Fernando finds Karl and Marvin by the tree on the field side of the parking lot border fence across from the spigot. They were just standing there, not saying anything even as he approached them.
“Karl, Marvin, everything OK?” Fernando says as he walks to them.
“No. We are going to where I said we should not go.” Karl tells him.
“You mean Fight Town?” Fernando asks. They both look at him, not answering though not answering is an answer. Fernando looks to the camp for a second, and then at Karl and Marvin before telling them, “Look. This will be explained at the meeting later, but Val is missing. She was kidnapped and we - Hondo and I - were told to go to Fight Town for further instructions. Understand this - I do not expect either of you two to fight for us, this is between Hondo and I. I do need you two to stand up as men and protect the women and the camp while we are there.”
“Val? Who’ Val?” Marvin asks.
“She’s a really nice woman and Hondo’s wife. They adopted Zoey and Tonya into their family.” Karl tells Marvin. He then turns to Fernando, “What do you mean, stand up as men and protect the women and the camp? This now has become a fight, and you better count me and Marv in for that fight.”
“Karl, you can hardly stand up, let alone drive, and you want to fight?” Fernando tells him.
“Damn right I want to fight, as long as I can breathe and stand, I can and will fight. Marvin too.” Karl tells him.
“You let me know who to smash and I will smash them up good.” Marvin tells Fernando.
“Thanks. But I need you two to pack up the camp and take everyone out if we fail. That is why you two must guard the camp. It is not that I do not trust anybody, I can trust you two as the few I can trust and count on my hand.” Fernando tells him. He continues, “But there will be those to smash, I will send them your way to do the dirty deed. Just remember, I want them alive, in a bloody and bruised pulp of crying mass of person.”
“Then you and Hondo need protection.” Karl says.
“We can defend ourselves.” Fernando tells him, “But I need you to defend the women, children and the camp. It’s a shit job but I trust you to do it.”
Karl thinks for a moment, “Alright. We’ll do it.”
“Thank you.” Fernando tells him. He then adds, “With Val kidnapped, we are missing a driver. Tonya could drive or you can. It’s Val’s SUV, a little bigger than yours, Karl, and towing a fully loaded supply box trailer. If Tonya drives it, it frees you to rest up and get better. Marvin will drive your SUV and you will drive Shotgun. I just need favor.”
“What is it?” Karl asks.
“I will give you my pull wagon. But you know thick those blankets used in trucks for moving and protecting things?” Fernando asks.
(See pricing for “Supreme” 4 & 12 pack; 6ft X 8ft”)
http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Moving-Supplies/Moving-Blankets-Moving-Pads “Yeah, what about them?” Karl asks.
“I need four, for your SUV, Karl. Two will be set up in the back of the SUV behind the rear seat, the others on the rear seat itself. Maribelle, Teri, La La and Li Li will use them as a mattress to sleep on while you and Marvin drive. Nobody is going to sleep in the trailers. It is too dangerous to sleep in the trailer while it is being towed, so everyone is to sleep in the towing vehicle. If you can get me a couple more, maybe ten, that would be great. I’m sure the others can use them.” Fernando explains.
Karl nods.
“You know how much they cost?” Fernando asks.
“Not much.” Karl answers, “A couple of silver coins.”
“You know who has them? I prefer to be as new as possible.” Fernando asks and says.
“We’ll talk to Tom of Tom’s Firearms. He should know.” Karl answers.
Fernando hands Karl a handful of gold and silver coins, “Thanks. Let’s go get that pull wagon. Wait for me by your SUV in 2 minutes.” Without waiting for a reply, Fernando walks away.
In a couple of moments, Karl and Marvin meet up with Fernando at Karl’s SUV. Fernando hands Karl the handle of the pull cart to Karl, and without saying a word, they go into town to get those thick protection blankets.
Maribelle walks out from behind Karl’s SUV, “Sending the boys out on an errand?”
“You can say that.” Fernando answers.
“Will you tell me, or will I find out later?” Maribelle asks.
“You will find out when it’s time to find out.” Fernando tells her.