Nuworld: Claiming Tara (30 page)

screen on her landlink as she spoke aloud to herself. She’d
driven all night and halfway through the next day. The
babies were grouchy and so was she.

Runners seldom travelled into land close to Southland.
They knew of scattered towns, but that was it. All morning
she’d been traveling through uncharted
land, having
already left the Freelands. The River People lived near the
border but they weren’t an organized government and had
no officially claimed land. Now a wide river blocked her
path.

The river flowed from the west and curved in front of
her, heading south beyond her ability to see. Her only
choice was to travel alongside it. There was nowhere to
cross. She added the river to her landlink map, taking it
upon herself to chart the area.

After
travelling along the river’s edge until the sun was
on her back, Tara spotted a large hauling watermobile
moored at a small port. Several buildings, their walls
warped wood that was well baked by the sun, lined the
edge
of
the
river.
She
parked
alongside
the
nearest
building.

Tara put Andru into the back carrier then shrugged into
the shoulder straps. She lifted Ana in her arms, and the
three walked toward the hauling watermobile. A large man
ambled off the dock and tossed several bags onto the
ground. He didn’t look at her until she cleared her throat.

“Where does this watermobile
go?”
“South all the way to the border. If you have good
paper.” The man spoke with the distinguishable River
People accent. He took a good look at Tara and her babies.
“Been travelin’ a while, have you?”
“Long enough. How much paper?”
“Six dorsels a person, no matter their age.” He eyed the
babies.
“I have gold.”
“Change it over at the building. That way.” The large
man rubbed his hand over his unshaven face and studied
Tara. He couldn’t quite figure out her accent but knew he’d
heard it before. She’d been traveling awhile…and so
pretty…odd she didn’t have a man with her. Those two
babies would turn most men away, but with her looks…he
scratched his whiskers some more. How did he know that
accent?
Tara spotted the building, it being the one closest to the
dock, where the large man had directed her. She pushed
her way inside. It was warmer in the building than it had
been outside.
“I need dorsels,” Tara said, dropping several pieces of
gold on the counter in front of a small wiry man, who
straightened where he’d been leaning when she entered.
He handed her a stack of paper and she studied it, not
familiar with the currency. The sheets were thin, dyed red,
and there
was a numeral two in each corner
of
the
rectangular shape. She counted the papers by two and
came up with twenty.
“Are you sure this is right?” She only knew what she’d
heard around the fires. River People were always out to
make the better end of a deal.
The man grunted and handed her three more pieces of
paper.
“How much to haul a groundmobile and bike?”
“Ten apiece.”
“How far will you take me?”
“To the border. The hauling watermobile don’t go past
the border.” The wiry man tapped the counter with a bony
finger. “You pay to come back, too.”
“And meals? They’re included with this outrageous price,
I assume?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know that the cook will be fixing food
they can eat.” He pointed his long finger at the babies.
Tara took
the
dorsels. She
returned
to
the
large
unshaven man now loading
bags
onto
the
hauling
watermobile.
“Where you heading?” He took her money and rubbed
his whiskers as he stared at the groundmobile and bike
Tara had just paid to have loaded.
“South.”
“There’s a lot to see down that way.”
“Have you been south of the border?” Tara wouldn’t
mind some good stories, and as unappealing as this man
was, he was the first adult she’d spoken to since leaving
Gothman.
Taffley studied the young woman and her babies. She
was quite brown from the sun and in dire need of a shower.
Her hair was stringy from sweat, and her dress clung to her
thin body. She was beautiful, though. In fact, she was quite
sexy. He liked dirty women.
He didn’t entertain too much hope of catching her eye.
Women like her seldom had much of an interest in men
like him. But there was something off with her. Taffley met
all kinds of people on his hauling watermobile. Be them
good or bad by nature, he never turned away paper. It was
all the same no matter how stained the hand it came from.
He scrubbed his jaw and gave his brain a good workout
trying to learn where this woman was from without asking.
Taffley never had to ask—and he was seldom wrong.
His thoughts returned to her accent. It bothered him
when he wasn’t immediately able to tell what race a person
was. You knew a lot about a person when you knew where
they were from and what their people were. Then he
noticed a necklace around her neck. It was a circle with a
very nice looking ruby in the middle of it.
“Yeah, I’ve been to a town or two in Southland.” He
looked at the necklace one more time and it hit him harder
than if his watermobile had banked itself. Panic ransacked
his entire body. “Go on aboard. Take the cabin on the left
side in the hall.” Taffley hurried away, afraid his fear would
register in his words.
Runners could smell fear.
The man who owned the hauling watermobile seemed
nervous about something, but Tara was too worn out to
care. She walked onto the watermobile and down a hall
with several doors on each side. The farthest door on the
left was slightly open. She peeked in and saw a bed
sprawled in one corner. A table with two chairs pushed
under it filled the other corner. An old dresser stood next to
the door. One half-open window provided dim light that
barely blanketed the wooden floor and walls. She left her
bags in the room and carried her children out to watch the
large man bring her groundmobile and bike on board.
Taffley drove the groundmobile with attached trailer up
a large
plank
and
parked
them on the
back
of
his
watermobile. His hands shook as he worked. That pretty
little
lady he’d been drooling over was a Runner. He
recognized
the
symbol of
the
Blood
Circle
clan.
The
motorcycle matched the clan as well. The most dangerous
race in the world. That clan called themselves that because
they didn’t hesitate to draw blood. He’d heard all the
stories.
Why was she dressed like that? Runners didn’t travel
alone. For some reason, she didn’t want anyone to know
who she was. This bothered him even more. No doubt
about it, she was going to be trouble for him.
He looked at Tara and walked onto the dock, muttering
to
himself.
He didn’t need trouble on his hauling
watermobile. This was his only means of getting paper—
dorsels always preferred but if a deal was to be made, well
he owned the hauling watermobile. That always put him at
the better end of any bargaining. But with a Runner on
board. Hell be doomed! This would be trouble for sure.
A few moments later, he entered the wooden purchasing
and exchange building. “Saffle, d’you see that lady that
come this way with those babies?” Taffley spoke to the wiry
man.
“Yeah, she had gold.”
“She’s a Runner.”
“Taffley, you’re water-logged for sure. She wasn’t dressed
like no Runner.”
“I tell you she’s a Runner. I know that accent, and she
had the sign of the Blood Circle clan around her neck.” He
scratched his jaw and turned to look at his ferry.
Saffle laughed. “I never heard you to complain a pretty
lady’s on your hauling watermobile. Did you hear me? I
said she had gold. Runners don’t have money. They want
to barter their services, more exact their protection. Only
thing I needs protected from is them,” he finished, and
laughed some more.
“I knew that accent.” Taffley ignored Saffle’s laughter
and
continued
staring
out
the
open door
toward
his
watermobile. “But when I saw that necklace. Now you tell
me right now who would wear the symbol for the Blood
Circle clan around their neck if they weren’t no Runner?
Tell me that now.”
“If what you say’s true, you’ve a problem on your
hands.” Saffle pulled a piece of paper from under his desk.
“This came through with all the mail today. They’ve been
passing ‘em out, from what I hear.”
Taffley turned from the door and took a wrinkled piece of
paper from Saffle’s bony hand. His face fell as he looked at
the contents on the paper. The top of the page said
REWARD
and a description followed. Oddly enough, it was
Gothman writing, and the reward was Gothman currency.
It was large: ten thousand Gothman gold coins offered for
the whereabouts or return of a lady and two babies. The
woman was described as a Runner, but it was said she
might not appear in Runner clothing. The babies were
twins, a boy and a girl, six cycles old.
“That’s a lot of money.” Taffley scratched his beard.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to take her to the border. She’s a Runner. I’m
not going to cross her.” Taffley smiled. “You put a wire
through and let them know our destination and where they
can pick her up. You say I expect payment in full before I
turn her over.”

Inside her room, Tara pushed the table in front of the
door and began exploring. She found a small, connecting
bathing room—with only one door. She was thrilled that
she wouldn’t have to share
bath
water
with another
passenger.

Fatigue was taking over, so she decided to wash herself
and the babies. Perhaps a cool bath and clean clothes
would revive her. She left her
laser on the bathroom
counter and began filling the tub.

The children splashed the water as Tara scrubbed the
dirt and grime from all of them. She then soaked while the
twins’ delighted squeals as they played helped relax her.

Suddenly, the water in the tub splashed to one side and
her babies slid into her. She grabbed them and held on as
the hauling watermobile pushed off from the dock. They
rocked as it slipped into the river currents. Tara held her
infants close to her body until the movement slowed.

After dressing the rambunctious babies in matching
one-piece outfits, she put on a clean dress. A bell sounded,
and she recognized the large man’s voice when he yelled
that food was ready.

A long table was set up in the open area at the front of
the watermobile. Tara was his only passenger. There was a
chair set at each end of the table and to her delight, two
smaller chairs with straps were set on either side of one
end of the table. Andru and Ana seemed to know they were
getting fed when they didn’t complain about being strapped
in. And if the large man noticed how they used the same
hand when they reached for something on the table at the
same time, he didn’t comment.

The menu consisted of fried fish, new potatoes, and a
leafy green vegetable on each plate. Tara hadn’t noticed
how hungry she saw the food. The twins were equally
enthusiastic about getting fed.

“I don’t really have food for the babies.” Taffley sat at his
end of the table. “I found some bread and squash. You can
feed them that, if you want.”

“Thank you.” She
smashed the squash on two plates
and tore bits of bread. Andru and Ana began snatching the
bits of food the instant it was on their plates.

The babies made a mess, and the man ate loudly. Tara
didn’t mind either. The hot food gave her energy. She
enjoyed every bite and willingly accepted a second helping
of fish. The babies also ate well and contentedly sucked on
bottles of juice after the meal was over. Tara sat back as
the man lit several torches and cleared the table. The large
wheel rotating under the ferry made a soft swooshing
sound in the water. It was peaceful, and Tara began to
relax for the first time since she’d left Gothman.

Later, she sat on the edge of the bed rocking her two
children until their bodies grew limp in her arms. She’d
taken two of the drawers out of the dresser and filled them
with blankets. Her babies looked beautiful as they lay
asleep in their makeshift cradles. She admired them in the
moonlight, and thought of how they looked like Darius.

A noise on deck forced her to push him out of her
thoughts. She reached for her laser and held it low as she
walked down the hallway.

Creaking boards told her someone was there. She stood
very still using the shadows in the dark hallway to hide her
position. Taffley was leaning
over
the front
of
the
watermobile, holding a pole extended out over the water.
She heard another creak coming from above the doorway.
Whoever was there chose that moment to jump down onto
the main floor with his back to her.

The noise startled Taffley, who turned around as the
intruder raised their weapon.
Tara didn’t hesitate. She shot the intruder in the back.
The sound of a yelp followed by a splash told Tara another,
much less brave, attacker had been on board. Tara stepped
out of the shadows.
The large man approached the dead body. He heaved the
limp figure into his arms and dumped it overboard. “Much
obliged.” He looked wide-eyed at her as he walked to the
other end of the watermobile, evidently making certain no
one else was in the water. “Damn thieves.”
Tara walked to the edge alongside him and listened. She
was satisfied they were now alone and turned to look at the
man. He didn’t say anything, but walked past the table
where they’d ate, leaned over and began stirring a fire to
life in an iron stove.
Tara turned to go back to her cabin.
“Stay.” It was more of a suggestion than a command.
She turned and looked at him.
“I won’t hurt you. Heavens knows I’m no match. I’ll
admit you scare me to death.” He smiled and showed off
dirty teeth and several dark holes where teeth had once
been. “Name’s Taffley. Sit and tell one of your stories.”
“One of my stories?”
“Come now, all Runners have stories. I’ve heard some
good ones in my time.”
“What makes you think I’m a Runner?”
“Several things, lass. You wear the Blood Circle clan
symbol around your neck. Your motorcycle is a Runner’s
bike, and you’ve just shown me the skills of a Runner.” He
pointed to the chair she’d used during dinner. “Sit. If you
will.”
Tara did so and looked up at the stars. Her fingers
instinctively played
with the
telltale
necklace.
It
was
unbelievable that she’d forgotten she wore it. Tara loved the
necklace and that Darius would give such a precious gift.
Although it crossed her mind to rip it from her neck and
toss it in the river, instead she let her hand drop and the
necklace remain around her neck. Just because Darius
had done her wrong didn’t mean she had to take it out on
the necklace. She watched as Taffley got up and went over
to a cabinet built in the wall.
He opened it and pulled out a large bottle and two clay
cups. Taffley poured some of the contents into each cup,
then set one in front of Tara. “The Sea People make an
excellent wine. It’s become quite rare lately. Their
economy’s crashed, you know.” He offered the information
as if it were common knowledge and leaned back down in
his chair.
“You said you’d been south of the border.” She took a sip
of the wine.
“Yeah, Southland.” He took a large drink and made a
face, then took another drink and set the cup on the table.
“Why d’you want to go there?”
“I haven’t been there.”
“A true Runner response.” He laughed and drank the
rest of his wine. He offered Tara more after pouring some in
his own cup, but she shook her head. “What’s your name?”
“Tara. Tell me what the people are like down there. Are
they warriors?”
“Well now,
some
of
them are.
None
to
match you
Runners, that’s for sure. They were doing pretty well for
themselves, had lots of currency to spend ‘til the Sea
People started that war up north. From what I’ve heard,
they lost pretty badly. They didn’t know them Gothman
would go and hitch up with you all Runners. Strange
people the Sea People are.” Taffley stopped to wet his
mouth. “Ever met one?”
“No, not personally.” Tara wanted to hear about the
south, not the north, but decided to be patient.
“They come across nice enough. Gave me a fair bit of
business there
for
awhile.
Not
very trusting
people,
though.” He sipped more wine and stared at the black
water
lapping
against
the
side
of
his
watermobile.
“Southland is real good for growin’ this opiate plant, you
see. All I did for the longest time was haul the harvests
across the border. That’s all done now. The towns down
there are hurting pretty bad. No reason to grow their crops
because there’s no one buying their harvest.”
“The Sea People don’t want it anymore?”
“I’m sure they want it. They just can’t pay for it. They’re
broke, you see. Plenty of money they owe me.” Taffley
poured more wine into their glasses.
“What should I expect when I get to the border?” She
swooshed the purple liquid around in the cup but didn’t
take a drink. “How far to the closest town?”
Taffley thought about how to answer. He imagined what
she would see when they got to the border. Saffle had sent
that wire. Tara would be picked up the second she got off
his hauling watermobile. A twinge of guilt ran through him.
She’d saved his life, and now he was turning her in for the
money. He focused on the reward. It would clear all the
debts he’d created when he still thought the Sea People
would pay him for his services. It was a good bargain he’d
made. After all, he was risking his life hauling this Runner
and her babies.
“The first town is Semore. On that groundmobile of
yours it will be about half a day ride from the border.
There’s Pixley, which is further south, but you also have to
drive a little west to get to it. The roads starting at the
border go to Semore, though. After Semore are Highton and
New
Hanger.
All those
towns are
under
the
same
government and use the same coins. They’ve got some good
ideas down there. It makes sense to have the same rules
and money. I guess you’d have to see how they live to
understand.” Taffley wondered if she would ever be able to
go there.
“Are they all the same people?” Tara tried to picture
what he’d described. Her excitement grew at the thought of
being the first Runner to explore a new land. “Who’s their
ruler?”
“Well now, that’s where they are real different. They
don’t have a ruler.”
“What? That would be complete chaos!” She took a drink
of her wine and pulled her legs up, getting comfortable in
her chair.
“You’d think. But it’s not. They have a bunch of people
in charge. I can’t remember what they call it, but all the
people get together every five winters and vote on who the
people in charge are going to be.” Taffley got up and pulled
a blanket out, shook it, then walked over and wrapped it
around Tara. “Can’t let it be said one of my passengers got
sick on my watermobile.”
“People say who their leader is going to be?” Tara
adjusted the blanket around her, pondering the concept.
“Who is in charge right now?”
“The main guy is Gowsky, I think. Never met him. Don’t
have cause to, you see. He’s got a mess on his hands. They
were all accustomed to plenty of paper, and coins. They
had both. Except now, there is none.”
Tara never thought how their war might affect so much
of Nuworld. People who didn’t know her were struggling to
keep their towns going because of decisions she and Darius
had made.
Tara suddenly came to the conclusion that a ruler would
indeed be great if he or she were aware of all of the people
around him or her, and not just familiar with a little corner
of Nuworld. Darius had never been out of Gothman. Would
he ever know what life was like outside his kingdom?
“What you thinking, Tara?” Taffley cocked his whiskery
face at her.
“About everything you’ve just said. I look forward to
meeting these people. It sounds like they need help getting
back on their feet.”
“Well now, how would you help them?” Taffley sounded
curious.
“I don’t know. You said they grew something the Sea
People needed. Maybe there is something else they grow
that another race might use.” Tara was anxious now to
continue her journey and meet these people. “Like I said, I
don’t know. I’ll have to wait and see what their land is like
and what they’re like. What do they think of strangers?”
“Anyone can come and go through their towns. That’s
something everyone knows. Though I don’t know what
they’d think of a Runner. They kind of blame you all for
their turn of fate, you see. People say the Sea People
could’ve beat Gothman if it weren’t for the Runners. I’ve
heard that the Lord of Gothman got tricked…”
Taffley stopped talking, and his mouth fell open. Now,
he’d never been accused of being a real bright man. He
liked what he did and tried to keep peace with everyone
with whom he did business. Still, he’d learned many things
sitting at this table with his passengers. He’d almost said
that he’d heard about a beautiful woman, who turned out
to be a Runner, and had tricked the Lord of Gothman.
That’s what he was about to say, but then he figured
something out.
“You’re the one, aren’t you? No wonder there’s so much
money on your head!” Taffley slapped his hand over his
mouth. Hell be doomed! Southland wine always made him
talk too much.
“What did you say?”
“Oh, I’m as bad as an old woman.” Taffley hung his head
and pulled a piece of paper from his shirt pocket. He tossed
the paper across the table.
Tara picked it up and held it by the lantern. Slowly she
wrinkled it up as she made a fist. Then she started looking
really angry.