He began again quieter. “It’s like the reverend says, he’s too close to the vampires. It’s not right, it’s not natural. Well shit, what the hell can we do about it. I’m not going back to roaming. I don’t think I’d even survive. Let’s get some corn picked so Ryan doesn’t get on us.” The ripping of ears began steadily again and though they continued talking it was difficult to hear and uninteresting. I crouched down right there in the middle of the corn and wiped the sweat off my brow wondering what in the hell I’d gotten into.
Not too long after that a bell rang from the village and soon after that Ryan yelled, “lunch,” as he walked down the path. Unlike the morning walk the group dissolved as everyone quickly made their way to the farmhouse for lunch mingling with other groups flowing out of other fields and buildings. A group of men stood off in one field recently cut down to nothing but stubble firing rifles at stacks of hay bales stained with red targets. The preacher stood watching. His sons were amongst those firing. He nodded to me, then waved and smiled as someone behind me called out to him.
My brother stood at one end of the farmhouse’s porch shielding his eyes against the sun with one hand and staring to the east as a cigarette burned down in his other hand. As we approached, he moved over closer to the stairs taking a drag from his cigarette and nodding at those who acknowledged him. He waved me over. “I need you to do something for me,” he said in a weary voice.
“What?”
“We need a little more privacy.” When he saw Ryan making his way through the courtyard with his slow steady pace, he called out to him. Ryan made his way up the stairs grinning and stood in front of us.
“You two look alike,” he said. “I can see why Mary likes him. We should get rid of that beard though, makes him look like a roamer.”
“That’s what he is though,” my brother said. “Probably the best damn roamer you’ve ever met.” The words formed such a compliment that I wouldn’t have expected to hear from my brother, but his tone twisted it into derision. “When we clear out land to the south his experience will be key.” There was a pause as a group of young boys ran through the yard swinging sticks at one another and whooping.
“Are you going to get all of that corn in in time.”
Ryan shook his head. “I don’t think so. I think we planted too damn much. Probably some of it will just have to rot there through the winter or feed the raccoons and deer. Maybe we can lay out there and stock up some deer meat.”
“You can put some men out there over the next few nights if you want to, but I want all of that corn harvested. I’ll put some vamps on it if that’s what it takes.” My brother’s voice grew darker. “It’s going to be a long cold winter and we’re going to be moving south through it. We’re going to need all the supplies we can get. Come see me this evening then.” With that he dismissed Ryan with a curt nod and a pointed shifting of his body towards me. He picked up a broad brimmed hat that had been lying near the railing and swept it onto his head. “Let’s walk.”
We walked around the farmhouse and through the yard in the back where an old woman was beating a rug, then we passed into the warren of little shacks and headed towards the river. My brother wore sunglasses that glinted in the light despite his hat.
“Your little friend is a tough little shit,” he said. I didn’t know who he was talking about. I felt lonelier in the camp than I had roaming as they said. They all knew one another, had grown up with one another and lived with one another for so long that they were practically family. There was no way I could find a place in their society, especially not with my brother looming over me.
“Oh, he told me all about your mission so don’t think that his endurance extends to his loyalty to you. He told me of the bargain the General is willing to strike.” A sudden chill struck me as I realized that I’d forgotten all about Abdul. I felt like I’d been bewitched by the camp and the reminder of Abdul had awakened me. My brother snarled. “He’ll let me have the frozen northland as my own little province if I send him ransom. I’m of half a mind to send you back to him with my answer and then see if he doesn’t feed you to his minions.” He rubbed his hands together and muttered. “Two birds with one stone.” We came down to the river and made our way along a narrow path that ran through brush and squat trees over soft ground. The village disappeared except for the trails of smoke that faded against the blue sky. The path ended at small building of concrete blocks and a tin roof. Its only entrance was a stout wooden door. Outside the door stood Peter, Robert and the two twin brothers, each with shotguns or rifles in their arms or with their butts casually rested on the ground and pistols were strapped to their waists. The old vampire smiled insanely as we approached. “He won’t say a word, no he won’t. You want me to try again.”
“No, we’ve tried your method.” My brother responded as we walked up. My brother’s entourage didn’t salute or anything, but the two
