13
The days were becoming warmer. We noticed a lot of narrow boats going up and down the river. It was the natives we saw a few months ago.
Vincent, Julian, Athos, Curtis, Hugo and Scott started to trade some small items with them.
The six of them were picking up their language.
Cory and his crew started clearing some land for planting. Katey had brought a variety of seeds to plant.
Another group would tan the hides from our kills. Jules and Benjamin would salt and dry it.
Katey was testing some spots deep down in the hill to see if she could keep meat down there.
When we were not doing patrols. We were clearing the land. Bringing all the logs into the hill for safe keeping. Some was chopped up for the stoves. And the rest was put aside for building.
Cassie, Samuel, Cory and Annabelle would take turns living in the log cabin on the hill. They were keeping up appearances. Mariela was almost six months old. She would often hunt with Annabelle. She enjoyed animal blood more now that she has a child. Cory asked her not to hunt mortals until there was more living here.
She understood.
The Council was thinking of building something in front of the entrance to hide it. They just could not decide on what.
During the month of May. We planted the seeds that Katey brought. She was quite the gardener.
We were able to clear five acres for planting. By the time the seeds started to sprout we had another acre cleared.
Katey and McCurdys would go and till the garden in between meals. It was a common sight during our patrols. The McCurdys always made sure Katey was not near any holes or low branches.
One day in mid summer Cassie came flying into the training square. We could hear Samuel howling outside. Cassie stood behind me and shifted.
"Katey and the McCurdys have been attacked out in the field." She shifted back and flew out.
We were moving before she was finished her sentence. Everyone ran outside.
Councilwoman Cleo ran down to the kitchen to tell Jules and Benjamin.
Samuel was outside circling Katey. He was howling Katey was laying on the ground, unconscious.
Scott reached her first.
"She has had a nasty knock on her head." He said to me as I approached.
"Katey. Katey. Can you hear me?"
She smiled. "Yes Kylie I can hear you."
She opened her eyes slowly. She reached up to touch me.
"Kylie?" I nodded. "What colour are your eyes?"
"Brown. Why?"
"I always knew they were warm." I looked closer at her eyes. "You can see me."
"Yes I can." She smiled.
"Katey. Katey. Mom. Mom." We heard Jules and Benjamin calling to her. Everyone made a path.
They ran to her.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes I am fine. A bit of a headache but otherwise fine." She smiled. "You are so handsome."
"Katey?" Jules blushed. He smiled. "By The Gods. You can see." She nodded her head slightly.
"Mom?" Benjamin was on the other side of her.
"You look so much like your father."
"How do ...?" His face had the biggest grin. "You can see me." She nodded again.
"Where are the children?" She looked around slowly. "They were here helping me."
"The natives took them." Samuel said from behind me.
Shaun called everyone to attention.
"Sir?" Shaun spoke to Councilman Klaus. "Cassie is following them. She is heading Southwest." He turned from the Councilman. "Break up into your squads." Everyone was in groups of six.
"Cory, Gen. Take your squads and follow Cassie. Let us know when you have found them."
They nodded and left.
"Paddy. Kylie. Take your squad and check the sentries." We left for the first sentry post at the Southwest corner.
Everyone in the sentry cabin had been shot with arrows.
"Oh dear." I knelt down beside Maggie and pulled out the arrow. She groaned. Everyone at this post were vampires.
Paddy and the rest of the squad pulled the arrows out.
"It just like being staked." She said rubbing the spot the arrow was.
"Then we will have to make sure there are werewolves here also."
"Why did they attack us, Sir?" Robert asked.
"From what we know so far. They attacked Katey and took the McCurdys."
"Is she all right Sir?" Maggie asked.
"Yes." He smiled. "She can see."
"Mother, Mary and Joseph. How?"
"She was hit on the head."
I gathered all the arrows.
"We will be fine Sir."
"All right."
We went back to the Council. They were still talking to Katey in the field.
"They were not the same ones we trade with Councilman Klaus. They did not smell the same." Katey was saying.
"All right Katey. We will find them." Councilman Klaus turned to the rest of us. He smiled. "I give you permission to show yourselves."
We smiled back.
"What does that mean?" Katey asked Jules. He laughed. "He is letting us show our other side."
"Oh?" Her eyes went wide. "Oh!" She giggled.
Three squads of vampires, werewolves and shapeshifters went to join the other two squads.
