The Quest: A Novel

glasses to Purcell.
    Below was a grassy plateau, like an alpine meadow, between them and the hills to the north, and rocky ridges ran from the hills to the plateau.
    Purcell focused on the closest ridge, less than a kilometer away, and saw a group of uniformed men. They’d piled up some rocks to construct a safe firing position, and he thought he saw the long firing tube of a mortar protruding above the rock. He looked farther up the ridge at the next summit and saw more gun positions.
    Gann said, “The bulk of the Provisional Army are in those hills.” He told them, “They attacked us in force last night, right there on that plateau, and we inflicted a good number of casualties on them. Unfortunately, they had heavy mortars and they pounded us through the night.”
    Purcell nodded. That’s what they’d seen from the spa.
    Gann went on, “At daybreak we expected another attack, and I was preparing for it, but panic had set in, and the troops started deserting. And once that starts, it’s impossible to stop.”
    Purcell asked Gann, “Was the prince paying you enough for this?”
    Gann thought about that, then replied, “A soldier’s pay is never enough. You must also believe in the cause.”
    Purcell reminded him, “You’re a mercenary.” He added, “An honorable profession, I’m sure. But not one that believes in causes.”
    Gann informed everyone, “I was here in 1941 with the British Expeditionary Force that drove out the Italians.” He added, “I developed a fondness for Ethiopia and the people. And the monarchy. The emperor. He’s a remarkable man… the last in a three-thousand-year-old line of succession.”
    “Right,” said Purcell. “The last.”
    Gann turned the question around and asked, “Why are
you
here?”
    Purcell replied, “To cover the war.”
    “Are they paying you enough for this?”
    “No.” He suggested, “Let’s get moving.” He looked at Vivian, who was kneeling beside Mercado and blocking the sun from him. “Is he all right?”
    “No.”
    Purcell said, “Try to wake him, Vivian.”
    “No. He needs sleep.”
    “It’s all downhill to the plateau.”
    Gann suggested, “Look, I’m not going with you into the army lines, so I’ll stay here with him and you two make contact with the government forces, then come back for him with an army medic and a few men to carry him.” He added, “I’ll scoot off before you get up here.”
    Purcell thought that was a good idea, but Vivian said, “I’m not leaving him.”
    Gann explained, “You’re not leaving him. You’re going for help.”
    Purcell said to her, “You can stay here, too. I don’t need company.”
    Mercado was awake now and he sat up with his back against the rock. He’d heard the discussion and said to Vivian in a weak voice, “Go with Frank.”
    “No. I’m staying with you.” She knelt beside him and put her hand on his forehead. “You’re burning…”
    Purcell looked at Gann and they both knew that Mercado was close to heatstroke.
    Gann said to Purcell, “You’d better start off now.”
    Mercado pulled a plastic wrapped paper from his pocket and gave it to Vivian, saying, “The safe-conduct pass… go with Frank.”
    She took the pass and handed it to Purcell, but remained kneeling beside Mercado. Purcell put the pass in his pocket and said to Gann, “I won’t be seeing you later. Thanks for your help.”
    They shook and Gann said, “Well, good luck.” He added, “The commander of the Provisional government forces is a chap named Getachu. Nasty fellow. Red through and through. Likes to shoot Royalists. Doesn’t think much of Westerners either. Your pass fromthe Provisional government should be all right, but be careful with him.”
    Purcell replied, “I know who he is.” He said to Vivian and Mercado, “See you later.”
    Purcell moved toward the descending ridge, then turned and asked Gann, “Have you ever heard of a black monastery in this area?”
    Colonel Gann didn’t reply immediately, then said, “Yes. But not worth the side trip.” He added, “Maybe after the war is over.”
    Purcell nodded, then started to pick his way down the rocky ridge.

Chapter 8
    B elow, the grassy plateau looked inviting, and Purcell thought there could be water there. Or Gallas.
    Across the plateau was the base of the rocky hills, and in those hills was the victorious army of the Provisional government. But even if he made it to an army outpost, he wasn’t sure what kind of reception