Chapter 40
…
I wander around the compound after my silly escape. I look over the cabins and the food fields. I take in the night sounds. There is a light chill in the air that makes everything crisp and fresh. I ponder the stars that are, both strange and yet, a comfort to me. I will have to ask someone about them. I remember the stars used to have stories about them. Maybe I can learn something about this new/old world I am on.
I let myself wander on. I feel a pull over to one of the walls. The east wall with the massive gate and one man looking outward. This is also the wall that has a inside staircase, so I climb up and look to see who is on sentry duty this evening.
Camulus is the first person I encounter. His blond braids shimmer lightly in the star light. The rest of him seems to fade into the stone work around him, thanks to the dark colored uniform that all of his cadre wear.
…
“It is me, Chronos.” I identify myself, when I hear the sound of a pistol being cocked. “Please do not shoot me. Nimrod and Saul would be very upset.” I add, being a little cheeky with him. Hoping he has forgotten my little outburst from the night of Annie’s wake.
He chuckles. “I could believe that.” He lowers the gun down to his side and gives me nod of greeting.
“What brings you out?” he asks. I have not prowled the nights of late. There have been far more interesting things to claim my attention.
“I wanted to give the men some time to themselves, for a proper welcome home.” Is my reason for the night’s walk. “They have been together for a long time. It did not feel right for me to hone in on their time alone. And thus, I am free tonight to take in the sights.”
I am not even sure why I tell him that. But it is the truth of the matter. So I let that statement settle into his brain.
“I repeat, you’re a strange one.” Camulus says as he frowns at me and turns away. “Sorry ’bout sicking Ajax on you.” He says quietly after a moment.
His apology is unexpected. “Do not apologize to me, it should be Ajax who gets your apologies.” I chide him. “He is the hurt party.”
Before Camulus can say anything else, I turn to face the outer wall. “So what do you people do for fun around here?” I ask as the night draws silent around us.
He gives a short bark of laughter. “You really need more to do? As it is, there’s talk about making you clean the baths, you must have had more trysts in there than most people have in a lifetime.”
“I have been busy.” I agree, as I feel a blush creep up my cheeks. “It would be worth it.” I add quietly. My mind drifts back to this afternoon, and a couple of wonderful mornings.
“Can you really see in the dark?” Camulus’ voice is brimming with curiosity.
“No, yes. I can see in the infrared spectrum.” I say as I blink, switching to the infrared, to see out into the night on the outside of the wall. “There are some mouse type things running across the field, A fox in the right quadrant, and an owl with something in his talons. Not many big animals out there.”
“All that.” He sounds impressed.
“All that and more, looks like someone making the rounds to you?” I drop my voice to a whisper.
“Oh shit, Napoleon. You can’t be here.” He says just as quietly, his voice sounding stressed with the knowledge of his wrong doing.
“As you wish,” I activate my chameleon and fade into the night. “I was never here.” I whisper as I jump over the side and sail down the wall. I stay by the wall so I can hear. I need every piece of information in my arsenal, if I am to go up against Napoleon.
“Cam, who was here?” Napoleon asks.
“No one, Sir.” Camulus lies easily. “I am just keeping track of the night life out there. Some field mice being eaten by the owl.”
“Oh, you can see that, can you.” Napoleon’s voice reeks of his disbelief. “What I think was, She was here. And She is not supposed to be up here. No one is supposed to be up here on a watch, am I understood.” He voice takes on the strident tone of the mad and possessed.
“She is harmless. Well kind of, I mean, why are you opposed to her?” Camulus asks. He suffers from being overly curious. Poor kid. I think to myself.
“She is dangerous. She is an OUTSIDER!” Napoleon rants. “You would give away all our secrets for a quick fuck, if She asked you to.”
I feel sorry that I have left Camulus to face this mad man on his own, but I need to keep to the shadows until it is time.
“No sir. I am true to the Kindred.” Camulus answers, sincerely, but by now he must surely sense that something is very off about Napoleon. “I want to protect us.” He adds in a shaky voice.
“Good.” Napoleon snaps. “I suggest you remember that, when the day comes, she stabs you in the back.” Oh boy, I think to myself, this guy really has a hard on to get me killed. I can fathom no real reasons, so I must chalk it up to madness and anger. “She has already corrupted some of the best.” I hear Napoleon mutter as he stalks away.
Oh really, I wonder, who would that be? The warriors three, The brothers. The healers. Just to name a few, who see me as a friend. And from what I can tell, Napoleon is a powder keg waiting to go off. And I am being sent off on a wild goose chase. I can only hope that he gives me time. All this leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I am done with listening to Napoleon rant. I glide away from my hiding place as I think on these many things.
Camulus will have to decide for himself, just whose side he is on. If there is even a side. I would hate to be the one to have to kill him. But after listening to Napoleon, I think there is more to this, More than Napoleon’s fear mongering. It is power he wants. I will learn his story later, but, now to my men and to bed.
…
