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."

Montcleefe stared at the obese man, decked out in his church finery and slobbering over the slices of juicy fruit. How in the name of the Father had they known about Madam Blanchert?

"His Grace is very well informed."

"Yes... well, it is the policy of course to know all about our missions... as I said." He gulped some wine and waited.

"Miss Blanchert did visit for a brief period, she ahh- she had personal business in the country."

The Cardinal smiled with disdain. "Come, come, Father Madam Blanchert is hunting lost treasure is she not?"

"Uhh- there was some uh, mention of her wanting to do some exploring north of here."

"Some mention." The Cardinal waited, sampling more of the fruit.

"Well she was trying to arrange for some guides." Montcleefe felt dangerously close to a personal disaster. He knew instinctively that the Cardinal already had all his answer that he was just enjoying his little game, testing the loyalty of his lowly minion.

"She uhh, she said she had a map of some lost city" he waved a hand and chuckled unconvincing

"And when you tried to convince her to accept your help and she refused, you dispatched a band of renegade natives to follow and secure whatever was found."

Montcleefe was unnerved over the Cardinal's knowledge and saw no escape from his own dissembling. "I felt it prudent to see that the lady was seen to be secure. The men she chose to accompany her are notorious mercenaries from las Almenas."

"Henry Trask's crew."

Was there anything he didn't know? "Yes. They have been idle for some time and apparently more than pleased at the opportunity. I am quite honestly stunned by your knowledge of the activities here, Eminence, may I ask your source of this information?"

The Cardinal sipped his wine more slowly, watching the Father.

"I'm sure you are aware that our Lord moves in ways mysterious to his children." It was no answer and Montcleefe knew it was useless to continue. "Is that how you see these men treating this woman's tale?"

"They are mercenaries. For securing great wealth, almost any rumour is an opportunity."

"And is there great wealth in this lost city, Father de Montcleefe?"

Sparring was a waste of time as well as a further discredit of his own acumen; Montcleefe altered his tack.

"Your Grace is not the only one to have heard of the infamous Madam Blanchert and that she does not pass her time locating architectural digs for posterity. Madam Blanchert's motive is always wealth."

"And what of yours, Father? Sending a specialist from the church to monitor all parties and ascertain the value of their quest."

Another unexpected blow. This one ending any hope of preserving an equal footing on the topic. He knew he was euchred and anything less than total honesty from here in would lead only to disaster for his position.

"Le Clerque is our man, Father de Montcleefe. His service is directed through our military and intelligence arm. If you thought your discrete inquiry for his services escaped our attention, well..." The Cardinal savoured the last of the fruit slices and washed it down with the remainder of his wine.

"I was acting strictly with regard for the church, your Grace. This mission is poor and any supplement, regardless of source, is welcome."

"Be calm, Father. We have no quarrel... as long as His Holiness receives adequate compensation for the use of the church's resources. And of course, he will. Le Clerque has complete discretion in that matter."

Montcleefe saw any hope of acquiring treasure for himself diminishing, if indeed there was any.

"Now that we have discussed and settled that matter, I would like to tour your compound and meet some of your flock.

They rose and Montcleefe led the Cardinal down the long steps to the packed earth of the compound and across to the area designated for crafts. His position was still shaky and it could depend considerably on his attention to the Cardinal. He knew full well what the Cardinal was looking for and he had two or three in mind.

The women were all squatting around a blanket of bush grass, coloured feathers and dried clay images of jungle creatures. Montcleefe called two of them forward and commanded them to kneel and kiss the Cardinal's ring.

"This is Tula and Lez, your Grace. They are accomplished in the crafts of the Katopi." He looked about. "Where are Krena and her daughter?" He asked in the native language, learning that they had left the mission by boat without a word. "No matter. The Cardinal wishes you to accompany him to partake and observe his evening devotions. He is a very powerful man in the church and can teach you much of its purpose in the lives of the Katopi people."

The two women bowed and followed the Cardinal to the large riverboat used for his journey Montcleefe looked after them with disgust. It wasn't so much his carnal desires, he had sated those on many occasion himself; it was the deliberate flaunting of his authority, compelling acquiescence from his underling... and the extent of his knowledge.