“Then be happy with it,” Mildred told him before leaving.
J.B. CHECKED HIS wrist chron. It was a little before nine and the ville was lit by oil lamps that glowed in the deep blue of late twilight. He had spent the day cleaning the companions’ weapons until they were back in working order, although they still reposed in Pilatu’s armory. He and Simeon had also inventoried and packed much of the Pilatan weaponry, leaving out only spare blasters for the sec men to carry on the journey. J.B. had counseled this as a precaution, as there was always the likelihood of running into trouble as soon as they landed on the mainland. Simeon had been only too pleased to have advice from someone who had knowledge of the whitelands, and the disposition of the Pilatan armorer had made for a more congenial atmosphere than J.B. had encountered in the woods with the other companions.
When the day’s work was complete, he had eaten with the others and told them of his meeting with Mildred. Ryan was glad to let the Armorer go alone, knowing that although it would be vital for the group, there would also be matters that would be nobody’s business but J.B.’s and Mildred’s.
There were few people around at that hour, even though it was still early. Work for evacuation, and the preparation of personal effects, kept people inside their dwellings. Only those with business abroad, or the regular sec patrols, could be seen.
J.B. perched on the platform used for public events, waiting, uncomfortable to be alone with his thoughts at this time, and relieved when he saw Mildred approach from the direction of Sineta’s quarters.
“Dark night, you look exhausted, Millie!” was the first thing he said as she came near.
“Thanks, I’ll see if I can find something nice to say about you,” she returned, embracing him.
He could sense some distance in the embrace, but decided to say nothing until they had spoken further. Perhaps it was just exhaustion.
“I didn’t mean… It’s just that you look like you’ve got even more weighing on you than you did this morning,” he said by way of apology.
“I have. Shit, you wouldn’t believe it, John. I thought things were complicated enough, but this is one hell of a curve ball.”
“So you gonna tell me about it, or is it another thing that you keep in the dark?” he asked spikily.
“Oh for God’s sake!” She spit the words out angrily. “I’ve tried really hard not to do that. Try to see it through my eyes.”
The Armorer shook his head. “Can’t. Don’t know what there is to see,” he said simply.
Mildred screwed up her face and looked around. There were few people around, sure, but for what she had to say, she needed somewhere much more private.
“Look, there’s more going on than we could talk about tonight, but when I met Barras this morning, after leaving you, he told me something—asked us something—that I can’t talk about here.”
J.B. nodded. “Then let’s get some privacy.”
Without waiting for her to comment, J.B. led her out of the square and through to the outskirts of the ville. As they passed the wildlife pens, she noticed that he was still limping quite heavily: not on the side he had been shot, but on the other, where his old injuries had been aggravated by his overcompensation as he sought to keep weight off the fresh wound.
It got darker and quieter as they neared the woods. J.B. led her into a clearing and sat her in the center.
“This should be far enough. Anyone who wants to eavesdrop on us now will have to make enough noise getting here for us to know they’re coming.”
“I know that. I haven’t forgotten everything,” she said angrily.
The Armorer took off his spectacles and started to polish them. “Sorry,” he said quietly. “So, why don’t you start at the beginning?”
Mildred began. She filled him in on the background to the hidden horde, and why it had to remain a secret from Sineta. She detailed how they could find it, and added that Jak would be the best bet to gain ingress to open up the hidden part of the cave where the riches were stored. She finished by explaining why Barras felt that they would be best equipped to find and transport the horde until it could be given to Sineta.