Chapter 15
The Legend of Abraham
‘Where is the jewel?’ demanded Drake.
Cortez hung his head. ‘We do not know.’
‘What?’
‘We looked everywhere in the house – even the attic room. There was nothing.’
‘Unacceptable,’ spat Drake.
‘There has been another development,’ said Cortez.
‘Yes?’
‘The Patupaiarehe are involved.’ Instinctively Cortez ducked, and then looked up in horror as a series of darts flew into the wall behind him.
‘I chose you because of your reputation as a pirate of the highest order,’ screamed Drake. ‘And now you are undone by a gang of children. You disgust me.’
Cortez rose to his feet. ‘Abraham must have – ’
‘Do not mention that name again!’ yelled Drake. ‘You’re like the rest of them, stunned by the myth. He is a man! Men can be killed.’
‘He's the reason the Last Valley remained hidden for so long,’ said Cortez. ‘I need more men. And more time.’
‘I will call reinforcements,’ said Drake. ‘But there is no more time. Others will sniff out the news. This place will be swarming with treasure hunters; the desperate, dirty hordes.’
‘We will search the old man’s house,’ said Cortez.
‘Watch out,’ said Drake, her face twisting into a nasty sneer. ‘You may find fire-breathing dragons guarding the gates. Isn’t that what the stories tell you?’
‘Something like that,’ admitted Cortez.
‘Only fools believe such stories.’
Cortez shrugged off the insult. ‘What of the curse?’
‘Another exaggeration,’ said Drake.
‘I’m not so sure,’ said Cortez. ‘The Ancients protected their fortune every way they could. Stories of the curse are well known.’
Drake laughed out loud. ‘So are stories of men who convinced themselves they would die a horrid death when there was nothing wrong with them. Are you one of those men?’
‘I will succeed,’ replied Cortez. ‘I promised I would deliver and I shall.’
‘Excellent,’ she said. ‘What does Henderson have to report?’
‘He’s scanning in the second location. He promises results within the week.’
Drake nodded. ‘Good,’ she said. ‘Now get out, and bring me those jewels, or I will be forced to replace you – which means you won’t get a thing.’
‘We had a deal,’ said Cortez, clenching his fists.
‘The deal was; you bring me the gems, I fill the Tiger’s mask; you get half of the rest. As I have nothing, you get nothing. Got it?’
Cortez nodded.
‘Good,’ barked Drake. ‘Now get out!’