Wardens: Peter Jones survival novel: Book 3 (a Peter Jones survival novel) by BilliJo Doll

Author:BilliJo Doll [Doll, BilliJo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-04-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

After the Robbers

Peter tightened the cinch on the packsaddle.

“I’d go with you after the thieves,” Sage said. “I can delay my return home a few days.”

“Thank you,” Peter answered, “but I wouldn’t want to worry your family. We’ve loaded the panniers with what we have for food. You can head home.”

“I cannot thank you enough. We gave you stuff we don't use and you give us life.”

Peter clapped the other man on the shoulder. “I hoped to send cured and dried meat with you. That won't happen on this trip. We can strap a couple of cages with rabbits and chickens on top of the pack. You can lead a lamb behind the packhorse. Are you sure it will be enough for you?”

“Plenty,” Sage said. “With the panniers full of fresh garden vegetables, we’ll have more than enough food for a while. I’ll send John back with your horses, and the panniers full of insulation again.”

“Sounds good,” Peter said.

“Remember though, I'll give him the option of staying with us.”

“I know. But he's part of our family. He belongs here.”

“We'll see. The choice is his.”

Peter wanted to change the subject. “We’ll kill a young bovine soon. Thea’s dogs need meat, too. We’ll dry as much as we can. When we trade again, we’ll have dried beef for you.”

“A-ho,” Sage said. “My mouth waters with the thought of it.” He stuck out his hand.

Peter shook it. “We’ll see you again soon, my friend.”

As Sage rode away, Peter thought he would have liked Sage’s company going after the thieves. From the tracks, they could not tell how many people were in the pillaging raid. A few, for sure. It was easy to see the tracks of the two-wheeled cart heading north. The crooks probably piled the food from the cellars on it. Maybe some rode in it, too, though, if it was a family group. But with the cows, pigs, and people, there were not enough obvious tracks. Peter sighed. He had better get on with it.

“Hey, Bart,” he called, “saddle up the horses. I’ll go talk with everyone before we head out. Saddle three, just in case.”

Peter was unsure who to take with him. He would like to take Leo. Would the others be safe enough? Would a couple of teenagers be able to get their cows back from who knows how many—what? Men? Women? Probably both.

Thea met him outside of the house. “How long do you think you’ll be gone?” she asked.

“Why?” Peter joked, “will you worry about me?”

“Of course,” she said, “did you think I wouldn’t be?”

Peter stopped and stared at her, dumbfounded.

She walked into the house.

Everyone gathered in the kitchen. Peter looked around at their faces. They all looked worried.

“It’ll be all right,” he said. “We’re just going to catch up with whomever it was who robbed us and ask for our cows back. No big deal.”

“I want to go with you,” Leo said. “I'm the one who first noticed the missing animals. I’m old enough to go with you and Bart.

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