Trapped in Time-Extinction (12 page)

Olivia tried to keep her eyes on Andy but hey kept wandering to Tyler and then to the woman beside him. She wanted to think of her as a girl but that would be a mistake. She was more than a girl. She was aware of her beauty and she liked seeing men admiring her. Olivia saw Tyler whisper something to her and she nodded. Then she looked away, but not at Andy. Olivia saw she was looking to see who was looking at her. Tyler only had eyes for her and he didn’t see where her attention was placed. Whenever he turned to her, she immediately looked at him. When he looked away, she went back to looking for her admirers.

By the end of the meeting, Olivia knew; she was not in love with Tyler. She shook her head. Tyler was in for a broken heart and he was too blind to see it. She saw that the priest was interested in her. He was a fine person and, ordinarily, she might be interested as well. But she knew where her heart was and no matter how long it was going to take, she would wait. He deserved it. Until the time came, she would keep her distance out of respect for Tyler. She sighed and looked at Andy.

• • •

Tyler had looked around the gathering and saw Zeck and Ophelia arrive and sit down with the naval forces. Olivia wasn’t with them. Where was she? He wasn’t able to locate her before the meeting began and he turned his attention to Andy. He spoke with Mindy several times but she seemed to be distracted. Just before the meeting ended, something caused him to look up at the top of the wall close to the where it intersected the cliff. It was dark but he had the eyes of a Master Flyer. He saw Olivia sitting on top of the wall with a very handsome young priest. She was so beautiful and he knew she didn’t know just how pretty she was. He felt a twang of jealousy over the young priest but forced himself to ignore it. He looked at Mindy and saw her jerk her attention to him. She had not been looking at Andy. He casually glanced in the direction she had been looking and saw Gordon jerk his head back toward Andy. Gordon was also a flyer and he saw Gordon quickly glance toward him. He looked back at Mindy, “What about you and I getting in some archery practice in the morning.”

“Sure, what time?”

“How about eight?”

“Make it eleven and you have a deal.”

“What are you doing after the meeting?”

“I have some things to do at home. What do you have in mind?”

Tyler looked up and saw Gordon staring at them. “Nothing, I’ll just see you in the morning.”

Mindy smiled and said, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Tyler lifted his sleeve and used a small silver disk his mother had given him to watch Mindy’s reflection. He appeared be wiping his eyes but he saw her nod. He looked up again like he was looking at the moon and saw Gordon turn his head back to Andy.

Gordon was twenty years old and already commanded a wing of Fliers. He had advanced quickly and was a rising star in the military. He took a deep breath and looked up at Olivia. The young priest had said something to her but she answered without looking at him. She was staring at him and she didn’t see him watching her. She appeared to be sad about something. He wondered if it had anything to do with him.

• • •

“Did you find out anything?”

“No Sire. We’ve searched every warrior’s quarters that were on duty in that area of the city.”

“It might have been a warrior from another area who went there when he was off duty.”

“I also had every warrior’s quarters who was off duty that night searched as well. We’ve not found any evidence of the female slave.” The Commandant shook his head and the Commander said, “I also personally searched the two slaves’ quarters as well and there is no evidence of damage to them. I must say the male slave’s room really stank but it was not damaged in any way.”

“What do you mean by it had a bad smell?”

“I wish I could describe it. This slave wasn’t very clean and didn’t wash himself enough.”

The Commandant stared out of the window at the harbor and after a few moments said, “I think I agree with your assessment; it had to be done by one of our warriors. I don’t know that we’ll ever catch who did it but we need to put our attention on our defenses. How long will it be before the new guns are on the back wall?”

“Their installation started yesterday. I expect them to be completed by the end of next week.”

“Once they’re in place, I want construction on the new gunships to commence. We won’t be able to use them this season but I want the new fleet ready to sail by the next easterly wind shift.”

The Commander nodded, “The new cannons will be completed in time to arm the new ships.”

The Commandant waved his hand at the commander dismissing him and wondered if the new enemy would attack with the next westerly wind change. If they didn’t…they would regret it.

• • •

Mindy turned sideways to the five targets along the cliff wall a hundred yards away and waited. Tyler shouted, “NOW!” Mindy had an arrow out in an instant and on the way. All five targets were hit in the bull’s eye in less than eight seconds. “Good shooting, Mindy. That’s excellent time, only eight seconds.”

Mindy smiled, “That ties my best time yet.”

They had been practicing for an hour and Tyler stood up and looked at the targets. “Mindy.”

Mindy looked away from the targets and looked at Tyler, “Yes.”

“I want to ask you a question.”

“Sure.”

“Do you ever see you and me ending up together?”

Mindy’s tilted her head, “What do you mean by, ‘together’?”

“You know, as mates.”

“Why, are you asking me now?”

“You don’t have to say yes. I just want to know if you can see it happening.”

“Are you asking me if I love you?”

“Actually, I’m just curious if you ever could love me.”

“I love you now, Tyler.” Tyler smiled until Mindy said, “Like a brother.”

“So you don’t see us loving each other as mates?”

“Well, since you put me in this embarrassing situation, I’m going to answer your question honestly.”

“That’s all I want.”

“You could never be someone I would choose to be my mate. You’re handsome and a great warrior but I don’t think we’d work out together.”

Tyler felt the instant pain of her words and could only say, “Why not?”

“I wish you wouldn’t ask that question, but I’ll answer it. I just don’t see you measuring up to what I’d need in a mate.”

“Measuring up?”

“I have ambitions and the one I accept as a mate is someone that will be one of our Community Leaders. I mean, look at you. Your father is dead. The community is supporting your mother. You spent most of your time with that former slave. You don’t have much of a sense of presence. I need someone that is going to be at the center of the Community’s Leadership.”

“Won’t you have to love them?”

“I’m sure I can love someone who meets my requirements.”

Tyler stared at her and said, “I suspect you’ve already chosen some likely candidates.”

“No, I’ve not chosen anyone but there are some who have chosen me.”

Tyler’s eyes narrowed, “Have you spent any time with them to see who might be the one that meets your requirements?”

Mindy’s face turned red and she said, “While you were gone all that time I was asked out by a few.”

“And you accepted their invitation?”

“I did. Why are you acting like this?”

“Mindy, you and I have spent our lives together since we were small children. We’ve trained together; we’ve almost lived together. And you’re not interested in me at all?”

“Tyler, if I thought you had a better future, then I might be interested.”

Tyler nodded and said, “What about Gordon?” Mindy stared at him and Tyler said, “You were out with him after the gathering, weren’t you?”

“How dare you spy on me!?”

“I didn’t. I just saw the two of you nod to each other after I told you I’d see you in the morning.”

“Well, he’s already a wing commander and he’s headed for great things. A girl couldn’t find much better than him.”

Tyler stared at her, “You’re not stupid, Mindy. When were you going to tell me?”

“I guess when I had to.”

“Don’t you think keeping your feelings from me wasn’t fair? You had to know how I felt.”

Mindy shrugged, “It might not have worked out with Gordon and me.”

Tyler shook his head, “So it would be a good idea to keep me around?”

“Something like that.”

“Well, if you’re going to be looking for possible candidates that would meet your criteria, don’t you think it wouldn’t be a good idea not to be seen with me too much?”

Mindy tilted her head and said, “I really hadn’t thought about that but I think you’re right. I know there are a lot of men who stare at me.” She looked at Tyler, “Being around you so much probably does keep some away.”

“Well, in an effort to help you accomplish your goals, I think you and I should stay away from each other.”

“That’s a good idea. Thank you.”

Suddenly, Tyler turned toward the five targets and ripped out five shots in less than five seconds. Mindy’s eyes went wide and Tyler put his bow over his shoulder. As he walked away he said, “Winning the bow competition might not be so simple next year.”

Mindy watched him go and walked over to the five targets. All five of her practice arrows were split down the middle. Her eyes went wide and she jerked her head toward Tyler who was growing smaller in the distance. She looked back at the targets and shook her head, those shots were impossible; especially at the speed at which he had fired them.

Then it struck her that if he could do this, he had probably let her win the archery competition. She looked back at Tyler and wondered if there were other things she didn’t know about him. But her self-love won out and she decided that he wouldn’t ever amount to much. She pulled the arrows out of the targets and went to find Gordon. He’d be happy to know Tyler was no longer an issue. Samuel would also be glad to hear it as well.

Within two days, numerous suitors were asking Mindy out. She was thankful Tyler had decided to stay away. Life was going to start being fun.

Tyler went to the Cursor pen and saddled Tipper. The Cursor was excited about being taken out. It had been a long time since Tyler had ridden him and his excitement was infectious. Tyler smiled and shook his head, there was no doubt about how Tipper felt about him. He pulled the saddle tight, strapped the glider pack on, and sighed, He didn’t have any doubts about Mindy until last night. He was blind to what was going on and if he wasn’t attracted to Olivia, he would have never seen it. It was only when he began mentally comparing the two that he saw Mindy’s attention laid elsewhere. But it still hurt so much. His childhood sweetheart had just told him he would never amount to much. The pain to his heart, and ego, was hard to bear. He walked Tipper out to the gate and told Riley, who was manning it, that he was going for a ride.

“When will you be back?”

Tyler sighed, “I honestly don’t know.”

“You must have found out about Mindy.” Tyler took a deep breath and stared at Riley saying nothing. Riley grabbed Tipper’s reins and said, “Tyler, she’s not been very faithful while you were gone.”

“I know.”

“She’s not the right one for you. You deserve much better.”

Tyler looked at Riley and said, “Thank you.”

Tyler pulled the reins and Riley held on to them, “I’m serious. Most of us who have families know that she is not someone you’d want to spend your life with. You are far too good to accept someone you could never trust. We believe in you, Tyler and what you did on the scouting voyage only confirms our belief that you’re really going to be something special.”

Riley released the reins and Tyler stared at the older warrior. “Thank you, Riley. Coming from you, it means a lot.”

“I’m not alone, Tyler. Now go and deal with your demons.” Tyler nodded and turned Tipper to the north. The Cursor left in a burst of speed and Riley watched them disappear in the distance. A few moments later, the new girl arrived and looked around the Cursor pen. Riley walked over and said, “I don’t believe you have a cursor, Miss.”

“I’m looking for Tipper.”

“Tipper is gone.”

The young girl shook her head, “Is Tyler ok?”

Riley lowered his head, “Why do you ask?”

“I just saw his girlfriend kissing someone else.”

Riley saw her concern and said, “Tyler no longer has a girlfriend, Miss.”

Olivia looked off to the north and shook her head, “He has to be hurting.”

Riley saw the pain in her eyes and said, “He’ll be back when he exorcises his demons. He’s a strong man, Miss. He’ll be ok.”

“I know he’s strong. But love can bring the strongest to their knees. Thank you for helping me.” Olivia bowed and turned to go. Riley said, “He deserves much better than his former girlfriend.”

Olivia looked at Riley and said, “I know. She doesn’t know what she’s given up.”

“No, she doesn’t.” Riley paused and said, “Do you?”

Olivia looked toward the north and said, “He’s the best of what we are.” She looked at Riley, “Whomever he chooses will get more than he gets.”

Olivia turned to go and Riley said, “I’m not at all sure about that, Miss.” Olivia looked back and saw Riley salute her.

M
elody felt the babies move and gave a little yell. Andy looked at her and shook his head, “They’re fighting for space, aren’t they?”

Melody sat down and nodded, “It does appear they are.”

Andy came over and took her hand, “Are you ok to sit in this meeting?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine.”

Andy held her hand as Harvey, Maxius, and Mark entered his front door. Harvey looked at them and said, “Is everything ok?”

Andy smiled, “Yes, the babies are fighting for room.”

Harvey, Maxius, and Mark all stopped in their tracks. Maxius looked at the other two and then turned to Melody, “Are you having twins?”

Melody smiled and nodded, “It appears I am.”

Harvey looked at Andy and he said, “It’s known that twins are more likely to have twins.”

Harvey stared at Melody and shook his head, “I hope and pray they’ll be just like the twins that preceded them.”