The Sleeping Army Awakes

Part 58 Plumbing the depths

The large, moss and lichen camouflaged, concrete area that Vladimir had chosen for the landing site, was clearly visible from above and was the largest rectangular structure discernible. It was obvious that the site must have been underwater from time to time, but despite the heavy rainfall the day before, this time enough water had run back out and into the lake and out to the swollen river beyond, to ensure that it was above the surface of the lake... for now.

Boris saw that the landing space was clearly large enough for the Sikorsky. It was even within convenient walking distance of the little wooden dock, even for someone as sedentary as Sir Percy. The jetty itself had a couple of substantial but ancient fishing boats moored at the far end. Vladimir leapt out of the helicopter as soon as it had settled, not wanting to stay a single second more than necessary in that horrible, smelly noisy contraption.

Spencer knew that he had probably given Mr Horník more Bliss than were good for him because the old fool started to jump up and down theatrically, to prove that the ground was solid. Vladimir seemed remarkably sprightly for a man of his advanced years. It must have been something to do with all those fish that the he had poached and eaten over the years.

As usual the bodyguards preceded Sir Percy out of the helicopter and most of them had fanned out, scanning the area for any potential snipers. The last two carried the fishing tackle. Seeing no-one about, Honza Malik the Kapitán of the bodyguards signalled that it was safe for Sir Percy to exit.

Spencer and Eliška were the last to leave the craft. Spencer gallantly but unnecessarily lifted Eliška down from the helicopter. He was surprised how little she weighed; she was how surprised how strong he appeared to be.

"That was wonderful!" Eliška exclaimed and kissed Spencer on the nose. It wasn't clear at first whether she was referring to the flight or being carried. Spencer liked to think that it was a combination of both. "But I really have to tell you something."

"Not now!" Spencer advised. "Everything must be as near perfect as possible."

Eliška was just forming the word 'but' on her lips, when once again she was interrupted before she could tell Spencer about the count's plans to send her step cousins to their watery graves.

"Butler will you stop dallying around with the wench and make yourself useful over here!" Sir Percy complained.

Secretly Sir Percy was amused that his secretary seemed so smitten with the little scrubber. It appeared as though Spencer was bewitched. He seemed strangely distant, as if he couldn't cope with the new feelings that were assaulting him. Spencer had obviously fallen head over heels.

Sir Percy had always assumed that Spencer Butler was immune to any emotions and it was nice to see that his secretary showing some signs of being a man and not batting on the same side as Gilly.

Sir Percy had to admit that the wench was pretty, in a sort of country bumpkin manner but she looked rather too sweet and innocent for his liking. Sir Percy liked his women with few rough edges and at least the promise of something little more dangerous than cuddling up and watching the sunsets together. No that girl wouldn't look good in leathers, but he couldn't imagine that she knew how to wield a whip, in fact it looked as though there was no venom in the lass. 

Sir Percy had met her type before. She probably liked cuddling bunnies and was the type of girl who dreamed of wearing frilly aprons to bake nice scones for tea, onto which she would dollop a large portion of cream with a spoonful of strawberry jam. She would make sure that her immaculate children ate their wafer thin crust-less cucumber sandwiches before they were allowed any cake and she would tell them anthropomorphic stories of animals at bedtime. The thought of this made him shudder inside, but thinking about food he also started to feel a bit peckish.