The Quest: A Novel

Gann wore a reddish mustache and carried a riding crop. He was hatless, but there was a tan line on his forehead, so he’d lost his hat somewhere, though not his service revolver, which he wore on his hip. He also had a pair of field glasses hanging around his neck. Purcell stuck the spear back in the ground and stood.
    Mercado introduced himself, and Colonel Gann said, “Yes, I’ve read your stuff.”
    “Thank you.” Mercado introduced his companions, and Vivian said to Colonel Gann, “If you’ve read Henry’s stuff, I like you already.”
    Colonel Gann forced a smile and told them, “We have to move quickly.” He informed everyone, “There are several hundred nasty-looking Gallas less than a thousand yards from here.”
    No one replied, but Purcell saw that Mercado had gone pale.
    Colonel Gann added, “But they are dismounted and moving slowly.” He explained, “Stripping corpses, finishing off the wounded, and looking for booty.”
    And, Purcell knew, mutilating the dead and wounded, and that takes awhile.
    Purcell exited the tent and looked around. The entire camp was deserted, and he noticed that the prince’s flag was gone. More importantly, their Jeep was also gone.
    Mercado, Gann, and Vivian came out into the bright sunlight, and Purcell asked Gann, “Do you have horses to go with that riding crop?”
    “I’m afraid not.”
    Vivian asked, “Where’s our Jeep?”
    Gann replied, “Last I saw it, there were a dozen Royalist soldiers in it, headed south toward the jungle valley.”
    Vivian said, “Everything we own was in that Jeep.”
    Mercado added, “Including our chance to get out of here.” He asked Gann, “Where is Prince Joshua?”
    “Last I saw of him, he and six of his staff were on horseback, also heading south.”
    Purcell remarked, “I hope he remembered to take his crown.”
    Vivian said, “This is not funny, Frank.”
    “Look at the bright side, Vivian.”
    “And what is that?”
    “The Gallas can’t castrate you.”
    Colonel Gann interjected, “The Provisional government forces are to the north. I would advise you to try to reach their lines and show your press credentials. However, they apparently have allowed the Gallas to have some fun before the army advances. So that puts the Gallas between you and the government army.”
    No one replied, and Colonel Gann continued, “But you can give it a go if you’d like.”
    Vivian asked, “And will you come with us?”
    “No. I’m a known advisor to the Royal Army. The government forces would probably shoot me.”
    Purcell said, “So let’s all head south and catch up with the retreating Royalists.”
    Colonel Gann informed them, “I’m afraid they don’t fancy me much.” He explained, “I was a strict disciplinarian. You understand?”
    Purcell observed, “It seems no one likes you, Colonel.”
    “I’m not here to be liked.”
    Vivian said, “Well, I like you. So come with us.”
    Mercado inquired, “Where are we going?”
    Colonel Gann suggested, “We can follow the rear guard of the Royal Army, keeping our distance from them, and staying a few steps ahead of the advancing Gallas.”
    “Between a rock and a hard place,” said Purcell.
    Colonel Gann also suggested, “You three can probably join up with the Royalist rear guard… though I’m not sure they’d treat you well.” He explained, “The prince is on the run and discipline has broken down.”
    “And,” Purcell reminded him, “you’re no longer in a position to enforce good order and discipline.”
    “Correct.”
    “Well…”
    In the distance, to the north, they could hear a man scream.
    Colonel Gann said, “The Gallas have arrived.”
    Mercado, without a word, began moving quickly downhill toward the goat trail.
    Vivian snapped a few quick pictures of the prince’s tent and the deserted camp, then she and Gann started to follow, but Purcell said, “I’ll look for water in the tent and catch up.”
    Gann informed him, “We looked. There is no water.” He added, “Whiskey’s gone, too, I’m afraid.”
    They caught up to Mercado and headed south, retracing the route they’d taken from the spa to Prince Joshua’s headquarters. They passed the open area where the bloated bodies lay and found the small, ravine-like goat path, then took it downhill, continuing south toward the jungle valley. Purcell noted that their tire marks had been completely obliterated by the sandal prints and bare feet of Royalist soldiers fleeing toward