Summers’ group had waited outside the cave for the better part of an hour after the spearmen retreated. Thus far, they’d made no attempt to go in, mostly because of the terrified looking people that poked their heads out every so often.

“Well, this could have gone better.” Summers admitted. “Suggestions?”

“Honestly, I was expecting worse.” Synel said. “It’s like feeding a frightened animal. People panic. All things considered it’s fairly normal.”

“Then what do you normally do? You’re the one here with the experience selling weapons to frightened people.”

Synel tilted a head to the side, thinking on that. “Sometimes I’d have my people leave spears by the camp for the group to peruse, then offer a ‘bulk sale’ I believe you’d call it.”

Summers shook his head. “Yeah, no. Almost guaranteed that’s going to end with someone blowing their head off.” Summers replied. “If we’re going to give them guns, we need to teach them how to use them without hurting themselves first.”

“Armor then?” Synel gestured to the back. “We brought quite a bit of those vests. I’d also recommend food, I still haven’t seen any wagons, so can’t imagine they’re well stocked.”

Summers thought on that, the cave entrance was wide, but not something that looked like it would be easy to get a wagon through. “Good idea as any. Asle, keep an eye on them, if you see them doing something while I’m heading over, call it out.”

Asle tensed. “You shouldn’t go, they might attack you.”

“Asle, I might be able to toss the Humvee at these guys, even if they get stupid, I’ll be fine.”

“Let me take the things. I have a gun. You can watch from here and make sure I’m safe.”

Summers eyed her. She had something resembling a point. If he were playing this smart, he’d have someone watching his back. But he didn’t. They needed everyone they had to make sure the base didn’t end up getting taken while they were gone.

“I can help,” Roan suggested. “Can’t carry anything, but I can give them your message. If they’re going to kill anyone, it’ll be me.”

That caught Summers a bit off guard.

Synel looked back at Roan. “If you don’t mind me asking, why volunteer?”

“Being useful keeps you fed.” Roan explained.

Summers couldn’t argue with that logic, but still. . .

“No.” Summers held up a hand. “Look, appreciate the offer but you can barely sit up straight. I’m going out, I’ll take the things over there. Asle, you stay here and if things go bad you continue to stay here, understand?”

“Shouldn’t we vote?” Asle asked.

“Nowak voted. Nowak believed in democracy. I’m more of a dictator.” Summers couldn’t help but smile as both Asle and Synel rolled their eyes. “If this doesn’t work, we can do it your way. Now, help me pick out the food you think they’d like.”

Summers had dragged over a crate filled with Kevlar vests, burrito bowl MRE’s, and a few bandages Synel assured him would be appreciated. It took about an hour until something changed.

One of the former spear men cautiously approached, but this time he wasn’t holding a spear.

“Wave,” Synel suggested. “He’s likely an envoy of sorts.”

Summers did as she said. The man returned the gesture, and after a moment others came outside. Among them, Summers saw a white-haired old man. He was rail thin, and by the body language of the others, he was in charge. He didn’t fail to notice a few watching the smoking crater in the near distance with obvious worry.

“Synel, feel free to take the lead on this.” Summers put a hand on the woman’s shoulder.

“Are you sure you’re willing-“

“I’m not interested in playing a part that I have no business being in. I shoot things. You know how these people think. I don’t. And knowing what people are after seems like ninety percent of negotiations. You handle the talking. I’ll make sure everyone stays in line.”

Synel perked up at that, she made to rummage through the back of the Humvee for a bit.

As the other group made their way over, Summers caught Asle tense, he looked over at her to see she was staring at the old man.

“Asle, you okay?”

“Yes,” She answered shortly.

“Because you don’t look-“

“He’s familiar,” Asle interrupted. She gestured to the white-haired man. “But I can’t remember him.”

Summers paused. Asle was probably going through the exact scenario he’d already lived. And it had happened a lot quicker than it had for him.

“You’re a kid. It could just be you didn’t know him that well. Don’t think about it too much, all right?”

Asle didn’t respond.

Most of the spearmen he’d seen earlier were with the old man, he could see now they were practically boys. Skinny, with ropey muscle. Farmers, most likely. They reminded him of the twins.

As the group stopped, the white-haired man zeroed in on Asle. Summers saw something like guilt pass over his face before he got it under control. “I heard what happened to your village, young miss. I’m glad to see you’re okay.”

The old man gave Asle a short bow. Summers saw Asle tense again, but she returned the bow as best she could. That answered that question, at least.

He turned back to Summers. “My name is Tel. I’m the formather of the white wood clan.” He eyed the ridge. “I should first ask if we’re here to discuss the terms of our surrender?”

Summers repressed a sigh. “No, we’re here to help. We tried to explain that to your men, but they were a little. . . enthusiastic.”

The white-haired man let his eyes pass over the spearmen, who looked rightfully cowed in turn.

“Your gifts were welcome. As is your help. If you don’t mind me asking, where did you get this food? We’ve seen more than a few strange things recently, and I can’t help but think they’re connected.”

“I’m from somewhere very, very far away,” Summers answered. “I don’t think I could properly explain it, to be honest.”

“Then maybe you could tell me why you’re helping us.” He eyed Synel. “I should warn you. We don’t have much to trade since the raiders-”

Synel held up a hand. “We’re not looking to make a deal, exactly.” She gestured to Asle. “Dearest, would you show them that weapon of yours.”

“I’m afraid we’re not interested in weapons.” Tel began.

Synel cut him off. “You’ll be interested in these.” She looked over his ‘guards’. “Would I be correct in saying your clans’ hunters are dead?”

The man tensed, but after a moment inclined his head.

“Then you’ll know we already have more weapons than warriors. We have no need of a war merchant.”

“I’m afraid we’re exactly what you need, but as I said, we’re not here for a sale.” She gestured to Asle. “Now, if you would.”

Asle glanced at Synel before reaching into the holster she kept at her thigh. Synel made a show of gesturing to an actual can she’d set up. Summers looked between her and the can.

Back when they first started travelling together, Asle had used something like that as target practice, in secret. Summers didn’t think that Asle would mention something that innocuous, which suggested Synel knew about it because she’d been spying on their little practice sessions.

Synel saw his expression, and he saw her mouth quirk up again.

He really needed to stop underestimating that woman.

Tel looked at Asle, and even the blank façade Summers was used to seeing on elves cracked for a moment.

“Asle, would you please demonstrate the weapon?”

Asle looked to Summers, and at his shrug aimed the pistol, and cleanly took the can in a single shot.

Some of the men had flinched at the noise, while others showed signs of recognition.

Tel for his part, just watched Asle intently. “That-”

“Is why you’re being guarded by children. Am I correct?” Synel asked.

Tel paused, a long, intense moment. “Yes.”

“Then how would you like such a weapon for yourself? And as many of your people that are willing to stand and fight.”

The man looked at them all in turn, obviously considering something very, very carefully. “And what would that cost us?”

Synel tilted her head to the side. “As much as this pains me to say, absolutely nothing.”

The villagers were in much worse shape than Summers would have expected. Many were malnourished, some dangerously so. They’d included the MRE’s as an afterthought, but it seemed this group was here for longer than they would have expected. Or this had been going on longer than they’d known.

That probably shouldn’t have surprised him.

After Synel’s demonstration, they’d quickly been able to come to terms. The village needed somewhere safe, and they needed their weapons. Summers needed their people. Their desperation had helped them in this case, but if every village was this bad, that might mean they wouldn’t have much of a force to work with.

The few animals the village had were being brought outside as Tel supervised. “What guarantees do I have that my people will be safe at this ‘base’ of yours.”

He looked at Summers. The man had an intense look to him, despite his age.

“None,” Summers answered. “Like I told you, I can teach you to use these weapons, but we’re both facing an enemy here. All I can promise is that we share what we have.”

“And these weapons of yours are safe?”

“No. Hell no. They’re dangerous as hell.” Summers paused, realizing he’d slipped into English for a moment. That was becoming more common as he started talking with Asle and Synel. “They’re extremely dangerous I mean. To your people and mine. Like a child with a sword?”

Tel nodded in understanding.

“Point is,” Summers continued. “They’ll need training.”

“. . .But you can teach them?”

“With enough time.”

Tel paused at that. “How long?”

“A couple weeks, at best. My suggestion, head to the base, arm up, and let my people show you what to do. There’s only four of them, but they should be able to show everyone the basics.”

“. . .Four?” Tel looked at Summers with an odd expression.

“Yeah, look, let’s get this out of the way. My people are gone, this is what’s left. I don’t have to worry about you taking what I have because it’s already yours. You want guns, take them. You want food, it’s yours. But if you’re smart, you’ll let us show you what to do. And if you have any better plans for how we operate, I’m all ears.”

At this point, Summers didn’t give a crap if they moved in and took over. They were going to be living together, and likely dying together no matter what.

Things like who got the most food, the best weapons, or the best place to sleep was a non-problem. That base was a wreck, and there was a very good chance their enemy would become a problem long before food did.

“. . .You are a very, very odd warrior. I know of some places that would treat a man that could do that. . .” He gestured to the ridge turned crater. “As a god.”

“Actually, she’s the one that did that.” Summers hooked a thumb back at Asle. “And I’ve seen how the god thing played out, wasn’t for me. If I’m going to fight with someone, I want them to know what they’re getting into.”

The man stared at Summers another moment before turning away.

“I understand. We haven’t seen any beasts for quite a while, if we move at night, the trip should be as safe.”

“Then I’ll see you there.”

As Tel moved off, Synel came up beside Summers. “Are you certain this is a good idea?” Synel put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s a bit. . .naive? I’ve yet to see a people that truly come together in a crisis. There will always be a few that are looking out for their own interests.”

“Trust me, I get it, people are people no matter what you do. We’ll deal with them when we get there. Right now, we just have to hope that we last that long.” He looked Synel over, she was tired, but he’d yet to hear a world of complaint out of the woman. And he remembered the little tidbit of information she’d dropped earlier. “I don’t think I’ve gotten the chance to tell you this, but I am incredibly glad you’re on our side.”

“As you should be.”

He smiled. “You radio ahead to the others?”

Synel nodded. “As you said, all we can do is wait and see.”

They started back to the Humvee. She still didn’t look convinced. He didn’t blame her. What they were doing wasn’t ideal, but it was all they had. For now.