158 A Change of Hear (1/2)
At first his new colonists limited themselves to whispers between each other. The whispers gradually grew louder and more frequent. Soon, his new recruits were speaking quite openly. They went so far as to glance at Samir, as if to make sure he'd heard what they'd said! It was impertinence of the highest order.
They said they were thirsty. They said they were hungry. They were exhausted! There were unpleasant comments about Samir's leadership, totally unfair because after all it was Neil who was leading the group - Samir had stayed at its rear. He wanted to keep an eye on his new recruits, and Neil knew the way well enough.
It was a bright, starry night and when the moon rose, the extra light seemed to embolden the new colonists further. The teenage boy expressed doubt if Samir's settlement existed. The caretaker's wife, the teacher, declared that they might all be walking to their perdition. She seemed to have a penchant for drama. Samir was sorely tempted to whack her ass with his spear.
He could tell they were no more than thousand paces from the river: he'd been in that area often enough to recognize its features even at night. He had to impose discipline before they reached water. The presence of water would dilute his power instantly. His new colonists would gain confidence, who knew, they might even rebel against him! It was five to two, after all.
”Halt!” he shouted.
Everyone stopped. All eyes were speculatively fixed on Samir as he walked to the head of the group, and joined Neil.
”Get your bow ready,” he whispered.
He turned round to face them, shifting his grip on the spear so that he could use it instantly if needed. The preparations didn't go unnoticed by the new colonists. They drew closer to each other, watching Samir closely. He had their undivided, respectful attention.
Samir said:
”I heard what you were saying earlier. You wanted me to hear it. Now it's my turn to tell you something.”
He paused to glare at them. He said:
”I've changed my mind. I don't want you in my colony. You can go back where you came from. You can go anywhere you like, including hell. I want you off my land. If you stay, be prepared to face unpleasant consequences. Very unpleasant consequences.”
That was another line he'd borrowed from his former supervisor at work. It never failed to scare him then, and it didn't fail now. The teacher wailed:
”Have mercy on us! Please!”
It was was the signal for other wails and supplications. The teacher fell to her knees. They all fell to their knees! They were all kneeling and reaching out to him and begging him for mercy.
”All right. But things are going to be different from now on. You have abused my trust in you, and you will have to work to regain it.”
Neil was carrying a long, plaited leather cord around his middle: it was a very useful item on an expedition. Its uses ranged from shaking fruit off tree branches to trapping animals. It would now be used in a new way. Samir said to Neal:
”Tie them together by their necks. Leave enough space so that they can walk in a line. Tie one knot at the beginning and one at the end, and just loop the rope round the necks in the middle. Start at the back, and leave enough rope free in front for a lead.”
He turned to the kneeling colonists, and said:
”Form a line. Stay on your knees! Form a line. I want you at the front.” He pointed at the teenage boy. He was the fastest walker of the lot. He would keep everyone too busy to complain.
”I protest,” said the former leader of the new colonists. ”You're treating us like slaves. Like animals!”
”I don't trust you any more,” Samir said. ”You don't like it? You can leave. Would anyone like to leave?”
No one did. They obediently shuffled into a line on their knees. Samir ordered the caretaker and his wife to the back of the line. He put the former leader last. When everyone was where he wanted them, Samir said:
”Get going, Neil.”
Neil did so a little reluctantly, so Samir added:
”The sooner we get this done, the sooner we'll all eat, drink, and rest.”
Thus motivated, Neil was done in a couple of minutes. Samir ordered the group to rise, and nodded to Neil.
”Lead the way,” he said.
”Let's go,” Neil said harshly. He picked up the lead and gave it a tug, just as if he was leading a train of donkeys.
They moved off, with Samir bringing up the rear. He couldn't resist the pleasure of prodding the former leader's ass with the blunt end of the spear a few times, speeding him up.
Progress was swift, and shortly they came to the river. The captive colonists were ready to dive into it right away, but Samir ordered them to stop. Neil tugged on the rope and indeed they stopped, with the three in the middle making choking noises.