Pedestals of Ash Read online

  It had been so long since she had experienced such a mundane lifestyle; she had forgotten what it was like. A roadside sign ahead announced “Meraton 5 Miles” just as it dawned on her that was what Bishop had been trying to tell her. Bishop was letting her know there was another world out there. He was trying to get her and her people out of the little fortified cubbyhole they had been trapped in so long. They needed to see it was worth fighting for. They needed hope for the future.

  Diana’s first impression of Meraton was as much about what she didn’t see as what she did. There were no burned out or discarded vehicles blocking the roads, and the storefronts appeared to be intact. The place was alive with activity. A section of the main street through town was loosely blocked off, apparently more for space definition than for barricading. People with tables as well as several cars and trucks decorated with handwritten signs were inside the square.

  Diana was intrigued by the simple market. Here was a group of folks peacefully exchanging goods and services rather than high velocity lead. She eased the pickup to the side of the road and cut the motor. This was as good a place as any to begin her search. In truth, the lure of the bazaar was almost hypnotic, and she longed for a closer look. As she exited the vehicle, Diana was immediately faced with her first dilemma of the day. Should she take the rifle along? Just how civilized a community was this, anyway? She looked to see what the locals were doing, but her parking spot was not close enough to make out many details. In the end, she decided that since she hadn’t been outside without a weapon for months, this might be a nice change. It would feel wonderful to walk around without carrying a firearm, so she shoved the rifle onto the floorboard of the truck, locked the door, and proceeded to walk downtown.

  It took her only a few minutes to reach the first booth of the Meraton market. Diana was completely absorbed as she slowly meandered through the assortment of goods, animals, and services being offered. She had no idea anything like this still existed and believed this venue would have been popular even before the collapse. She passed tables offering homemade bread, sewing supplies, and old books. One of the most popular booths featured a teenage boy on one side of a table, taking in shoes that needed repair. Silently beside him sat an older gent, his deft fingers busy reworking a piece of leather with remarkable precision, clearly an accomplished cobbler. At first, Diana was a bit confused over the retailer’s exchange system, but watching the bartering between two women over a batch of noodles being traded for a bag of freshly sheared wool cleared it up.

  Deacon Brown was so amazed by the activities going on around her; she had no idea of the attention she was garnering. A stunningly beautiful woman caused heads to turn even in these times, and Diana was no exception. The sheer joy she was feeling after months of thinking the world ended at the church’s barricade caused her to violate the first rule of survival – be aware of your surroundings.

  The two big men watching the gorgeous stranger stroll through the outdoor bazaar were probably experiencing a sensation of happiness, not unlike the growing mood of exhilaration overtaking Diana. A visit to Pete’s bar, combined with a broad sampling of the available thirst quenchers, no doubt added to their euphoria. Anyone who noticed the two men would have probably described them as young ranch hands, perhaps even cowpokes. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for some of the local spreads to provide transport for the hired help into Meraton now and then. Ranch hands needed a break, too. It also wasn’t unheard of for these men to visit Pete’s. If there had been any younger ladies in the market that day, they would have probably considered both men reasonably good-looking and polite.

  Diana turned away from a table offering an extensive collection of canning jars and lids and inadvertently stepped into the chest of one of the cowboys. The tall young man tipped his hat and uttered a “Pardon me, ma’am,” but made no effort to move out of the way. He remained right where he was and smiled down at the attractive woman who was 20 years his senior.

  Diana had been an officer in the United States Navy and immediately understood the man’s leer. The expression on his face combined with the strong smell of alcohol on his breath spelled “immature male hormone surge,” and she mumbled, “No problem, junior,” and tried to move out of the way.

  Her well-executed side step and pivot resulted in her staring directly into the chest of another large male, who immediately tipped his hat and said, “Good morning, pretty lady. Would you care to join my friend and me down at Pete’s for a drink?”

  Diana smiled and responded immediately, “No, thank you, young man. I’m here on business.” The two men looked at each other, and one of them let out what was an unmistakable growl – an obvious attempt to imitate a cougar. Despite her rejection, both men moved closer and hemmed her in. This wasn’t Deacon Brown’s first rodeo with drunken, horny men. It was, however, the first encounter she had experienced where her rank didn’t automatically give her an advantage. Unaware that the two oversized, testosterone generators could care less about her service in the United States military, she automatically responded as she always had in such situations.

  “Stand down immediately - both of you,” she ordered in her best voice of authority. “I’m here on business, and I have a son who is…” The thought of Atlas made her voice drift off, and the two men mistook her action as one of indecision. One of the cowpokes took her roughly by the arm and proceeded to guide the now frightened woman away. His friend put his arm around her shoulders, and she was immediately pinned between the two very robust ranch hands. After being half carried and half dragged around the corner of a building, Diana regained her composure, and her training kicked in. She raised her left foot and kicked hard against a knee. A twisting motion and a hard elbow to the other’s ribs resulted in her being freed, but only for a moment.

  Mr. SoreKnee spoke first, barking, “Now just a damn minute, lady.” His buddy quickly added, “Sooooo, we like to play a little ruff, eh? Nooo problem, pretty lady. I’ve busted fillies a lot wilder than you.”

  Diana took a step backwards, but her back was against a wall. The two smiling cowboys took a step forward with raised hands when a clear, loud female voice sounded from behind them, “You boys ain’t causing trouble, are ya?”

  The two men hesitated and then turned quickly to see who had been so rude as to interrupt their courtship. Between the two hulks, Diana spotted a petite woman standing with her arms folded and a broad smirk on her face. One of the big fellas smiled and looked at his partner saying, “Well, looky here bud; now there’s one for each of us.” His body moved to step forward when his friend’s hand shot out and pressed against his chest, “Whooooah there, buddy. You don’t know who that is - do ya?”

  A look of utter puzzlement answered the question. The wiser of the two took off his hat and bowed his head slightly, “Good Morning Miss Terri, what can we do for ya, ma’am?” Before Terri could even respond, the other cowboy looked at his friend with huge eyes and mouthed the words, “Bishop’s Terri?” That question was answered with a nervous nod and within seconds, both of the large men were standing with hats in hand and heads bowed.

  Most of the exchange went unseen by Diana, but she caught enough of it to realize these two drunken bigmouths were actually frightened of the small woman.

  Terri’s hands moved to her hips, and she began to scold the two men, “Do I need to have Pete cut you boys off? We can’t have two nice, young men such as yourselves causing trouble in the market. Now why don’t y’all go on down to the Manor, and tell Betty I sent you. Tell her you both need a cup of coffee – strong and black.”

  Diana watched, fascinated as both men humbly nodded their heads without even the slightest protest. When they started to step away, Terri’s left hand went to the shoulder of the biggest one, sending a clear message that she wasn’t done yet. As fast as Diana had ever seen, the woman’s right hand produced an automatic pistol and for a brief moment, she thought someone was about to get shot.

  Terri didn’t point th
e weapon at either man, but waved it in front of their frightened faces. “What is wrong with you two? Where are your manners? You scared the hell out of that lady standing behind you, and neither of you has issued an apology. I’m beginning to think you two aren’t such nice fellas after all.” The pistol stopped moving, and the woman’s voice became low and serious, “Maybe you two haven’t heard, but I don’t like rude men.”

  Both men quickly turned and mumbled apologies to an astonished Deacon Brown. She nodded at each, noticing that their faces now carried the expression of teenagers who had been caught and were being punished. Gone was any sign of lust or determination.

  After watching the two scolded men shuffle off with heads hung low, Terri tucked her pistol in her belt and stepped forward, offering her hand. “Are you okay?” she asked the other woman. After a brief introduction, Terri suggested Diana accompany her to Pete’s for a cup of coffee.

  Diana, still stunned by what she had just witnessed, ignored the offer. “I’ve not seen anything like what you just did since I was in the Navy. I don’t mean to be nosey or anything, but how did you…”

  Terri shook her head and interrupted the question. “Oh, that. My husband has quite the reputation around here. Most of the people in town know he is a little protective of the baby and me.” Terri patted her tummy and smiled at the stranger. “You still look a little shaken, and I don’t blame you. Let’s get you that cup of coffee.”

  Terri’s suggestion of her husband’s notoriety, coupled with the mention of her pregnancy, prompted Deacon Brown to put two and two together. She asked, “Would your husband happen to be named Bishop by any chance?”

  Terri’s smile disappeared immediately. She looked Diana up and down with a sneer on her lips and her right hand darted behind her back where the pistol was stashed. Her voice snarled, “And how would you know Bishop?”

  For the second time in the last few minutes, Diana was taken aback by the action of someone in this town. Was everyone here crazy? The small woman in front of her looked ready to launch a full frontal assault, and there was zero fear in her eyes. Deacon Brown did her best to remain calm and responded, “I met him a few days ago in Alpha. He and a young man named David stayed at our church. He was on a mission to procure some medical equipment, and when we met, he mentioned that his wife was pregnant. As I recall, he also mentioned you were a very good shot. I thought he might have been exaggerating until just a minute ago.”

  Terri relaxed and a look of calm returned to her face. “I’m sorry. These are such troubling times, and I never know what’s going to happen next. Bishop has made more than his share of enemies, and a girl can’t be too careful these days. I’m always concerned one of his old adversaries might come looking for me. I haven’t heard from Bishop in days, and would love to hear all about Alpha. Then maybe you can tell me what brings you to Meraton.”

  The two women made their way to Pete’s without further incident and pushed open the thick wooden door. Pete, as usual, was behind the bar, talking to a customer, and looked up to greet his newest guests. “Terri! Well hey there, pretty lady.” When Diana walked in behind her, Pete’s expression showed clear curiosity. “Well, hello to you as well, ma’am. Welcome to Pete’s Place.”

  Terri pointed to an isolated table toward the back of the saloon, telling Pete he would have her eternal gratitude if he could serve up two cups of his famous coffee. Pete nodded, “Coming right up. I’ve got a fresh pot brewing.”

  Over the next twenty minutes, the two girls exchanged stories and drank coffee. Diana immediately took a liking to Terri and vice versa. Diana choked back hot tears as she confided in Terri how Atlas sacrificed himself and that she had come to ask Bishop’s help in countering another attack. The poignant moment was interrupted when the barroom’s door flew open, and the sound of laughter filled the room. Loud, proud, and bold, Nick and Kevin strode into Pete’s, obviously in good spirits and enjoying the day. Nick let his eyes adjust to the darker room for a moment and spied Terri, sitting in the corner. As he strode toward her table, Diana came into view, and he paused for a moment before approaching. Terri thought it was funny how such big, strong capable men could be so influenced by a pretty woman. She had seen the same kind of response time after time in the business world but still found the reaction interesting. Nick strode over and gave Terri a kiss on the cheek, and then looked longingly at Deacon Brown. Terri intentionally waited, knowing Nick was eager for an introduction. After she had played with the big man for a moment, she finally crooned, “Oh now, where are my manners,” and proceeded with the social amenities.

  Kevin soon joined the group, carrying two glasses of tea. When Nick introduced the teenager as his son, Diana’s reaction was surprising as she was polite, but instantly distant, and somewhat melancholy. Her demeanor changed so markedly, Nick tried to quietly lean across to Kevin and see if the boy had a foul odor about him or something. Kevin, preoccupied with the activity in the market beyond the picture window, seemed not to notice the invasion of his personal space. Terri, as perceptive as ever, saw the move and had to smile. After regaining a serious face, she moved toward her friend and said in a quiet voice, “Nick, Diana just lost her son yesterday.”

  Nick immediately felt a sense of gratitude that Kevin didn’t somehow offend the striking lady sitting across the table. But he struggled with the best way to respond to the information Terri shared, wanting to express his regrets and not really knowing what to say, having just met Diana. A parent himself, he could not imagine the heartbreak that accompanies surviving your own child. After a brief pause, during which he considered his options, proper condolences won out. “I’m sorry to hear about your son, Miss Brown. These are such difficult times. Please accept my best wishes and prayers.” As Nick spoke, Terri reached out to Diana, patting her arm gently, as if to coax her out of her trancelike state.

  Nick had no more uttered his last sentence when the reason for Kevin’s distraction became perfectly clear. Another teenager was outside the bar, browsing the market. Kevin, who had been straining to get a better view through the front window at Pete’s Place, leaned toward Nick and winked before saying, “Hey, Dad. I think I need to go check on those new socks at the marketplace. Whattaya think?”

  Nick grinned and waved the youth away. After Kevin left, Nick smiled at his two tablemates and conferred, “He saw a pretty girl about his age walking around a bit ago. I think he wants to see if she’s still around. God, it’s good to see him acting like a 16-year old boy, rather than a solider.”

  Nick’s comment brought Deacon Brown back to reality and the purpose of her visit. She sipped from her mug, preparing her thoughts. “I was just explaining to Terri how I came to Meraton to talk to Bishop and ask for his help. After the attack yesterday, we are in desperate straits, and I’m not sure what to do.”

  For the next hour, Terri and Nick listened to and absorbed Diana’s story. With the majority of the townspeople shopping at the market, bar business was a little slow, so Pete pulled up a chair and joined in the conversation. Nick listened intently without comment until Diana got to the part about Bishop’s raid for the medical equipment. He grunted as Diana described the ambush Bishop had busted up and the role David had played.

  When Diana finished recounting the story, Nick shook his head and chimed in. “I can’t believe Bishop would do something like that – he’s such a shy, reserved man.” Nick’s sarcastic remark made everyone grin.

  Pete, with the learned ear of a bartender, picked up on Nick’s humorous comment and followed his lead. “Now, now…it’s not fair to pick on Bishop when he’s not here to defend himself. We all know the young man means well. It’s not as if he goes looking for trouble or anything. ”

  The humor was contagious, and Terri couldn’t help herself. “Diana, I told you my husband had a reputation for bringing out the worst in people. I guess I was preaching to the choir, huh?” It took everyone a second to catch Terri’s double entendre, before invoking another round of chu
ckles.

  The door opened about then, and Betty stuck her head inside. Saying, “Oh good, there you are,” she continued inside and ambled toward the table. “I have two sobered up young Beltron boys outside. They realized they behaved badly and wanted to express their regrets. They are, however, a little concerned that Terri is going to shoot them on sight. I was asked to come in first and make sure you had ‘settled down.’”

  Nick immediately looked at Terri and smirked, “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.” Terri, feigning insult at Nick’s remark immediately reached back, as if going for her pistol. In her best western drawl, she retorted, “Why you old polecat…take it back right now, or I’ll fill my hand with iron!” Everyone except Betty started laughing out loud.

  Terri recovered first and smiled at her. “Betty, I’m not going to shoot anybody. Tell them it’s safe to come in.”

  The two young men from the Beltron ranch approached the table shyly. Diana accepted their apology and to everyone’s surprise, asked them if they wanted to have a seat and another cup of coffee. After a quick glance at each other, they each pulled up a chair.

  Diana continued, “We are down to less than 30 men and our ammunition is almost gone. I know we hurt them badly, but we won’t withstand another attack. Before Bishop left our church, he told me I should reach out to the people of Meraton…and…well….here I am.”

  The two Beltron hands had to be “read in” on the events at Alpha, answering their many questions about the situation in the neighboring community. When they were finally up to speed, the older one commented, “I bet those are the same people who raided our ranch. They have rustled cattle, shot some of our men, and taken weapons. Old man Beltron sure would like to get his hands on those vermin.”