dawn, Sheel heard shuffling outside of the room. “What the?”

  She rolled off of the sleeping giant, grabbed her side blaster, and slipped quietly into the dark. She was so upset that she neglected to dress. She looked out window into the street. All around the door were huddled forms. She poked one and a head shot up, "Hey, it aint sunrise, yet. Who're you?"

  Then the next one put a light beam on her, "Hey, come on! We're trying to sleep here."

  Another light shown on her. "By the Word and the Star, she's nekkid."

  Sheel ran back into the building. Fra was sitting up on one elbow. He whistled, "Nice uniform, officer. Please feel free to arrest me anytime."

  "I'll remember that," She snuggled back under the covers and tried to resume their activities; but, the look on his face made her begin to laugh.

  He got caught up in the laughter. They laughed so hard that they rolled off of the cot onto the floor. Getting more tangled as they went, they were unable to control their laughter. Every time one of them would quit laughing, they would look at the other and off they would go again.

  Finally, Sheel covered her head with a blanket and regained some composure, "Stop...stop..."

  "Are... you... okay, darlin'"

  "I'm okay, just don't look at me."

  "Those people were obviously hardened criminals. Miscreant caught sneaking into church too early."

  "We orta arrest them all," and off they went in gales of laughter again until their sides hurt.

  When they could look at each other, they dressed and headed for the bus. Before full light, nearly two thousand people had gathered out side the meeting hall for “Le Matins”, the Morning Songs.

  "How're we gonna do this?" Sheel asked her new friend, looking at the mob around their tent. “This crowd is too big.”

  "Wait here, I've got an idea." He disappeared into the gray mist.

  He returned with a ladder. He grabbed the pulpit, hoisted it onto his back, and carried it onto the flat roof of the false front of meeting hall. Sheel was afraid for him; but, he handled the several hundred pound object as if it were a babe in arms. She went to get the Father. "We're ready, sir." She knelt for her special blessing. They prayed together a moment, then, they went out to see the crowd.

  Little Jim pointed, “Up here, Sir, I have made a place for thee to be well seen.” Zeer climbed the ladder and waited with the rest for the sliver of sun to be a full circle. He spread his arms in the call for Mishwatan just as the second sun rose full behind him, turning his white robe into holy flame. The miners knelt in awe of the spectacle.

  "Mishwatan... the Fire Eagle’s Blessing…" the miners whispered to each other.

  Together, they sang the Greeting of the Suns using the Rote from the Morgen Tide (Morning Song) Service. Zeer liked the old songs. Even out here, the people had sung them so long that they knew them by heart.

  After the service, there were souls young and old to gather. Finally, he came in out of the heat and they had a bit of lunch. Zeer looked very tired after this morning's work was done. "I need to rest, Sheel, before we visit the Tarrian village."

  "I'm a little tired myself, sir. I didn't get much sleep."

  She was rubbing his neck and shoulders. She liked to do this for him and he liked her to do it. She was so strong, yet gentle. "Yes, well, I am jealous. I, myself, did not sleep for lack of what kept you awake." Sheel was glad that they were alone when he was teasing her this time. She felt her face burning again.

  "He seems to be a nice enough fellow," He said in a mellow tone.

  Trying to use the same tone, "Yes sir, that he does. "

  "You know we must leave tomorra."

  "Yes sir..." suddenly, she stopped massaging. Zeer turned to her. She knelt and put her head in his lap. He softly brushed her mane-like hair back. They said nothing.

  "Thee must go slowly, if thee can."

  "To
o late for that, Father."

  "Three hundred klicks is a long distance relationship."

  "Perhaps one of us will have to move..."

  "Aye, perhaps..." He sat back, closing his eyes against the glare from the windscreen. Little by little, a plan was forming in the back of his mind.

  I think we’ll put off our Tarrian adventure til tomorrah, say?”

  “Aye, Father, this town needs more attention. “

  “I’m fer a nap, darlin’…”

  “I’ll see none disturbs Thee, Father. I’ll kick back here in the front chairs ta guard Thee…”

  “Sweet dreams, Little Sister…”

  “And Thee, Father…” she ducked out for a second, “Tring…”

  “Aye, Major?”

  “Run to the Station House. Tell Fra MacGregor we’ll be going up the washoe at first light.”

  “Aye, aye, Sir…” he took off at a dead run. She smiled and went back inside for her nap. Most likely, she’d get no sleep this evening, either

  Chapter 12