Skalkaho Chapter 15: Chuck Woodson Comes For Frank

The morning after the first camp Frank had calculated even with the disruption they had covered 15 miles going North-North-East from the plantation. Even when moving through the off-trail foliage thus adding several extra miles going back to and from the trail to camp. It was a twelve hour day which ended by 7:00PM at the meadow and it then it became quickly dark. The plantation was certainly a day back but another day without problem tomorrow would put Bangkok as just a distant memory for all of the party. This morning’s aspiration was for going 20 miles by evening.

The plateau was about 200 miles North-North-East of the plantation and it would take another 10 days of travel by skirting towns and villages by remaining discreet from questioning eyes. Having elephants for the journey indicated money could be present with the travelers. Elephants were highly prized in this region and to have one meant some kind of wealth status. In this case, there were four elephants loaded with mystery as the freight included ropes and tackle. It was not the usual sight traveling cross country by any means. Frank's party had to take evading trails away from villages or towns found in this backcountry. Bangkok was the keystone city for the whole of this South East Asia.

Today the park is called Tat Mok National Park. A grand plateau today lies within this region and is adjacent to the park but what is generally called the Phetchabun region of Thailand. Going to the region would have plenty of opportunity for concealment with the rivers and forest that traverse the region. Heading northwesterly would put them closer to the map beak of Laos than Bangkok by journeys end.

Nothing happened to the party the next few days as its avoidance of people seemed to work. No one approached them or tried to engage the party with pleasantry. They passed the usual and expected people on the various trails. The main thing was to maintain a constant pace keeping to the heading. By about the 6th hour moving that day it was estimated they had gone about eighteen miles it was the time to start looking for a suitable site for a day 2 camp. It was guessed by evening they would have traveled about 35 miles from the plantation. The party was already tired from travel. Malee didn't say much at camp and Mauli was his stoic self. 

The plantation hand was named Suri. He had a very loyal connection to Chang and Edith. He was their surrogate person for the fortune. Frank didn't mind at all that Suri was watching everything he did when managing the expedition. In fact, Frank depended on him to play a significant role when things got too sticky and he needed a surprise extra for the fight they might encounter. Suri was like a big brother to Malee as he had grown up with her on the Plantation. He was not too keen for Frank marrying his beloved "sister". Frank hadn't earned a right to have Malee as a life partner so he felt he must be her big brother or Uncle guarding against anything Frank might do over the rest of Frank's and Malee's marriage. 

As much as Chang's love for Frank Prescott is immense, they loved Malee greater, and that is why Suri was a silent guardian over the two of them. During the course of many discussions before this epic journey began. There were vast conversations on how Frank would accomplish his goal and not hurt the people around him. Chang had the heart of Lion on this subject and Edith was the mother bear for her cub, Frank dare not disappoint for there was one who would end it all before he stopped Frank's by ending Frank's last breath. Malee was not just the flower but the gold in his life. Both are not driven by Frank's conquest of life. He values his flower more than his own life and needs the gold only to right the wrong that has done so much damage to his own being. He loves Malee, yet needs her for completing his life's journey. It is a dangerous balance Frank needs to keep in check without losing everything important. He loves Malee while having gold is the same as having dirt under his feet on this journey. The value is only found on its way to his ultimate accomplishment. It gets him to undo the harm the world has embued on his soul.

Now with all this consideration dancing around the party of four minds, a new reality had to make its appearance. Upon waking up on the eighth day of this journey they were nearing the forested region thus signaling a climb was coming and Samarn's village ould not be far from achieving the recovery of Gold. 

There was a man on the trail coming towards them. He was walking always looking behind him about every 50 steps. They saw his coming from about a quarter mile away. Either he was crazy or something bothered him along the trail and he was concerned. Having a full beard covering face did not encourage friendship. In fact, it did bring out Frank's M4 rifle which had a chambered round already for a fight.

A booming voice called out, "Don't shoot it's me, Charles Woodson."

Something in Frank's mind raced in different directions and it spun out when he realized his old battle partner caught up to him. Charles Woodson had come off the plateau to prepare him for what might lay ahead. Only Dan knew his true name with his current status as Frank Prescott. There were six people who meant the most to him and knew his true nature. Two-thirds of them were here today. Those in Montana and those who saw him as a young man would not recognize him today only the name, Skalkaho, would be the only recognization for that history of another drafted soldier going to war "never" to return.

Chuck that night, had to catch-up with Frank. That is why he was there to inform them of what lies ahead. It was an interesting campfire.

He began in a low monotone as the fire crackled and all were sitting around the warmth. Malee was huddled next to Frank. Mauli sat alone as a silent sentinel. Suri kept his gaze on the flames and Chuck leaned onto an old cut log sticking out of the mud. 

He began his story, " I am glad I found you all. It was a difficult journey as many guesses where made of how you would enter this country, so it took time to crisscross this approach knowing you would like your purpose and journey remained concealed by the country itself.  Frank, Samarn is in trouble. His village is restless since you left them and since someone let out you are coming back for the gold. No one wants to give the treasure up because they have been offered another deal for its whereabouts. Who? it was some "white man" from a North American company in search of a man called "Skalkaho" and the gold discovered within range of this village is a side-bar that would make this company not come out of Thailand empty handed."

A chill waved through Frank's spine with this news. He knew Charbonneau had him on the scent after all these years. How and why had Charbonneau spent so much time and money to run him to ground is not known at this time. Chuck was sounding the alarm that they were walking into a potential trap and Samarn couldn't control the situation. Fortunately, they weren't looking for the precious flower of the jungle which made Skalkaho who he is today.

Chuck continued, " I only came to Samarn when I heard from the many villages I traveled, a special man existed who could change the world and gold from the region would make it possible. I knew Skalkaho was that man and was still alive".

Mauli spoke up, "we must have a mission in secret. Only Samarn can know our existence and purpose. The village people who are many will alarm the countryside we exist through the usual "gossip telegraph"." 

Mauli doesn't usually weigh in on matters but when he speaks its meant to influence others most decidedly. The campfire remained somber. A new plan must be formed since walking in with arms opened and a smile on your face wasn't going to help but would make the situation worse as information would travel quickly to those who meant harm to the party's aspirations.

It was Frank's turn to speak, "It is obvious to me Chuck brings us the true conditions we face. My own mission is in jeopardy for recapturing my past and setting the present on its true course and making the future complete. My inner sense tells me only one should enter the village and seek Samarn out in secret. They must not be seen nor heard by anyone but Samarn who has his own guards out his hut. What must be found out from him has many layers to be revealed. We needed to know where the Gold is to be found and who is coming for the man they call "Skalkaho". You all know me and who I am but I have become Frank Prescott and remain this person until my mission is complete of restoring what is right and eliminating the darkness in my own realm of life."

The camp remained in somber thought not uttering a sound. Frank was buying time to form some thoughts for they were all there out of loyalty, love, and life. It was time again to lead the group with a plan.

He began his plan, "only one should go to limit discovery. Only one knows the over-all background for this step. I can't go because my mission could fail once discovered. Mauli you will be entrusted with this duty."

Chuck mumbled, "how can he be trusted and not me?"

Frank continued, " I know several may disagree but I must stay with Malee for many reasons."

At that moment Suri smiled to himself and his eyes lit up in a satisfaction only known to its keeper of that thought. He too had a difficult mission protecting the ones he loved even if it meant stopping one of those he loved. Protecting Malee was his number one purpose, Frank was expendable but had become a difficult option to do-in because he also loved Frank as a brother.

Frank applied his inner gift, "Suri I depend on you to do what you have been commissioned to do so I must also keep you close to Malee. Jeff, I need you to assume the role of scout, watch and guardian of our various camps. You are very good at neutralizing man or beast, and I will be at Malee's side as a last-ditch defense, she is the most important part of our team". 

  

Further consultation was held with Mauli concerning details of how he would do all the things he needed to do in order to get in and out without discovery and carry the information in a secret manner. No maps were to carried and the details for everything must be memorized in a story immediately for so if caught interrogation would only reveal Mauli was a good storyteller and nothing more. He must not visualize the gold cache location when Samarn tells him its location, for the party will not enter the village and the Gold must remain a legend and nothing more.

Late, that night, Mauli left camp not knowing if he would survive. The camp was to change location every day after going for about ten miles towards the plateau each day.  In three days they would meet near the base of the plateau. It was going to be a long three days for everyone. Frank had to determine how he could get the number of elephants needed to haul the gold back two hundred miles without notice from bystanders along the long trail or spies. Samarn's village elephants were no longer in play.