Jak walked toward the door.
“Dark falls. Mebbe should go.”
THE WOODLANDS along the river were in darkness by the time that Mildred, Jak, Sineta and Markos reached the riverbank. The night sky above was clear, the moon illuminating the woods enough for them to be able to find their way. Jak took the front, surefooted and able to see in the gloom. He returned at intervals to report that the way ahead was clear. Although there were paths scored through the woods by the activities of the tree fellers, Mildred guided them through thicker patches, wanting to keep the party as hidden as possible. As the rest of the companions had regained their weapons just that day, so Mildred had claimed her Czech-made ZKR target pistol, which she held loosely, feeling the familiar grain of the butt against her palm. Jak had his .357 Magnum Colt Python, and Markos his H&K, which he held across his body, loose but firm in his grip. Sineta was the only one who concerned Mildred when it came to weapons. The baron’s daughter carried a Glock, which was gripped tightly in her fist. The tension in her grip revealed that she was unfamiliar and ill-at-ease with blasters.
If it came to a firefight, as it undoubtedly would, could the woman look after herself? Mildred figured that she’d have to keep an eye out for the soon-to-be baron of Pilatu, otherwise she could find herself buying the farm before her father.
Jak appeared through the trees like a wraith, seemingly able to wrap himself around the shadows cast by the trunks.
“Clear ahead. No sign yet.”
“Are you sure they’ll be there tonight?” Sineta whispered.
Mildred affirmed. “They’ve got no choice, sweetie. They know I’m still alive, and they know how much I know. Even if I didn’t go to you and Markos, then they’d figure that I’d get Ryan and the others to snatch the treasure tonight, before they had the opportunity to act. If they’re going to get their hands on it, then they have to move tonight.”
“If only we knew who the other party was,” Markos mused. “Elias I can understand, and his motivation of greed. I make no secret of the fact that I have neither liked nor trusted him. But I cannot think who else would sink so low, particularly if, as you say, this is a man who is a separatist. They are motivated only by a burning sense of dignity. It just does not make sense.”
“Sometimes things people do just don’t, Markos,” Mildred answered, feeling uneasy about how he would take the revelation when the time came. “So let’s just stop talking about it and get down to the bank, try to take up a position where we can see them. Okay?”
Sineta and Markos agreed, and at an indication from Mildred, Jak led them through the trees and down to the river.
It looked so calm under the wan silver light of the crescent moon above. The water flowed sluggish and slow and the crop of rocks coming out of the riverbed rose in relief against the trees beyond. The ground on the bank in front of them—the place where she had earlier fought for her life before Jak’s timely intervention—looked serene and undisturbed, as though it had never seen human intrusion.
“Not here yet, and not many places hide,” Jak whispered, breaking her reverie. “I take rocks, find crevice to hide. You three stay together. Cover away from any paths. Elias not good woodsman, so take easiest path.”
“Can you be sure of that?” Markos queried. “What if they stumble on us from the rear?”
“Trust him,” Mildred said softly. “If Jak figures that’s how Elias will come, then that’s how he’ll come.”
“Besides,” the albino added with a sly grin, “signs there of where left earlier. Triple stupe even figure come back that way.”
Markos raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Okay, I take your point. But how are you going to get out to the rocks without risking them seeing you as they approach?”
“Two things—one, I find route there that not make water ripple, two—” he added with a sly grin “—I checked. Elias and other not anywhere around yet.”