The Adventurers

Chapter 8

Father Gordo de Montcleefe sat at the table on his verandah and steamed over the treatment he'd received from Pazzo. The man was a wild animal and like any wild animal, untrustworthy The fact that he had designated the best of his men to accompany Pazzo made him even angrier. But his anger had only lasted a day before he set in motion another plan - a plan that would act as a backup to Pazzo's expedition.

He never believed for a moment that he would receive any share of whatever they found; even his own men would probably keep that from him. Still torn between his greed and his faith, he slid yet another step down the path of avarice. That was why he made representation to the one person he knew he could rely on to hedge his position; the person who had no hidden agendas, no loyalties except to those paying his price and only for that period of time required to collect. Montcleefe waited impatiently.

The native bowed and announced the successful completion of his assignment. The person known only as, Le Clerque, would arrive within the next few days. Montcleefe wrung his hands with pleasure and immediately calculated how much he had available for the task he was proposing - enough, he was sure.

The time passed quickly and true to his messenger's report, Le Clerque arrived on time. Montcleefe remained on his verandah, as the man was ushered up from the boat that brought him, because he wished to maintain an advantage but he soon saw that that was not to be the case.

Le Clerque was not that large but his demeanor created the impression that he filled the space around him. His hair was braided in one long tail that dangled below broad shoulders and was the colour of coal - the same colour as his piercing eyes. His face looked chiselled from rock yet he seemed to wear a perpetual smile. Montcleefe welcomed him, holding out his hand for the obligatory kiss, and indicated a seat beside his table.

"You traveled quickly, Monsignor."

"In the interest of a paid assignment." As he spoke Montcleefe noticed that the smile wasn't a smile at all but a nasty scar that pulled one corner of his mouth up in imitation.

"Your message said you required my services as soon as possible. Why was it not submitted through the church?"

"Yes, yes I do. It is in the interest of the Lord's work that this- this potential be realized for his work here." He hesitated, drafting his response to a dangerous question. "I felt that the Holy Church could be better served through the success of this assignment rather than be encumbered with its logistics. It would also mean a delay while they considered their approach. Time is of the essence."

He then went on to outline the situation and then he suggested a sum for the task.

"I hope you have not taken my time to waste it with an offer like that." The black eyes drilled into Montcleefe uncomfortably. "I work only for what I think I should receive."

"Well in this case then sir, what would you suggest?" He wondered how the church could condone such a person let alone bestow the title of Monsignor.

Le Clerque drew lazy circles on the wooden table with his finger. "You say there are ten men including this Pazzo, and at least half a dozen more with the woman? That's sixteen." He drummed the finger several times and then gazed across at the father. "Three times for each of my opponents and one half the balance for my time and a promise of success."

Montcleefe gaped at him. "But- but that's over eighty percent!"

"I know what it is, Father, it's my price to do this job."

"But that's- that's over three quarters of the prize- the- the...! I'm the one who should be profiting from this. It is I who am hiring you!" Lost in his panic was the pious comment at about the Lord's work and the needs of the mission.

"How did this Pazzo react to your offer?" Le Clerque leaned back and added a real smile to the imaginary one. Montcleefe turned red and stammered incoherently "I suspected as much. These things don't get done easily my friend, that's why you sent for me in the first place. It is your decision, either way I will be asking a fee for my time."

Montcleefe clenched his teeth and forced his temper under control. "You said half the balance for your time and success."

"A promise of success." Le Clerque's real smile vanished. "I've spent enough time on this. Hire me or pay my fee and you can leave your trust in your Pazzo." That brought the smile back, accompanied by an evil chuckle. With a sigh and the realization of his position, Montcleefe agreed, shaking the roughest hand he'd ever felt.

"The mother church will praise your decision."

***

Morning arrived with an eerie mist hovering on the river. A noisy macaw flapped from the top of a spindly tree, gliding through the mist and across the water, finding a new roost and starting its noisy call again. Pazzo fed himself and went around the campsite badgering the men to hurry up and get the boats on the river.

They had used the same site as the las Almenas group, digging about for any discarded article that might give them an advantage but finding none. Pazzo ordered the men to the boats, finished eating or not and they set off up the Gingi, following their quarry.

The mist swirled away in front of them as they pushed the slender dugouts up river. Splashes could be heard through the dense layer as predators, sensing their passage, slid into the murky waters to investigate. Howler monkeys started their alarm, swinging from tree to tree, keeping pace with the boats.

One of the natives shouted a warning as the scaly bump over the eyes of a caiman surfaced beside his paddle. Pazzo stopped paddling and let his boat drift back to where the reptile waited and delivered a sharp crack to its head with his paddle. It vanished in a swirling eddy.

The river turned sharply to the left and the boats cut across the bend bringing them very close to the shore and under the snarl of roots and branches that canopied the water. The natives looked nervously about as they ducked the foliage and dug their paddles in deeper for more speed.

Snakes enjoyed hanging in places like this and the natives were well aware that it was also a habitat of anacondas. They came through the bend and felt relief to be back in the middle of the river despite the still hovering mist. Pazzo estimated that they were only a little over a day behind and he urged his men on.