Page 141 of Choice of the Cat (Vampire Earth 2)
They zigzagged through the maze of wagons, tentage, washing lines, and campfires.
Jocelyn paused at the little ladder and door of one of the house-wagons, set apart from the rest. "People are going to be asking me what our chances are. What should I tell them? They'll be worried about their children."
Valentine looked at Duvalier, who shrugged.
"I can't tell you what to say, Miss Hendricks," Valentine said. "If there's somewhere safe they can put their kids, I'd recommend that they do that right away. Reapers move fast at night when they want to. They could be here tonight."
"We'll be here with you, at least tonight," Duvalier added. "I believe that if anyone in the Dunes can beat them, it's your brand."
Jocelyn showed them the cozy little cabin, with its bunk beds, tiny cabinets, and built-in basin. "There's water in the pitcher," she explained. "Clean bedding on the mattresses, real horsehair stuffed, and a thunderbucket in the corner in case you don't feel like a trip to the pits. I'll check on your horses and tack before I turn in; they're in the north corral.
"There will be dancing until midnight or so. You sure you aren't up to it? A lot of the folks would be interested in meeting people from elsewhere."
"We just spent two days traveling hard," Valentine said. "I'm sure you understand."
Duvalier added, "Another time."
"Maybe tomorrow night, then," Jocelyn said, smiling as she closed the door.
Duvalier placed her sword where she could reach it easily. "If there is a tomorrow night, Val."
No call to arms, no attack from the darkness disturbed their dreamless slumber. It seemed only a matter of minutes before Valentine heard a gentle tap on the door and opened his eyes to light pouring through the window.
The door opened, and Mrs. Hendricks entered, bearing a tray. "Good morning!" she half sang, half whispered. "Anyone up? I've brought you a little something to get your eyes open."
Valentine realized he had collapsed in his clothes, and guiltily looked at the mess he'd made of the sheets. Duvalier had stripped down to her shirt, and she swung her legs from the bottom bunk with a groan.
"I thought I might kill two birds with one stone. So I brought some sausages and wheat bread and a cup of tea for each of you. Nothing happened over the night. The meeting went until late, and we decided to scatter some of the herds and families. We sent out riders to warn the other brands and asked them to send what men and guns they could this way. We're going to have to unite to stand any chance at all, from what you've told us."
"How soon will they be arriving?" Valentine asked.
"Days. The Dunes are big, and in the summer the smaller brands get to the most remote places they can. If the Troopers raid into us, it's usually between May and September."
Valentine removed the fly-cloth from his breakfast and began eating. Duvalier nursed her tea, content to listen and look out the window.
"How can we help?"
"You've done enough, by my reckoning. But if you want to, go around, speak to the men, maybe tell them a little more about those Reapers. We don't have much experience against them, and what we do know has us all frightened."
Duvalier nodded. "We'll do what we can." After the
Wagonmaster left, she looked at Valentine. "I'm frightened, too."
"Never thought I'd hear that from you."
She went to the basin and wrung out a washcloth, wiped it across her face. "Hear me admit it, you mean."
Valentine shrugged.
"We've warned them, Val. Let's head out."
"I'm staying. You've got more experience at this. You'll be better without me."
"Staying? Staying like in desertion?"
"Staying like in helping them fight. We've been over this before."
She lowered her voice in case anyone was outside the wagon, listening. "I figured once you saw them, you'd either figure there were enough guns for the fight so that you being here wouldn't make a difference, one way or the other. Or you'd see it was a lost cause."
