The two rode up a narrow deer trail; the horses surefooted and familiar with the trail. Kevin found that he was able to comfortably ride, knowing which way Smoke was going to move. For the first part of the trail, they silently rode, but when the town disappeared behind a ridge, Thadchai spoke.
"Both Khun Matt and I were there when you disappeared. One moment you were on the bed, and then there was nothing but your clothes and a space on the bed. We searched for you in the house, and then sent someone to the gazebo. When you didn't show up there, we waited. I always hoped that you would return.
"The invasion started two years ago. The relationship before then was cordial at best. Anachak always pushed for industrialization, and ended up destroying their lands and resources in this pursuit. We were always happy to take things slowly, limiting the amount of minerals and gems quarried in our mines, and reducing petroleum exploration to a few outposts in the more rugged areas."
He stopped for a moment before continuing.
"King Phuna never imagined they would covet us enough to attack, and we were unprepared for it. Their bullets decimated our troops, and it was decided to pull back to the mountains, where we could more easily defend ourselves, and where the heavier weaponry were unable to reach. By the time Anachak soldiers reached the palace, we had removed the majority of the valuable items and had hidden them in the mountains as well. Some were too big to move far, so we hid them under the palace and sealed the caves.
"Ever since then, Prince Antanum has been the nominal regent here. They have instituted curfews in our main cities, as well as the identification system. We have reached more or less a stalemate; they do not want to appear to be despots to the other countries of our world, so much of what they do has to be clandestine. And we are much better at it than them." He gave a crooked grin.
Kevin absorbed this news. "So most of the population centers are intact?"
"Yes. And we have sent word through secret channels for the local populace to cooperate with the new laws. But underneath, we work to restore our country's freedom. "
For a short time, there was no sound but the clop clopping of the horse hooves as they both were lost in their own thoughts. Kevin nervously wet his lips and asked a question he knew would bring pain to his heart.
"What happened to the elephants?"
Thadchai knew this subject would have to be broached soon, and he ached for the news he would have to tell his son.
"Several of the females were killed when they shelled the buildings and paddocks. The rest were herded across the border into Anachak. No one has heard anything since, but it's a well-known fact that they use elephants as a workforce in logging and strip mining. So we can only guess that they are there somewhere, and what kind of conditions they are enduring."
Kevin grew pale with shock and Smoke slowed down, sensing his rider's distress. Thadchai rode closer and grabbed his shoulder.
"Noy Kevin. Kevin! Listen to me. Kandula is not one of the dead. Neither is her mother. We don't know where they are, that's true, but we believe they are still alive."
Kevin tried to swallow past the lump in his throat. "They never had to work hard when they were with us. What is happening to them now?"
"I'm sorry, Kevin. Right now we have to focus on what we can accomplish now. I'm worried as well, but there is nothing we can do until we are in a better position to gather more intelligence. "
They had finally reached a flat expanse of rock and scree. A short distance in front of them loomed another piece of the mountain, this time an almost vertical climb. Several evergreens dotted the area in front of the rock wall. When they approached it, Kevin saw a small gap between two of the trees that was dark. When they got closer, he realized it was a small cave.
They stopped and dismounted. Thadchai led his horse into the entrance and Kevin followed as it opened up into a much wider cave. The captain pulled out a flashlight; it's weak light lighting up the path a short ways ahead. They reached an abrupt wall, but the older man turned left, and Kevin could see faint light coming from that direction. The light got brighter and brighter until they were again in the sunlight.
Kevin's view was much different from before, and he almost forgot his sorrow as he looked around in wonder. They were standing above the surface of a long-extinct volcano, the flat surface of the old magma reflecting sunlight coming in from the open cone. It had become cold long enough to grow green with grasses and trees. The center was cleared and appeared to be dotted with buildings and fenced yards.
"Welcome to the true Safe Haven, Kevin." Thadchai said proudly.