Chapter 43
Chapter 42
Getting the animals settled at base was less of an issue than I thought it would be.
I block in the open land next to the werewolves block as it stretches along to the back border with a simple low wooden gate. While we brought a variety of animals, there numbers are still low with only one to four of each so they all were released into the wild open lot. A few resized sheds, the smaller ones, can act as shelter should they need it. Several heavy wooden troughs are lined up along the fence, alternating water or mixed feed. Since we don't have a zookeeper anymore, we just have to hope the animals are smart enough to not eat anything that will hurt them.
Most of them only need to be proded a little to get them into the new enclosure. The fox darts off, disappearing beneath the line of vehicles while the goats bleat and bound around the area. The sloth seems unable to move and startles a bit when I lift it up. I hold it with its back to my chest, one arm around its waist and the other under its bottom to support it. It's long arms seem to shake, it's head turning slowly as I carry it to the nearest tree, a thin short thing that should work. It takes the sloth a moment to shift itself onto the branch. I transfigure a couple thick cloth ropes and simple hammocks hanging from various branches and between the thin trees nearest. One of the monkeys, a little white faced black bodied fellow, comes crawling over to check out the hammocks.
I hear a grunt and turn to see Daryl rubbing his thigh while glaring at one of the goats prancing away while bleating loudly. I try not to smile but he sees it anyway, making a rude gesture in reply. Merle laughs, patting the alpaca's rump to startle it into the enclosure. It runs past the cluster of deer, circling them with its head high.
I go back for the bison who while big seem to move carefully. Daryl leads the cattle inside while Merle minds the large pigs. The peacocks strut down the road, refusing to be herded into the yard. The turkey warbles in protest but follows along with the chickens. Asher and the twins run up giggling with the mini horses trotting at their side.
I crack a wide yawn, rubbing a hand over my tired eyes. Merle and Daryl walk by, each carrying one of the large turtles. The sheep and donkey follow without any trouble. A lemur stops beside my foot, it's long striped tale wrapping loosely around my ankle. I scoop it up, lifting it to the next tree.
"Did ya get any sleep?" Daryl asks, wiping dirty hands off on his jeans.
"I couldn't sleep."
He frowns, looking to Merle as he approaches. It's Daryl who asks, "Did ya eat anything?"
I shake my head. I wasn't hungry and honestly, I didn't think about it. Merle shouts to Sophia, who along with Emma, are petting the goats. He tells her to have her mom fix me up a plate. She runs off and we get to work, unloading the rest of the animals. We are all filthy when we're done so a few flicks of the wand has us clean. The brothers startle at that but are not bothered. Merle slaps my shoulder, guiding me towards our house after warning the boys to behave.
The house is unusually quiet when we enter. The only ones inside are Carol who is standing at the stove, Sophia at the fridge, and Emma who is feeding the baby. Carol waves us into the kitchen, placing a plate down and taking the baby from Emma. Sophia plops down a cold glass of lemonade next to my plate. I sit at the kitchen table, looking over my plate of sausage, hash, and fried tomatoes while Carol updates me on the meeting.
"It was actually very pleasant," she says, patting Easton on the back to help him burp. Daryl passes her a washcloth for the spit up dribbling from the baby's mouth. "Everyone voted and there wasn't much argument."
"So we have a council?" I ask to verify.
"Yes," she answers, then lists off names, "Yourself, Merle, Ebon, Malcolm, George, and myself."
"Mr. George?"
"Yeah, he wants to be our record keeper since guard work is a little difficult for him."
"That's fine," I say, taking a bite of my food before adding, "He can take over my office if he doesn't have one."
"I'll let him know."
"What about Bug?"
Merle chuckles, leaning against the counter with a white can of beer in hand. Sophia and Emma slip out the back door. Daryl grabs an apple and takes a seat at the table.
Carol answers, "He finished the inventory. There's a list on your desk."
"He finished already?"
She nods, "He seems like a sweet boy if a little odd."
I concentrate on my plate while the others seems to settle into a quiet lull. The food is good but I barely taste it. My eyes are burning and I want nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep the day away.
The door opens, Ebon slipping inside. He smiles that charming smile, leaning his hip against the table beside me as he comments, "Good to have you back with us."
"How did yesterday go?" I ask, focusing more on my plate than him.
"Not too bad," he moves around to the empty chair, smiling at the others as he sits down. "I got a seat on the council so that's something."
I nod tiredly, rubbing at my burning eyes, "How are the farms coming along?"
"Good, good," he answers quickly, "We got four protected now. Maybe five. It depends on if Chris's group finished or not."
"Ya ain't asked em?" Merle scoffs, reclining back in his chair.
"He's not back yet," Ebon answers blandly.
"His group went out today?" I ask, looking to Merle who is frowning back at Ebon.
"Weren't no one scheduled ta leave today," Daryl answers, ignoring the stare down.
"He's still out," Ebon stresses again as if we didn't hear him the first time.
"Yeah, but since when?" Merle snaps back.
"Yesterday," Ebon answers, crossing his arms and leaning back.
I nearly choke on my food, half caught between eating and yelling at him. I cough a bit, take a long drink of lemonade and ask, "Do you mean to say, his group hasn't checked in since they left yesterday morning?"
Ebon shifts in discomfort, shrugging almost angrily and snapping, "I figured they ran outta gas and would show up eventually."
Merle and Daryl are both grumbling. It takes a lot of proding for Ebon to tell us what he knows which isn't much. Chris's group was going to finish the farm they've been working on. No one from his group made it back yet and no one here knows any more. What we do know is which farm they were working on.
I'm tired. It's not an exaggeration to say it. I'm bone deep exhausted but if our people are in trouble then we have to help them.
I tell Ebon to gather his and one more group. If nothing is wrong then we can laugh this off but if our people are in trouble then we will help them. We're not just going to leave them to fend for themselves.
Merle catches my arm, "Ya sure ya don't need ta rest. We can run this if ya need us to."
I do need to rest but I won't be able to while our people are in trouble. I thank him anyways, patting his hand so he'll release my arm. He says something to Daryl who is grabbing something out of the fridge. I double check my bag, ensuring I have enough supplies as we wait for the others to join us.
I guess I'll rest later. For now, there's work to be done.