Attack of the Amazons (2 page)

Abbey sniffed. “I'd like to be his boss for just about one week! I could really make something out of him.” She smiled and tapped her cheek gently with a finger. The smile brought out a dimple, and she nodded. “Yes, I certainly would like to have charge of Mr. David Cooper for a little while!”

T
he Seven Sleepers ate a hurried breakfast and joined the other servants of Goél already assembled in the large open space just outside the village where they had spent the night. An enormous crowd had gathered in the bright morning sunlight.

Josh looked around. “This place is as large as a soccer field,” he muttered. “And it looks like we'll meet some old friends here.”

The crowd was composed of every sort of being that inhabited Nuworld. Some were dwarfs, stocky and sturdy. Some were towering giants. Some had come on foot. Some, like the Sleepers, had come by ship.

The Sleepers met a pair of Gemini twins that they had shared an adventure with, and they had just started to exchange stories when Dave whispered, “Look, there's Goél.”

All of them turned to see a man wearing a light gray robe, with the hood thrown back, step up onto a mound where he could be seen by everyone. It was impossible to guess his age. He could have been anywhere between twenty-five and fifty-five. He had smooth, tanned cheeks and a pair of thoughtful brown eyes, well-socketed, and his long brown hair fell back over his robe. There was an athletic strength about him but also a gentleness in his countenance that one could not miss.

He spoke, and his voice was clear and penetrating, so that it carried back to the far reaches of the crowd.
“You're welcome here, one and all,” he said and looked around as a slight smile tugged at his lips. “Some of you have come a long distance and are tired. I wish that I could promise you a long rest, but I'm afraid my summons calls you to labors even more arduous than those you have already known.”

“Oh, me!” Jake groaned. “I know what that means. Off on another adventure.”

“Hush up, Jake,” Josh said irritably. “You're always complaining.”

“Our task is difficult,” Goél continued. “The Dark Lord has spread his venom into every corner of Nuworld. Even now he is assembling an army, the like of which you have never seen. Soon he will have his forces gathered and will throw them against us in one mighty attempt to crush those who believe in the old ways.”

A cry went up. “He can't beat us, Goél. Not as long as you're our leader.”

Goél smiled as others joined in the encouraging cries. When they died down, he said gently, “It is difficult for a commander to send his soldiers into battle, knowing that some of them will not survive. And I must warn you that in the battle to come, many of you will perish. I know you too well to allow you an opportunity to leave, for you have proved your worth time and time again.”

Here, his eyes seemed to rest on the Seven Sleepers—but later Josh found out that every soldier in that mighty group had the same feeling. Somehow Goél had the ability to speak to a large crowd and yet make each member of it feel that he alone was being addressed.

Goél continued to talk of the preparations that had to be made, and they were momentous indeed. He
spoke of plans, of weapons that must be formed, of strategy. Finally he said softly, though everyone could hear him, “The enemy thinks only in terms of large armies, and, indeed, he has the numbers at his beck and call. But I tell you that it is not always the largest army that wins. The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.”

His voice rose then with an authority that caused a thrill to run through Josh. He stood upright and hung on every word.

“And the battles that are to come may well be the kind in which one person or one small group is able to turn the tide from defeat to victory. When you receive your assigned task, it may seem small and unimportant to you, but it is not, I tell you. Every sword counts. Even those who seem unimportant and feeble are worthy in my sight, for the House of Goél is my pride.”

The Seven Sleepers joined in the cheers that smote the morning air.

Josh cheered himself almost hoarse, and then, when Goél dismissed them, he turned to Sarah and said, “I never understand who he is or what he is—but he's not like any man I know.”

Sarah said thoughtfully, “He's more than a man, Josh. No man could do the things that he does.”

The crowd broke up, and the Sleepers headed back to the village where they would await Goél's summons to receive their assignment.

Josh walked along with Sarah. “I think you're right,” he said. “There's something so…well, so
good
about him, Sarah. Everyone else that I ever met has some flaw.” He grinned. “Why, even I myself am not perfect all the time!” But he grew serious at once, saying, “He's all we have to hang on to. We lost everything when we lost our homes and families back in Oldworld,
but somehow I know—and this sounds silly—that we'll get them back again some day.”

For two days the Sleepers waited for Goél to come to them. They were somewhat impatient—and a little apprehensive. When Goél came, he always sent them into some dangerous adventure. At first this had been exciting. Now they had been at it for two years and were like soldiers who had been on the battle line almost too long.

Jake expressed everyone's feeling when he said, “I don't know how long we can hold together. A fellow can take only so many tough jobs.”

The seven were outside, eating the meal that they had rounded up from a local woman. It was composed of some sort of meat that was not as appetizing as it should have been, and Jake stared down at it. “I wonder what this
is,”
he said thoughtfully.

“Better not ask,” Reb said. He tasted his portion and then shook his head. “One thing, it's not possum. Boy,” he said, “I'd sure like to have a mess of possum and sweet taters like I had back home.”

“Ugh!” Abbey said. “I can't
imagine
eating a possum. It'd be just like eating a big rat.”

Reb was offended. “You just don't know what you're talking about. What we do is, we catch a year-ling possum, and then we keep him caged, and we feed him nothing but corn and good stuff for a month. Why, the time you get him all cooked, there ain't nothing better than good possum with some sweet taters and cornbread.”

Reb's choice in Southern food turned off some of the Sleepers, but Josh, tasting the meat that was before him, said, “I think possum would be better than this—
although I never tried it.” He looked up and set aside his plate. “Here comes Goél.”

Instantly the Seven Sleepers got to their feet and stood until Goél came up to them.

He smiled and said, “Sit down—finish your meal.”

“Well, would you have some, Goél?” Josh asked timidly. “It's not much.”

“Why, yes, I believe I will.” He took the plate that Sarah eagerly brought to him, and he ate, seeming to enjoy the food. “Hunger is the best sauce,” he said pleasantly.

His eyes went from one to the other, and Abbey supposed that all the others felt as she did—that somehow he had entered into their innermost thoughts. She flushed when she remembered how proud she had been of her good looks, and how Goél had told her long ago, before their first adventure, that she would have to learn how foolish it was to trust in physical beauty. It was still disconcerting to look into his eyes, for he knew everything about her!

Goél began talking about their past and commended them for their fine work. “You have been faithful to me,” he said.

“Well,” Josh said haltingly, “we haven't always scored a hundred.”

“I do not judge my servants by what they accomplish but by what's in their hearts, and your hearts have been through a furnace. I have tried you, my young friends, and found pure gold. I am pleased with my Seven Sleepers.”

Abbey felt a sudden flush of pleasure at his words. More than anything else, the Sleepers wanted to please this one whom they did not understand but whom they loved.

Wash said tentatively, “We've been wondering
what's going to happen, Sire.” He gave Goél the title that many used. “It doesn't sound too good. I mean, that Dark Lord, he's a bad cat!”

“Yes, he is evil, but with servants like you, Wash, I do not fear for the House of Goél.” He smiled as pleasure spread over the small boy's face, then Goél grew serious. “Now I have an assignment for you. It will be difficult, but I know that you will do your best—”

Jake suddenly piped up. “Why don't you just use your power and smash that old Dark Lord?” he demanded. “You could do it. Just step on him like a cockroach!”

Goél held the small boy by the power of his look and said softly, “But if I did that, it would mean that you and the others in this world would have no freedom. You are free to choose—that is the glory of what you are. What would it be like if you had no choices to make?”

Dave straightened up. “Why, we'd be a race of robots.”

“Exactly, David, and robots can give no pleasure to me. It is when you are free to choose for me or against me—and you choose me against all odds—that is what pleases me.”

Abbey and the other Sleepers listened, soaking up his words as he spoke of love. He seemed to be asking them for more than their service. It was strange that a being like Goél would beg for love, but that was what he appeared to be doing.

“My servants in this world must survive by one thing—their love for me. Nothing else means more than your love for me and for one another. Love is the most powerful force in this universe.”

Then Goél said, “Now it is time for your assignment.” He pulled a small parchment out of his cloak.
“Here is a map. Guard it well. Memorize it, so that if it gets lost you can have it in your minds, each of you.”

“Where are we going, Goél?”

“This may seem to you a minor mission, but I want you to go to a small nation—a tribe—far away. The tribe is called the Tribe of Fedor.”

“Do they know about you, Goél, or are they under the power of the Dark Lord?”

“The Dark Lord is reaching out in their direction. He has no stronghold there yet, but he will if the people there do not learn how dangerous he is.” His face grew stern, and his eyes seemed to flash with anger. “You must meet the enemy there on his own ground.”

“Will there be real fightin'?” Reb asked with some excitement. He was a combative young man and very good with any kind of weapon.

“There will be physical battle, but, my son, you must remember that the greatest weapon is not a sword or a lance but love.”

Reb looked chagrined and seemed to draw his head back into his shoulders. “I reckon so,” he muttered, but he appeared to be unconvinced.

“To fight is your nature, my son, and I need strong arms such as yours—but love is more powerful than anything else. You must win the minds and the hearts of these people. They are deceived about many things. Be patient. You
can
win them, but they are in darkness and are blind and need the light.”

For some time Goél spoke about their mission, but he gave no specific instructions. “Simply tell them that Goél brings joy and peace to men, while the Dark Lord brings misery and slavery.”

Goél stood then and went to each one of them, clasping their hands, and Abbey thought his smile seemed to pour strength into them.

“I will come to you when you need me, as always,” he said. “But sometimes in the darkness and difficulties you will face, you will not see me. That is when you must simply believe that Goél loves you and will not ever leave you.”

He turned and walked away quickly, headed purposefully toward another group.

Josh said slowly, “Well, nothing much has changed. It's another hard assignment.” But then, looking around at the solemn faces, he said, “Let's get ourselves geared up. We've got a job to do.”

O
nce their assignment had been received, the Sleepers threw themselves into a frenzy of activity. The journey they had to make would be arduous and cover great distances. They were experienced enough by this time to handle such things, but such a trip took great preparation.

Reb took it upon himself to check the weapons, for they were his delight. Nuworld had not developed explosives, so the weapons were a primitive kind— swords, knives, bows, and spears. Spears were awkward, but all of the Sleepers had become good archers. Dave and Reb and Sarah were experts. In the matter of swords, Josh was perhaps the best fencer of all.

Abbey and Sarah were usually in charge of food and were, of course, aware that it was impossible to carry enough. They did take as much dried foodstuff as they could and a supply of coffee and tea. The cooking vessels themselves had to be light and easily carried, for they had learned, to their discomfort, how heavy a pack could get after a ten-hour hike.

Reb got into an argument with Dave over his lariat. The cowboy was an expert roper and saw the lariat as a necessary part of his equipment.

“We need to get rid of every spare ounce, Reb. You won't need that rope where we're going.”

“And how do you know that?” Reb demanded. “It came in pretty handy when I roped that there dinosaur back in the land of the caves, didn't it?” He referred to
an adventure they had had where prehistoric dinosaurs still roamed a portion of Nuworld. “I'm carrying this rope, even if I have to leave some of my grub behind.” Reb would not listen to any arguments, and finally it went into his pack along with the rest of his gear.

The big argument came when Dave discovered that Abbey was putting a bag that did not look like standard equipment into her pack. “What's
that?”
he asked suspiciously.

“None of your business!” Abbey flushed. “Something for my personal use.”

“I know what it is,” Dave accused. “It's cosmetics, isn't it? Lipstick and stuff like that.”

“Well, what if it is?”

“You aren't going to any fancy parties. You don't need that stuff.”

“You mind your own business, Dave Cooper!”

“It'll be my business if you drop, carrying a hundred pounds of cosmetics, and I have to carry you and your pack too.”

Abbey's eyes flashed. She really made a pretty picture as she stood before him, her hands on her hips. “I don't think you've ever had to carry me, have you?”

“There's always a first time.”

The argument went on for some time, and finally Abbey said, “I'm taking this little bag, and that's all there is to it.” She shoved the bag inside her pack, fastened it down with the leather thongs, and turned to face him again. “You just mind your own business, Dave Cooper. Like I've told you, women can do better than men if they just have the chance.”

Josh broke up the argument by saying, “Let her carry it if she wants to, Dave. That's her problem. Come on—it's time to start.”

They left the village and made their way in a day's
journey to the seacoast. A ship was anchored in the small harbor, its sails furled.

“There's Captain Daybright's ship, waiting for us!” Wash said excitedly.

They hurried down to the harbor, where the first person they saw was Captain Ryland Daybright himself. He gave them a loud hello and then called back to the ship. “Dawn, they're here! Come ashore.”

As the Sleepers hurried forward to greet the tall, blond-headed captain, who looked more or less like one of the old-time Vikings, Sarah was looking at the young woman who hurried down a plank to the dock. “Dawn!” she said and ran to give her friend a hug.

Dawn was the captain's new bride. The two had been on one of the Sleepers' adventures in a land inhabited by giants. She had been a haughty girl, the daughter of a wealthy man, and Daybright had been a poor seaman. But they had fallen in love after many arguments, and now they made an attractive couple. Dawn was a small girl with blonde hair and strangely shaded green eyes.

“Well, ready for another adventure?” Daybright asked cheerfully.

“I hope we don't get messed up with another bunch of giants,” Wash said dolefully. “I don't need any more of that.”

“What's our destination?” Ryland asked.

“It's right here. We're going to a tribe at this spot.” Josh unfolded the map, and the captain looked at it quickly.

Daybright's brow furrowed, and his eyes grew serious. “I know the coast but not what's inland. Some strange stories about it. It's no place to go for a nice little vacation.”

“I wish there was someplace on Nuworld like
Disneyland,” Jake said suddenly. “Where we could just go and have fun. Everywhere we go here, we get thrown in jail, or somebody tries to kill us.”

“Aw, Jake, you'd complain if they hung you with new rope,” Reb sniffed. “Now, me, I kind of like a little adventure.”

This was true. In the land known as Camelot, Reb had found adventure enough. The inhabitants there still were knights and princesses, and Reb had become an expert jouster. It was his hope and dream to go back there someday.

Now he said hopefully, “Maybe there'll be some knights in this place.”

Captain Daybright shook his head. “I don't think you'll find anything quite that civilized. “Well, come on. Get aboard. We've got to catch the tide.”

The voyage was a pleasure to most of the Sleepers. Wash got seasick for the first two days, but Reb took good care of him—and when he recovered, the small black boy joined in the activities with the others.

This included standing at the rail and watching for the whales that seemed to abound in this part of Nuworld. The monstrous creatures, larger than the ship itself, would surface and then roll slowly, their full length, slapping the water with a tremendous crash of their fan-shaped tails.

“Why do they do that, do you suppose?” Wash asked Captain Daybright.

“I don't know. Maybe it's fun, or maybe it's just the way they get from one place to another. Whales aren't fish, you know.”

“They're not?” Wash said in surprise. “They look like fish to me.”

“No, they're air breathers. They can stay under for
a long time, but they have to come up. See that spout?” He pointed to where what looked like a small island had appeared. Suddenly a geyser of water blew into the air. “That's what they do. Come up and blow all that water out and take in air. Then they go way down deep again. Magnificent creatures, aren't they?”

“They're big enough to swallow people,” Jake muttered.

Reb nodded. “I expect so. They're big enough to swallow just about anything,”

The sleepers found fun in fishing too—throwing lines over the side, never knowing what they would dredge up. Some of the things they caught were hideous.

“Why, that even looks worse than a possum,” Dave said, teasing Reb. The young Southerner had pulled in an awful-looking specimen.

Reb shook his head. “It doesn't look too good, does it? I'd hate to eat this thing.” He threw it overboard. “Reckon somebody might like to eat it, but not me.”

They did catch fish that were good to eat, and one night at supper Josh said, “We'd better enjoy this good food. I don't know what we'll eat when we get inland.”

“Probably monkeys,” Jake said solemnly.

“Monkeys!” Abbey looked up with a startled expression. “Not me. I'm not eating a monkey.”

“Aw, they're not bad,” Daybright said, with a wink at Josh.

“You never ate a monkey,” his bride said.

“Well, I've eaten stuff when I didn't know exactly what it was. When you've been in some of the places I've been, you just carry lots of hot sauce and put it over whatever they feed you—and don't ask questions. That'd be a good idea. I've got plenty of it on board,” he told the Sleepers.

“I think we'll take you up on that,” Josh said. “We'll have to take what they give us. It offends primitive people if you don't eat what they do.”

Daybright leaned back in his chair. He had broad shoulders, and his white teeth shone against his tan complexion in a most attractive way. “I think I'd like to go with you on this trip,” he said. “It sounds like a real adventure.”

Dawn reached over and rapped him on the side of the head. “You're not going anywhere.”

Ryland Daybright shrugged and winked at Dave. “You know how it is when you get married, you guys. A man's life is not his own. But,” he said, “I do have a special reason for staying pretty close to home.”

Sarah glanced at Dawn, who flushed under her gaze. “I'll bet I know,” Sarah said with a smile. “There's going to be a little Daybright.”

“Yes,” Dawn said, and all smiled. “Isn't that exciting?”

It was exciting enough for the two girls, who got together with Dawn and talked enthusiastically about babies and baby clothes.

Daybright and the boys listened for a while, then he drew them topside, where he stood in the bow, pointing. “You can't see it, but this land you're going to lies right out there. I'd like to go, but wifey says no.”

They stood on deck for a long time, looking into the distance.

After the evening meal—which was composed of fish, as usual, and some dried vegetables—Abbey took a walk on deck. Dave found her leaning over the rail, peering out into the twilight. The sun was setting on the horizon—a huge red ball that had half disappeared into the green waters.

“You almost expect that thing to sizzle when it goes into the water like that, don't you, Abbey?” he said.

“It's beautiful.”

Dave studied the crimson circle that did, indeed, seem to be easing down into the flat horizon. “I guess so,” he said. He turned to face her and said, “I think girls notice things like that more than most guys do.”

Abbey did not answer, but she inwardly agreed. As they talked, she could not help but think how fine-looking Dave was. His features were as clean-cut as any Hollywood movie star's, and she thought suddenly,
If we were back in Oldworld, he'd have every girl in the place chasing after him.

Dave seemed to be unaware of her regard and continued leaning on the rail, studying the horizon. Then unfortunately, he made a chance remark. “We ought to make good time if you girls don't slow us up once we get into the jungle.”

Instantly Abbey's eyes snapped. “I remember the time when we were in the desert and you got sick. Then we had to wait until you got well. It took all Sarah and I could do to take care of you. You were just like a big baby! All men are babies when they get sick.”

Dave flushed. “Well,” he said defensively, “it wasn't my fault. Anybody can get sick.”

Abbey goaded him. “You were just like a two year old—crying and complaining all the time.”

“I was not!” Dave said angrily.

The argument did not end until the two finally left the deck, headed in different directions.

Unknown to Dave and Abbey, Sarah and Josh were seated on the upper part of the ship's structure, watching the sunset. When Dave and Abbey began
talking, Sarah had whispered, “We ought not to be eavesdropping.”

“I know, but we're going to, aren't we?” Josh's eyes sparkled, and he added, “I love to eavesdrop! It's always been a hobby of mine.”

“You're just awful, Josh Adams.”

“Yes, I know, but you're going to help me be awful, aren't you? Listen—they're getting into another fight.”

The pair sat there listening as Abbey and Dave argued and then finally broke away from each other. When they had disappeared, Sarah said regretfully, “That's such a shame the way they fight all the time.”

“Oh, I don't know. It gives them something to do. It keeps them from getting bored.”

“It's not right, Josh, and you know it.”

Josh leaned back against the rail and stretched out his long legs. He was barefoot and wearing a pair of cutoffs, and the breeze felt good on his bare legs. “I guess you're right,” he said. “I remember a few of the fights
we've
had.” He grinned down at her. “They weren't any fun. I was always glad when they were over.”

“So was I.” Sarah smiled back. She was wearing shorts too and a green blouse made of some sort of soft material. “We've always been good friends, haven't we? Even back in Oldworld.”

“Well, I wasn't very nice to you back then,” Josh reflected. “I remember when I met you. I was real impressed, but I didn't want to show it.”

Sarah laughed suddenly, her laughter sounding light and tinkling on the air. “You certainly didn't show it! You were a real snob, and I was so scared and alone.”

Josh reached over and took her hand. “I'm sorry about that. I've told you before, but I'll tell you again.”

Sarah seemed pleased. She squeezed his hand. “Oh, well, girls are just more romantic. Why, look at Dave and Abbey—they'll probably fall in love.”

“Those two? They fight like cats and dogs.”

“That's the way it always is. Haven't you ever read any romances? The course of true love never runs smooth.”

“Well, theirs doesn't, that's for sure.” Josh was conscious of Sarah's soft hand in his, and it embarrassed him. Suddenly he pulled his own back. “I don't know. It seems like that's not quite right.”

“And don't you remember how Captain Daybright and Dawn fought so much? You would've thought they hated each other.” She nodded firmly. “I knew right away they were going to fall in love.”

“Then I guess you and I will never fall in love. We don't fight that much.”

This seemed to displease her. She got up and said, “Good night, Josh. You have no romance in your soul.”

Josh sat there dumbly, wondering what he had done. Finally he shook his head and said, “I guess I'll never learn to understand women if I live to be a hundred years old!”