The Adventurers

Chapter 21

Jed received a whack on the head that left him woozy, when he refused to leave Krena and Luna. Sax convinced him that he wouldn't do any of them any good if he put up a big fuss. He reminded him of the scene in the arena. They followed the guard back up to the cavern behind the tented area and both men stared in mild shock at the surroundings.

"I didn't get a chance to tell you about all this," Chessery whispered.

Sam came from behind a screen and held out his hands. "Please, sit." He was out of his Sky God costume and into a pair of faded shorts and an old t-shirt with an image of a lit cigarette and the words, 'More Than One Way to Fly' underneath. "Can I offer you a beverage?" He pointed to a large pitcher and several clay mugs.

"Water would be great, thanks. "Sax answered.

"Anyone else?"

"Can we just cut to the chase here?" Jed s napped, avoiding the glare from Sax.

"I cut to chases much better with something to drink." The statement landed like iron and Jed swallowed his pride and sat in silence.

"Since small talk is not popular, let's talk about your treasure." Sam turned toward Chessery, handing her a cup of water.

"We don't even know if there is one; I believe it's quite probable but where it is, is still a huge mystery My map only led us to this city. And as I said before, we thought it was abandoned."

"What about this map, where did it come from? Why even believe it?"

Chessery sat back and crossed her legs. "It's a long story that really doesn't matter here. The point is, I do believe it. It doesn't make it real but for me, it makes it worth looking for."

"How about you," Sax asked. "All the time you've been here you haven't had any hints about a treasure or whatever?"

"As I told her, I'm just a figurehead here. If I didn't have my toys, which by the way are becoming fewer, batteries don't last as long in this climate, I might become a waste of their time. You haven't got any spare AAs by chance, have you?"

"But you can move around freely, right? Go wherever you want to?" Sax ignored the question.

"Pretty much. I don't push it though."

"What about our friends?" Jed interrupted. "What happens to them?"

"You noticed that it was me who told them what to do with you. Where to put you and when to bring you out. That means they don't care one way or another about you people."

"So we're free to go?" Chessery stood quickly

"I said, they don't care. I on the other hand, am very interested in this treasure business."

* * *

In the interest of gaining the best advantage of their situation, Chessery and Sax told Sam the entire story right from the beginning, including the origin of the map from her father.

"If anyone is following you these guys will know it and they will intercept them, believe me. I've been here three years and only a handful of visitors have stumbled on this place, none of whom stumbled out again I might add."

"Our concern then is that our followers might blab about the alleged treasure if they get caught." Sax warned.

"They got one already"

"Is that what Tapuk was taken out for, to translate?"

"Yup."

"So what happened?"

"The boys took him away to try him."

"The boys!" Chessery looked alarmed. "Not that arena business."

"If he doesn't pass muster."