Chloe has recently developed the skill of signally when she needs a break. Malo doesn’t remember exactly when this started. In the past they’d run until she started to fall behind and he would stop and let her rest and they’d share a meal or snack. This development has them taking more breaks for shorter durations. He’s counting on this to improve their travel times.
The journey by air is approximately 400 miles, following the train tracks and telegraph lines will triple the distance to 1,200 miles. Chloe can trot without a rider at an easy 25 miles per hour. The trip will be five maybe six days of light running. Malo will give himself a slight fast travel boost to keep up.
The first day is highlighted by an eastbound passenger train catching up to them and slowly passing at a speed of maybe 30 miles an hour, in spite of their maximum speed being closer to 80. The train blew its whistle on approach and passengers leaned out the window and waved at the two as they ran alongside the tracks. Chloe briefly went into a full run and overtook the train to the delight of the on looking passengers.
The first night, Malo struggled with the tarp and rope. He ended up running a rope between two trees and attaching two corners to it and setting rocks on the other two corners. Underneath he unrolls his sleeping bag and watches as Chloe curls up next to him.
The next morning begins with a massive paw smacking his feet. He shares some dried cavi with his inu before inspecting her foot pads. They look healthy and intact, he brushes her out and fits her harness and attaches their travel supplies.
The second, third, and fourth days were the same as the first, the only difference was the tunnels and trestles and the direction of the passing trains. This far into the rocky waste the trains don’t always go around valleys and mountains, some go over and through them.
It was the third day when halfway across a quarter mile trestle bridge with the valley floor 50-yards below, the daily train traveling from Mammatus to Gateland caught up to them. When they heard the whistle in the distance Chloe broke into a sprint with Malo close behind.
The extra effort was for nothing, they cleared the bridge long before the train began its crossing. It was fun though. After that not-so-near call, Malo made a point of putting his ear to a rail before entering a long tunnel or crossing a long bridge span.
Early on day five they reach the switch station that services Bearupper. It’s not manned or so he was told except when Bearupper is scheduled to receive a train. When Malo arrives there’s a group of men looking agitated at his arrival.
Malo takes in the scene as he approaches. One blonde haired man has shimmied up the telegraph pole at the Bear upper split. He’s attaching a pair of wires to a spool sitting in the back of a near empty wagon. There’s a second wagon that is completely empty except for two men, one with black hair, the other with dull blue hair. They were sitting on the tail gate until they saw his approach. Now they’re both standing, relaxed, rolling a handful of something in their left hands.
The rest were in a group talking, pretending like they were unaware of his approach. The tension on display gave them away though. A guy with unruly dark black hair and rarely seen facial hair, as wild as the rest is standing too stiff to be natural. The largest of the bunch, with brown hair is almost as big as his friend Teum, has all his weight on one leg and is subtly bouncing up and down. He either needs to relieve himself or is holding himself back from something. The lone exception is the man with white hair, he’s calm and looking directly at Malo.
All the men are dressed for travel, in miss-matched old dusty clothes, layered to both protect them from the elements and allow them to adjust per weather requirements. They do have two matching features, almost qualifying as a uniform, they’re all wearing black wide brimmed hats with a red scarf loosely tied around their necks.
Malo walking Chloe with a hand gripping her harness, gives a friendly wave and greeting, “Hello there, is this the Bearupper switch station”?
The man with the white hair answers, “That depends on who’s asking?”
That’s not at all what Malo was expecting, naively he looks around to see if there’s someone else besides him, “Uhm, I am.”
This gets a snicker out of the bouncing large brown-haired man.
The two men from the wagon move to either side of the group and establish a clear line of sight to Malo.
The white-haired man ignores the snicker, “No games son. What are you doing here?”
Malo decides to be patient, he’s on a practicum that’s expected to take several years. Why rush his first obstacle?
“I guess that will be determined by where here is. If this is the switch station to Bearupper; I’m turning left and following that line. If it’s some unknown switch station I’m going to continue along the main line until I reach the Bearupper switch line.
“You’re a funny looking group. I once saw a telegraph-line repair crew and there were only three in that group, so you can’t be linesmen. I don’t see any shovels, sledgehammers, or spare ties, you’re not here to repair the tracks. The only other honest job I can think of would be the switch crew from Bearupper.
“Tell me you’re here to man the switch and I’ll tell you who I am.”
The man with the white hair nudges the yellow-haired man.
The yellow haired man confusingly shrugs his shoulders and makes a bug-eyed face at the white-haired man.
The white-haired man stares him down.
The yellow-haired man figures it out and stammers, “We’re here to man the switch, like you said.”
The white-haired man looks expectantly at Malo who doesn’t hesitate.
“Nice to meet some honest hard-working men from Bearupper. My name is Malo Brust. I’m on a growth journey to see the world before settling down to the dull life of family business.”
A growth-journey is royal tradition in other cultures, not specifically Brusk Valley, but Malo doubts these bandits will know the difference.
Upon hearing Malo’s name, the white-haired man’s nostrils flair as if he smelled an opportunity.
There’s a pause that lasts a dozen heart beats, as everyone sizes each other up.
The white-haired man does some mental calculations and realizes Malo could reach Bearupper with enough time to raise an alarm and warn their target. They can cut the telegraph line without someone investigating and bringing more complications. He could kill Malo but if he is who he says he is, he’s worth a lot more alive than dead. He makes his decision.
“This is the switch station to Bearupper.
“Your mount must be exhausted for you to be walking him. Why don’t you join us for dinner and set off in the morning?”
Malo waits a few seconds, not wanting to sound eager, “That sounds like a great plan. What’s for dinner?”
The crew pulled the wagons around a small hill away from the tracks and set up camp, complete with a cook fire.
Dinner turned out to be beans, until Malo broke out his remaining rations which was mostly dried cavi he intended to feed Chloe. The crew was highly appreciative of having meat for a change.
Chloe sulked at having to eat inu kibble.
The sun wouldn’t set for a few more hours and the crew introduced themselves.
The white-haired man was the crew leader, his name was Silver. The two fidgety men from the wagon, are Rusty and Viper. The guy who was on the telegraph pole is called Cole Dust. The hairy-faced guy is predictably called Whiskers, the oversized fidgety guy is called Big Inu, and lastly there’s a yellow haired guy with red eyes called Cinder.
Malo after being pressed, admitted to being a member of The Brust family out of the Province of Rebirth.
Silver quizzed him relentlessly on the family business, things that his tutors drilled him on for three straight summers.
Malo is reaching his limit on knowledge of Brust family history and his patience for this game, “Enough about me. Tell me what it’s like living out here in the mountains away from civilization. Tell me there’s more than just beans.”
The crew members sat back with their beans and dried cavi and chuckled.
Silver responds, “Out here is freedom. We make the rules, we answer to nobody… nobody but the railway switch station that is.”
The crew has another laugh and the mood seems relaxed. Malo joins the merriment, getting the irony of the lie.
Malo speaks up, “I guess we all seek the solitude of these hills for our own reasons. I don’t care about yours; I hope you don’t care about mine. In the morning… maybe a little closer to mid-day, I’ll head to Bearupper and leave you to your work.”
Silver looks Malo over as if really seeing him for the first time and realizes the boy knows the truth of the situation, “Sure, that sounds reasonable. But you’ll have to break out your remaining dried cavi for breakfast.”
Malo responds dryly, “Of course, you have a big day. You should have a good starter meal.”
Cinder speaks up, “You said you’re a member of the Brusk family. That’s awfully convenient, considering they live thousands of miles from here. Do you mind if I have a look at your inu?”
Malo thinks he knows where this is going complies, “Sure, go crazy. But not too crazy. She’ll take your arm off if she thinks you’re going to harm either of us.”
“Don’t worry, all I’m going to do is check her brand. If you’re really a Brusk, your inu will have the flying snake brand on her hind leg.”
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Malo grins and calls out, “Chloe, come.”
Chloe gets up from where she was awaiting her turn to eat, about three yards behind Malo and stands beside him.
“Chloe, identification.”
Chloe only hesitates a moment before sitting down with her right leg splayed out to the side. Everyone looking can clearly see the winged snake tattoo showing through her fur.
“I’m Malo Brust on my growth journey and you’re a team from Bearupper manning this switch station. Just strangers sharing a fire until tomorrow, when we go our separate ways.”
A distant rumble alerts the group that the west bound train is coming. The crew douses the fire and tries to look innocent until it passes.
Malo breaks the silence, “Right. No sense staying awake after the train has passed. I’m going to turn in for the night.”
Malo goes off about 20-yards and sets up a sloppy shelter and tries going to sleep with Chloe by his side.
Silver calls a crew meeting.
Cinder speaks first, “What are we going to do about this kid?”
Big Inu laughs, “Kid? He’s bigger than me!”
Cinder rejoins, “He’s obviously young, or he wouldn’t be so naive.”
Silver counters, “He’s not as naive as you think. He knows what we’re up to.”
Viper butts in, “Then why is he sticking around?”
Silver holds up his hands to silence the crew while he still can, “Yes, he’s big. He’s not naïve as I said. I believe he knows exactly the score and doesn’t care. He thinks if he plays it relaxed, we’ll let him go.
“I have no intention of letting him go. We can ransom him back to his family for a tidy sum. Not as much as this gold transfer, but a nice bonus for sure.”
Rusty asks, “How big a bonus?”
“I don’t know, we’ll start by sending fingers and see how much they’re willing to pay for at least one complete hand.”
The group laughs at that idea.
Malo who was listening to every word is disappointed, he was hoping to move on in the morning without a confrontation.
Five days prior, about the time Malo was setting out, Teum and Luscin are supposed to rendezvous with the fleeing El Hat headmaster at the train station. He was told to dress in street clothes so as to not stand out and to meet them on the train station boarding platform. They would buy his ticket for the first train out of El Hat leaving late in the morning.
Teum is watching the loading platform while Luscin buys three tickets to Gateland; allowing them the opportunity to disembark anywhere they want or need between the far ends of South Cenoka.
Teum sees no sign of the headmaster when Luscin joins them. Both are getting the feeling something has gone wrong as the time to board approaches.
With less than 10 minutes to spare, Teum spots the headmaster and the headmaster’s wife, and their two children, and a nanny. Behind them is a porter rolling a cart loaded head high with travel trunks.
Instead of street clothes they are dressed like they’re going to a ballroom party. He was in a baby blue tuxedo matching his hair, his wife in a bright red gown highlighting her purple hair. The children, a boy aged five and a girl aged four, look and are dressed as mini versions for their parents. The nanny is wearing designer black pants and a blouse covered in black abstract shapes.
Luscin whispers, “Subtle he is not. We’re going to need a different plan.”
Dejected, Teum responds, “My plan was for him, only him to slip away anonymously. Everyone on the platform recognizes them. How do we fix this?”
“We don’t. We use what we have. Let’s go bump into them, like we didn’t expect to see them.”
Adjusting her satchel with one hand, Luscin grabs Teum’s hand with the other and pushes her way through the crowd.
Finally reaching the unexpected family, Luscin exclaims, “Headmaster Nguyen! What a surprise. This must be your family; you’re always going on about. Are you leaving today for that vacation you’ve been hinting teasing?”
The headmaster looks like he’s about to fall apart from nerves but catches the hint, lucky for him he doesn’t have to fake playing along with a lie since his wife and children all think they are taking a surprise vacation.
He answers, “That’s right… uh. That is exactly right. What brings two of my favorite students to the train station, did you come to see me off?”
Luscin making her story up on the spot, “That would be polite, but we are taking the train to Gateland to see my family. How far are you traveling?”
“We’re going to Gateland too! How wonderful.”
Luscin notices the nanny is looking annoyed while his wife is doing her best to look disinterested. Remembering her manners, “You of course know the two of us, but I’ve never been introduced to your family. It would please me to make their acquaintance.”
The nanny seems to relax and his wife is now looking to her husband expectantly.
Beads of sweat are forming on the headmaster’s temples as he struggles to compose himself.
“Yes, that would be most appropriate. My Dear Wife, these are the two students I’ve mentioned from Mammatus that have been visiting our campus for the last several years. I present to you Luscin and Teum Fox.
“Luscin, Teum, this is my family. I would like you to meet my beautiful wife and best friend, Lila and my son Leo and daughter Luna. They are my most precious possessions; I would never travel without them.”
Both Teum and Luscin hear Horatio loud and clearly, he loves his family. He may not know the word, but they know it when they see it. They’ll need to see this family to safety, not just the headmaster.
“I’m hungry,” whines Leo!
“Me too,” adds Luna!
Luscin rolls her eyes and presses the headmaster, “We need to get aboard before this train leaves. Would you accompany us?”
Headmaster Nguyen agrees, “Yes, that would be best.”
Turning to his wife, “Honey, let’s get aboard and find our cabin.”
Horatio holds out his arm for his wife, which she takes and the two move towards the awaiting train.
The nanny grabs the hands of the children.
Horatio and Lila fall in line behind Luscin and Teum as they head towards the train.
Luscin boards first, Teum waits at the step to be the rear guard.
Teum does a double before blurting, “Where are your children?”
Lila looks unconcerned and answers, “I’m sure Edith has them with her, they’ll be fine.”
Luscin whispers to the headmaster, “We have to keep you together. If they suspect you’re fleeing, your children could be held hostage to compel your return.”
Horatio, already nervous, is visibly sweating and appears short of breath but the thoughts of his children being hurt are enough for him to hold up under pressure.
“Teum. I believe I heard them say something about being hungry. Could you go check the food stands by the ticket booth and round them up for us?”
Lila looks skeptically at the departing oversized boy, “Is that necessary? I’m sure Edith has them in hand and doesn’t need to be rounded up by a student.”
Horatio would normally agree but with the three enemies he’s about to make he can’t take that chance.
Teum heads directly to the food carts and sees the nanny Edith and the children Leo and Luna. He walks straight to them and declares, “There you are, you had us worried the train would leave the station without you.”
Edith hardly acknowledges him but the boy Leo looks alarmed, “We missed the train?”
Trying to sound reassuring he uses his softest voice, “No, no, you didn’t miss it yet. We need to get onboard and find your mom and dad before it leaves.”
Relieved that he didn’t miss the train, and unmoved by finding his parents, Leo goes back to contemplating his next meal.
Teum tries again, “I’m not kidding, we need to get back to the train.”
Edith finally says something, “Please go back to Mrs. Nguyen and tell her we’ll be there shortly."
“No, I don’t think you understand me. We need to return right away.”
The nanny holds her hand out to Teum and waits for him to take it before she speaks again, “Nice to meet you. I’m Ms. Edith Jones, the children are my responsibility. I was hired by Mrs. Nguyen as their caretaker, as you are not my boss, you do not get to tell me what to do. Now run along and do whatever it is you think you need to do.”
Teum hasn’t been spoken too like this in a long time. He still doesn’t like it. He used to be impulsive and do irrational things when confronted with problems like these. Now he’s more mature and likes to consider all his options before acting.
In one swift motion he scoops up the two children in his right arm and Ms Jones in the left.
Leo says, “Whoa!”
Luna says nothing but is smiling.
Edith is saying a mouthful of words that Teum is silencing with a sound binding.
One of the patrons in line to buy a train ticket, a woman with black hair with a silver stripe watches with cold orange eyes. She trusts her affect mask to keep people from noticing her boring dismissive persona. Strong enough to be effective but not so strong as to be noticed by that annoying boy.
She was told to keep an eye on the headmaster and his family and be sure they return. She expected this job to be boring and uneventful. This little display proves the headmaster is up to something that He might want to know about.
Master Elora Remon, Dean of Sight and Sound at El Hat steps out of line and returns to the Study to report to her cell leader this new development.
Teum returns to the train car where he left everyone just a few minutes prior. They’re nowhere to be seen.
Turning to the left, side-stepping up the stairs, he boards the train. Mindful of his passenger’s safety, he manages to not bump anyone’s head in the process. He picks the first unoccupied row of seats and steps out of the aisle.
Setting the nanny down Teum addresses her, “I apologize for that but you left me little choice. If I unmuffle you, will you cooperate?”
From the look on her face and the fact that she seems to be silently mouthing obscenities at him, he takes that as a no.
“Ok we’ll do it another way.” Instead of muffling her he creates a machine to deflect sound from the two of them away from the children.
“… will rip your throat out and gnash my teeth… oh. I can hear myself,” Ms. Jones regains her composure and looks apologetically at the children held by Teum.
“Don’t worry they didn’t hear that, everyone else did but, the children can’t hear either of us right now.”
Ms. Jones looks at Teum as if she’s seeing him for the first time, “Ok, I understand you’re not some first-year academic from El Hat. I have no way of stopping you from whatever it is you are planning. Don’t you dare harm this family. Do you hear me?”
Teum relieved that she finally sounds sane, “I hear you and I promise I’m here to protect this family… and you too. Not that we were told about any of you. Since you see your role here as a protector, it isn’t much different than mine and Luscin. We are here to Defend the headmaster as he flees the study where he’s been held captive for the last three decades.”
Edith was almost ready to dismiss everything she heard the brute say but he said it with such sincerity she couldn’t bring herself to do so.
“Defend is a mighty specific word for a student to throw around. Doesn’t the headmaster have a staff full of those?”
Solemnly Teum responds, “Who do you think has kept him captive?”
Edith does the math and quickly concludes, “My boss is about to betray a study with three world class Defenders and he’s relying on a pair of students to protect him?”
Teum can’t resist, “Two students and a nanny.”
This brings a smile to her face, it’s been a while and the muscle in her face have to strain to pull it off, “That’s right, they’ll have to get through me first.”
“I’m glad to have you on our side, do you know where the headmaster’s cabin is? We should stay together for safety.”
“Can we get down now? I’m still hungry!”
Ms. Jones responds, “I happen to have some snacks in my bag…”
Teum interrupts, “We can hear them, they can’t hear us… just a second… there… local audio conditions are back to normal.”
Ms. Jones repeats, “I happen to have some snacks in my bag, right here.”
Leo inquires, “Are they fish crackers?”
“Yes, I have your favorite fish crackers. I packed them specially for you this morning, knowing you’d be hungry as soon as we boarded the train. Who want’s their fish crackers?”
Luna holds out her hands silently, while Leo demands to be given all the crackers immediately.
Teum watches as Ms. Jones doles out a half dozen fish crackers to the two children before she offers some to him. He’s tempted to take one but abstains.
Ms. Jones smiles at his refusal as if he just passed some kind of test.
“The Nguyen’s have an entire first-class car to themselves. All four cabins are reserved for the family. The kids and I are sharing one, Mr. and Mrs. Nguyen are sharing another, a third one will be used by Mrs. Nguyen as a dressing room, the fourth will be empty.”
Teum only knows a little about trains, “I think I saw two first-class cars when we were boarding. Let’s move forward and see if we can find these kid’s mom and dad.”
Ms. Jones takes a page out of Teum’s playbook and scoops up the two cracker-munchers and starts up the aisle toward the front of the train.