The Adventurers

Chapter 20

Montcleefe seethed at the indignity of having to listen to the Cardinal relate how he, 'educated' the young girl in the ways of the Lord during the long afternoon and night. His interpretation of education was one of abasing an ignorant native through fraudulent, so-called, religious ceremonies. He glowered unnoticed at the rubbery mouth, relating the disgusting acts, as it sucked on pieces of fresh fruit.

"You must be well entertained by your flock, Father; it's quite a position of opportunity"

"My opportunity here is to bring the true word of the Lord to my flock, Eminence."

The Cardinal stopped chewing and stared at Montcleefe. "Was that a criticism I detected, Father?"

"Simply a clarification of my duty, Eminence."

"Allow me to clarify your duty Father de Montcleefe. As a Cardinal Superior in the Church of Rome, it is incumbent on me to assess the contributions to the glory of the church, those contributions made by the Lord's soldiers in these remote diocese. As well, I have the power to recommend continuance or reassignment as I see fit.

"Now if your opinion of my conduct, as a representative of the church, conflicts with the performance of those very duties I have been empowered to perform, then perhaps reassignment is a path we should consider."

"Your Grace misunderstood my meaning." Montcleefe waffled.

"I was simply stating the goal entrusted to me with respect to the natives of these remote areas and to ensure their enlistment into the Lord's army."

The Cardinal smirked and selected another slice of fruit from the basket. He slurped the juice from the piece and chewed the pulp noisily.

"It is also a goal to ensure these potential acolytes be thoroughly versed in the correct means of service to the church's representatives."

"I bow to your Eminence's sagacity." Montcleefe felt the dampness under his arms and down his back. If this old reprobate wanted to fornicate his way across the country, let him. It was no business of his, certainly if it meant threatening his station.

"A prudent decision, Father. Now, about this business with Madam Blanchert... you understand that the Holy Father in Rome is very interested in securing this treasure; financing these missions requires enormous sums of money and whatever can be acquired, by whatever means, can only be a blessing for the church."

Montcleefe stared out over the compound, his mind a riot of dangerous thoughts he fought to hold silent, or risk his career with the church.

The Cardinal smirked as he watched his underling struggle with his conscience. There would be no more reluctance in responding to his demands; he would exercise that power with vigor while he was here.

"That young girl that I instructed last night, I would like her to remain under my guidance while I stay at your mission, Father. I feel I can contribute something to the advancement of your flock through a, shall we say, a more concentrated effort."

"As Your Eminence wishes." Montcleefe hurt his teeth, grinding them.

* * *

The argument lasted only long enough for Pazzo to hold a knife to his man's throat and threaten to slice his head off if he didn't cross the river and find out where the woman's party went. He told them to cross with him to the other side and then three of them would wait by the shore while the designated man went off to track the group they were following.

Le Clerque watched the drama from his location above them. He smiled and gathered his things, slipping down the back side of a small knoll and crossing the river unnoticed. He sat quietly in the bushes near the river, listening for the Katopi scout, annoyed at the loud chatter from Pazzo and the other two staying behind.

Shortly, he heard the movement of something in the bushes further away from the river and he concentrated on the sound until he was certain it was the scout, then he moved in a flanking arc toward his quarry. The native froze and shrank down to the ground, listening nervously A sound, not too far ahead, came again and then there was dead silence.

He turned his head slowly and sniffed the air at the same time, trying to discern what might be ahead. If an animal, he should be able to smell it, but there was nothing. An insect crept across his face and he flexed his cheeks to dislodge it, afraid to move any other muscles. The spear point pressed against the side of his neck and his heart stopped for a moment, his eyes widening as the huge native moved around to face him, his spear still resting against the side of his neck.

The Katopi was prodded to his feet and pushed through the dense jungle ahead of his captor. Le Clerque stayed perfectly still as he watched the capture of his quarry Even he had been surprised at the stealth of the huge Indian. He considered his options and chose to wait until he was certain he was alone before following them.

* * *

"What happened?" Sax asked as Chessery was delivered by the guard.

"I had a snack with the Sky God." She sat down on the floor and made herself comfortable against the stone wall. "His name is Sam."

"Sam!" Jed looked at Sax and gestured his confusion.

"Samuel Parkhurst to be exact. He crashed here three years ago and with a few dazzling, modern conveniences became the Sky God. The strange thing is he has no real authority. They give him special treatment and use him as a figurehead but they mete out their own laws and justice. We witnessed some of that when we arrived."

"So who are they?" Sax asked.

"He doesn't know himself. He says he can speak a bit of the language but as you heard, it's a real tongue twister. He also said they have a deity they worship, some kind of stone totem or something that's covered in carvings. He said it's around the back of this place somewhere."

"Did he say anything about what they planned for us?"

"Nope. But I have a feeling that Sam the Sky God wouldn't be above helping to locate a treasure if there is one."

"For himself, no doubt." Jed snorted.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not." She gave Sax a look that seemed to send some secret message between them.

"Whatever this Sam decides, we need to know what's going to happen next."

Jed spoke to Krena, trying to comfort her and help keep Luna safe. He explained what Chessery had learned but told her not to say anything to the two las Almenas natives. Tapuk and Matzumen sat together muttering to one another and casting furtive glances at the tall guard by the cave entrance.

Sax stood again and was about to confront the guard when the strange humming they had heard when they first arrived started up again. The guard stiffened and moved to the entrance, his spear in a defensive position.

"This doesn't look good." Sax said, squatting back down.

"Maybe it's Pazzo they've rounded up this time." Jed offered.

"Won't that be fun. Let's hope to God they don't blab about hunting for treasure."

* * *

Trembling in fear, the Katopi Indian fell to his knees in front of the strange, white-skinned man as the humming ceased.

"Where are the others?" The man asked in his strange tongue. The Indian just looked up in terror. Without wasting any time, he signalled a guard to fetch one of the native prisoners. A few minutes later, Tapuk was ushered down to the gathering and he also fell to his knees.

"Get him up," Sam complained in his broken idiom. When Tapuk was standing, he mimed asking the prisoners what tribe he was from. Without asking, Tapuk said, Katopi. Sam mimed again, this time asking if he could speak to him. Tapuk nodded, feeling a little more comfortable in the role of translator.

After twenty minutes of back and forth translations, the prisoner was whisked away to the caves and Tapuk was left facing the strange God, leader of the even stranger tribe.

"Take this one back to his friend then bring the white skins to me." Sam made his request clear and the guards acted without concern or interest. They would be judging the new prisoner and deciding his fate in their traditional way.