The spring rain quickly exploded into a severe thunderstorm that threatened to tear the limbs from the trees. The vicious winds tore at their clothing as if to rip it off of their bodies. The sudden darkness that engulfed the afternoon sky was interrupted by bright flashes of lightning accompanied by heart pounding claps of thunder.
The Physician staggered forward trying to keep up with the others.
The stone path that should have provided a safe passageway was made ever more treacherous by the powerful currents of water that surged from the surrounding field. The water tugged at their feet as the surfaces polished smooth by centuries spent in the slow moving river became treacherous.
The Physician pulled the rain gear tighter. He shivered as his body heat was washed away by the wind and rain. “This storm is awful.”
Karl laughed. “Oh, it isn’t that bad. A little rain is good for our crops.”
“This is more than just a little rain. Won’t this drown your planting?”
“We have just started the planting, so this will help prepare the soil. A thorough soaking is just what is needed.”
The Physician shook his head. He knew the people outside of the cities were resilient but this was beyond his imagination. “It is remarkable that you can find a benefit in this storm.”
Karl smiled. “It is nothing. We have learned to accept what the Creator provides for us. If you look closely enough you can find good in everything.”
“How much farther?”
Karl grabbed the Physician’s arm to prevent him from falling. “Just over the next rise, the village is just a few hundred yards past the windmill.”
“Your village has a windmill?”
“Of course, the solar panels on the buildings don’t generate near enough power for the entire village. We try to be self-sufficient, but occasionally we have to seek resources from the Council. We were blessed when they decided to bestow the windmill on us.”
The Physician pondered on this. These villagers must be very productive. Most of the villages outside of Philadelphia were barely able to produce enough to survive and contributed very little to the Council. The gift of something as valuable and expensive as a windmill would only be made to those making greater contributions to the community. As they crested the hill the Physician and could see the silhouette of the arms spinning rapidly in a futile attempt to resist the high winds. “Is that going to withstand this storm?”
Karl laughed. “We’re happy its turning. Usually the wind is so slight that it barely turns. The daily charge in the fuel cells under the Great Hall is scarcely enough to light the evening meal. Under these conditions the generators will provide us more than enough power to brightly light the celebration in your honor all through the night.”
“I would accept a few shadows in exchange for feeling warm and dry.”
“There will be more than enough time for that before the feast. The medical facility in the Great Hall has a guest room with hot running water.”
The Physician shivered. The thought of a hot shower gave him the motivation to keep going.
A bright bolt of lightning streaked across the sky scarcely ahead of the loud clap of thunder and struck a lone tree standing in the field.
The Physician smelled the acrid smell of ozone and felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. “That was a little close.”
“We need to hurry to get out of this storm.”
Another bolt of lightning appeared high above and streaked toward them.
A primal reflex caused the reflex to throw himself to the ground before he could begin to process what was going on.
The ground shook as a thunderous clap filled the air.
He looked up.
The windmill was no longer silhouetted against the sky. The lightening had gouged a jagged wound down the structure of the building that erupted in flames. The arms continued to spin uncontrollably as the absence of one of the blades caused it to pivot wildly.
The group stood helplessly in silence watching the windmill shake itself apart as the flames engulfed the structure. In the distance, the lights of the village flickered and faded.
Previous: Chapter 03
Next: Chapter 05
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