Samson reined in his horse asking the magnificent beast to hold up and sniff the wind for any potential enemies. He was concerned for the narrow pass ahead. The outcropping made for a perfect ambush sight.

"What's up boss. You sense trouble?" Benning's own horse reared a bit causing Benning to dismount in a flurry.

Samson smiled, ahead, sitting in the middle of the narrow way, was a huge golden retriever with its tongue lolling out in an obvious smile.

"It's an old friend. One whose help could be used."

Samson dismounted and walked up to the dog. Its great head was even with Samson's own.

Benning lay back a little concerned, this beast must weigh in at five hundred pounds. He watched, as Samson seemed to be communicating with the dog. He heard Samson laugh and scratch the giant dog behind the ears.

Samson waved Benning to him and said, "We are to camp here. Ruun here says he has found a spot to rest. There is a flat spot down from these rocks. It lays next to a stream of a delicious nature, so my friend says."

Samson led his horse forward, the dog made a purring sound and the horse seemed to respond with a whistle.

"Ruun's pack will keep watch for us while we rest."

Benning reluctantly followed. He did not like the way the dog eyed him. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable with canines, he just found them unpredictable.

Samson turned, "Run wants to know if you were bitten by a rude dog at some point in your life."

Benning frowned. "You can tell him that I had the unfortunate pleasure of being detained by two of his brethren down south, over a dispute of ownership. The encounter turned a fondness for his kind onto a healthy concern."

Ruun made a snuffing sound. Benning asked Samson what it meant.

"He said that some breeds find dominating humans quite rewarding."

"Does he approve?"

Samson just shrugged and walked down the rather steep incline.

When they arrived at the sight. Samson began setting up camp. Her was whistling happily as he gathered firewood. Benning picked up both their bedrolls and took out a canvas cover to make a tent. The air had the smell of rain and it would be nice to sleep dry. He wondered at what they would eat the dried stuff they had been choking down was getting to him and a good meal would be wonderful and do a lot to improve his mood. His stomach growled.

The glade was beautiful. It had a holy feel to it and it made Benning relax and maybe even allowed a little peace, though he still worried about his son, his thoughts were of better times. He remembered the first time Raul had taken up the bow. Arrows stuck in his favorite cook pot caused him to get angry and strike his son, he deeply regretted that, but he had made it up to him by acquiring the finest bow he could find. He remembered the day he gave it to him and how his son's eyes lit up. It was a good thought. He loved Raul almost to the point of pain that his loss would be too much to endure.

Samson seemed involved so Benning walked down to the water and sat on a log. The glade was beautiful and lifted his heart. Using a twig he traced circles in the water. A loud bark shattered his reverie as two large black dogs and terrier entered camp and seemed to be communicating with Ruun. The second dog turned around and stood stiffly on all fours staring threateningly at Samson. Samson smiled, showing all his teeth, and bowed his head slightly. The dog relaxed visibly and sat down. An invisible command was given and the two black messengers disappeared into the trees. The terrier noticed Benning and walked over nuzzling against him. Benning got it and started scratching the dog behind the ears. Instantly Benning started to feel better. The pains that transversed his body, indefinable but real, disappeared. Then something happened; Benning could hear the terrier speaking- or thinking. The voice was sharp and clear in his head.

"Samson, where is his son? His pain is a solid thing."

"He is up ahead. He is well- just a little dinged up. My friend here is a good man just a little beat up. He has seen too much."

It was Samson's voice but it seemed softer.

The terrier rolled his head back when Benning stopped scratching his head.

"You can still scratch my head. It feels great."

Ruun looked over at Benning then back to Samson. "He hears us now. My healer is working on him. He will be whole. Won't you Benny?"

Rune's voice sounded regal and calming and Benning nodded, then wiped the tears from his eyes. Relief flowed over him in waves bringing a new flood of tears with each onset.

"Yes Sir, I believe I will be fine." Benning could not help himself -he wrapped his arms around the terrier's body and openly wept.

"Tell him Master what he needs to know." The terrier turned his head and growled at Samson.

"I don't think it would be helpful." Samson thought. "It's not the time."

"So you are a healer now? Time is running out and you know it."

Benning looked up wiping his eyes. "Tell me what?" He said aloud.

"Ruun intruded, "Samson is your fore-father, your sire."

Samson stomped over to his horse mumbling that dogs talked too damn much. His horse whinnied in agreement.

"What does that mean? I had a father, he was a son of a bitch. But I had a father."

Benning tried to stand but the terrier lay against him preventing him from getting up.

"My ancient sire and Samson were of the same pack. They walked together after the chaos. They walked the earth alone when all was gone. They were partners. It was Samson who taught my ancient sire to think and speak. Those thoughts come down to me through the ages of all their adventures and hunts, how they survived. I speak of it to my pack at night. Those are tales that my people love."

Benning stared at Ruun and then Samson in disbelief.

"You talk too much. Your whole line is like that." He barked at Runn.

"I don't understand?" Benning fretted.

"What don't you understand? The second moon came when all the men of the world were at war. It was a terrible mindless thing. The second moon, sent by God, held dominance and made the machinations of war seem trivial by comparison. The war was stopped and the anger of the second moon took sway. In two full moons all the men and most all the creatures returned to the maker and most of the world was laid to waste, save some insects, birds, and the smaller furry creatures that hid in the earth." Ruun answered.

"What of the monsters?" Asked the terrier.

"Yes." Ruun continued," There were monsters. It isn't known whether they slept and awoke or whether the evil one twisted some creatures and made them as abominations."

"That is enough!" Samson yelled in anger.

"No it's not. What the hell!" Benning stood and screamed back.

The terrier nodded to Ruun.

"He is our Lord Samson. Her was up in the heavens with the mother moon when the second moon came. His companions died at their own hands when they saw the Earth being destroyed. Our Lord Samson and Our Lord Ben, my sire, flew home alone and lit again upon the Earth. They starved and thirsted until Ben found the Ark. It was a man made cave full of contraptions and scrolls. Our Lord Samson learned the meanings and the magic; he started to create. The first thing he did was to change he and my ancient sire. They had the seeds of the earth at their disposal and they generated all that lives on the Earth today."

Benning suffered trying to take in what he heard.

"I'm related to him?"

"All humans are related to him. It was his seed that started it all again. His seed is in me and mine. His horse, a lord among horses, is from him. The great cats, the mighty bison, the tenacious bear, all great creatures are from him…and a few odd variations, if I may say." Ruun chuckled.

"That has yet to be seen. Samson barked has he sat down on a rock with his arms crossed.

A rustle started around them as hundreds of dogs walked out of the woods and circled the camp. At once they all let out a gentle note that they raised to the now darkening sky. Benning knew it as a tribute to their Lord Samson.

Samson slapped his knee in frustration." Sentimental creatures, dogs. All right -here's what happened. I did get down from the moon-no easy thing that. My dog and me wandered for a year or so eating bugs and whatever we could find. Ben sniffed out an underground bunker. It was a fully stocked lab full of stored DNA. and frozen eggs. It was self contained and powered, so we took up there. I learned what they did there and started experimenting, mostly on myself. I made myself and Ben into long lived monsters. I got lonely and went insane. I started creating animals and then humans…some with improvements. I must say, I'm not all that happy with the results."

He stopped talking and walked over to the fire and started some coffee boiling on the fire. The dogs melted back into the dark trees.

Ruun barked," Is that coffee? I haven't any coffee sense you were last by. May I have some?"

Samson nodded absently.

"This is fantastic. How old are you?" Benning sat down again and the terrier fell against him demanding to be scratched.

All fell silent as the gathered watched the fire's flames. The light danced on the rock faces and surrounding trees. Samson rose and poured the coffee, passing a cup to Benning.

"Tell him Lord!" The terrier insisted.

"Tell him!" Ruun added.

Samson kept silent and poured out coffee into two bowls.

"Lord Samson please…doctors orders." The terrier insisted.

" I don't really know how old I am. Some say six-hundred years some less, some more. I was insane for most of it.  But thaty's not what you want me to say. Damn flea traps.Very well…it's time, since you raggedy canines opened your big mouths." He smiled at Benning with obvious affection. "I love this one best of all my children."

Benning jolted in pain and slipped into oblivion.

                                                                           ***

Raul awoke looking at the small blaze of a fire. An angel sat across from him. What ever she was doing it was obvious that she wasn't paying attention to him.

"Am I in heaven?" he croaked through dry parched lips.

Beth looked up. "I am hardly an angel." She rose to see to his dressings. "You will live, food, water, and a little rest and you'll be good. To bad we don't have any of those things."

Raul grunted and struggled to sit up. There was no part of his body that did not hurt and he never felt so vulnerable.

"You will probably kill me for saying what I am about to say, but I hurt so much anyway death might be better. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

Beth could not help herself. She smiled and blushed.

"I don't think you are any shape to be hitting on me. What if I said 'Yeah big boy right now roll it out big and hard.' In the shape you're in, that ain't gonna happen. Although, cleaning you up proved that there may be some potential."

Raul smiled at the honesty. You are still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"Jump him girl before I get sick." Cassandra walked out of the dark and sat putting three skewered birds over the fire. She stared at Raul and smiled. "You are a good looking man."

"Wow, my uncle was right. You are something to behold." Raul sat up a little more with a grunt.

"I thought I was the most beautiful girl you had ever seen?" Beth pouted.

'You are." Raul smiled. "You're my type." He waited for a reaction and then turned back to the big redhead. "You are Cassandra aren't you?"

"How is my lover? he's getting close now. I can hardly wait to see him." Cassandra smiled and picked at the birds.

They all sat in silence while the birds cooked.

Raul broke the silence. "I don't understand what's going on here. Why is Samson coming after you? You called him your lover- do you know him?"

Cassandra stood and walked over to Raul. She caressed his cheek and gently rubbed his shoulders. Bending over she sniffed at his hair and neck in long inhales. She pressed his face into her large breasts, backed up a bit, then reached down with her hand and felt his groin. Raul jumped at the intimacy.

"He's a good one Beth. I gave him a dose and no wood. He has some control of his libido. Even as hurt as he is that should have produced a tower." Cassandra patted Raul's cheek and sat back down to check the birds. Beth grinned at her captive.

Raul was more confused than before. "Are you going to kill me?"

"That's up to Beth? Samson will come for me whether you're dead or not. He's always pissed off-he'll just be more pissed if we kill you. I have never met him in person. I feel him all the time and I see him in my head. We are connected in some way that I don't understand but I will soon find out. Your uncle is the only man that makes me ache. Why I don't know."

Beth pulled out a water container and offered Raul a drink. He thanked her and took a sip. Beth started to sing in soothing voice. Raul felt a peace roll over him. The pain subsided and he dosed feeling the warmth of the fire on his face and chest. He was in a weird situation, here was two beautiful women and he was helpless. He grinned thinking this was a growing moment. If he lived through it he would be a better man.

They sat and ate the birds, looked at the stars and listened to the surf pound against the rocks.

Cassandra looked hard at this young man. He was a handsome creature-boyish yet strong of mind and will. She liked the curve of his chin and the set of his eyes. If Beth were to take this one up they would produce worthy children. She would have to think on whether she would kill this one or not. If she did she would have to kill Beth and that would be a shame- she would take it personally. She was pretty sure she would have to kill Samson and that means she would have to kill this boy and Beth and she would be alone again. things do have a way of working out but this will be fun to watch unfold.

                                                                          ***

They all awoke laying on a flat rock up from the water. A luminescent glow filled the cavern. Boss stood up and checked Hawk, Elizabeth and Jonathan.

"Everyone all right? I have no idea where we are."

Elizabeth worried over Hawk. "She seems okay. I can't see any bumps or bruises. I got to ask you something."

Boss nodded.

"What's with the Hawk and Boss thing? Hawk told me you named her Snake…it pissed her off and she changed with that poor unfortunate man. She said you never even noticed."

Boss came over an kneeled. He brushed a loss hair from Hawk's eyes.

"I did notice. I just figured that it was what these two incredible people wanted. My real name is Jene- she's Miriam- the brave soul we left behind was James. I know, you don't need to look at me like that. We were in a dangerous environment. I felt that if there was agents out here that would have reason to recognize our names, we would be better suited with aliases."

Elizabeth smiled. "Boss, Hawk, and Snake sounds like a circus act." She smiled with obvious affection.

"It was."

Miriam opened her eyes and looked up at Jene and Elizabeth.

"What happened?" She squeaked.

'Sweetheart some how or other you saved our lives. Don't ask me how. Can you sit up?"

Elizabeth helped her to sit up.

Jonathan ran down from a sloop up to the right, yelling and out of breath.

"All of you, this shaft leads up to concrete wall. There is a painted stripe that runs down the wall. I followed till it got to dark. I couldn't find a door, but there must be one."

Elizabeth helped Miriam to her feet. She was coming around and begged off any more attention.

"Let's go. We can settle down and re-evaluate our situation when we find a way out and some shelter. Miriam…thank you."

"I don't remember doing anything."

"Well my dear, you are our hero. We will tell you about when we settle down some where."

Elizabeth put her arm around Miriam's shoulder. The two followed the men as they disappeared over the rise in the cave floor. Miriam looked back the way she had come and with a perplexed look shrugged her shoulders.