Conflict and Courage by Candy Rae Read Free Book Online Page B

keep
back the twenty-five captured from the north, we would be in dire
straights indeed.”
    “Still not
enough to build up a population.”
    “More will
come,” Michael prophesised, “as soon as word gets out of how your
rule is different.”
    “Let’s get the
cabins up,” suggested Pierre, “then those who wish to move out and
set up their own farms can do so. Did you manage to get the
boundaries mapped out?”
    “I have that
and I’ve planned it fair and square as you said. Quite a few have
already asked about some of them and I’ve pencilled their names in.
The list awaits your approval. About a dozen are planning some sort
of forestry business, the hardwoods here are of good quality,
better than around Fort, so they think they’ll have a ready market
if they can work out how to get it there.”
    “You are organised. I’ll have to go back down to Fort more often,” smiled
Pierre, “unfortunately, I have to return soon so you will be in
charge again, Sam Baker’s demanded a meeting and I have to be
there.”
    “You be
careful,” cautioned Michael.
    “We live in
interesting times don’t you think? Thanks for your concern though.
Has anyone seen any sign of the Larg?”
    “Dangerous
times more like,” Michael exploded, “and praise be to whoever is
looking over us, no Larg so far.”
    “Keep your eyes
open. I don’t think these creatures have quite finished with us
yet.”
     
     
    * * * * *
     
     
    Gerry Russell,
once animal handler aboard the WCPS Electra and
self-appointed agent for the north, was a worried man. It had been
weeks since the convict army had returned from their unsuccessful
invasion and he had spent the time accruing intelligence, but could
find no way to send his information north. Much he learned from
Anne Howard, or Murdoch as she was now known. Domiciled in Fort
itself, she was in a perfect position to overhear unguarded
snatches of conversation and she passed these on when she could,
but Anne was guarded zealously by the Lords of Murdoch, pregnant as
she was with the Kingdom’s heir.
    It was perilous
for him to be seen in the company of Anne.
    He had managed
to hold on to his job with the livestock. The overseer was in no
mind to let him go, it was a hard and dirty job with long hours and
not many of the returning soldiers were queuing up to replace him.
If he suspected Gerry of not being who he said he was, he kept his
suspicions to himself.
    When not
working, Gerry hid in the small cellar-like room he could call his.
It was dank and dark, situated close to the riverbank; one of the
original rude cabins now sub-divided into small windowless rooms
and rented out as living accommodation for those who could not
afford anything better. He paid for it with cuts of meat, culled
from the daily rations sent up to the kitchens at Fort. The head
cook knew very well that Gerry and the others were keeping some
back for their own use. He shrugged and amended his daily order
accordingly. He would not report them, as long as the pilferage did
not get out of hand.
     
     
    * * * * *
     
     
    Anne Murdoch,
previously Anne Howard, sighed as Sam Baker left. Lately, he was
becoming quite impossible, arriving unannounced at her quarters
each day to enquire as to her health. Anne had come to realise, in
the weeks since the army had returned, that he and the lecherous
Lord Brentwood constituted her greatest danger. Their hints about
her future once the child was born did not bode well.
    She would have
to arrange a meeting with Gerry soon. It was becoming more and more
urgent that he should try and get her remaining children away. Sam
Baker was planning the dispersal of all children who had reached
eight years, wanting to separate them from their mothers so that
they could be indoctrinated more easily into his ‘new society’.
    Perhaps she
herself would be able to keep her two with her until the baby was
born but she knew that would only be a temporary concession.
Brentwood and Baker both wanted