The Quest

Gann was trying to determine what ground they had already covered, and he drew pencil lines on the map, saying, “We’ve gone in circles a bit, I think.”

“In fact, that snake back there looked familiar.”

“Hard to tell with snakes, old boy.”

Vivian reminded everyone, “A rock, a tree, a stream. And perhaps a cluster of palm trees.”

No one had been talking about those possible clues since Vivian mentioned them four days ago, but everyone had been at least alert to what seemed so important back in Addis.

Here in the bush, however, the reality changed, or reality became altered. The mind played tricks, as it does in the desert or at sea. The eye sees, and the ear hears, but the mind interprets. They had been so thirsty the day before that they all kept spotting things that were not there, especially water.

Also, they had not seen any signs of human presence since the first day when they’d found the wide trail. This was a good and bad thing. Humans were the most dangerous animals in the jungle, but the Grail seekers needed to go where other humans-Falashas and monks-had gone to meet. They had not even found evidence of a campfire or a dropped or discarded item made by man.

Henry pointed out, “Father Armano did not walk for four or five days from the monastery to the fortress.”

Gann said, “This priest was with soldiers who obviously knew the terrain, and they quick-marched this chap directly to the fortress and into his little cell.” He added, “But I am certain we are still within the area that we agreed at the spa would be the most likely territory for this monastery.” He further added, “That comports, too, with the travel time of the villagers to the meeting place.”

Purcell commented, “I didn’t realize how big four thousand square kilometers was.”

Mercado also pointed out, “For all we know, the monks picked a meeting place that was very far from their monastery. Maybe three or four days away.”

Gann replied, “Well, I hope not.”

Purcell said, “Let’s stick with the logical theory that the monks do not want to walk more than a day to meet the Falashas.” He added, “The monks are carrying stone knickknacks, for God’s sake.”

“Quite right,” Gann agreed.

Vivian was not much into theory or speculation, Purcell noticed, and she didn’t contribute to the men’s attempts to overthink and outthink themselves.

Gann noticed this and said to her, “Should we be waiting for divine inspiration?”

Vivian replied, “You can’t wait for it. It comes when it comes.” She added, “You can pray for it, though.”

“I’ve done that.”

“Try again,” she suggested.

As for the other group dynamics, Purcell had noticed that Henry seemed to have lost interest in Vivian-or in impressing her. There is nothing like exhaustion, thirst, hunger, and fear to get the old libido and weenie down, Purcell knew.

He hoped Henry would hold up, and that Vivian would not have to nurse her ex-lover again. But if it happened, that was all right.

They discussed security and possible run-ins with dangerous people.

Gann said, “The Gallas don’t much fancy the jungle, and we’ve seen no hoofprints or horse droppings. The Gallas’ home is the desert, and they only drop by places such as this after a battle.” He let them know, “The Royalist partisans are operating to the west, and the counterrevolutionaries are mostly in the Simien Mountains around Gondar, so there is no reason for Getachu’s soldiers to be here either. He has his hands full elsewhere.” He assured them, “We have the jungle all to ourselves.”

Purcell reminded him, “We’ve seen three army Hueys fly over.”

“I actually counted four. But these are normal north-south flights from Gondar to Addis, and vice versa.” He assured them, “The army has neither the fuel nor the helicopters for reconnaissance.”

Purcell reminded him, “They have one less helicopter than they used to have.”

“Quite right.”

He also reminded Gann, “Yesterday, a helicopter was going east-west.”

“Well, as long as they keep going, and don’t hover about, then they’re not looking for anything.”

“I think they’re looking for us, Colonel.”

“I doubt that. They think you’ve flown off to Somaliland.” He asked, “Why in the world would you stay here after you’ve shot down an army helicopter?”

“I’ve been asking myself that very question.”

Gann smiled and said, “Well, let’s press on.”

On day five, Mercado said, “We need to head to Shoan.” He reminded everyone, “We are running out of food.”

And Henry was running out of gas, Purcell knew. And they were all dehydrated and covered with insect bites and heat sores.

Mercado reminded Gann, “Regroup, refit, and strike out again.”

Gann nodded, but not very enthusiastically. He said, “I feel we should push on just a bit more… perhaps to the south, to a line parallel with Shoan. We might have more luck that way.” He added, “Then we can head east toward the road, and Shoan.”

Mercado had no reply.

Purcell said, “We could be south of Shoan already.”

“That’s possible.”

Mercado pointed out, “If we just head due east, we will intersect with the road.”