The Adventurers

Chapter 14

Pazzo cursed his luck when he met with one of the three from his scouting party and learned about the gorge. He looked at the two wounded men, both from Montcleefe's village and knew there was no way they would be finishing the chase. That left him with five of them against four men and two women who now had a big head start.

"Find another way, meanwhile I will go to see this spot where they crossed." The native took off and Pazzo ordered the others forward.

Only a few hours behind now, after a forced march through part of the night, Le Clerque stopped to examine the Katopi campsite, noting the carelessness and disregard for the surroundings. He buried the leftover meat that was tossed aside and scattered the fire's ashes until they were safely extinguished.

For people who lived in this environment he found them disgracefully wanton in their behaviour. He took time to have a rest and a bite of his own rations before following the track toward the foothills he could see in the distance.

***

Montcleefe put down his knife and fork and leaned toward the railing as he saw the Cardinal emerge from the riverboat cabin and waddle down the gangplank. Behind him, two native soldiers dragged the young women across the compound and shoved them down among the other women already working at their crafts.

He could see they were in bad shape and bile rose in his throat as he imagined the disgusting activities they'd been forced to endure aboard the boat. The Cardinal made his way to the porch steps and wheezed his way up to where Montcleefe awaited.

"Good day, Father," The Cardinal puffed, grasping the railing for support.

"Eminence. Did you pass the night well?"

"A most stimulating service. Your flock have a- shall we say, eagerness to learn." Montcleefe could just imagine how their eagerness was elicited and he turned away to hide his disgust, indicating a seat at the table.

"You must be hungry, Eminence. I can offer fruit and drink. Some of the women are quite adept at making a bread that I find quite palatable."

"It all sounds suitable, Father. I find I'm in need of nourishment this morning." His ludicrous wink almost made Montcleefe gag.

The Cardinal sat back and watched with interest as the women brought the food to the table and placed it on the plates. His hand found its way onto the rump of one of them and she looked with fear to Montcleefe who beckoned her away, asking for a clean glass for his juice.

"You have quite a harem of house servants, Father."

"They are not servants, Eminence, they do their work for the Lord."

The Cardinal gave an ugly laugh. "And I know who the Lord is in this case, eh?"

The Father closed his eyes and allowed the moment to pass. "I have nothing to report on our business, Eminence. It would appear the task has become more difficult than perhaps anticipated. I would think that your important time might be wasted here just waiting."

"The Mother Church's time is never wasted, Father. Bringing the Lord's word to these- to the native peoples and advantaging oneself to acquiring possible funds for further expansion is never a waste of time." He plugged his mouth with a large chunk of dripping fruit.

"I take it then your Eminence will be staying until the mission is completed?"

"Oh I will be visiting up and down the river but yes, for the most part I will be here... waiting." His eyes glittered and Montcleefe dreaded the consequences for the young women in his flock.

"How do you see this man, Le Clerque, affecting the task?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Well, I accepted his service because the Katopi are not to be trusted. They are all that's available but one must use discretion.... have a back up plan. But you say he is working for the church already I'm unsure of my relationship with him now."

"Not to worry, Father. Le Clerque knows his duties and his loyalties. Whatever deal he had you make will be studied by our intelligence service and administered appropriately." His eyes hooded as he watched Montcleefe. "Fear not, my friend, you will not be forgotten when the spoils are divided."

That statement made it very clear just how low down on the priority list he would be and Montcleefe cursed his stupidity in trying to gain an advantage over the church. Now he was saddled with this fat, debaucher of young women for as long as Chessery Blanchert took to find her treasure.

The Cardinal slurped his way through breakfast, then called for a towel from one of the servants, and took his time wiping his hands and face as the young girl stood trembling in front of him. "Charming people," he smarmed, watching her go."

"All innocents, Eminence." Montcleefe emphasized.

"Yes. Yes indeed."

"I have a prayer session to take shortly, if you would care to observe or perhaps even take part?"

"The Lord's work should be handled by those closest to the need, Father. I think I shall retire to my quarters on the boat and make an itinerary for the next day or two."

"As you wish, Eminence. If I may be of any service..."

"Yes, well I could use some more of that delicious bread you served. Have one of your servants bring it to the boat; that would please me greatly."

"Of course. The woman who makes it is a little elderly but she will be happy to know that—"

"The one who brought me the towel, Father. Have her bring it to the boat."

The statement rang with the full authority of the Cardinal's power and his lascivious intent. He rose without further comment and made his way down the steps to the compound, taking in the industry of the workers and the idyllic setting; a few days here would be a blessing, he chuckled to himself.

Montcleefe went inside and spoke to the women about the bread and the Cardinal's wish for its delivery then he left the main house and hurried to the small chapel just off the compound where he pulled the rope for the bell that signaled the prayer service.

He would say a few private prayers for the women of his flock and call for a solidifying of faith among the remainders. He went to the small room in the back of the chapel and removed his robes, donning the cassock and vestments for the service. The small boy that assisted him accepted the caress of his master as reward for his personal devotion.