Cranberry - With Bloody Tom and the Coffin Riders... VII
PART VII
The sprint to the building I had selected for myself was not far - but the deep snow made it feel like a bad dream.
It was the feeling of running with desperate urgency, yet not moving in accordance with my efforts.
I slogged past the locals who had agreed to help in the resistance - but they were woefully unprepared for what was happening. Some of them had pitchforks!
Really?! Pitchforks?!
We are not pursuing Frankenstein’s monster here! This is a battle for our lives and we have villagers from a Mary Shelly novel assisting us?!
Rubble from ruined buildings littered the dirty snow filled streets mingling with the bright, arterial blood spray and bodies of the unfortunate.
Finally, I reached the structure - it had a low overhanging roof above the front door. Without breaking stride, I leapt up onto a nearby wagon and used it to spring up to the roof.
It creaked ominously under my weight but didn’t break as I lightly ran up the large, pointed roof. From here I was able to get a better view of what we were up against.
I raised my binoculars up to get a better look - it was not good. We were hemmed in on three sides with the snowy tree-covered mountains at our backs.
Out by the creek, I could see Eli. He was holding something half submerged in the water… it was something - large… it was… hard to see. Then I watched as he pulled a dead enemy up out of the frozen creek by the collar of his coat.
I could even see the expression of horror frozen on the dead bandit’s face.
Then - faster than I would have thought possible - Eli whisked the body around like a rag doll and used it as a shield to block a hail of arrows fired from the hillside. The shafts seemed to sprout from the dead man’s body as they struck his chest.
Casting the dead man aside, Eli drew his Lancaster and fired a series of thunderous shots with deadly accuracy. I could see the antagonists on the hill flail and scramble as they were cut down.
Behind him about twenty five yards away I saw two bandits break from the cover of the treeline to rush him. They had large, razor sharp machetes drawn and I was not sure that Eli was aware of them.
I snapped my Carcano to my shoulder, sighted briefly and fired - the CRACK, CRACK tore across the valley - and that act - it woke something up in me.
Like a bubble of ancient vapor from the bottom of a swamp, the memory floated to the surface of my mind.
As I watched the two villains drop loosely to the ground, I was reminded of the way my little ragdolls would flop onto the floor when play time was over and I was called away by my mother and father to tea.
Just squeeze the trigger once… plop. Twice…plop.
Time for tea.
In the distance I could see Eli was aware of my assistance. He looked my way and tipped his hat, then ran towards another attacking group further to the east.
Maybe he did not need my help. Maybe he would have seen them in time... Maybe not.
I did not have time to think about that - out of the corner of my eye I could see three horsemen approaching. Again, I sighted briefly and fired directly into the chest of the first horse in the trio.
CRACK-A-BOOM!
The poor beast went down in a flailing heap, causing the other two riders behind to crash and tumble into a screaming, thrashing chaotic pile.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Three more headshots - three more puffs of pink mist spattering the snow - three more rag dolls lifeless - I felt the heady rush of focus - I knew… I knew I could not miss!
Three more targets by the tree line! Without a thought - I was firing.
CRACK - CRACK - CRACK -
Three more headless puppets staggering in mindless circles as they spiraled to the bloody ground with their strings cut.
If I see you, then you are dead!
I heard a shot ring out right behind me -
BANG!
As I turned to face my attacker - a brigand with a machete who fell across me knocking me to the ground!
I moved swiftly to shove him aside before he… he was already dead!?
There was a smoking hole in the center of his back. Thick, bright oxygenated blood was pumping out of the fatal wound.
I looked left - right… then I looked to the street below and saw…
“Bloody TOM! Thank you - you saved m-”
Bloody Tom didn’t seem in a chatty mood as he responded.
“If you’ve GOTTA be on that fuckin’ roof Cranny - then - watch your damn back!”
As if to emphasize his point he cycled another round into his Lancaster and… and I don’t know how he did this - but without seeming to look, he swung his gun at a 90 degree angle and [BANG!] blew a large hole clean through the skull of an invader who had been taking aim at him from behind a supply crate.
I saw two more bandits panic and dash away from that position - I felt that excited rush as I brought them into scope - they were so close, and I could feel their fear - it tasted delicious!
They didn’t have a chance. It was like hitting the side of a barn with the side of a barn…
CRACKABOOM! CRACKABOOM! Two more floppy little dolls in the snow.
I moved to the highest point on the roof and took refuge behind the chimney as I scanned the open ground beyond the creek looking for Mr. Grimfrost.
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Cranberry - Morning Routine
Ever since Cripps abandoned me to aid the wicked Master Olcott - I have been able to make my own accommodations wherever I please.
I mostly enjoy setting my camp by water. A nice slow wide spot along the river or on the edge of a lake. This allows me to engage in my morning constitutional.
It consists of an invigorating swim in the early hours of the morning. I do this first thing before breakfast. Even Dogstoyevsky is not awake yet! I love the quiet - and the sound of the cold water all around me.
Today I found a desert iguana and tried to race him! He is so elegant in the water and was far too fast for me.
I lost track of time - the sun is already up! I have to feed Dogstoyevsky - he will be very cross with me...
After Dogstoyevsky and my trusty horse, Star Billiard are taken care of, I can have breakfast. No more of that horrible slop Cripps used to make.
I prefer chili! I have many recipes that have been shared with me by other wanderers that are quite good. Even one that uses iguana... so that little scamp was lucky I could not catch him today!
Well time to get back to work! The operation runs much more efficiently now that Cripps is no longer sniffing and drinking the chemicals. I also do not miss the odor left from his "dietary mishaps" he would leave behind the chuck wagon.
Well now... I wonder what I shall get up to today?
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