James Axler – Starfall

“You will make all kinds of mistakes, but as long as you are generous and true, and also fierce, you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her.”

“You’re an interesting man, Doc Tanner.”

“Your generous nature is already showing, madam.”

“I would like to talk to you at length, given the oppor­tunity.”

Ryan started to speak up, shifting to address the woman again. Krysty’s hand came down on his arm. “Ease off, lover,” she said softly. “Doc’s making headway, and she’s not going to be convinced by anyone else here.”

Ryan studied the trading post, wondering how many blasters were inside. He caught J.B.’s eye, knowing the Armorer was contemplating the same thing. No matter how Doc’s discourse with the woman turned out, they weren’t moving on without supplies. However they had to get them.

“By all means,” Doc said, “I should be enchanted to enjoy your company. All that requires is your invitation.”

“I’d extend it to yourself,” Annie called back.

“Then,” Doc replied, “I must regretfully forego the pleasure, as enticing as it sounds, for I shall not feel wel­come where my companions are not.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, madam. Never more certain of anything in my life.”

“What about you?” the woman called out. “The one-eyed, scruffy wolf.”

“What?” Ryan growled.

“Would you send your man in if it might get you the provisions you wanted? At a fair price?”

“I don’t know you at all,” Ryan replied, “except from what Morse has said. For all I know, you’ll take Doc inside, then ransom him back to us for what we brought to trade and more.”

There was silence for a moment, then the woman’s laughter pealed over them. “Morse, do you vouch for these people?”

“As much as I can,” the sailor answered. “We’ve been kind of forced together.”

“Have you suffered at their hands?”

“Not yet. But there’s been some threats made.”

“And our one-eyed wolf looks like just the sort of man who’d carry those threats out. Are you going to be willing to trade the blasters these men have repaired for you?”

“I’ve got a balance I already owe you,” Morse grunted. “I don’t see how you’re going to let me take on the pro­visions we’re going to need without trading.”

“So you’ll have eight handblasters,” Ryan pointed out.

“What’s your name, wolf?”

“Ryan. Ryan Cawdor.”

“I’ve heard of you. For a time you traveled with the Trader. But I thought you were dead.”

“Not hardly.”

“I don’t suppose you’d agree to laying down your weap­ons before you enter the trading post.”

“No.”

“Then come ahead, Mr. Cawdor, and be on your best behavior. Because if you aren’t, we’ll bury you, and you can believe that.”

Ryan kept the Steyr at the ready as the huge twin doors opened in the palisade wall. Four armed men stood on the other side of the doors, weapons in their hands. All of them looked rough and showed the wear and tear of harsh ex­perience lived on the land.

Chapter Twenty-One

Inside the palisade walls, the wag trail followed the natural incline of the land up to the main house. It was large and compact at the same time, full of rooms and each positioned carefully in the building. The natural finish of the wood had been left, and it had turned weathered and gray from exposure. Ryan also noted the way the main house cut into the earth, realizing there was at least one other floor beneath the ground level.

The interior of the trading camp was kept clean. No brush or trees grew up from the hard-packed ground. A large vegetable garden occupied the northwest corner of the trading post’s interior area. Plants thrust up toward the af­ternoon sun, and strawberry bushes burgeoned with ripen­ing fruit.

“Mr. Cawdor,” the woman’s smoky voice called out.

Ryan turned, tracking the voice up the ladder to the right. A catwalk jutted out from the inside walls. Three more men stood guard there, all watching the new arrivals. Two girls that didn’t look to be out of their teens stood on the catwalk to the left of them, giving them a position to manage a cross fire. Both of the females dressed in revealing clothing.