The Fell Good Flue (5 page)

I said, “either way, something new just came to town, and tomorrow the runners will be spreading it around.”
Brandy, “if its fresh meat make sure there is a strip of fur on it.”
I said, “no worries baby, the only human I want to eat anymore is you.”
Brandy, “now cut that out. I swear I’m going to break you of your dirty talking by the time Sage is old enough to understand what you’re saying.”
I said, “who says he doesn’t already understand, look at that smile.”
She brought my supper over and said, “you always have a smile after you get a chance to get at my teats as well.”
I said, “I guess it must run in the family. This looks good, what are the greens?” Brandy, “peppers from the winter garden, and I traded a few for some potatoes.” I said, “I didn’t think the peppers were big enough yet.”
Brandy, “we got bugs now, and I had to pick the crop early and toss the dirt.” I said, “what about the rest of the garden?”
Brandy, “no sign of them there, but only time will tell.”
I said, “well they go good with the sausages.”
Brandy, “you mean rattlesnake meat don’t you?”
I said, “convenient of mother nature to make sausages that can live off of the rats, and they come with a free baby rattle.”
Brandy, “don’t even think of having one of those around here, if I hear a rattle I need to know its danger not play time.”
I said, “good point, how about a small bell?”
Brandy, “we use them on the trip lines for an alarm.”
I said, “come to think about it, almost any noise at all can be a sign of danger these days. But at least we can play our music without fear of being discovery, there was a time even a think like that could get you killed.”
Brandy, “things are getting better, we even see people coming to town to trade.” I ate my supper as I nodded my head, and Brandy picked up my clothes to look for rips. She also keep a close eye on my traveling harness and ropes, a small thing like a fray in the line or a hook that came loose could get a man killed fast.
Brandy, “this rip in your pant leg is new, what did you catch it on?”
I swallowed what was in my mouth and said, “ the tooth of a wolf, on my way back from the goat farm.”
Brandy, “I thought you said there was no trouble today.”
I said, “he was no trouble for me, I was too fast for him. The pants on the other hand were just a little bit slower.”
Brandy, “that was shortly before the trader came to town, maybe he got the wolf.” I said, “I hope not, Laurence and I are hoping to trap the thing to keep the dogs away.” Brandy, “you want to trap a wolf to keep dogs away?”
I said, “they are natural enemies, and even the smell of him is keeping the dogs from coming to close to parts of the park.”
Brandy, “and what will you be feeding this new pet?”
I said, “the same thing he has been getting by hanging around the city, rats and a dog from time to time. But one way or the other we need to take my pant legs off his menu, you have enough to take care of.”
Brandy, “I’m sure he wanted more than your pants, and I don’t want you risking your life just to get me some milk and cheese.”
I said, “a man has to make a living somehow, and if we start turning down free food just because there is a little danger in it, we will soon starve. Unlike you, TT is not giving free things because I look pretty.”
Brandy, “he’s not doing that for me either, it’s you that he respects for all your hard work.” I said, “and if I stop working hard we will hardly eat, the small problem with the garden today is a good sign of that.”
Brandy, “if you get yourself killed there be one less to feed around here, but I don’t want to think about how hard it would be without you.”
I said, “I’m lucky to have you as well. I even told TT today that I was going to try not taking as many chances anymore. He said he understood, and told me he had arranged for the free milk.”
Brandy, “he owes you a lot for all the things you have done for him.”
I said, “and he has a lot of other people running for him or working as rooftop guards, so we all have a hand in what he makes. There’s no such thing as being a rich man anymore, just wise and still alive.”
After we were done eating I turned on the CB for the evening report, it was the one way we all had to talk to each other, and TT did a nightly report on the happenings of the day an hour after sunset. He was careful not to reveal anything raiders could use against us, but a little news about how things were keep us all still feeling part of the group. For important messages he had a stash of money that he washed out to write on, but not much of it was left because we burned up a few hundred million the first year after the great fire, just to stay warm. I turned the music off just before the evening report came on, and packed my pipe for another smoke. Brandy sat next to me and I shared my smoke with her as the channel began to crackle and a voice came on.
“this is the evening report about some of the things of interest today. You may have heard a few shots about an hour ago, and we want to let you know that only a few dogs were killed. We were lucky today not to lose anyone, oh though Nibor had a narrow escape from a wolf that has been seen near the goat park. A new trader has come to town, and TT will be letting you know what is available. Tony the line runner says not to use any of the state building lines, because it has moved again and they are unsafe, as well as the money building. They may both fall soon, so if you have a spot in the way it’s time to find another. We have been hearing a lot of reports about new bugs hatching in the soil now, so be on the lookout and we will tell you if someone comes up with a safe way to deal with them. Big Ben the brick layer has a new batch of mortar for those of you that have been on his list, but he got snake bit and is a little sick right now, so it’s trade and carry for those that come by. Andrew Backer the runner saw a bear go into the big mall this afternoon, so be on the lookout. And Phil parker got a bad line burn and will be down for awhile, so any help his way will be appreciated. That’s the evening report, so stay safe and stay sane!”

Brandy, “that’s too bad about Ben and Phil, I hope they recover soon.”
I said, “Ben is a big man, and he’s been bitten a few times before, the snakes end up worse than him. But Phil was working the lower south side, and it’s mostly short buildings and rubble down there. Lots of open ground for the ones that take on his work, and it’s not far from the big mall. With the new man in town, and things going out near there with a wolf sniffing around, it’s going to be one hell of a day tomorrow. And that’s only what their telling us tonight.”
Brandy, “next you’ll be telling me you are going to use the wolf to hunt down the bear for you.” I said, “hay! That’s a good idea. I just need a ten foot poll and a chain running through it, with a steal collar at one end and a harness at the other so there’s full control, or maybe two men with a rig like that to do the job proper.”
Brandy, “I’m not going to comment, because you probable mean it.”
I said, “who do we know with a little bear fur we can train it with?”
Brandy, “you’re probably not going to let that one go, are you?”
I said, “hay, when you have a good idea it’s best to run with it, or be dragged by it – whatever the case may be.”
Brandy, “hand the weed over, one of us is too high and it’s not me.”
I gave her the bag and said, “now there’s another good idea, you’re on a roll, keep it up.” Brandy took the bag and said, “oh I got some ideas all right, but I’m not sure how fast I can make a straitjacket.”
I said, “kinky, and here I thought you were going to get mad at me.”
Brandy packed the pipe again and said, “do you still have the small padlocks and chain we once used for the back door?”
I said, “thanks for reminding me of them, they’re just what I need.”
Brand, “I was planning on using them on you.”
I said, “okay, but just for a few hours, I have a lot to do tomorrow.”
Brandy, “not if I hide the key you won’t.”
I said, “so you want to play hide the key, okay we can do that, but I’m not going to promise anything special because it’s been a long day.”
She lit the pipe and said, “I was not planning on letting you find the key.”
I flapped my robe a bit and said, “you’re making me hot, keep it up, keep it up.” Brandy, “that’s my line, and if that’s what it takes to get your mind off of the wolf and the bear, I’ll see to it you can’t even walk tomorrow.”
I took the pipe and a drag, then said, “please, not in front of the baby, you’re going to give him an Oedipus complex.”
Brandy, “he might be old enough to understand what you just said by the time I tell where I hid the key.”
I handed the pipe back and said, “I’m already starting to forget what we were talking about, because of what we are talking about. Now hit that thing one more time and tell me what we are talking about.”
She gave me a shotgun kiss, or as we call it – “recycling,” and climbed in my lap. The baby started to giggle and the CD played “love to love you baby.” Brandy knew all the right moves to get my mind off the day and ideas she wanted to change, and before long she had me right where I wanted her. She didn’t need the chains that night to keep my attention, and my mind off of other thoughts, and before long all the planning I could do was how to get some sleep. The night had just got a lot warmer, so we went to the roof with the baby to sleep, and stared at the stars. I faded away to the scent of some flowers she had got to bloom early, in the winter garden, and a mild breeze from the clear night keep us comfortable until dawns light.

We seemed to opened our eyes together, and they were trying decide who’s going to change the baby, when I turned the tables and said, “who’s going to feed the baby?” Brandy, “unless you grew a set last night, I guess it’s going to be me.”
I sat up and stretched my arms out yawning, then took a deep breath of the morning air, while trying to focus my eyes on the horizon. From down the street a neighbor was playing some jazz on a flute he had.
Brandy said, “Billy is saying something, I can hear it in the tune.”
I listened for a moment, then pulled my blues harp out of my pocket and sent a musical reply. It was returned, and I stood up. Walking toward the edge of the roof I sent another wave of sound across this side of town, and it echoed through the streets below. It was returned by some drums down the street, and the beat told a story in its code. Then a horn was joining in from the goat park tower, and it had news in it as well as beauty.
Brandy said, “the streets are talking this morning,” as she rose with the baby and came over to me.
I said, “but only a few know their meaning, I’ll start breakfast.”
I went to the kitchen while Brandy changed the baby. Stirring some ambers that were still hot, and putting some small dried grass and twigs on them, it got off quickly. Then a few slivers of wood latter the fire was ready, and I fried up some potatoes and eggs. One of the women that had chickens on this side of the city lived in a building nearby, and we would trade often. We even had a relay line from another building that would pass things on for us, but the zip-line we used had a stop break that could be sent out as far as the middle, and locked in place for our security. There was also an alarm on it if someone wanted to come over, so we could decide if we were ready for visitors or not. People in this city took their security very seriously, and failure to ask permission to enter another’s building first could get you injured or killed. So we had ways like secret codes that were used both in music and calls to one another. Some traps were known by each other, and many stayed unrevealed until they were used, so no one came to my home or many others without a heads up first.
Brandy came into the kitchen with my boy at her breast and said, “what do you think of the potatoes I traded for?”
I said, “I like the small ones, they have a nicer flavor and are easy to fry up.”
Brandy, “I wish we had some onions to go with them.”
I said, “I’ll see what I can do today, it’s going to be a busy one. I can’t remember what I was going to look for before you distracted me last night, but something about the drums tells me I’ll need it.”
Brandy, “I was going to chain you up.”
I said, “but you chained me with your love instead, now I remember where I put those keys.” Brandy, “I should of keep my mouth shut, and I could only understand part of what the drums said, so what’s the rest?”
I said, “they said, “don’t tell Brandy.”
She said, “don’t tell me what?”
I said, “they dint’s say.”
Brandy, “and I suppose you’re going to stick to that story.”
I said, “at least until after breakfast.”
Brandy, “one of these days I’m going to get so good at understanding all your codes that I will know what’s going on before you do.”
I said, “most of the time you already do, that’s why we keep changing the tune, and I can’t always keep up myself.”
I stirred the potatoes as she put Sage in his crib, and a bell rang to ask permission to zip over. I peeked out the window, then pulled the clear line to allow full crossover, and gave a hand signal. Moments later there was a slight thumb on the roof, and a, “morning!” Brandy came to the kitchen and took over for me, as I tossed my gun harness on. Footsteps came down the stairs as I slipped new clips in my guns, then a, “those taters smell nice.”
Brandy said, “house rule is to give before asking.”
The reply was, “I haven’t asked for anything, just commenting on how good you cook.” Brandy, “I’ll consider that as giving.”
“consider it free, as well this,” he said while setting a bag down.
I said, “have you tested it at all?”
He said, “with some rope and sandbags, but that’s not a guarantee.”
Brandy, “tackle Teddy, if you don’t tell me what’s in the bag you won’t get any breakfast.” Teddy, “a new pair of harnesses of course, what else would I have made?”
Brandy, “a new pair for what?”
Teddy, “hay, I just make them, I don’t need to know everything.”
She said, “you barley saved yourself with that one Teddy, have a seat.”
I slipped my guns in their straps and Teddy headed for the table chairs.
I said, “I remembered where those keys were, and have the chain, but we still need the right size polls.”
Teddy, “I may know of a place on the way, but it’s still early and I haven’t had my T yet.” Brandy, “if you’re looking for tea around here I say good luck, I can’t remember the last time I had a good cup myself.
I said, “he meant T as in THC, the man can read smoke signals.”
Brandy, “I dint’s see any smoke signals.”
I said, “he don’t need to see them either, he can smell them.”
Brandy, “not my department, I’m just furniture.”
Teddy said, “Nibor, if you ever decide to move your furniture around, let me know.” I put a short leather jacket on, with two short machineguns strapped to it, and said, “it’s always good to have help in such things.”
Brandy, “if the two of you are still talking about me I’ll crack these eggs over your heads instead of the pan.”
I said, “don’t worry Teddy, she would never waste food, but you may as well set at the chair by the window and light my pipe.”
Teddy, “thank you, the two of you always make my day.”
Brandy, “and the two of you always get me going on something, but it’s not your fault Teddy, I’m always glad to see you.”
I hooked my straps and slipped my short sword in its sleeve, saying, “she was glad to see me too last night, I imagine you heard the party.”
Teddy, “I only smelled the smoke, my nose is still as good as it ever was, and this is some good smoke man.”
I walked over to the head of the table and sat in my chair saying, “I know how you enjoy the finer things in life, and your workmanship always shows it.”
The sound of eggs hitting the pan could be heard, and the smell of potatoes cooking was making us all hungry, but it was soon done and enough of it.
While eating Brandy said, “the report last night said new trade in town, got any leads?” Teddy, “the birds are singing different tunes and the drums are now silent, I’m not sure what tune will be played pretty lady.”
Brandy, “you lie almost as good as he does, but I have my ways.”
Teddy, “don’t you be trying to get me in trouble with your man now, I’m not as committed to taking risk as he is.”
Brandy, “and yet you trusted me to prepare your food this morning, you never know when I may slip you a charm.”
Teddy, “Nibor help me please! I think your wife is trying to seduce me.”
I said, “sorry, not enough time for that this morning, you’re on your own,” and I finished my food.
Brandy, “the two of you are becoming less fun to tease each day,” and she started to clean off the table as Teddy licked his fingers.
I said, “it’s always good to know the day has been started off right.”
Then I went to put my coat on as Teddy said, “thank you for the meal and smoke, I hope the day sings to you sweetly.”
I slipped my long sword sheath and blade around my neck and strapped it in place, then grabbed my gear and walked Teddy up to the roof.
Brandy said, “if you bring back a torn hide it better be the bear’s not yours.”
As we got to the roof Teddy said, “I think she was talking to you.”
I said, “I think she was talking to both of us, or herself, in either case I’ll go with it.” We strapped our traveling harness on, and I put an extra hook on the bag, then Teddy launched himself off the edge and away. I looked down at the line bolts to see if they were holding well, a thing I did out of pure habit, and Teddy touched down on the next roof. Then I dropped off, with the bag behind me, and slid the 40 foot zip. On landing the bag wiped around and Teddy caught it before I got my balance again, then reached out to lend a hand. I held my arm out with palm up to say no thanks and said, “I’m fine, but that bag can go first next time, the drag throws me off.”
Teddy, “why do you think I went first this time? I brought it over, so I know better now.” I said, “you could of said something before you did.”
Teddy, “not my business to mind other’s, you’re lucky I bothered to catch it this time. I make things and I deliver them, but I’m not responsible for them after that, unless they are brought to my shop.”
I said, “cargo is the carrier’s curse, sell big loads and wear a small purse, I know the saying. Thanks for the help, but I’ll go first next.”
Teddy, “ then you better get going, or there will be one more awake this morning than you may want there to be.”
So I grabbed the bag and headed across the roof, and on the other side I tossed the hook over the line and snapped it in place. With Teddy close behind I sent the bag and hooked my rig up. Then off I went and Teddy waited until I got across to come himself. By the time he was unhooked again I was sending the bag down another line and snapping mine to it as well. Then he hit the landing pad and I jumped off the side of the roof, down to another platform to toss a line from. I put the bag on my chest and strapped it in as Teddy joined me. Then I tossed a hook to another catch bar on the next building and said, “do you want a lead line to the next one?”
He said, “that’s okay, you got enough, I’ll swing free.”
So I leaped off and swung across, running along side of the other building until I came to an open window, then in and unsnapped. Teddy had his hook flying, and soon joined me, then we went up the stairs to that roof. We did a few more zip-lines on the way to the park, then said good morning to Billy.
He said, “it’s about time the two of you got here, did you eat breakfast first?” I said, “leaving the place without eating something would not set right with Brandy.” Teddy, “or me, and I’m just here to see the show, so you better keep your sights off me and on the ground before I head on.”
Billy said, “it’s good to see you too Tack Teddy, and the area is not fit for man or beast, so you got no reason not to pass on. I think there may still be a snake at the foot of the trail you can step on for a snack as you hit the ground.”
Teddy, “sweet talk like that won’t get you candy from me boy,” and he hooked up. I said, “send the bag first, or I’ll send it after you.”
So he snapped the lead on and said, “I take no responsibility of its landing,” then tossed it on its way. The catch got it before the end of the line, and the bag swung high up in the air and back down again, to remain a few feet off the ground. Then Teddy dropped off, and zipped to a sliding stop at the bottom, and unhooked. I followed as he drew his blades and crouched like a cat, then I dropped on the car roof and leaped off. Picking up the bag on the way, I headed for the gate at a brisk walk, keeping an eye out as well. When I got to it Laurence was standing there saying, “TT got wind and sent a potion over last night, I set up the rest, and went to sleep to wake up to it this. I sent word and now it’s your problem, one day as I said, or I’m not playing around anymore.”
I said, “got the gear right here, and I must say you did a fine job. How did you rig the net without him being up yet?”
Laurence, “put it down with tie down lines that had another release than the one for the food. Then after it settled down from its meal and I was up, I gave it a yank and the rig did the rest. The idea of the gate closing when he took the bait worked so well I didn’t even hear him complain about it.”
I said, “he must have been more interested in the meal than the place it was served, are you sure it’s still asleep?”
Laurence, “I’m not sure it’s not just high and waiting for the next meal to come close, that’s why it’s now your problem, good luck!”
Teddy walked up and said, “the area looks clear, but best not to temp staying on open ground.” I said, “I’m not standing in your way, be my guest if you’re in a hurry.”
Teddy, “you first, I’ll watch your back.”
I said, “Brandy said something about my backside last night, then she kicked me in it, you can keep an eye on the net.”
Then I slipped past it and to the door, with one eye on the sleeping wolf bound in the hanging net. I pulled out the collar from the bag and locked a chain to it, then reached for the net to slid it through. Teddy’s eye’s were fixed on the face of the wolf, as I felt its hair and shallow breathing. The heavy strap slipped under its neck and I gently lifted the other end in place, sliding it through a loop I put the other lock on. As I pulled my hand back the great wolf yawed and tried to stretch a bit, but the net was still tight. I walked the chain to the front of the fence and locked it to a firm poll, as Teddy said, “it was worth the swing to see that, and you’re the craziest warrior that ever leashed a wolf, good luck.”
I said, “just a moment, you said at my place you may know of a place on the way that may have the poll I need.”
He said, “thin, strong, and inside it is, but on your way not mine,”
Then he turned and gave Laurence a nod before heading for the zip line again. I said to Laurence, “I suppose you want me to move it before it wakes up completely.” Laurence, “not my problem, but far enough from the entry to let others in soon would be most appreciated.”
“got ya! Rang out from near the zip hook-up, and Teddy held up a large rattlesnake on the end of his knife. He put it in a bag and zipped off again, with a, “Billy! You were right about that snack!”
I said, “let’s get the polls from inside and do this thing.”
So we passed the still slumbering wolf and he opened the inside door. Along the wall was two poll of ten foot long titanium tubing, with cable running through it, and rings on either end. I said, “these are more than I had hoped for.”
Laurence, “I don’t want it said I used less than that in dealing with this, but if you or TT need another favor I’m renegotiating my contract.”
I picked the rods up and saw how light but strong they were, then went to the wolfs color and locked them in place. The beast only snarled a bit at me as the snap sealed my way of controlling him.
Then I said, “so, let’s lower the net and get him out.”
So he let the net down slowly, and the wolf sprawled out as it reached the ground. I walked the polls to the other side, and pulled the net rope to the front. Laurence came over, and we eased the cargo out to a poll next down the line from the gate. I put a short chain from the collar to the poll and locked it around the ends of the rods. Then I stretched the rods out to either side and locked the ends in place. We carefully unraveled the net from around him and pulled it away, then went inside as I said, “I think it’s what I would call secure, and after it wakes up the chain from poll to head can be unlocked to give him freedom to eat, those tubes are more than enough as long as no one try’s to pet him.”