The Adventurers

Chapter 3

"Jed, you stay with the men at the boats until I've met the Father. I don't want our transportation to suddenly disappear. Chessery didn't get here alone; she hired some Katopis and she usually hires anyone willing to take the job so... just to be on the safe side."

Several children raced to the shore as the boats pulled up, all yelling and waving their homemade crafts. A few women joined them but some only came to gather the children back from the visitors. Sax climbed out of the boat and waded ashore; smiling to assure the natives he came as a friend, and accepted a straw figure from a small girl with coal black eyes and hair.

He produced a coin from his pocket and pressed it into her tiny hand. She ran silently back to her mother, holding it up for approval. Sax moved past the group and up through the compound toward the great house where he saw two robed missionaries hurrying toward him.

"Is there something we can do for you?" The first one to reach him asked, breathlessly

"I'm here to see the lady, Chessery Blanchert. Sax folded his arms and set his stance.

"What business is this about?"

"None of yours, Father. Is de Montcleefe around?"

"Father de Montcleefe is occupied this day" The man kept his hands in his sleeves delivering a supercilious appearance. The other man, a larger and harder looking individual, let his hands fall to his sides and watched Sax carefully

"Fine, then take me to the lady"

"Madam Blanchert is also occupied."

"But not too busy to see an old acquaintance." The three men looked up to the verandah of the lodge as Chessery's musical greeting drifted down the hill. Sax pushed between the two fathers and strode up to the steps leading to the verandah.

"Hello, Saxon, it's been a long time." She trailed a hand along the railing and took a deliberate amount of time descending the steps to where he stood, stone-faced.

As they faced one another in silence, the door to the lodge opened and Father de Montcleefe stepped out, moving rapidly down the steps. Chessery moved to the side and took up a position of observer as Sax turned to face de Montcleefe. Visitors were expected to display a humble deference and accept the Father's hand for the mandatory kiss. Sax simply nodded, speaking the man's last name in greeting.

Montcleefe looked astonished at the man's nerve and flapped his hands. "How dare you, sir! These are private quarters and not some rabble hall you barge into without even a proper invitation or introduction." Sax looked at the man with dead eyes and didn't move a muscle.

"I thought all men were welcome to God's place of worship, but no matter, I'm here for one reason only To verify the rumour about Miss Blanchert's offer. I have no intention of staying any longer than necessary, so¾"

"May I suggest a calming of all tempers and a more gentlemanly discussion, particularly as it concerns me?" Chessery stepped forward and Sax closed his eyes, nodding. Her affect on him hadn't gone away, only diminished.

"All I want is an answer to my question."

She came closer. "Is the notorious Grant Saxon interested in my offer or are you here for some other reason? Curiosity perhaps?"

He stood his ground, watching her devolve into her manipulative state, one of wiles and charm. "Why not just tell me about this rumour you've thrown out. Something about untold wealth?"

"Just a moment here!" Montcleefe interrupted. He puffed out his skinny chest beneath the robe and waved his hand arrogantly at Sax. "Madam Blanchert has presented herself as a guest in the Lord's mission with an expression of enlisting my assistance in this quest."