End of Last Chapter:

Against muted protests from the head of Coyote House, Archie tossed Ayala over his shoulder and stood to his feet.

"Okay, Koko, lead us to your miner friend."

"That won't be necessary," came a deep, penetrating voice.

Turning his head, Archie saw a small wizened man standing in the moonlight. A tuft of gray hair rested on his head in hopeless disarray, and a thick white beard bristled out of his chin. He was adorned in baggy clothes cinched about the waist with a length of rope. On his feet were large tattered boots almost too big for his diminutive frame. He appeared as ancient as the desert itself, but in his old eyes burned a flame that drew Archie in.

"I'm Sani," the stranger said, shooting out a hand. "I'm glad to finally meet you."

The Story Continues:

"Did you see the explosion?" Sani cackled with obvious pride.

"No, but we heard it!" Koko said. "You did a great job with your distraction. You're absolutely brilliant!"

"Most fun I've had in years, and now, thanks to you two young folks, I won't have to die in this Godforsaken compound."

"No, but you might not last very long in the desert, either," Archie said. He looked doubtfully at the frail old man. "Are you sure you're up to this?"

"I'm used to a hard life, Sonny. Are you?" Sani shot back.

"I've worked hard my entire life."

"In the city, yes, but, we're talking about survival in a harsh environment."

"I honestly don't know, Sani. I guess we're both about to find out what we're made of."

"If I doubted we could do it, we wouldn't be starting this journey."

"Fair enough."

"So, who do you have all trussed up?" Sani asked. "That isn't Ayala, is it?"

The frustrated form on Archie's shoulder responded with a growl and a few more kicks.

"I guess that answers my question. Why don't you put her down and let her walk? You're going to get mighty tired toting her across the plains."

"She's sort of a hostile participant," Archie explained. "If I let her go, she'll run back to the Hawk Kin."

"Suit yourself, but we've got to hurry. We'll have to get as far from here as we can before daybreak. That's when I figure they'll notice we've gone missing and send the Cougar Kin out."

"No sooner?" Koko asked.

"Nah, I blew up half the south fence with the explosion. Between trying to keep sheep out of the town, and desperate Hokee people in, they'll be busy until at least mid morning."

"I did wonder why an explosion was necessary," Archie said. "I figured turning animals loose in town would wreak enough havoc to let us escape."

"I don't do anything without a purpose," Sani said with an edge to his voice. "Now, let's get going while we have the advantage."

*****

Like silent desert creatures, the foursome passed along the plains northward. They picked their way between sharp plants and bruising stones, forging a path through virgin soil. The only light they had was provided by a full yellow moon and the glowing ember of a mini torch Sani had made. Kerosene lamps, packed by Koko, stayed stashed in her knapsack until which time as stealth was no longer required.

After they had traveled quite some distance, Sani spoke again. "Do you have any weapons with you, Archie? Koko told me you had some ideas when you first spoke about escape."

"I have a metal pole I pulled off the shower curtain and sharpened into a spear. I figured we could use it for defense or digging roots and tubers. Koko said she has all sorts of edible plants in her book."

"Oh, she's got quite a comprehensive list, complete with drawings."

"Sani helped me quite a bit," Koko said.

"It was my extreme pleasure, child. You were great company for this lonely old man. Were you able to get hold of a compass? We could use a good one."

"No," Koko said. "The only one I could find was in Ayala's office, and I don't have to tell you what that means."

"I understand," Sani said.

"Can't we use the sun as a guide?" Archie asked.

"Not when we travel by night," Sani said, "but not to worry, I have a simple one I made with a piece of the stone, magnetite, I found in an old dried up creek bed." Sani pulled a metal object out of his tattered trousers and held it up. "It's an old miner's trick."

"Excellent!" Archie exclaimed. "I saw my father make one once on a family campout. He's all into survival stuff."

"Wise man, your father."

"I'd like to think so. Do you know who he is?"

"Yes, yes," Sani replied. "He's the President. We all know that. But not many people realize how close he is to nature."

"That's not what he's best known for."

"Well, when you see your father again, tell him old Sani says he's all right in his book."

"I certainly will."

"Have you got anything else useful in that pack?"

"Just a shower curtain and a couple of bowls. I figured we could use them to distill any liquids we might find."

"That will come in quite handy. There are plenty of barrel cactus around here, and in a pinch, we can distill our own urine to make fresh water."

Groans from all three companions caused a grin to crack Sani's grizzled face. "You complain now, but when you're thirsty, you'll appreciate my skills." He chuckled to himself for a while, and then fell silent as he motioned the pilgrims onward.

For hours, they marched through arid yellow soil, not laughing, not talking, just placing one exhausted foot in front of the other. Just before dawn, nauseated and physically depleted, Koko stumbled and fell to her knees.

"We rest here for the day," Sani said, dropping his supply bag on the ground.

"Don't stop on my behalf," Koko said. "The Cougar soldiers could be on us in minutes. I'll be fine if I have a sip of water and a few moment's rest."

"There are no enemies nearby, Koko. Remember what I taught you about the voice of nature. If you want to know what you can't see, listen for birds and creeping animals, feel the ground beneath your feet, and wait on the message of the wind."

"I remember."

"Then what does the earth tell you?"

Koko cocked her head and listened. "I don't hear any frightened animals." She placed an exhausted hand on the ground. "And I feel no vibrations from tramping feet."

"Good, and what of the wind's message?"

"That clue's a little more subtle," Koko said. She closed her eyes, and let the gentle desert breeze flow across her weary brow.

"It gives me comfort. There are no pursuers close-by."

"Very good," Sani said. "It's time for us to rest and prepare for day."

Sani pulled a scraggly bag off his shoulder and opened it. He reached and removed a leather sheet, which he held out for the others to see.

"Are we going to construct some sort of shelter with that?" Archie asked.

"Yes, but an unusual one. First, we'll dig a cave under the dirt, and then put a mat over the top made of grass and sagebrush. It will give protection from the heat, and provide excellent camouflage."

"What will we use to dig with?" Archie asked. "All I have is the metal pole, and I don't think that'll be very effective."

"No, it won't be much help, but I have something that will." Sani pulled a folding metal spade out of his pack and handed it to Archie. "I've been preparing for this escape for months. You can start digging in the sandy area we just passed through. The soil is cool and damp just beneath the surface. Go ahead and get started. I'll tell you when I'm ready to take my turn."

"Okay." Archie knew the old man wasn't going to take a turn digging. He wouldn't have let him if he offered. He just hoped he could finish before the Cougars caught up with them.

Archie looked over at Koko who smiled encouragement. Ayala, whom he had deposited on the ground, just glared.

"Will one of you cut her loose?" Archie asked, "I don't think she'll try to escape now."

"How do you know that?" Koko asked.

"Because," Sani stepped in, "she's been with us all night, and our enemies will assume she's here by choice. If they catch us, they won't give her a chance to explain. I'll cut her loose. Archie, you start digging."

"Yes, Sir." Archie began pounding the dirt with the spade.

"Son, work with the soil, not against it," Sani said. "Look at the ground and let it tell you where to dig. If you keep wrestling it like a heifer, you'll wear out."

"I don't know how to read the earth," Archie said. "I'm a city boy, remember?"

"I remember your father tried to teach you about nature, but you didn't listen well. You act like the spoiled child you were not raised to be."

"That's not true. I told you before, I work very hard."

"Is that what you were doing when you flipped your shiny red car, Archie? Working?"

"Yes, I was taking a research trip for a special committee I'm on in the Senate."

"At night, traveling at excessive speeds?"

Archie heard Ayala snort in mockery. He could tell she was enjoying watching him squirm.