In addition to axes, several other kinds of implements rattled in the bottom of Feller’s boat. As the days went by, Adam learned the uses of these: mauls and wedges for splitting tree trunks lengthwise, a saw for crosscutting, knives and fids for rope work. Too there were several rods of iron, about as long as a man’s forearm, devoid of any features that might hint at their purpose.

One day they arrived at the logging site to be greeted by the sound of axes biting into tree trunks. No other boat was to be seen, but fresh footprints were on the riverbank and some cut trees had been dragged down and marked with a glyph that was not known to Adam. Feller recognized it though, and reacted with disgust that soon flourished into wrath. He bent down and picked up one of the iron rods and handed it to Bluff, saying, “You know what to do,” and then went on to distribute more rods to the others. He ran out of them before he got to Adam, but instead fetched him a spare axe handle, saying, “Watch and learn, for there is no hope for you in this fallen world unless you have it in you to fight those who would take from you.” And he vaulted out of the boat onto the bank, where the rest of the crew were waiting, hefting their iron rods and swinging them through the air.

“I would stay here at the boat,” Adam demurred, out of not so much fear as lack of interest in whatever it was Feller had in mind.

Feller appraised him and he could sense the others likewise giving him hard looks. “And what good will that do you if those murderers strike us, your friends, down with their axes? Then they will come for you, Adam. Will you fight them alone? Then you may forgo all hope of ever again looking upon the face of Eve.”

Adam saw that a concern for his own safety, if not loyalty to his crew, dictated that he go into the woods with the others, and so that is what he did.

The ones Feller had called murderers were easily found, as they were not far away, and making no effort to be furtive.