Grim watched as Talon approached the end of the bridge, alone, his rifle bearing the white flag of parley.
From behind he heard a low rumbling. When he turned he was surprised yet again.
Another group of riders had approached. Like those behind the caravan they too carried rifles and road tall, four legged beasts. The beasts were not unlike the burros he had seen in old Hispaniole. Like the burros these could also be beasts of burden, but instead they were tall, majestic, almost regal animals. Powerful and tall. They were long in the neck and the nose, their eyes intelligent and proud.
He remembered seeing them before. When they had found Marcus. Those who had observed him had ridden such beasts.
Among the leaders rode a woman, also carrying a rifle the tip of which was drapped in white cloth.
She rode up to where Grim and McReady were standing, now joined by Talon. WHen she was near to where they stood, she pulled back on the reigns of the horse, making it stop, and then quickly dismounted from the beast.
"My name is Isabella Araujo de Silva, wife of Don Pablo Rodriquez de Silva, surviving Don of the De Silvas and I speak for my husband." She said, by way of introduction.
"I am Talon Greer. Currently of the Border Patrol and current caravan chief of this caravan, owned by the Red Eye Trading Company from Tabis and enroute to the town of Grey Cliffs. I speak for these men."
McReady and Grim said nothing. For McReady it was simply a matter of principle. He was merely the scout, not the chief, and so it was not his place to speak. For Grim it was somewhat different.
"Then you are my prisoner Mister Greer. And as such you shall do as I ask or we shall have to take the harshest measures." Said the woman, Isabella, who seemed to make the threat more palatable with her smile.
ANd what a woman, thought Grim. She was not a very tall woman, but she was atheletically built. She was strong and tanned, confident and strong. Her hair flowed from her head in a mass of dark curls. She was different from the women he had seen before, and remarkably attractive. No, she didn't have the exotic beautify of Nat, nor the strong youthful energy of Rogue. It was something different. This was a woman who had known difficulty and had survived, and had done so with grace. It was a woman who knew her strength and her ability, but more importantly had confidence in her own judgement.
"Apparently we are you prisoners, at least for the moment." Said Talon. "So what is that you want of us."
"You agree that I could have killed you all in a snap." And she snapped her fingers to prove the point. "Like that."
"Like that." Grim said, speaking for the first time. She gave him a quick look, as if he had interrupted her, but then nodded.
"Good. Then you will give me your cargo and I will let you leave with your lives." She said.
"And what do you want with our cargo?" Asked Talon.
"You have guns, ammunition, medical supplies?" Asked Isabella.
"Yes, guns and ammunition. But we will need guns if we are to survive out here, and you have guns. We have ammunition as well and other weapons. But we are without medical supplies." Said Talon.
"Then we will take what you have and leave you the rest."
"These here goods are for Grey Cliffs. They be expectin' them." Said McReady.
"Then I regret to tell you that perhaps there has been a change in plan." Said Isabella. "You will bring your carts over, and you will tell your men to leave their weapons here, by the side. Yes."
"And you will let us go?" Asked Talon.
"I am not a murderer, Mister Greer. I am only someone with desperate needs."
"Desperation is an illness that's been going around lately. Perhaps we might fashion a remedy if we work together." Said Grim, carefully.
"Mister...." Said the woman.
"Grim" said Grim.
"Mister Grim. You fail to understand perhaps." Said Isabella, her eyes now like fire. "We are desperate yes, but we fight our own fights. It is a matter of honor. And furthermore, should I be so bold, I would not wish to visit you the wrath of our enemy."
"Perhaps your enemy and ours is one in the same." Said Grim.
"Our enemy has chased us for many months, from our home in Mexico. They destroyed our homes, they killed our family and our friends, they raped out lands and women. They are the devil that comes in the night and steals the children and our future. They are death." Isabella said, her eyes now fiery. "ANd they are behind us even as we speak. You are wise to take your lives and run. For tomorrow we stop running and this land will be bloody with our lives and theirs."
"Your enemy rides a beast like this. Yes?" asked Grim.
"Yes, these we took from them when we first escaped." Said Isabella.
"Then we killed three of their kind more than a week ago. And they have been aware of our movements for over these past few months." Said Grim.
Talon nodded. Grim had told him what had happened before. "I am afraid he's right. We too have encountered these enemy...."
"The Oprezki." Said Isabella. "If you had you would be dead. For the ride like the whirlwind and destroy all they pass."
"We have seen only their scouts, it's true. But they will certainly attack us after they finish with you." Said Grim.
"But if we were to join forces, then perhaps we could make a better fight." Said Talon.
Isabella shook her head. "We are strangers in a foreign land. You ask us to put our trust in you. No."
"If we are divided we are weaker and our enemy is shared." Said Grim.
"Why would you do this?" Asked Isabella.
"You are a person of honor, Senora De Silva."Said Talon, "As am I. Let us make a deal."
"A trade?"
"Yes, We will fight along side of you. In exchange we will keep our cargo and be allowed to pass."
"Why should I trust you." Said Isabella.
"Because you too have little choice. If tomorrow comes then you would stand against them alone, and perhaps be defeated. But together, perhaps we might survive. If you do not accept our trade you will meet your fate, if you do, perhaps you have gained a future." Said Talon.
Isabella looked over the length of the small caravan. They were few but they were armed and experienced. She looked over at her own men. They were many more. They knew the face of their enemy and they were expert in gun and knife. But were tired and fearful. They had no hope, and without hope they would meet their final fate.
It is not what Don Pablo would do. Don Pablo would dig in and wait for the Oprezki, and he would take many lives before they took his. It would be a glorious fight, but in the end they would all be dead.
No, trusting this strangers was not what the Don would do. But the Don was unconcious and the devil was at the door. It was now her responsibility. It fell upon Isabella's shoulders that the fate of the family and their people rested.
There would be no more running away. The devil was too near for that. In a day, perhaps two at the latest, the de Silvas would finally fight against those that had destroyed their homes and had chased them from their lands.
To fight alone would be doom.
They were in a new land, a strange land, and they would need friends. They would have to resettle and make a new home. It would be difficult. In the past the De Silvas had prospered by war and conquest against the other Dons, but they had also known peace through alliance and brotherhood.
Perhaps it was time for such a new beginning.
"You speak true. I offer you friendship and brotherhood. We will take this fight together. But if you betray me, I and my family will kill you." She said.
"I would expect nothing better." Said Talon, smiling.
"Then we are allied."
