![\"soldiers-grave.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.benjamincheah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/soldiers-grave.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The men removed the bodies, dug a firebreak around the house and set the house ablaze with an incendiary grenade. The wood burned, taking the Bloom with it.<\/p>\n
Freeman dug out his radio and tuned it to a clear channel. \u201cSheriff Hart, this is Freeman. Do you copy, over?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFreeman, Hart here. How\u2019s it going?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve finished investigating the Anderson farm. We encountered demons and Bloom on site, including a Hellgate in the attic. Six demons KIA, Hellgate shut down, and now the site is being purged. No sign of the Andersons. But we saw six bodies being digested.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hart sighed. \u201cCopy. Guess we know what happened to them. I\u2019ll round up a posse and swing on over. We\u2019ll be there by dawn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRoger. And Sheriff?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need a priest.\u201d<\/p>\n
~<\/p>\n
The team took turns to stand watch through the night. At dawn, a dozen hardy men headed up the main road. Hart was in the lead, and at the rear was an elderly man in a black cassock and white clerical collar. Freeman raised a hand in greeting, and Hart returned the gesture.<\/p>\n
\u201cMornin\u2019 gents,\u201d Hart said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning, Sheriff.\u201d Freeman coughed; his armour had stopped the shard, but it had left a deep bruise that he was only feeling now.<\/p>\n
With a broad sweep of his arm, Hart gestured at the smoking ruin and the Bloom-covered field.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooks worse in daylight, don\u2019t it,\u201d Hart said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes sir.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hart looked at the bodies laid out by the road. \u201cThose the demons?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUgly way to die. But at least we don\u2019t have to… Is that a child?\u201d<\/p>\n
Freeman sighed. This was never easy. \u201cYes sir. The demons must have taken her. Changed her into one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hart crossed himself. \u201cMy God…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s demons for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHorrible business, what they do to humans.\u201d He paused. \u201cI only see four of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freeman pressed his lips together. Steadied himself with a breath. Looked into Hart\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost a man.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hart shook his head sympathetically. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. At least you stopped the demons before things got worse.\u201d Digging into the pocket of his coat, Hart extracted a small bag. \u201cHere. Your reward. I know it won\u2019t bring your man back, but at least y\u2019all did the right thing. And don\u2019t worry; we\u2019ll take care of the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freeman stuffed the coin bag into a cargo pocket. It was so heavy his pants sagged.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you planning to do with the Bloom in the fields?\u201d Freeman asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Mayor\u2019s going to ask AYG Mining to look at it. Might even sell land rights if the price is right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freeman bit his lip. He\u2019d rather burn it all, but he knew remote communities like this would see things differently.<\/p>\n
The Bloom was both bane and blessing. It leeched out the life from the land around it, sucking up nutrients, metals, and other materials buried in the Earth and concentrating them in itself. When the demons were hungry or wounded, they ate the Bloom to restore their strength. When they needed reinforcements and there was no Hellgate nearby, the Bloom turned human prisoners into more demons.<\/p>\n
When humans learned how to harvest the Bloom, it had marked the turning point of the Tribulation. Everything Freeman had on him \u2012 his gear, weapons, ammo \u2012 were perfect reproductions of pre-Fall tech. The Church had preserved the knowledge to create them, but only the Bloom had made the raw materials readily available.<\/p>\n
\u201cThink it might breathe life back into town?\u201d Freeman asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the Mayor\u2019s thinking. Got to make the best of a bad situation. For now, my boys are gonna guard it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFair enough. But be careful. The Bloom spreads fast. You\u2019ve got to station the guards at least half a kilometre from the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWill do.\u201d<\/p>\n
The priest stood at the smoking ruins of the house, offering a prayer. Freeman and his men waited until he was done then approached him.<\/p>\n
\u201cFather, we need your help,\u201d Freeman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost a man last night. We\u2019d like you to perform a burial service for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The priest nodded. \u201cMy condolences. The Sheriff said you were Crusaders. Is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n
If the priest were an ordinary civilian, Freeman would have opted for an obfuscation. But he had never lied to a priest before, and this was no time to start.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2026 We were, Father.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWere?\u201d<\/p>\n
Freeman held the priest\u2019s gaze. \u201cWe\u2019re from the Order of Saint George.\u201d<\/p>\n
The priest pursed his lips, disgust lighting his eyes. \u201cI cannot help you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFather, please. He helped to save\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are excommunicate and anathema. The sacraments are forbidden to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t you spare\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are no longer of the Church!\u201d the priest snapped.<\/p>\n
\u201cFather\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
Knight laid a hand on Freeman\u2019s shoulder. \u201cIt\u2019s no use,\u201d Knight said. \u201cWe\u2019ll take care of him our own way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The priest grunted and walked away.<\/p>\n
~<\/p>\n
The four men carried Knowles\u2019 body to a flat patch of ground, dug a hole so deep the Bloom wouldn\u2019t touch him, and gently lowered him into the hole.<\/p>\n
Bowing their heads, they gathered around the grave. Freeman cleared his throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cLord, we commend unto thy hands the soul of our departed brother, and we commit his body to the ground. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. He gave his life in service to you and to humanity. Please have mercy on him and grant him the absolution he sought in life. Please continue to watch over us as we continue to walk the road. Thank you. Amen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAmen,\u201d the men echoed.<\/p>\n
\u201cKyrie eleison. Christe eleison.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKyrie eleison. Christe eleison.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n ~<\/p>\n Back in town they divided Knowles\u2019 belongings with the mechanical manner of men who had performed the same unpleasant task too many times before. Food, water, ammo and money they divided among themselves. Everything else was sold or traded to the town merchant. The gold they received was heavy, but it was the one currency accepted everywhere in the Fallen world.<\/p>\n With that out of the way, they made for the saloon. Checking in their firearms, they ordered drinks and clustered at a table in the corner. They rarely drank, but today they made an exception. \u201cAbsent companions!\u201d<\/p>\n They drained their glasses in a single pull and slammed them on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd now, we are four,\u201d Freeman pronounced.<\/p>\n \u201cGone too soon,\u201d Sharpe said. \u201cToo damn soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOliver was the best of us,\u201d Bates said. \u201cNo better friend, no worse foe. Saved our hides who knew how many times. Sent back too many demons to count. What the priest said doesn\u2019t matter; if anybody earned redemption among us, it\u2019s him.\u201d<\/p>\n Knight signalled for another drink. \u201cAmen, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll walk the road in his place,\u201d Sharpe said. \u201cWe\u2019ll finish what we started.\u201d<\/p>\n A tall, thin man entered the saloon and scanned the room. He fixed his gaze on Freeman, smiled and sauntered over.<\/p>\n \u201cHeads up,\u201d Freeman said. \u201cSingle male approaching.\u201d<\/p>\n The man raised his hand. \u201cHello. Mind if I join you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the occasion?\u201d Knight asked, his tone taking on a studied air of neutrality.<\/p>\n \u201cJust wanted to thank y\u2019all for dealing with the demons at the Anderson place. Terrible business.\u201d<\/p>\n The man had the strangest accent Freeman had ever heard. It sounded like it came from all over, a mix of hayseed twang and slicker sophistication.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d Freeman said.<\/p>\n \u201cHeard the demons killed someone too. Friend of yours?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy condolences. Mind if I get the next round?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n The man flagged down a waitress and ordered five beers. Then he pulled up an empty seat and joined them.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t mean to intrude,\u201d the stranger said. \u201cJust wonderin\u2019 if y\u2019all are soldiers or mercenaries or something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPilgrims,\u201d Freeman said.<\/p>\n The stranger\u2019s smile grew broader. \u201cPackin\u2019 heavy firepower for pilgrims.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDangerous world out there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo kiddin\u2019. Looks like you\u2019ve got some trainin\u2019 too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou dress the same way, carry the same kind o\u2019 gear, keep watchin\u2019 the room even as we talk. You Crusaders?\u201d<\/p>\n Freeman pondered his response for a moment. On one hand, lying was a sin. On the other, the men still had to earn their keep.<\/p>\n \u201cWe completed our terms.\u201d Freeman paused, locking eyes with the stranger. \u201cBut we still keep the faith.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Well, are you boys interested in a job?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m more interested in your name right now.\u201d<\/p>\n The man laughed. \u201cOf course, of course. Where are my manners? Name\u2019s Jude. Jude Johnson. I\u2019m a travelin\u2019 merchant. Heard the demons are actin\u2019 up again \u2018round these parts. Lookin\u2019 to hire guards for my caravan.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat cargo are you carrying?\u201d Knight asked.<\/p>\n \u201cMedicines and food mostly. Nothing that goes against the Good Book, I assure you, but this cargo won\u2019t keep for long and I\u2019m itchin\u2019 to offload them \u2018fore they go bad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have a freezer?\u201d Freeman asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI do, but they cost me money every day to run. I\u2019ve got a real tight margin already, and if I don\u2019t start sellin\u2019 I\u2019m gonna start bleedin\u2019. I\u2019m willin\u2019 to pay a premium if you can get me to market safely.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s your destination?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNew Rome.\u201d<\/p>\n The four men exchanged a look. Freeman raised an eyebrow. Knight, Sharpe and Bates nodded as one.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re in,\u201d Freeman said.<\/p>\n ~~<\/p>\n
\nStanding, Freeman raised his mug. \u201cTo absent companions!\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Cheah](\"https:\/\/www.benjamincheah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Cheah-Git-San-Blue.jpg\")
<\/p>\n