Chapter 100: Enter Banshee

Sonya laid down the law.

That law lasted for about fifteen minutes, before the harpies were back at it again. What the fuck?

Banshee lost it. I think the women were shocked to be out talked to that way, even if they couldn’t understand Pawnee. If I doubted my fever memories of Banshee before, I didn’t now. A force of nature unleashed.

Mouse stood in the middle of the path and tried to translate but she couldn’t keep up. Banshee physically moved each and every woman to their spot, scolding the entire time. Apparently Banshee had no patience with foolishness.

I was flat out stunned and so were the women. Banshee had a lot to say.

I was sure glad I didn’t speak Pawnee.

I turned to Sonya and said, “Have you met your new assistant?”

Michelle smacked me.

Sonya stepped up again, once Banshee was finally satisfied and the women were all standing quietly in their plots. They actually looked chagrined and a bit fearful. The fear may have had something to do with Matilda sitting calmly on a stump, stropping her straight razor.

Sonya was bold now and she pointed due east. “Ladies, that’s the way home. Just head towards the rising sun. If you don’t like our rules, then you are welcome to leave with what you brought. We’ll tell your man where you went.”

“Otherwise, our rules apply. And every person is equal here, regardless of color, religion, or sex. Zach gives everyone an equal say on items that need a vote. Having neighborhoods by color is not one of those things you get to have a say in.”

“These are the most basic of our rules and your choices are to stay and follow them, or leave. If you want to argue about them, go see Matilda and Banshee.”

Silent pause, and everyone could hear Matilda calmly stropping her razor. Banshee simply glared.

Sonya charged on, “If you have a problem or question, you come privately to me or Michelle. You do not pester Zach.”

“Now, please call your children to you.” Kids came flooding into the lots and the ladies had to start explaining that this would be the spot where they lived for a little while, until the house was built. Trust children to lighten the mood, as only kids can.

Michelle took over now, “Ladies, I think suppertime is approaching rapidly. Please go assist Matilda with the cooking. Leave the kids here.”

Damn if they didn’t do as they were told. I knew the shadow conversations would start soon, but I trusted my ladies to handle it. I also noted that Capt. Timmons’ wife had been silent - downright stoic - during the entire episode. Interesting.

Once the ladies were gone, I had Amos grab the older kids and head off for chores. Sonya started playing games with the kids.

“Our first game is, ‘Where’s Your Friend.’ When I point to you, you find your friend and run to their house...”

That was under control.

Mouse came to me and I just relaxed in her arms for a minute. I needed that minute.

Timmons was in awe of the tractor. I was worried about the amount of diesel I was going through and whether our little watering brook was going to flow. There wasn’t much of a slope here, so we had to make use of every little bit we could find. We spent a couple of hours, trying to map out a path for the brook, before Timmons came up with the brilliant idea of just letting the water show us. So we did.