The Diamonds of Montora (The Chronicles of Montora Book 5) Read online

  Now Hummingbird looked at Karkos with raised eyebrows. “The Colonel led me to believe that you were one of the key Panslavic representatives.”

  “I am. But my boss is considerably more demanding than Colonel Bora. All of us have an opportunity to come out of this operation very very well compensated. Just remember that the magnitude of the reward comes with an equal risk. I don’t believe that Margrave Nyman will just roll over and give his country to us.”

  The Lieutenant rolled his tongue inside his cheek, and nodded slowly as he thought. “I see. Thank you, once again, for your advice.”

  “I believe you do see. Okay, then, let’s get busy before we freeze to death out here. I want to sleep in a warm bed tonight.”

  Hummingbird laughed. “Now that you mention it, Sir, I do too.”

  § § §

  Nighttime in the back-woods of Montora is dark. Hepplewhite’s moon, Nyx, had set, and the starlight was not enough to do other than allow a gentle whiteness from the snow-cover. By 4AM the sentries around the Panslavic mining site were cold and tired. It was challenging to remain vigilant as the rest of the camp slumbered. The shush of the Moody River filled the background, as it eddied about the rocks in the bed – a pleasant sound; relaxing. After a long day of setting up the camp, the guards had not yet settled into their regular shifts.

  Harmon Eckert ghosted across the camp site to where the Multimate Mining System crouched in the gloom. He was familiar with it from his days on Caledon. The machine was designed to dredge material from the river, and run it through increasingly fine filters to separate metals from the clay. Eckert opened an access hatch, and slipped inside the mechanical room of the house-sized implement. The indicator lights from the idling equipment provided the illumination he needed. He carefully looked around at the internal plumbing, and then removed the cap from an expansion tank. After pouring the contents of a small bottle into the tank, he replaced the cap, and slipped out of the room again.

  The little mountain pony stood where he had left it tied to a tree in the woods, and Eckert climbed aboard for his trip back to Montora Village.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Signe Foxworth Nyman lay in the bed, under the comforter, and watched her husband dress in the pre-dawn chill.

  “Why don’t you let me fix you breakfast before you leave, Darling?”

  Franklin Nyman looked over at his wife and smiled. He wasn’t sure how Signe accomplished it, but she managed to awaken from a night’s sleep looking as fresh and attractive as when she had retired.

  “Have I told you, yet, this morning how lovely you are, Precious?”

  “Oh, give over, Franklin. I know I look like something the cat dragged in. Now, how can you expect to travel across one hundred miles of timber on an empty stomach?”

  “Oh, Alex will fix something. Don’t worry about it.”

  Signe flipped the covers back and stepped out on to the floor. “That’s what I’m afraid of, Franklin. Sheesh it’s cold in here.”

  She quickly stepped into her slippers, and reached for her clothes. “You two are just going to have to hold on until I fix a proper breakfast. You probably didn’t even think about packing something to eat along the way.”

  “I have some trail bread.”

  “Trail bread is not fit to feed to the dog.”

  “We don’t have a dog.”

  “Exactly.” She grinned as she pulled on her sweatshirt. “I dearly hope someone thought to light a fire in the kitchen stove.”

  “I think Alex was going to make some coffee.”

  “Right. You get dressed, Franklin. I’ll see you downstairs.”

  The aroma of coffee reached Signe before she got to the kitchen. She arrived to find Alex Nesmith fiddling with the firebox of the cast-iron stove.

  “Morning, Alex,” she said as she walked over to one of the cabinets.

  He jumped and spun around. “Oh! I didn’t know you were up, Margravina.”

  “I couldn’t have you and Franklin going hungry out on the trail, and freezing to death. I’m going to fix breakfast, and while you are eating, I’ll put together a lunch for you to carry.”

  As guard captain, Alex had learned how to interact with Franklin, including expressing differences of opinion when necessary. He had yet to reach that point with Signe Nyman, and was still a little intimidated by her.

  “Yes, Margravina. If you will excuse me, I will go tend to the horses.”

  She grinned at Alex. “You are excused. But breakfast will be on in about fifteen minutes, and you’d better be back for that.” She shook her finger at him as he turned to leave the kitchen, and he did look a bit nervous.

  With a scraping sound, she slid a large cast-iron skillet out of the cabinet and turned to place it on top of the stove. She then peeled the lid off of a can of shortening and frowned as she dug a spoonful out and used her finger to slide it off the spoon into the skillet. Backwater planets like Hepplewhite had reverted to more primitive cooking styles, and the solid shortening was the only thing available to crisp up the food – even if it was less healthy.

  She sawed several slices off a ham, and dropped them into the skillet, as it warmed up on the stove. She then set a wire basket of eggs on the table in preparation for cooking them as well. After removing the cloth wrapping from a loaf of bread, she looked around the kitchen with her hands on her hips. Finally, she pulled another skillet from the cupboard and set it on the stove top. She buttered two slices of bread, and placed them in the other skillet to toast.

  Franklin walked into the kitchen. “Something is starting to smell good, precious.” He stepped over to give her a quick kiss. “I’m glad you insisted on feeding us. It’s going to be a long, cold day.”

  “I don’t understand why you feel you must ride across half of Montora on horseback. If Colonel Bora happens to catch you, things will get very difficult.”

  “That’s why I’m going on horseback. There are enough people crisscrossing the country, even in winter, that they don’t pay much attention to it. It’s actually safer than taking the aircar.”

  She used a spatula to begin turning the ham slices. “But why go at all?”

  “I’ve got to coordinate with Martin. He is sitting with the Regiment in a cave, and really needs direction.”

  Signe shrugged. “I think Martin could figure out what to do. He's really pretty bright.”

  “Oh, he certainly can. But the plans we put together ahead of time say that he’s supposed to wait for me to help formulate the strategy. We’ve already passed several messages back and forth. He’s waiting for me to come up to see him.”

  “I'm just afraid that it's more dangerous than you think it is, dearest."

  Franklin walked up behind her, and put his hands on her arms. “I’m not going to lie to you, precious. There is some danger involved. But I can’t hide out here in the woods and let your dad get stuck dealing with the Colonel. He, Martin, and Joe Wilson are all looking for leadership from me. Not to mention the fact that we’ve got two wealthy industrialists on planet who are potentially more exposed than we are.”

  “I’m surprised Harvey isn’t going with you. I think he’s getting cabin fever.”

  Sixteen-year-old Harvey Steelmaker had arrived at Hepplewhite several months previously in the yacht Cold Steel, which was down to the very dregs of its life support systems. He was the heir to a large manufacturing empire on Harcourt’s World. Though the corporate office had dispatched a repair ship to Hepplewhite, Harvey decided not to be in any hurry to leave. Between the mentoring of Glenn Foxworth and Franklin Nyman, he was rapidly learning how to survive in an environment where he was a juicy target. This was interrupted, of course, by the invasion sponsored by the Panslavic Corporation.

  If Harvey happened to be captured by the Highlanders Regiment, they would freely return him to Harcourt, but would unashamedly charge a huge service fee for the courtesy. Harvey was uninterested in paying a thinly disguised ransom, so he went to ground with the Nymans.

  “Harvey insisted on going with me,” Franklin said. “I had to slap him down pretty hard.”

  “Why not let him go with you? He definitely pulls his weight.”

  Signe scooped the ham slices onto a platter, then began breaking eggs into the skillet.

  “You are getting pretty good at that. And, I don’t want to have to worry about Harvey if we get into a tight spot. I’m pretty comfortable Alex and I can take care of ourselves, but Harvey adds an additional degree of risk.”

  “If he stays around here, I’m afraid he’ll get so frustrated with being cooped up he’ll decide he needs to go out and do something.”

  Franklin shook his head. “We can’t do much about that. He’s a big boy, and he’s old enough to start learning his own lessons.”

  Signe put her hands on her hips, and glared at Franklin. “Listen to what you are saying, Franklin! First you are saying you don’t want the risk, now you’re saying he can take care of himself. Well, which is it?”

  “All I’m saying is that if we are halfway across the River Valley, and get surprised, I don’t want to have to pay attention to what Harvey’s doing. If he’s out and about here in the village, he has the guards to look after him, and they’re focused on taking care of him.”

  “Did I hear my name?” Harvey Steelmaker stepped into the kitchen. He was wearing a flannel shirt with a sweater over it, and the bulkiness of his trousers indicated thermal underwear.

  “You’re up early, Harv,” Franklin said. “Couldn’t sleep?”

  “I didn’t want to keep you waiting on me this morning. We have a long ride ahead of us.”

  “You’re not going, Harvey.”

  “That smells mighty good, Signe. Is there enough for me?”

  “Of course, there
is. Just sit right down there at the table, and I’ll get you a plate. I think the coffee’s about ready too.”

  “Are we ready to leave, yet?” Murray Hopper stumped into the room, also dressed in cold-weather clothing.

  “Oh, for crying out loud!” Franklin threw his arms in the air. “This whole thing is turning into a circus. Hopper, you’re not going.”

  “Of course, I am. You need my help.”

  “Why does everyone think I am a helpless child? Alex and I are going by ourselves. Period. End of discussion. Stop laughing, Signe.”

  An hour later four men on mountain ponies slipped away from the keep, and skirted the village of Piasecki heading west. The first hint of dawn seeped about the mountains behind them as they rode through the darkness. The heavy snow muffled the sounds of the hooves, as they followed the path into the valley.

  The guard captain, Alex Nesmith, led the party as the path wound its way through the forest. Harvey and Murray rode together in the middle, and Franklin brought up the rear. The two young men conversed quietly.

  Franklin eased his pony up beside the two in front of him. “Your job on this trip, gentlemen, is to keep your eyes and ears open. We don’t know if Bora has scouts out and about, and I’d rather not be surprised.”

  Harvey snapped his mouth shut. Hopper rolled his eyes as they continued riding .

  “Keep it up, Hopper, and they’ll find your body next spring when the snowdrift melts.”

  Hopper said nothing, but continued riding. Franklin allowed himself to fall back behind again. He shook his head in disgust. It’s going to be a long day with those two along with us. I don’t know how I allow myself to get talked into the things like this. At least we left Harvey's guards back at Piasecki.

  Major Martin Boodles stepped to the mouth of the cave where the Baltic Regiment lay hidden, and looked at morning’s rise over the eastern mountains of Montora. The winter stars were beginning to dim as rays streaked across the sky from Panoz – the system's primary. The valley below still lay in darkness. Boodles sipped his first cup of coffee of the day as he looked at the crisp morning.

  “Whatever else you can say, Sir, it’s pretty up here,” Corporal Simon Clifford, the major’s adjutant said.

  Boodles turned to look at the other man. “Yes Corporal, this is probably the nicest scenery I’ve ever seen. You can understand why the tourists like it.”

  “Will the tourists keep coming, Sir?”

  Boodles rocked his head back and forth. “That remains to be seen. It’s certainly in Colonel Bora’s best interests to keep the commerce flowing. That way she and the Panslavic company won’t end up having to feed the whole planet.”

  “If they're planning to rape the valley to get the minerals out, do they even care about the tourists?”

  “A good question, Corporal Clifford. A very good question.”

  “I know I don't see the big picture as well as you do, Sir. But, how could they do something like this in the face of what Carlo Roma might do?”

  “Another good question, Corporal. It would stand to reason that they have found some way to neutralize Roma, and that concerns me.”

  “How could they do something like that, Sir? Carlo Roma is a powerful man.”

  “Exactly. I don't think they would have come barging in here unless they were very sure they would have no interference.”

  The two men stood, watching the dawn. Finally, without another word, Boodles turned and walked back into the cave, and into his office. Clifford followed and stepped in the door as Boodles hung up his coat and hat, and plopped into his chair.

  “Any modifications to the day’s agenda, Sir?”

  Boodles nodded. “Yes, Corporal. I believe there is. The Margrave’s supposed to be heading across on the valley road today. I'd like to send a couple of people out to meet them.”

  “Do you have anyone in mind, Sir?”

  “Yes, I do. Balto and Ghormley have been roaming all about the Valley for the past week. Send them out.”

  Clifford bobbed his head. “Yes, Sir. I will see to it.”

  The corporal left a bemused major in the office when he left to execute the orders. Boodles wasn’t sure Clifford’s miraculous improvement and motivation was due to the invasion, or the tongue lashing he had received just prior to that. In any case, he was not disposed to complain.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “It's cold,” Hopper muttered.

  “No kidding,” Harvey muttered in return.

  “Will you two can it?” Franklin hissed. “Sound carries out here.”

  “If a Highlander fell in the forest, would anybody hear?” Hopper asked.

  Franklin eased his horse back to where the other two rode. “Just what is your problem, Hopper?” he asked softly.

  “I'm cold.”

  “Yeah, so am I. Look at the scenery. It'll keep your mind off things.”

  The excitement at the start of the trip faded into wonder at the snow swept wonderland of the Moody River Valley. The last storm had come with very little wind, and the branches of the evergreens were laden with snow. The temperature behind the storm front had sunk well below zero, and in the stillness of the day the riders would occasionally hear the sharp report of a tree splitting due to the expansion of the water ice inside the branches.

  “I'm still cold.”

  “What do you expect me to do about it. You gotta deal with it, Hopper. You were the one who wanted to come along.”

  “No. Harvey did. He talked me into coming with. I wish I'd stayed in bed.”

  Harvey looked straight ahead as he rode alongside Hopper. He seemed determined not to enter the conversation.

  “That's right, Hopper. Blame your friend. No loyalty whatsoever.”

  A slight smile creased Harvey's face.

  “I'm hungry,” Hopper said.

  “Oh, for pity's sake, Hopper.” Franklin called ahead. “Alex, we're stopping for lunch.”

  Following a stop to eat the packed, and now frozen lunches, which Signe had carefully prepared that morning, the group moved on along the valley road into the afternoon. As the cold settled in on each traveler, the conversation slowed and stopped. At the head of the line, Alex Nesmith remained alert, and watched the surroundings carefully. Bringing up the rear, Franklin also surveyed the landscape as the mountain ponies plodded along. Hopper and Steelmaker huddled deeper into their winter garments, and tried to endure the chill.

  Panoz was easing its way towards the Western mountains, preparing for its early disappearance into the winter night. Alex suddenly reined up, and held up his hand, arm high. Hopper and Steelmaker came to a halt behind him. Franklin slipped off his pony and quickly wrapped the reins around a protruding tree branch, and stepped into the woods. Harvey started to speak, and Hopper reached out to touch his arm and stopped him.

  A few minutes later Franklin ghosted up behind the two men from the Baltic Regiment as they lay behind a snow drift, watching the travelers.

  “Hi, guys!”

  Ghormley whipped around, and jumped to his feet, swearing. Balto climbed to his feet in a more leisurely fashion.

  “Criminy, Margrave, you move through the woods like a thief,” Balto said.

  “You shouldn’t do that to a pair of old men, Margrave,” Ghormley said. “Somebody is liable to have a heart attack.”

  Franklin snorted. “Are you two the reception committee?”

  “The major asked us to come out to meet you, and guide you in. How did you know we were here?”

  Franklin shrugged. “I’m not sure. Alex figured it out. It may have been that traitor bird that was flying around above you.”

  Ghormley scanned the treetops above their position. He swore under his breath. “So much for staying undercover.”

  “You’re never too old to learn.”

  “Thanks, Margrave.”

  Franklin smiled at their discomfiture. “If you’re the welcoming committee, I suppose we ought to get moving on before everybody freezes. In case you didn’t notice, it’s pretty doggone cold out here.”

  Balto winked at Franklin. “We was pretty cozy here in the snow drift, Margrave.”

  “Yeah, well you try riding through this all day. I believe our two young followers are getting tired of it.”