Page 86 of The Ranger
Honoria looked into Belle’s eyes. “Oh, Auntie. Auntie!” She grabbed Belle and hugged her. “I don’t want to lose my Maida.”
“Shhh, dear. You won’t. It’s no different than when Jeff and Thackary took wives and moved away. Or when Duncan and Cozette left. Speaking of which, we must see Makama.”
“Makama Berg?” Sadie said. She came away from the chicken coop. “What does she have to do with any of this?”
Belle gave her a heartfelt smile. “More than you know.”
17
He was in the sheriff’s office when it hit. Markhel cried out and dropped like a stone. His wail was so loud the windows shook, sending Sheriff Tom, Wilfred and Paddy Mulligan into a panic.
“This is it!” Wilfred cried. “That thing they talk about!”
“Don’t just stand there!” Paddy said. “Do something!”
Sheriff Tom gaped at Markhel as he knelt, his breathing coming in short pants. He was paralyzed, his voice gone, waiting for the next wave to hit.
“We need help,” the sheriff said. “I don’t know what to do for him!”
Paddy turned a circle then ran out to the street and turned another.
Markhel gritted his teeth, climbed to his feet using the sheriff as a hand hold, and staggered outside. Thank the Creator, no one else was around. Except…
Grandma sprinted down the street, holding her skirts high. She reached the sheriff’s office and shooed him inside. “What are you doing out here? Git!”
Markhel backed into the office, his chest and gut coiling. It was going to hit again.
“I said git!”
Markhel took another step back, then went down on one knee. “Grandma…”
“I know, child.” She bent over him, patting his back. “Lands sake, somebody close the door. Then get this man something to bite on.”
Grandma’s presence brought some comfort. No one should have to go through a Call alone. He’d heard Time Master Dallan went through two or three before Kwaku made sure someone was always with him.
“Hurry up,” Grandma ordered. “Fetch me something!”
Paddy scanned the room, grabbed the first thing he saw, and shoved it at him.
Markhel looked at the hammer, then at Grandma. “It’ll have to do,” she said. “I hope you don’t break your teeth on it.”
He tensed as an icy chill engulfed him. He grabbed the hammer, shoved the handle in his mouth, and bit down.
The Call hit. He groaned as every muscle went stiff and pain shot through his gut. It doubled him over, making him grab at his belly. He breathed hard, bit into the hammer’s handle and heard it crack.
“Hang on, child,” Grandma said in a gentle voice. “Just hang on.”
He looked at her, agonized.
“I don’t think I can watch,” Wilfred said, backing away.
Paddy, his hands over his eyes, was in obvious agreement.
Sheriff Tom knelt next to him, put an arm on his shaking shoulders, and held him. “I gotcha, friend. I gotcha.”
Markhel wailed like a banshee, even with the wooden handle in his mouth. He shook then shook some more, the tremors racking his body, the Call pounding him hard.
“Oh, son,” Grandma said. “I’m so sorry you have to go through this.” She sniffed back tears. “Truly I am.”