"Jed, you stay with the men at the boats until I've met the Father. I don't want our transportation to suddenly disappear. Chessery didn't get here alone; she hired some Katopis and she usually hires anyone willing to take the job so... just to be on the safe side."

Several children raced to the shore as the boats pulled up, all yelling and waving their homemade crafts. A few women joined them but some only came to gather the children back from the visitors. Sax climbed out of the boat and waded ashore; smiling to assure the natives he came as a friend, and accepted a straw figure from a small girl with coal black eyes and hair.

He produced a coin from his pocket and pressed it into her tiny hand. She ran silently back to her mother, holding it up for approval. Sax moved past the group and up through the compound toward the great house where he saw two robed missionaries hurrying toward him.

"Is there something we can do for you?" The first one to reach him asked, breathlessly

"I'm here to see the lady, Chessery Blanchert. Sax folded his arms and set his stance.

"What business is this about?"

"None of yours, Father. Is de Montcleefe around?"

"Father de Montcleefe is occupied this day" The man kept his hands in his sleeves delivering a supercilious appearance. The other man, a larger and harder looking individual, let his hands fall to his sides and watched Sax carefully

"Fine, then take me to the lady"

"Madam Blanchert is also occupied."

"But not too busy to see an old acquaintance." The three men looked up to the verandah of the lodge as Chessery's musical greeting drifted down the hill. Sax pushed between the two fathers and strode up to the steps leading to the verandah.

"Hello, Saxon, it's been a long time." She trailed a hand along the railing and took a deliberate amount of time descending the steps to where he stood, stone-faced.

As they faced one another in silence, the door to the lodge opened and Father de Montcleefe stepped out, moving rapidly down the steps. Chessery moved to the side and took up a position of observer as Sax turned to face de Montcleefe. Visitors were expected to display a humble deference and accept the Father's hand for the mandatory kiss. Sax simply nodded, speaking the man's last name in greeting.

Montcleefe looked astonished at the man's nerve and flapped his hands. "How dare you, sir! These are private quarters and not some rabble hall you barge into without even a proper invitation or introduction." Sax looked at the man with dead eyes and didn't move a muscle.

"I thought all men were welcome to God's place of worship, but no matter, I'm here for one reason only To verify the rumour about Miss Blanchert's offer. I have no intention of staying any longer than necessary, so¾"

"May I suggest a calming of all tempers and a more gentlemanly discussion, particularly as it concerns me?" Chessery stepped forward and Sax closed his eyes, nodding. Her affect on him hadn't gone away, only diminished.

"All I want is an answer to my question."

She came closer. "Is the notorious Grant Saxon interested in my offer or are you here for some other reason? Curiosity perhaps?"

He stood his ground, watching her devolve into her manipulative state, one of wiles and charm. "Why not just tell me about this rumour you've thrown out. Something about untold wealth?"

"Just a moment here!" Montcleefe interrupted. He puffed out his skinny chest beneath the robe and waved his hand arrogantly at Sax. "Madam Blanchert has presented herself as a guest in the Lord's mission with an expression of enlisting my assistance in this quest."

"You?" Sax snorted loudly and the father's face turned bright pink.

"My people, if the difference pleases you."

"Nothing you do pleases me. And I thought they were your Lord's people."

"Gentlemen, please. I'm the one making the offer so let's just back off a bit and discuss this with calm maturity Perhaps over something cool." She patted her throat where a sheen of perspiration glowed.

"I'm only here to find out about this offer, Chessery. I didn't come to waste time."

"Are you interested in accepting?"

"The drink? Sure. My men would like something too. I think the Lord would frown on letting visitors to his mission suffer any inhospitality"

Chessery smiled and turned to the father. "I'm sure Father de Montcleefe would be more than pleased to see to the comfort of your men while we talk."

Montcleefe's face tightened as he lifted a hand toward his two acolytes and told them to take refreshment to the visitors then he turned and reluctantly led the way up to the verandah. They reached the sitting area and nobody sat.

"Well, do we sit, gentlemen?" A wizened little woman appeared from inside the lodge, bearing a tray of glasses and fresh fruit juice. She filled glasses and departed without a word. They chose seats, Sax between the two, facing the house, and all tasted the drinks with satisfaction. Chessery sat sideways to the small table, her back to the wall and her large eyes fixed on the strong face of Sax as she spoke.

"So Captain Forrester is curious about my offer?"

Montcleefe watched the exchange with hidden surprise. He had no idea the woman was already acquainted with the man from las Almenas but that she also knew of some business they were involved with. The two small boys worked the punkahs and provided a modicum of relief for the trio as they sat with their drinks.

Sax traded her stare for stare. "What do you know about Forrester?"

"Ahh, Sax, I know a lot about las Almenas, Captain Forrester and your contract with Trask." Sax couldn't keep the surprise from his face and he cursed inwardly when he saw her smile of confirmation. "I'm assuming it's because that deal is not bearing any fruit that Seth's interest has shifted to me." She bathed him in a smug smile and glanced down at her empty glass, turning an expectant profile to de Montcleefe who hastily refilled it, ignoring that Sax's also was empty.

"He doesn't need any new deals; he simply wants to know what's happening in the area that might affect the people."

"How altruistic of him." She laughed lightly. "Captain Forrester guards the natives from the sin of greed. I thought that was one of your tasks, Father." Montcleefe frowned but said nothing. "Forrester's authority in las Almenas is a recognized fact. And he does look out for the natives there." Sax said.

"So defensive; you have changed."

"Could we stay on topic?" He didn't like the idea that she knew so much about the reason for his group to be in the area.

"What did you hear, what was the rumour you referred to?" She asked.

"That you want to hire a team to guide you to some secret treasure you claim to know about."

"That's it?"

"You tell me."

"I think, madam, that unless you feel this person's services will be needed I wouldn't divulge anything unnecessarily." de Montcleefe said abruptly.

Her eyebrows rose and she looked back at Sax. "Are you offering your services?"

"Perhaps I should, considering the dangerous interest you might attract."

She sipped her drink and increased her attention to Sax. "If you should be interested, Saxon, the reward could be great..." Her smile replaced the rest of her sentence and she saw him slip a peek at de Montcleefe who was steaming at his side of the table.

"I'm no treasure hunter, as you should know, but I'll tell Forrester your terms, which by the way I haven't heard yet. He'll make the final decision."

"I'd like a little clarification here." de Montcleefe complained. "Obviously you know one another. I'd like to know in what capacity. I'd be remiss if I was using the Lord's generosity to entertain someone whose intent was in any way contrary to his word."

"You're so bloody pompous—"

"I think that's fair, Saxon. After all we are guests here." Chessery said with a twinkle.

"My business is just that, mine. I see no need to bare myself to him."

He rose from the table and bowed sardonically to the father, hesitating before briefly shaking Chessery's outstretched fingers. "It was... interesting seeing you again. If you want to tell me your terms before I go...?"

"Simply, they are forty percent of the find with a promise to complete the task, or until completion is deemed futile and then there is nothing." She smiled up at him.

He gave a small snort. "I'll pass it on. Thanks for the drink and for my men." He dropped the straw doll on the table and left them watching his back, one with seething rage, and the other with familiar admiration.