3531 (12 page)

Chapter 15

             
The early morning drizzle, slowly cleared into a bright sunny day. Rachel looked at the window. She watched Red Sam carrying a large basket. Pushing the leather flap from the door, he entered.

             
“Good morning, Rachel.”

             
She smiled looking at the basket, enjoying the aroma of the food. “Do I smell coffee?” she squealed.

             
“Yes compliments of Simon.” Red Sam, had never seen such enthusiasm over a simple drink before.

             
Donovan entered the room, his short hair ruffled, a sure sign of a hard sleep. He wiped away the dribble form the corner of his mouth. “Whats all the fuss about?”

             
“Donovan, you have to try a little of this coffee.”

             
“Coffee?”

             
Frowning at his lack of spirit, “coffee, you know a very aromatic drink that use to be a common, is now a very rare treat.”

             
He took a sip, his expression was unchanged. “Its a little bitter to me.”

             
“Oh give me that,” she snatched the drink from his hands.

             
Donovan couldn't help but laugh. “I think its a little difficult to enjoy something you never had before?”

             
They both stopped their exchange, because Red Sam was watching their conversation with such fascination.

             
“Please join us,” Donovan coaxed. They passed around the fruit and rice, the amounts were small, but it certainly was better then a VS-771.

             
Red Sam, took smaller helpings, he could sense the two guest were hungry and not even use to food. “Narendra said he would met you by the little clearing on the far side of the village.”

             
“Beyond where we eat our evening meal?” Donovan asked.

             
Red Sam, shook his head, “when you take Rachel to Simon's home you'll see it, its where everyone practices archery. I should get going I have a lot of work to do.” The morning sun was not making its presence  known.

             
“Thank you for breakfast,” the couple chimed in unison.

             
“What a fine young man,” she whispered.

             
Rachel pushed a little of her food into his plate. He appreciated the loving gesture. “You need it more then I, please enjoy.”

             
He grasped her hand tenderly, and didn't let go. Blinking her eyes several times, she looked up at him. “Are you all right?”

             
He didn't say anything, just wanted to enjoy and remember the moment. “I'm fine, just wanting to make a new memory.”

             
She lifted his hand and kissed it.

             
“Of course its hard to compete with a cup of coffee.”

             
She loved his sheepish grin, “oh stop.” Playfully she pushed him. He pretended she possessed great strength and rolled over taking her with him. She squealed with a surprise.

             
“I think I love you,” he whispered with such ease.

             
She was stunned, slowly a smile appeared on her face. Looking up at him, she searched his beautiful eyes. “I love you too.” They shared a kiss. “Daylight is burning Donovan.”

             
“All right,” he grumbled. Soon they were at the door, heading over to Simon's house. From a distance Scott, watched the couple walking holding hands. He stopped near a tree and clutched his fist in a bit of jealousy.

             
They found Simon outside his home, sitting on a crude chair, enjoying the sun.

             
“Good morning,” they all made their exchange of salutations.

             
Simon stood up, “You will find Narendra, over there.” he kindly gestured to a open field.

             
“Trying to get rid of me that quick?” Donovan teased.

             
Simon patted Donovan lightly. “I do get the better of the deal.”

             
Rachel smiled from the pleasant compliment. Simon was a gentle spirit.

             
“All right I get the hint.”

             
“Wait a minute,” Rachel feeling happy took long leap, and then kissed Donovan on the cheek. He gave her a soft embrace.

             
“Donovan come on over here for lunch, I have something I think you both will enjoy.”

             
“All right, I look forward to it,” he then made his way over to Narendra. The warrior stood proudly. Donovan was slightly intimidated by his presence. His strong aura projected a fierce warrior.

             
“Greetings Donovan.”

             
Donovan became instantly aware of his powerful voice project such command. “Hello Narendra, thank you for taking the time to show me how to use a bow.”

             
“Teaching someone, strengthens the entire village. We have much to cover and little time.” He handed Donovan a bow. The next two hours, he taught Donovan how to hold the bow, and pull the string. He had the strength to pull and hold the string for quite some time, while Narendra gave him instructions. Narendra paid attention to every detail and corrected anything he did wrong instantly.

             
Meanwhile, Simon and Rachel went over more chips. She noted there was more strange lettering at the bottom of  several more chips. Both were dumbfounded by what it stood for, or its meaning. She did enjoy the brief history on the world and its evolution in shapes. There was no mention if the world had changed from the first nuclear war.

             
“I think its just the evolution of time, that is slowly changing the earth,” Simon finally suggested after watching another chip.

             
“Maybe watching these chips is a waste of time.” Rachel stepped away from the little screen. She looked at Simon who was busy stoking the fire.

             
While dropping wood in the newly made fire, he replied, “nothing is a waste of time, even besides something on there is important to you.”

             
Rachel looked out the window watching Narendra and Donovan with bows, and talking. “Why do you think its important to me?”

             
“Only you can answer that, but maybe its the mystery of the strange letters and symbols?”

             
Rachel walked back towards Simon, “yes it does bother me, not sure why, it just does.” she paused a moment. “Can I help you with anything?”

             
He raised up with a little grimace from being bent over. “I have corn meal in that large pot would you get it for me please?”

             
“Of course,” and together, Simon showed her how they made corn meal cakes. He sprinkled some herbs on them and added some fish. They looked at each other and smiled.

             
He kind of reminded her of her own father, he was kind and patient, and he loved to teach. His sense of humor was clever. She watched him use the last of his coffee. “I'll have to go searching for more coffee beans, until my own shrubs mature.”

             
While it was a simple meal, the aroma of it made her even more hungry. She brought him some plates and cups.

             
“Thank you, you may go get the men, its about ready,” he announced.

             
“All right Simon.” She gingerly walked the distance to reach the two men. She felt happy for the first time in a long time, making her feel somewhat guilty, but why? She had a right to feel happy for a change. Once in range for normal conversation she slowed her pace down, “lunch is ready you two,”

             
Narendra hair was loose and it had fallen to his shoulders. Its jet black color gleamed in the noon time sun. She realized he was slightly bigger then Donovan. Both equally powerful in her observation. “Ding ding lunch time?” she bellowed a bit louder.

             
“All right time to eat,” said Narendra.

             
She turned her gaze to Donovan. Beads of sweat poured form his body. Suddenly he seems so handsome and rugged. How did she miss that, she wondered.

             
The four sat on the rocky floor, passing around the meal, Simon then generously poured them all some coffee.

             
“No one makes corn meal cakes better then Simon,” boasted Narendra.

             
“Thank you,” he smiled looking at his long time friend.

             
Donovan had a piece of the cake break off. He gathered it with his fingers and ate it. “Anything new on the chips?”

             
She watched him, knowing no food went to waste. “Just more of the same thing information that is useless, but the lettering and symbols on some of the chips is frustrating for there seems to be no meaning and chip one hundred is not working or something.” She was surprised Donovan didn't gloat over being right. Maybe they both understood, it would have been hard for someone to reveal what might be important to someone in the future

             
“Well if your almost finished I would continue on.” He could see her frustration on watching so much of those chips, he was really to restless to sit and watch something like that, almost has if his soul was to fidgety. He was searching for something, but what he didn't know, nor understood himself.

             
Narendra, watched the couple close, but he could not get his mind off Rachel. He could sense the interest was there, but he respected his friendships with both of them to do anything, that would jeopardize that.

             
The group grew quiet as the meal came to a end. “We have much more work to do.” Narendra rose up. “Thank you for the good meal Simon,” he added gratefully.

             
Rachel drank the last few sips of coffee, not wanting it to come to a end.

             
Narendra chuckled, “perhaps going out and trying to find more coffee beans for Rachel is a priority.”

             
Donovan handed her his share of the coffee, which she accepted eagerly. Did her gluttony show that bad, she felt her cheeks grow hot from shame.

             
The two men went back to the field to work on his archery skill. Donovan knew it would take time to master the skill, and it would take more then just a day of training and practice, but Narendra ever sharp disciplined skill got him on the right path.

             
After several hours of shooting arrows they came to a stop. “I wish you didn't have to go.”

             
Donovan was pleasantly surprised by his words, “thank you Narendra. I'm not insulted by your village rules. I feel like I need to move on anyway.”

             
“I have been to that lake several times, it would make a good home, maybe time to time, I will come see the two of you.”

             
Donovan looked down at his own feet a moment. “I don't understand why your village didn't stop there to began with?”

             
“It was not there when we passed through the first time. The land in this region is healing and growing.”

             
Narendra looked past Donovan's shoulders and his eyes narrowed with a hint of suspicion. Donovan turned to see Scott approaching.

             
“I couldn't help but over hear, your leaving?”

             
“Yes I am,” Donovan answered.

             
“Wouldn't it be better to stay here with Rachel and I?” Scott asked.

             
“She is going with him,” Narendra countered.

             
Scott grew uncomfortable, “oh I see. Donovan I would be glad to accompany you two.”

             
“I thought you already agreed to stay here?” Narendra dislike of Scott, magnified.

             
“Well I haven't made up my mind yet.”

             
Donovan said nothing, has he wiped his brow removing the beads of sweat.

             
Observing this, Narendra motioned for Donovan to follow him. Together they went to a bend in the creek near the village, and washed their faces.

             
Scott watched them depart, followed a few steps but changed his mind and headed for the main building for the evening meal.