Worth the Price
by Tapestri
The two men moved up the mountain trail silently. The man in the lead walked solidly with no evidence of strain. Behind him, the other man moved with some difficulty. His movements looked painful, and his breathing came heavily. As they came to a level area the leader paused and waited for his companion, hazel eyes assessing the man’s condition.
“You gonna make it?” Chris Larabee looked at his companion in concern.
His immediate response a short nod, Ezra struggled to get his breath back before responding. “Just give me a few minutes,” he managed.
Chris nodded and turned his attention back down the mountain the way they had come. The long-viewer allowed him to see even beyond the point where Ezra’s bike had gone off the mountain.
“They still out there?”
“Yep.” Chris turned with a grin. “But they’re going the wrong way. Don’t think they know about this trail.”
”Well, let’s hope no one enlightens them.” The quick grin was almost lost in the marks of pain that Ezra couldn’t hide. The fall had obviously done more damage than he was willing to admit to.
As Chris turned the viewer to the path ahead of them his lips thinned. The trail was going to get quite a bit tougher. Ezra was already having a hard time, but they’d made their choice and couldn’t go back. This was the closest, and safest, way back to Four Corners Territory. With no one in pursuit he’d be able to give him a little time to rest before they’d need to continue. They needed to be on their side by dark.
Now sitting on the ground, Ezra leaned back against the rocks. The lack of complaints told Chris just how much the other man was hurting.
He let himself think back to the beginning of this journey when Ezra had told them about the game in the Wild Territory that he was planning on joining and asked if any of them would like to accompany him. There had been a sparkle in the cardie’s eyes that told Chris he wanted in on it.
####
They had taken the Mole as far as they could. The Wild Territory refused to allow the trains to cross under their space. From the stop they went by the motor-bikes they found ready and waiting for them, packs and all.
Entering the Territory itself, Ezra had led them straight to the Regal, as he phrased it “the only place to partake in high quality-high stakes games.” It hadn’t taken him long to become involved in an ongoing game in one of the private rooms.
As time passed, players would drop out of the game for a while, tending to other activities, business or pleasure related, before returning. Chris was surprised to note that the bodyguards for each man also took short breaks. A look from Ezra assured him that it would be all right for him to do so as well. Bodyguards, however, never left at the same time as an opposing player.
Over the two day period, Ezra left the room all of five times. Chris went with him each time, sticking close, or giving him room as the situation seemed to warrant. He watched as Ezra tried different tables and struck up conversations. He joined him at meal times, finding the food as good as Ezra had said it would be. Once, Ezra took a young lady to their room. He followed as far as the door but waited outside.
It was mid-morning on the third day when Ezra collected his winnings and made his farewells.
“Gentlemen, it’s been a delight. I hope I will be welcome to join you the next time I am in town.”
Assured that he would be welcome, Ezra flashed a smile and walked out.
As they packed, the two men spoke lightly about the gaming town and other inconsequential matters. It wasn’t until they were on their way in a closed carriage that Chris verbalized his curiosity.
“You got it then?”
“Got what, Mr. Larabee?”
“Whatever it is we came here for.”
Ezra shrugged. “I will admit that I did have a list of items to be alert for. Such as that box of power chips you saw me pack.”
“Yeah, but those aren’t what you’re so pleased about.”
“Really, Mr. Larabee.”
Chris growled and Ezra laughed.
“Here, Chris. This should satisfy your curiosity.” He reached into his jacket’s inner pocket and passed over a small brown envelope.
Chris opened it, looked in, and carefully poured some of the contents into his hand.
“It’s not!” Shock colored his voice.
Ezra nodded. “Zanta. And there’s ten more packets just like it.”
Chris whistled and passed the refilled envelope back.
“What did that cost?”
“A clan-coded traveling pass. With adoption privileges.”
“Travis.”
“Yes.”
“But still, Zanta. Where did they get that much and why pass it to you?”
“They’ve been slowly collecting the crystals for the last two decades at least. I believe they had some even before its curative properties were discovered.
“As to why me? Well, I’ve had a good relationship with Marks for some time. The Clan knew that if they could get the crystals to the Four Corners Territory, we would process them and see that it would get to those who need it. Including clan members.”
Chris nodded. He knew what it meant to be able to protect your family. He’d watched the Fever take his wife and son. Sarah had lasted five heartrending months, but the worst had been watching his child succumb to the painful, debilitating disease. He’d been unable to find a source for the remedy. It was still extremely rare, and was often auctioned off to the highest bidder.
“Those who would keep this from those who need it may be pursuing the profession, but they are not true healers.”
Chris was startled from his thoughts.
“No, I’m not reading your mind. I’ve known you long enough now to read the signs. Now, let me show you what else I was able to procure.”
Smiling slightly, Chris allowed Ezra to distract him for the rest of the ride to where they’d pick up their bikes.
Packed and ready, the two men reviewed their route. To reduce their risks of falling into an ambush, they’d chosen a different return route.
“And this is where we’ll need to leave the bikes?” Ezra asked.
“Yes. There’s a small cave where they’ll be safe and hidden until someone can retrieve them. The trail’s fairly straightforward from there. We shouldn’t have any trouble hiking out.”
“No, no trouble. Only three miles of uphill walking.”
Grinning at the complaint, Chris slapped Ezra’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s move out.”
An hour later, Chris was scanning their back trail.
“A problem?” Ezra asked looking in the same direction.
“Looks like we’ve picked up a couple of shadows.” Chris glanced to Ezra who sat easily on his bike. “You think they’re after the Zanta?”
He shook his head. “It’s unlikely they even know about it. They’re probably just after my winnings from the tables.”
“All right. They probably don’t know about the side trail we’ll be taking, but I’ll make sure our passage is clean after we’re through. We’re far enough ahead that they’ll have trouble seeing us up here.”
Twelve minutes after the trails diverged, disaster struck, as Ezra’s bike hit a Black Hole, sending him skidding off the edge of the trail. Cursing, Chris stopped and ran back, taking time to mark the nearly invisible edges of the hazard. He spotted the bike about twenty feet down, and then found Ezra about eight feet up from that. Looking at the terrain he was pleased to note that he wouldn’t need a rope to get down safely. Halfway down he heard Ezra moan and could see him moving.
“Easy, Ezra, I’m coming.”
By the time he reached him, Ezra was sitting up with his head between his knees.
“How you doing, Ezra?” He asked softly.
“Bruised, battered and sore, but apparently intact.”
Chris bit back a smile. His wits were with him at least, but he needed more than that brief summation.
“You going to elucidate?”
“Good Lord, Mr. Larabee, you sound like me.”
Chris snorted and Ezra sighed.
“Just tell me what hurts.”
“Head, ribs, back.”
“You up to getting out of here?”
“I believe so. What about the packs? Are they retrievable? I don’t suppose the bike is.”
Chris surveyed the remaining distance to the bike. “Nope, it’s dead. But I can get the packs. Back in five.”
When he returned, he helped Ezra to rise and the two made their way slowly back up. At his bike, he carefully rearranged the packs. They would have to leave some things behind with his bike. There was no way Ezra was up to carrying anything but himself, and Chris wasn’t too sure how long he could do that.
#####
The trail ended at a very narrow foot bridge crossing a wide gorge. The bridge swayed in the light breeze.
“Mr. Larabee, please tell me that it is not your intention that we cross that -- that thing.”
“Sorry, Ezra, it’s our only way across.”
Ezra chewed on his lip. “Chris, I …”
“I’ll be right behind you.” The reassurance was spoken firmly.
Ezra snapped his attention away from the bridge, his gaze narrowed. “That, sir, does not seem safe.”
Chris shrugged. He would not give in on this. The condition Ezra was in made it unlikely that he would be able to make it across on his own.
After a brief rest they began to cross slowly. They were about halfway across when Ezra’s legs gave out on him.
“I’ve got you.” Chris wrapped an arm around the smaller man and took his weight. He waited as Ezra leaned back against him, gathering both his strength and his composure. He waited as patiently as if they were on sure ground, instead of miles in the air.
“I am able to continue now.”
Chris let him go, but continued to keep one hand ready in support.
As he stepped off the bridge, Ezra nearly collapsed. Chris caught him again, and helped him to move further from the edge before easing him to the ground.
“There’s a circle not too far away. I’ll go take a look and then come back for you.”
Ezra managed a slight nod, but did not even watch as Chris left.
#####
John Dunne, Vin Tanner, and Buck Wilmington had all completed their circuits in the area and met up at the Station. Nathan Jackson and Josiah Sanchez were already there. Josiah had brought fresh supplies in, and Nathan had come to gather some plants that grew well in the area. He hoped he could get more of them to grow back at the Corners so that he would have them more easily at hand.
Of course, those were all just excuses. They were really hoping that their friends, and teammates, would be coming back soon, and this was the Station they were most likely to use.
Vin and Buck slouched at either end of the couch trading barbs; Josiah was entertaining JD with a tale of his time in Jiang and Nathan was making sure his plants would survive until he could get them replanted. A beep and a light flashing at the sentry desk interrupted them all.
Josiah was closest and read the information. “The Northwest Circle has been activated.”
Vin was out the door almost before Josiah finished speaking.
Buck, right behind him, said, “Let’s get moving, boys.”
Nathan grabbed his pack and was the last out the door.
#####
Chris crouched down next to Ezra, who did not appear to have moved in the time he had been gone. He spoke gently, hoping not to startle him, “Ezra?”
Pain-filled green eyes opened and looked at him. Chris offered him some more water, pleased when he drank eagerly, but not greedily.
“I’ve triggered the Circle. If someone was at Station, they could make it there in about an hour. Could be more than a two hour wait if they have to come all the way from the Corners.”
Ezra nodded his understanding.
“Ready to go?”
A tight nod was the response. Chris assisted Ezra as he stood up and waited while he caught his balance.
“Let’s go,” Ezra whispered.
Pulling Ezra’s left arm over his shoulders, Chris took as much of his weight as Ezra would allow. He didn’t think Ezra could make it all the way to the circle and he was ready to carry him as far as he had to. At the speed they would be moving someone from the Station might get to the Circle before they did, even though they were much closer.
#####
Vin had moved out ahead of the others and reached the empty Circle first. An animal or person just wandering into it wouldn’t have activated it, so he looked around and spotted the tracks leading in and back out. He could read the purpose in the footprints and set out to follow them.
The others arrived in time to catch a glimpse of him and Buck followed, gesturing to the others to go ahead and set up. Tracking, Vin had slowed enough to allow Buck to catch up to him.
“What’ve you got?”
“One man. Activated the Circle and then went back the way he had come.”
“Think it’s our boys?”
Vin shrugged. “Chris knows the area. Doesn’t explain the single set of tracks.”
They continued on in silence until Vin signaled for a stop. He gestured for Buck to continue up the trail while he went through the trees.
Chris heard movement on the trail ahead and lowered Ezra gently to rest at his feet while he reached for his knife. He relaxed his grip as he saw who was coming towards him and then tensed again as a shape came out of the trees.
“Easy, Cowboy.”
Glaring at Vin, Chris slipped the knife back into its sheath.
“Damn.” Buck had crouched down next to Ezra.
“Very eloquent, Mr. Wilmington.”
“Can’t be too bad if you’re still using big words,” Buck teased with a grin.
“Bad enough,” Chris said coming down next to them.
“You look plumb played out, hoss.”
“That would be an accurate assessment, my friend. How much further?” Ezra squinted up at the concerned faces.
“More than you can walk, by the looks of you.”
“I can go as far as I need to.”
“Maybe you can, but we ain’t gonna let you.” Vin’s tone left no room for argument. “Chris, Buck and I will carry him. You go on to the Circle, let them know we’re comin’ in.”
“All right.”
Before he left, the three of them got Ezra settled in the chair Buck and Vin had made with their arms, placing his own across their shoulders.
“We’re gonna take it slow, seein’ as Bucklin’s so overgrown.”
“Me!? Overgrown? It’s not my fault you’re so puny.”
They kept the banter up as they moved along the trail with care. It took all their minds off Ezra’s obvious pain, if only a little.
A little more than halfway back they met Nathan and Josiah, who made their own chair to carry the injured man the rest of the way.
Reaching the Circle, they carefully set Ezra down on the ready bedroll and Nathan moved in quickly to see what he was dealing with. As his hands worked quickly but thoroughly, trying to cause as little pain as possible, he wished they had working portable scanners. He couldn’t be sure what damage was hidden from his eyes and hands. What he found was bad enough.
“What’s the verdict?” Ezra’s eyes were clear as he asked the question, if dulled by pain and exhaustion.
“Aside from bruises, cuts and scrapes?” Nathan allowed himself a small smile as he teased before becoming serious once again. “Two broken ribs for sure, and it looks like you’ve really messed up your back some. Would’ve been better if you hadn’t been walking all over the mountain.”
“Didn’t have much choice, Nathan.” Chris’ voice was tight.
Nathan sighed. “I know. Can’t really say how bad without a scanner, but best case is he’ll be off rotation for a few months.” Reaching into his pack, he pulled out a syrette.
“Nathan?” Josiah’s voice carried his surprise.
“Just Sylla. I’ve learned to keep a supply with me.” The drug would help Ezra to relax, even though it wouldn’t do much to ease the pain. It had taken him a while to find remedies that the Southman could tolerate, and he certainly couldn’t afford a bad reaction out here. He grasped hands with Ezra and gently moved his other hand up and down near the injection site. “I sure hope that you think whatever it is you were doing was worth it.”
“Oh, it was most definitely was, Nathan. It definitely was.” Ezra smiled and looked towards Chris, who reached into Ezra’s pack and pulled out a box which he tossed to JD.
The young man opened the box and yelped in surprise. “Power chips! Nathan, now we can get the portable scanners working, and there’s enough here we can spare for other projects and still have enough to last for several years.” He looked over at Ezra in wonder. “Thanks, Ez. These are great.”
“Those were merely the product of a side deal. This is what I was after.”
Ezra gestured from Chris to Nathan, but Chris placed the small brown envelope in his hands to pass to Nathan.
Nathan watched the nonverbal interchange and then accepted the package from Ezra. Opening the envelope he carefully poured out the contents, and then just stared at his hand. He reached one finger out to barely brush the crystals. His face reflected his amazement.
“Nathan?”
He looked up at Vin and then back to Ezra, unable to say a word.
“Pure, Nathan. Absolutely pure.”
Nathan finally found his voice. “There’s enough here for the whole of the Four Corners Territory.”
“And there are ten more just like it.” Ezra’s voice was filled with satisfaction.
“Ten more? I don’t know how you did it Ezra, but ‘thank you’ doesn’t begin to –“
Ezra waved off his comments. “It’s obvious that you and Counselor Travis are the men to guarantee that the medicine will be put to its best use.”
“Thank you, Ezra.”
Nathan let his eyes say more than words ever would.
“I was merely acting in my own self interest. The fewer people who become ill, the better it is for me.”
“What is it, Nathan?” JD asked, impatiently.
“With these crystals I can formulate both a cure for, and an inoculation against, the Fever. I’ll test you and Vin when we get back. I know Buck, Chris and Josiah have already been inoculated. As have I.”
“Test us for what? And what about Ezra?” Vin wanted to know.
Nathan looked to Ezra who gave a small nod.
“I can’t just give you an inoculation. I have to find out how your body will react to it. Ninety-five percent of the time, this medicine will safely create immunity in the person given it, or allow the recipient to recover with few of the consequences of the disease. Three percent of the time, it has absolutely no effect.”
“And the other two percent?” Vin asked, not sure he really wanted to hear the answer.
“For two percent of the population the medication is worse than the disease.”
“And Ezra’s in that two percent.” Buck made the statement reading the answer in three faces in front of him.
Nathan nodded. “If he contracts the disease, there’s nothing we can do except let it run its course and hope.”
“Well, then we’ll just have to make sure Ezra doesn’t get exposed.” JD’s statement brought smiles to the other men, and each determined to do what they could to make it so.
Nathan had returned to rubbing Ezra’s arm, knowing it would help him relax.
“Shouldn’t we be getting him back to the Corners and the Health Center?” Chris asked.
“Give it another half-hour. The Sylla will be at its strongest then, and we’ll cause him the least pain moving him.”
Chris nodded and, while they waited, filled the others in on their adventure.
