The Children of Stron – part 102

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 101 Sunday Mass at the Spitzer church was the grandest and most attended in the building’s history. Word had spread that Otilla of the Holy Fire had returned from the wilds, and the ranks of the local devotees who had previously followed her around Main Street had swelled … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 102

The Children of Stron – part 101

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 100 Father Morrenthall excused himself and left Peep and Choke alone in his office. He returned shortly with a jug of wine and three cups. Once he had served them, he sat back down at his desk to sip at his wine with a satisfied smile. “Your brother, … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 101

The Children of Stron – part 100

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 99 The Pekot Bunch rode on down the Spitzer road from Bristlehump in the dead of night, going as fast as the road conditions allowed. The specter of Sneed and his men closing in on them from behind drove them on, although none of them articulated this fear, … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 100

The Children of Stron – part 99

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 98 Knuckle dragged Lieutenant Dixon out of Tully’s by the collar of his tunic and threw him down in the dirt of the road. Then he menaced him with his raised warhammer. “Stay the fuck down, asshole! And take off yar weaponbelt!” Knuckle barked. Dixon immediately complied with … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 99

The Children of Stron – part 98

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 97 Peep crawled along the east wall of Tully’s whorehouse, concealed in the bushes and long grass that had been allowed to grow right up to it. When she reached the north corner, she peeked around at the back yard. Tully was there at the small stable saddling … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 98

The Children of Stron – part 97

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 96 “Okay, quickly now,” Choke said as they mounted up and rode a little ways from Lucky’s Tavern, “which way: up the North Ridge back the way we came? Or straight back on the road?” “How is the road back, Gabe? Lots of nooks and crannies perfect for … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 97

The Children of Stron – part 96

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 95 In Lucky’s tavern in the wilderness village of Bristlenook, the Pekot Bunch sat at their table and squared off against Sneed’s crew of killers at theirs. The tables in Lucky’s were sturdy and long, with benches for seating. When Sneed and his men had moved to take … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 96

The Children of Stron – part 95

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 94 At Balan and Bab’s place, the squad sat down for a fine outdoor feed. With the couple’s three boys and one daughter, it was a big, lively affair. The teamster boss, Bob, did not join. After their campsite meeting, he had slipped off on a trail to … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 95

The Children of Stron – part 94

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 93 Babs’ place was just down the hump in the Bristle Hollow, not so far from Shasta’s. It was a little up the hill from the creek on a wide, good trail. As they were heading up from the creek to the place, Babs reined up. “Okay, before … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 94

The Children of Stron – part 93

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 92 Peep did not carry the body of Corporal Munge far. She dropped it in a tight alley between two houses about halfway between the soldiers’ compound and the back of the cemetery wall. Then she continued on her way to the church. She hopped the cemetery wall … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 93