The Adventurers

Chapter 11

Le Clerque steadied his boat in the current just offshore and swore as he watched the massive snake engorging the top half of the man fastened to the stake. He could see by the pants boots that it was one of the mercenary soldiers from las Almenas and he wondered how much this changed his strategy of watch and wait.

Alongside, another rope lay torn apart, indicating another sacrifice was already consumed. His quarry was now down to thirteen that he knew of. He estimated the time he had to catch up to be less than a day and he worried that if they left the river he might not find the hiding place for their boats.

He drew another cross in the air, muttered his prayer and carried on with more speed.

* * *

Pazzo kicked at the ground where the fire had been. He looked up river and then into the forest of trees then he waved two men toward it and ordered them to find tracks. The boats were nowhere to be found and he worried that what they might have done was leave in the night to put more distance between them.

He studied the area carefully, getting down to sniff the ground and follow his nose to where they had relieved themselves. Beyond the edge of the bushes he caught sight of the nose of a boat and he stood up, barking a sharp laugh of satisfaction.

"They went inland from here." He called to his men, waving them on. Moments later the scouts returned to report signs of someone passing through. Pazzo waved them back and followed quickly.

When they found the first clear footprint from a boot in the earth, Pazzo cursed and pushed his men on. They had a good several hours on them. They had left in the dark, a chance even he would be reluctant to attempt in this place. The jungle did everything to prevent their passage; it seemed as if hacked vines and bushes grew back immediately

A couple of his men slowed down and expressed a fear of trying to get through such dense bush, forcing Pazzo to threaten them with his gun. That was all he needed, a mutiny in the middle of nowhere. The sun was higher in the sky but they didn't benefit because of the thick, dripping canopy of branches and the gloom of the steamy jungle floor.

The animal sounds brushing through the plants and leaves and the sudden appearance of snakes hanging overhead delayed their progress and Pazzo began to build an inner rage that would soon require a vent.

* * *

Montcleefe kissed the ring and rose from his knee, gesturing for the Cardinal to make himself comfortable on the padded chair brought out to the verandah specifically for his use.

"I am humbled your Grace would deign to visit our simple mission, it is indeed a most momentous day for our flock. Please excuse my surprise, Eminence. My last instruction from Rome made no mention of a possible visit."

"The church considers no mission doing the Lord's work too simple to ignore, Father de Montcleefe." The Cardinal adjusted his robe and rested his chin on the back of his hand. "News of your success with the natives required our Holiness to dispatch this miserable servant to inspect and congratulate your good works"

"Again, your Grace, I am humbled." He turned and snapped a finger and two native women hurried out bearing trays with sliced fruit and a pitcher of wine." A modest offering for your pleasure."

He sneered inwardly as me Cardinal ogled the topless native women, his fat fingers grasping the top of the table nervously "Join me, Father," the Cardinal stated magnanimously, indicating to one of the women to pour the wine.

"You honour me, your Grace." Montcleefe sat and accepted the glass of wine. "To your good health and that of the Holy Church."

"So, Father," the Cardinal began, slipping a slice of fruit between his fat lips, "word has also reached us that a certain Madam Chessery Blanchert availed herself of your hospitality."