Debbie was doing the rather unglamorous task of putting dozens of packets of tampons on a shelf, in what was once the dining room of the farmhouse Kahlil had obtained. The room had been converted into storage space, with shelves on every wall, and a stand alone shelving unit in the middle of the room. As well as the boxes of tampons, the shelves were filling up with bars of soap, tubes of toothpaste, deodorant, tinned food, MRE packs, sugar, salt, and various other essentials. The attic space had been stuffed with toilet paper. Whatever happened, they would be pooping comfortably for a few years!
The last of the tampons stored, Debbie went to the kitchen to make a coffee, as she walked in, Kahlil appeared with Stevo.
"How's it going Deb, did those MREs I ordered arrive yet?"
"Not yet Stevo, the way things are going we'll be struggling to find places for stuff before long."
"That's a good problem to have Deb, we don't know how badly supplies are going to be affected. I'm sure once things kick off we won't be able to just pop to the supermarket and get what we need though." Kahlil made his point whilst grabbing a packet of chocolate chip cookies from the larder to munch on with his coffee.
The three of them sat around one end of the large rectangular table. It was in the house when they took possession. Probably because it was too big and heavy to move! Over three meters in length, and constructed from thick wooden planks, it would be a bitch to try to maneuver through doorways and around corners.
Stevo broke the silence,
"I think we need to make a plan for when the fighting starts. Obviously Debbie wants to bring her Dad and Sister here. I want to bring my Mum. What about you Kahlil?"
"The only family I have is my brother, he lives in Frankfurt. Works for a bank. I haven't seen him in a few years, we talk every few weeks on the phone. I don't think there is any way to get him here. Plus he's married with a four year old son. If there's a chance to get them here, I would do it, but right now I can't think of a way."
"We'll see what happens, if we can help get them here, you know we will." Debbie said with her usual determination when facing a problem.
Kahlil grabbed the remote control and turned the small flatscreen TV in the kitchen onto the news. They continued their small talk for a couple of minutes, until Stevo's attention was brought to the TV.
"Mystery in Alaska, as a small town is wiped out."
He nudged Deb and Kahlil into silence and turned up the volume.
"... no survivors have been found. Several communications from Anderson residents had spoken of large animals, similar to large, intelligent bears rampaging through the settlement. Once home to approximately four hundred residents, the village now lies in ruins. Law enforcement currently are at a loss to explain exactly what has occurred."
They sat in silence for a few moments, before Kahlil spoke up.
"This could be it? I hope we are ready."
"This reminds me, I have some urgent stuff to do in Drebun. Can you both meet me there at the inn in a few hours? I have something to show you." Stevo left the question hanging, mysteriously.
"Sure, I guess so Stevo. I am going to have a tidy up here for a while, and update the spreadsheet on what stuff we have in stock here. I will head to the inn after that and wait for you." Deb responded, turning to look at Khalil.
"I am heading over to the Cash and Carry to buy a few more cases of bottled water, that'll take about an hour, once I've unloaded it back here I'm free."
"Great, I will see you both in a while!"
With that, Stevo was gone.
"What's he up too Deb?"
"No idea, but he's got a good head on his shoulders. So I'm sure it'll be something interesting."
-------
Stevo met Gregoor outside the village gate as arranged. Coins changed hands, Gregoor smiled, and the two of them walked off into the forest down a narrow path. About four hundred meters later, there was a small clearing, their destination.
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Kahlil started loading packs of water onto his flat-bed trolley. Each pack contained six, two litre bottles. Figuring a bottle per person, per day, he knew he wouldn't be able to get enough in his small Fiat van this trip to provide a decent supply. He had added eight cases to his trolley, and also picked up a few kilos of his favorite coffee, when he joined the queue to pay.
As Kahlil dug the gym's cash and carry card out of his wallet, he started thinking about the people in the line around him. There they were, going about their daily lives oblivious to the impending disaster that was going to unfold. May already be unfolding? Would he rather be like them? Blissfully ignorant? Or would he prefer the position he was in, given the knowledge and resources to prepare? Kahlil liked to have some control, so of course he was glad of the opportunity he'd been given.
Ahead of him in the line was a fat middle aged guy in a leather jacket and jogging bottoms. He was sweating, ruddy faced, and looked like a heart attack in waiting. How would he cope when an axe-wielding cyclops kicked his door in? Or a giant mantis tried to bite him in half? It wouldn't be pretty. The truth, the very unpleasant truth, is that most of these people were going to be slaughtered. They didn't stand a chance.
-----
Stevo was nowhere to be seen when Debbie and Kahlil stepped into the inn. They seated themselves at a table with a clear view of the door, and smiled at Gregoor's father as he wandered over with a mug of ale in each hand for them.
"Have you seen Stevo?" Debbie asked.
"He was here not ten minutes ago, but he was called away to help some fool who fell from a tree while picking apples. He won't be long."
The innkeeper was correct, as at that moment Stevo walked in, looking tired, but strangely pleased with himself, he was carrying a cloth sack that looked quite heavy.
"Heard you were called away on medical business!" said Kahlil with a grin.
"A boy picking apples, he fell out of the tree and broke his arm. A quick heal and his arm is as good as new. I am the proud owner of this sack of apples as a thank you."
Kahlil and Deb both looked expectantly at Stevo.
"Not yet guys, finish your drinks first, then we have to go for a short walk."
After sharing a glance, they both downed their drinks in one and turned back to face Stevo, chuckling.
"OK, so I guess you are keen. Follow me and we'll get this show on the road."
They quickly found themselves on the path that threaded its way though the trees. Kahlil's hand rested on the handle of his sword as they walked. His eyes taking in every detail. After a few minutes they arrived at the clearing.
"Welcome home!". Stevo boomed cheerfully, indicating the small, stone walled building ahead of them.
"This belonged to Gregoor's cousin, he used to stay here on hunting trips and when he wanted a break from his wife! Sadly he passed away a couple of months back, so I bought it. The money will help his widow, and it gives us a place to lay low in an emergency."
Stevo unlocked the wooden door with a large iron key, and the three of them stepped inside. The building was essentially one large room. There were two single beds on one side of the room, positioned along the wall either side of the door. On the opposite side of the room were shelves lined with bottles and jars, provisions he'd brought in, explained Stevo. There was also a large, comfortable looking padded bench that would pass as a third bed if needed, a wooden chair, and in the centre of the room an iron wood-burning stove, it's chimney a pipe passing straight up and through the roof.
"There is a stream not far, for fresh water, and a shovel in the corner for any 'calls of nature'" Stevo explained.
Kahlil couldn't believe it, it was obvious that they should have a space of their own here, but for some reason he'd not thought of it before now.
"Stevo, this is brilliant! Like you said, in an emergency it gives us an out of the way place to regroup."
"Was it expensive?" asked Deb.
"Let's just say that I don't have my share of those coins we got from the spooks any more." Stevo replied. "I was going to get a crossbow, but I thought this was more important."
"We'll buy you a good crossbow Stevo! We should all contribute to this. Well done for thinking of it." Responded a delighted Kahlil.
Stevo put an old, blackened, kettle on the stove, and lit the prepared fire inside with his spark spell.
"Cup of tea anyone?". He asked.
