Atlantis Chronicles: Prince of The Olympics

June 15

“He is very good!” Myk’l had been saying quietly as Michael walked into the great room the next morning. “It took him less than fifty yards to realize Gav’n had left the ridge. Then he just backtracked to find out where he had stepped off.”

“He visited the thicket briefly,” added Mann’n softly, “then he picked up tracks to the stream. He has found the nursery log and the hollow.”

Gav’n shook his head. “Again, I apologize for leading him here. I was careless.”

“Yes you were, but it cannot be changed now.” Yai-Yama’l whispered. “However, this is a situation easily remedied. He is but one. We are many. We can simply overpower him, then alter his memory.”

Jumping to her feet, Myk’l asked, “Cad’l, where is your weapon stash?”

“Myk’l, please sit,” advised Mann’n, still at a whisper. Then he added, “We appreciate your enthusiasm, but it has been said, he is but one. Our options are many. Let us explore them.”

Michael joined the circle on the floor. “Good morning noble Atlanteans. I, too, want to apologize. It is obvious that the tracker is following my footprints. My being here has put you in danger.”

“Michael,” Cad’l replied, “An old Atlantean proverb says ‘In retrospect, we all share the guilt.’ You have done everything to the best of your ability.”

Mann’n said, “Maybe we could plant a false trail away from here.”

“I don’t think he’d go for it,” said Myk’l. Right now, he’s at the hollow widening his search. This will lead him right back here. Robb’n and Rann’n are watching him now.”

After a minute of thought, Linn’n spoke, “There is another old Atlantean proverb, ’The strength of your defense is the strength of the weakest part of your armor.”

“That is brilliant, Linn’n! “ Mann’n said, “He is an expert tracker. He probably won’t fall for false sign. Let us take him out of the realm of tracking!”

“How?” asked Gav’n after a few moments.

“If I may?” said Cad’l, “He obviously spends quite a bit of time alone, we know that because of the nature of his talents. It could be that he is not good at dealing with people.”

“So, the question is, how can we take advantage of that weakness?” asked Yai-Yama’l.

After a few moments Michael spoke, “I have an idea, but we’ll need some time, and we’ll need Robb’n to help set it up.”

The plan was set up in less than three hours. At the downhill end of the thicket, an area that Myk’l assured everyone that the tracker had not seen, Robb’n had set up a lean-to frame that Michael stocked with items from his backpack, including a waterproof tarp. A small fire pit had been spiked with ashes from Cad’l’s kitchen and lit. Robb’n was laying barefoot on the sleeping bag. Michael, decked out in his own hiking attire, was pouring the contents of the pot into his water bottle.

“Howdy!” Michael looked up to see a big guy peeking in. He was covered in freckles and carried a rifle of some kind.

“Ho- lee!” Robb’n shouted, feigning surprise, “Don’t sneak up onna fella like that!” Michael stood, and stepped out of the shelter.

“Sorry mister,” the tracker replied automatically. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Oh, don’t worry about him,” Michael interrupted, “He’s done nothing but sleep since he got in yesterday. Hi. I’m Michael. How can I help you?” The tracker had a crushing handshake.

“Howdy Mike! I’m Dennis, Dennis Huwaldt. Nice tattoo ya got there.”

“Thanks.”

“Yep,” Robb’n chuckled as he stepped out of the shelter, “he got beamed up. What does that mean again?”

“The Romeans wear this. I love Star Tracks.” Michael blushed. He should have thought of that ahead of time.

“I think I might’ve followed your friend here. Say, did you come up the Bogachiel, then over Sugarloaf yesterday?” asked Dennis.

“Yessiree. At least that’s what I think they call that great big rock.” Robb’n was dressed in Atlantean clothes that were similar to the ones Gav’n wore. He had changed his hair color to be darker than normal. “I’m Rob Lincoln at your service.”

“Hey, Rob. Have either ’a you guys seen a hiker around here that has white hair?”

Michael shook his head. “Sorry. I got in five days ago, and ’cept for the two of you, I haven’t seen much of anyone.” Michael went back to pouring the water into the water bottle. The water was laced with a powder that could knock out a bull elk; at least according to Linn’n. This was plan ‘B,’ if it needed to go that far.

“How’d some old geezer wander off into the mountains?” Rob asked.

“Naw. He’ ain’t old. You two know that you’re sposed to be sticking to the trails inside the park right?”

Michael nodded toward the rifle. “Well, you’re not supposed to carry guns either.”

Dennis shrugged, “Okay, ya got me. Actually, It carries a tranquilizer dart.”

“Yeah? What are you after?” Rob asked, “Bear maybe? It’s not bear season, is it?”

“Naw.”

“Are you a ranger?” Michael asked.

“Naw. Just looking for someone. Hmm,” Dennis said, “Say, that is some crazy hikin’ suit you got there Rob. Where’d you get it?”

Michael secretly smiled. This whole conversation was going pretty much according to plan.

“It got it from that store in Olympia. And it’s great! Not too hot, it’s nice and light, and it keeps you dry.”

“Which store? Cabarra’s?” Michael asked, as if on cue.

“No. The other one.”

“Was it RDI?” he asked again.

“Yep. That’s the one.”

“How much did they ding you for?” asked Dennis.

“I think it was a little over 500 bucks.” Dennis laughed. “That includes the boots too though.” Rob held up his Atlantean shoes . . . minus the metal rods. “They’re very light.”

“So Dennis, should we make room for you in the tent tonight? I’ve got dehydrated Beef Stroganoff for supper, and Cheerios for breakfast. That is if the raccoon didn’t get to them yet,” Michael said.

“Naw. I think that if I’m gonna catch up with this guy, I better keep movin’. I’ve already been around here too long. I thought you might be him.” He nodded toward Rob.

“Me? No way. Too much Grecian formula.”

“All right. See ya later Rob Lincoln. Mike . . . what’s yer last name?”

“Curtis”

“Mike Curtis. Yah know Jim?”

Michael shook his head. “Nope, sorry.”

“Got it. Thanks gents. Enjoy yer time off!” With a wink, Dennis climbed straight up the hill and within five minutes had gained the ridge and was out of sight.

Rann’n and Yai-Yama’l were down soon after, recommending them to keep the lean-to set up, at least until the next day. Mann’n and Myk’l returned with the news that Dennis headed east along the ridge.

Michael spent the afternoon with Rann’n and Robb’n trying to heal some of the cuts and abrasions he had received at the hollow the day before. The trick, he was told, was to focus on the skin cells around the injury, then feed them the Furin Seron, but he never quite got the hang of that part. He was having no trouble with the inner focus, but it all frustrated him as they broke off of work to grab some dinner before dark. He was very quiet returning to his room after saying farewell to Gav’n.