The Bandit Scout

Chapter 7 -- The Battle at the Big Meadow

Riding back through the camp, Stella was pleased to see Carmen was now tied to a pole and no longer spread-eagled. Stella brought Carlos to the Chief's lodge. The Chief and Medico Stevens were waiting.

Chief Brooks began, "Stella, it is good that you were quick to return. We have little time and much to cover. Wagon Master McTavrish, Stella's opinion carries a lot of weight with the Bucks, and, for now, you are accepted as she has requested. I would like to begin by providing you with some information that you may not be aware of. The Comanche Bandits have infiltrated the mountain and are set up and camouflaged in battle-ready positions around the west and southwest side of the big meadow. They have lookouts going up the trail. We believe they plan to let us fight and then attack whoever remains.

"Stella told me that you propose an alliance with the Bucks that would extend beyond this immediate conflict. She said that you are a close friend of Frank Rider, and Medico Stevens confirms that. Stella reports that she observed evidence that Boss Rider is close but not yet able to forge a true katana blade. She purloined the essential documentation he needed to complete the development of the forging techniques.

"If the Bucks had access to properly made katanas and were in alliance with the Wagon Master and Rider Ranch, we could enforce security in this region, significantly reducing the threat of raids on the Rider Ranch, wagon trains, plantations, mines, and towns in this area. Moreover, we would be secure against any adventurism from other parts of Newhome.

"In summary, the keys to this endeavor are an agreement between those of us in this room and Ralph Rider for an alliance, the defeat of the Comanche, Ralph Rider's completion of the katana forging process, and his willingness to provide katanas to the Bucks and the Wagon Train. Have I left anything out?"

Stella said, "I believe that it is implicit in what you have said that I must return to the badlands, retrieve the Katana Documents, and return them to Ralph Rider."

Carlos added, "The benefits to the Wagon Train of having not just peace but active security from the Bucks are far-reaching and obvious. I am very much in favor of this."

Medico Stevens said, "I have a deeper involvement in this than any of you know right now. When there is time, I will explain fully. For now, let me say that I believe that this will have the endorsement of Unihold."

Dan Brooks asked, "Wagon Master, how do you assess the likelihood of Ralph Rider joining us?"

Carlos answered, "I think that it is his nature to want to be part of something like this. In addition, the return of the Katana Documents is a big carrot to him."

Dan said, "We must assume we can persuade him when we meet him. Now we must address the issue of the coming battle at the big meadow. Here is my suggestion. We, meaning the Bucks and the Wagon Train, arrive at the meadow as if we were going to fight each other. Then, at the moment of the first contact, we all turn and attack the Comanche. The Bucks will attack Comanche to the west and northwest of the meadow, and the Wagon Train will attack those to the south and southwest. Any comments or suggestions?"

Carlos spoke, "I think that we should openly address the issue of trust. This plan demands a high degree of trust from both the Bucks and the Wagon Train. I am trusting the Bucks because I trust Stella."

Dan added, "And I am trusting the Wagon Train because I trust Stella."

Stella said, "I will stay with Carlos. I place myself in his custody as hostage for the behavior of the Bucks."

Dan concluded, "And that, strangely, provides extra assurances for the Bucks. Should the Wagon Train betray us and harm Stella, the Wagon Train knows that the Bucks would attack without regard to property value. With a scorched earth policy, the Bucks would overwhelm the Train."

Stella ended the trust discussion by saying, "But the main reason for us to all trust each other is that we can all see the value of this alliance is so great that we have to go for it."

Everyone agreed. Dan continued, "I will brief my forces. Then we must send a delegation to intercept the Wagon Train before it reaches the meadow. I think that party should be this group, except for Stella, to convince them of our alliance."

Carlos commented, "I concur."

Stella injected, "We have already discussed why I must be present. If Carlos is going, I am going. That is final."

Dan paused to think, then said, "Alright. Medico, you and Stella outfit yourselves for battle from our armory. Get whatever Carlos might need as well. Select ponies that can travel cross country in the mountains and return here. Wagon Master, would you remain with me a moment more?"

When the Medico and Stella had left, the Chief said, "Circumstances are forcing rapid decisions and rapid action. But I must hear your answer to one question. My daughter has declared that she loves you and that you love her. Is this true?"

Carlos looked the Chief right in the eye and said, "It is true. We both said to each other and ourselves that this does not make sense. Then we realized that it didn't matter whether it made sense or not. It just is."

Dan replied, "I will have to accept that for now. I know you by reputation to be tough and fair. But my daughter is a very special woman. We will talk later about you getting my blessings. For now, call me Dan."

"And I am Carlos. And I will win your blessings."

Dan added, "You know, there is an empty stake in the camp center. We could just tie Stella to it until the battle is over."

Carlos grinned, "And you know how well that is likely to work."

-----

It was just past midmorning when they set out for the Wagon Train. Only someone who knew the mountain like the back of their hand could find a way to go cross-country to intercept the Train in the shortest possible time. Dan was such a man. In the early afternoon, they reached the trail and could see that the wagons had not yet passed. Carlos suggested that he and Stella wait on the trail, and Dan and the Medico stay out of sight initially. It was not long before a Mounted Squad came around the bend and approached them.

The Squad Leader said, "It is good to see you in good health, Wagon Master. And you, too, Miss Stella."

Carlos ordered, "We have two more with us just out of sight. They are Bucks, and you must protect them just as you would protect me."

"Yes, Sir. And I will send a messenger back to the Train with that information if you agree."

"Yes, do that. Then move your squad enough down the trail to allow the wagons to come to us."

"Yes, Sir. And you will want to know that Ralph Rider and his force have joined us."

Carlos called out for the Chief and the Medico. The squad had moved on as Dan and the Medico came out of the forest. The Chief learned about Ralph's presence and commented, "This should simplify things for us."

It was not long before horses were heard on the gallop. Capt. James and Ralph Rider galloped up to the party of four and had their horses come to an abrupt, stiff-legged halt. Ralph started to talk, but Carlos interrupted him, saying, "Climb off those horses and come meet Chief Brooks."

Capt James and Boss Ralph did so. Ralph blurted to the Chief, "I thought we were supposed to be fighting you. What harebrained scheme has Carlos talked you into? Medico, it's damn good to see you again. I never would have expected you to be here with the Bucks."

Carlos said, "Frank, it is good to see you. But we are very short on time. There's going to be a fight, but not between us and the Bucks. We will partner with the Bucks and fight the Comanche." Carlos continued filling Frank and Ron in on what had transpired over the last two days.

Ralph Rider looked from face to face as he was given the details. While they were talking, two other Mounted Squads passed them and halted a short distance away. Trying to take it all in, Ralph said,

"You want an alliance with me. But this woman has taken documents from me that I must have."

Stella replied coolly, "I will return the documents to you."

Ralph replied, "And why should I believe you when you are the person who stole the documents in the first place?"

"I have given myself in custody to Wagon Master Carlos McTavrish," Stella said. "If you don't believe me, believe him."

Ralph Rider said, "He had you in his custody and let you go. I know, I know. Carlos is a man of character and would not have freed you unless there was a good reason. I agree that this alliance is a very good reason. Next, you will want me to supply katanas to bandits once I am in production."

Carlos pointed out, "Once we have an alliance, the Bucks will not be bandits."

Ralph asked, "Medico, what will Unihold think about this?"

The Medico replied, "I have told the Bucks that this alliance will have the blessings of Unihold. I say this as a Unihold Master."

Ralph said, "Alright, I will accept this for now. There will be details that need discussion later. There is no time for all of the details right now.

"Stella, I apologize to you for the treatment that you received from Capt. Riker and Pvt. Sloan. Riker has resigned and is no longer with us. Capt. James has been promoted to take his place. Sloan was removed from the Mounted Patrol and is now a cook's assistant. He will have a lot of drudgery under our chief cook. I am sorry for what happened to you."

Stella and her father looked at each other. Then Stella replied, "Your apology is accepted and it is appreciated. Shall we turn our attention to the coming battle?"

And they did. Chief Brooks and the Wagon Master appreciated the force-multiplying factor that the Rider Ranch forces added to their side.

Capt. James had been listening intently to everything that was being said. He asked, "Chief Brooks, how will the Bucks be deployed for this fight? On foot or horseback?"

Brooks answered, "Both. We will come out of the trees on the west side of the meadow in a skirmish line of infantry that will pivot so that it is facing the Wagon Train to the south. The infantry will have a hundred Bucks armed with either sword, spear, or bow and arrow. Behind the skirmish line will be thirty mounted Bucks armed the same way. "

The Captain said, "If we were fighting the Bucks and had not been augmented by Rider Ranch, we would have been in big trouble. Our Mounted Company, consisting of three Mounted Platoons of 40 troopers each, will lead the wagons down the trail to the meadow. If the Comanche act as expected and do not show themselves, I will fire a green flare as our side reaches striking distance. At that point, our company will charge south to the southwest side of the meadow and take the fight to the Comanche in the woods. If the trees are too dense for horses, we will dismount and fight on foot. As we charge our assigned sector, will the Bucks charge the west and the northwest sector?"

Frank Rider commented, "I have additional mounted hands that are not troops. We will move into the meadow as both of you are charging your sectors and act as reinforcements where we might be needed."

The Wagon Master said, "I think that is it. I suggest that we get ourselves fed and back on the road. The Wagon Train has about two more hours of switchbacks to negotiate before reaching the meadow. Do all agree?"

Chief Brooks replied, "The Medico, Stella, and I will eat on horseback. We need to rush back to organize the Bucks for our plan."

"No, Dad, you and the Medico go. I am staying here with the Wagon Train," Stella injected.

The Chief looked at her hard but did not object. He and the Medico faded into the trees.

-----

The morning had passed for Carmen without relief. There was some cramping due to being unable to move. It was nothing too bad. If she had remained standing in a spread-eagle position, she would have been in a world of hurt by now. As the sun reached its peak, the women sentries untied her to tend to her needs, including food, water, and other necessities. They retied her much as before. One sentry pointed out that she had not been in full sunlight most of the morning, but she would be for the afternoon.

"Your skin is well tanned except for your tits and legs. I have some lotion that will give you some protection," the sentry said as she opened a jar and started rubbing its contents on Carmen's breasts and sides that her halter had prevented from tanning. The sentry took a long time rubbing her well-formed tits and nipples. Then she said, "You need some protection down here too," as she applied the lotion on the white skin starting just above her pussy and going around her hips and down her legs.

That, too, took an unexpected amount of time because the sentry paid particular attention to Carmen's pussy. Carmen found that she was getting very aroused. Being tied completely helpless and having this woman touch and rub her so intimately was having a powerful effect on her. There was nothing she could do. The sentry's eyes flashed at her. The sentry knew precisely what she was doing, and Carmen could not have stopped her climax even if she had wanted to do so.

Carmen overheard sentries talking and knew that her Comanche were going to be surprised by an overwhelming force. But she still had her hands tied firmly behind the pole and was lashed to the pole from ankle to shoulder. She could move her fingers and her head, and that was it. She could only wait. She could see armed Bucks moving out of the camp. It was not right for her to feel such despair and sexual satisfaction at the same time.

-----

As the Wagon Train moved down the trail toward the meadow, Stella was riding with Henry in the third wagon. She had argued that she was a skilled fighter and could make a valuable contribution to the battle. Carlos and Lt. Daley made convincing arguments for her to stay with the wagons. Tom told her that while she was a formidable fighter, she should not risk getting hurt, because Chief Brooks would need her in the future as a scout. Carlos was blunter. He said that she was the key to everything. Everything they had planned would fall apart if she were unable to recover the Katana Manuscripts. With great reluctance, Stella agreed to stay with Henry.

Henry said, "You know, Stella, you were a lot easier to handle back when we had you tied up." Stella smiled at him.

Rider Ranch's Mounted Company moved at a fast walk from the trail out into the large meadow. Suddenly, hostiles from the trees to the east moved out of the woods and, without delay, formed a skirmish line that advanced toward the Mounted Company. Men on horseback came out of the woods and followed the skirmish line. Capt. James had specific individuals assigned to watch for unexpected activity from the west. There was none. He had the Mounted Troops form a skirmish line to meet the Bucks.

Just as the battle would have started, the Captain ordered his green flare fired. With that signal, the Mounted Troops and the Bucks started at a gallop or a run for their assigned sectors. It was only minutes until the fighters disappeared into the trees. Shouts and the clashing of metal could be heard. And quickly it was over.

Stella took the wagon's extra horse and went to find Carlos. Once she rode onto the meadow, it was not hard for her to spot the Wagon Master.

Some died, mainly on the Comanche side. The remaining Comanche saw that their cause was lost and laid down their arms, surrendering. They were marched out onto the meadow, searched for concealed weapons, and bound. Bodies of the dead from all sides were collected and laid out respectfully. That night, there would be a large cremation fire. The wounded from either side were treated by the Medico and his staff. All of the Comanche's weapons were placed in piles, sorted by their condition.

The Comanche, with their hands tied behind their backs, were a bedraggled sight. They did not understand what had happened to them. But there was no question. The fight was over, and they had lost.

Ralph Rider, Carlos McTavrish, and Stella Brooks rode up to the weapons pile, and Ralph noted, "You can see why my work is important. Just in this one short encounter, at least a third of those swords are broken, as are a lot of the spearheads."

"I understand. That is why we are embarking on our great endeavor. We are making peace by forging weapons of war," answered Carlos with evident sincerity in his voice.

Chief Brooks rode up, "Well done! Well done! I found Chief Gomez among the prisoners. We will take him back to our camp. Tonight we will have a great feast to celebrate our victory. Two feasts in fact, since we will also feed the Wagon Train hands and the Rider Ranch hands here in the meadow. I hope that you will bring your senior people to the feast at our camp, Wagon Master and Boss Rider. Boss Rider, would you and Wagon Master McTavrish join me for the ride to camp? We have much to discuss. Stella, you too, of course."

-----

Bucks sentries put the bound Chief Gomez on a horse backward and led him behind Chief Brooks' party as they returned to the camp. The Bucks were going all out to honor their new allies and to celebrate their joint victory. Garcia Gomez was tied to the other pole in the camp center. Looking at his daughter, he said, "That they have tied me here, having to look at you tied naked, tells me what to expect." He said that with bitterness.

Carmen replied, "No, I have only given them my first name. They did not plan this. Their Chief's daughter, Stella Brooks, stopped any mistreatment of me. Last night, I was hogtied all night. This morning, I was tied in a standing spread-eagle. It was tough, but it wasn't torture. And Stella ended the harsh bondage. They even gave me lotion to protect me from the sun while tied here.

"But Dad, I am so ashamed that I disobeyed your orders, even more so than being tied up naked in front of you. Will you ever be able to forgive me? I got one of my men killed. If I had followed your orders, he would be alive."

He answered, "Not so, if it was his time to die. He could have been killed in the battle just as easily. We are family, Carmen. First, we must live through this ordeal. It is not certain that we can. If we live to return home, we will talk forgiveness and what atonement will be appropriate to earn it."

-----

Chief Brooks assigned Ralph and Carlos a small lodge each and said we should rest. Ralph asked the Medico if he could join him for a while, and Medico Stevens said it would be his pleasure. They headed into Ralph's lodge, but Carlos was uncertain about just what he should do. He could see that Stella was planning on staying with him. And that was wonderful, but her father was standing there, and Carlos thought it would be better if they did not offend him. Stella, however, took the initiative away from Carlos by thanking her father for the lodge and saying that they would see him later. And with that, they went inside their lodge.